Vistana Beach Club♡

A very disappointing stay

4.0

As long-term owners in MVC, we were surprised to learn that there is little evidence onsite that this is part of the MVC collection despite the fact the property is listed as an option for use of weeks/points. There is no signage to indicate that it is owned by Marriott, in fact, a lot of signage indicates that it is a RCI property. There is no acknowledgement of MVC status when you check in; we were told that original owners of the property are given priority as to villa assignment. Do not go expecting a typical MVC stay. For the week we booked at this property, there were few to no activities other than craft projects that you purchase. The only food on property is a limited hour snack bar with minimal offerings. The property is not gated, and we saw no evidence of security. There is one pool with limited seating and few areas of shade. The pictures of the property are quite deceiving - there are two buildings, and the one behind the one pictured actually looks out at the front building. So, you may or may not have an ocean view. Many of the soft furnishings in the villas appear to have been updated, and there were workers changing the AC units in the building while we were there. However, the buildings are old and signs of age are quite apparent. As an example, the shower in the master bedroom had a loose fitting door and water that constantly changed temp from hot to cold no matter how you set the old plastic round knob. I had not seen fixtures like these since the 1980s. Noise was also an issue - perhaps due to the age of the building, but it sounded like the people above were constantly moving their furniture. We have not had this experience before in a MVC resort. When we went to the front desk to ask about changing our room, we found the only staff member sleeping at the desk on two occasions. Our villa also smelled quite musty, so we ended up leaving after a couple of nights. Overall. this stay was very disappointing as this property does not come close to a typical MVC resort.

One of my top 3 places since 1981

10.0

I've been timesharing wit RCI since 1981. This is one of my top 3. We were lucky enough to be put in a unit directly on the beach. The view of the ocean was amazing. We've never been to this part of Florida before and definitely would come back. The units must have been recently redone, because everything was fresh and updated. Richina was very cordial and knowledgeable. She checked us in and she was one of the best in the business to help us get a higher floor. The choice of furniture was great, except the tray ottoman was a bit uncomfortable to sit next to my husband and put our feet up. I think it will not fare well quickly as families with children stay through the years. Silly, but I LOVE the lights above the dining room table. Unit was spotless. I just read a review by someone I think stayed next to us, and it's unfortunate they are unhappy. They got bitten, as I did, but that was due to the black flies and mosquitoes, and I would think no seeums. My husband must not be very tasty because he didn't get bit at all. This happens at the beach. They had ants, we did not. They complained that the snack shack was closed, but there is a vending machine in the garage, there is a Cumberland Farms two blocks away and a Publix 5 minutes drive. We always go to the grocery upon arrival to get basics for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. There is an ice cream and sandwich store 4 blocks away. Yes, the pillows are all soft, and the bed was a bit hard, but I usually have a foam bed and topper, so we are spoiled. My recommendation is to put up some towel hooks around the bathrooms - only had a hook on the door.. I laugh when I see these big lighted mirrors because they never are lit well enough. Not even for my husband. We will have to mention that there's something wrong with the oven, but if no one has reported that, not their fault. Twice I used it to reheat premade meals from Publix and both times our meals were not warmed. It took forever to preheat, too. The balcony had a lounge chair, dining table with 4 chairs and a café table. The single elevator was amazingly fast. Never had more than one other couple with us, either. Again, this is one place in Florida that I would recommend to everyone I know.

Overhead noise unbearable

4.0

We’ve stayed at this property many times. It has a great beach location and the units are clean and comfortable. Unfortunately, there is little or no carpeting in the living and dining rooms that causes a great deal of overhead noise when tables and chairs are moved in the units above. While most guests are considerate of neighbors with regard to noise, we were unfortunate in having persons staying above us who continuously moved furniture around at all hours. We had booked a 12-night stay and it was disheartening that the resort did very little when we voiced our complaints. It’s also very surprising that this Marriott property doesn’t abide by common residential requirements for floor coverings. I caution anyone renting a villa at Vistana about this potential noise problem, because it may make your stay most unpleasant. I’m not sure that we will return.

Not recommended.

4.0

My wife and I spent a long weekend here. I will start with the good: the location is ideal, literally directly on a very nice beach. There are several restaurants/bars close by, some walkable at less than a mile. Delis and shops as well. The rental unit was adequately equipped, however I can confirm the advice given by others - bring your own pillows if you want something better than a virtually empty pillowcase. Now the not so good which drove the poor rating. The buildings are dated and don’t seem clean. We were unlucky enough to not be given a room with a washer/dryer so we had to use the public laundry room on our floor, which was one washer and one dryer in a nasty dingy room. When we got here we were told that the “activity center” would be closed throughout our stay. No big deal as we weren’t there for the arts and crafts type activities done there. But what we later found out is that the activity center included the poolside snack bar, so that was closed as well. If you took a break from the beach one day to hang by the pool, if you wanted something to drink or eat you had to get it from your room, or get in your car and go to a restaurant or bar. Not very relaxing and convenient if you ask me but we dealt with it. However we felt badly for the families there with younger children. What a hassle to have to gather them from the pool, dry off, go back to room to change, get in a car and drive to get some food. Mind you, and this is important, none of this was disclosed at the time of booking. The final nail is that our unit was inundated with ants. The obvious reason is the wide gap on the bottom of the unit entrance door. This is Florida. There’s a ton of insects here. So before making coffee and breakfast in the morning we had to basically do some housekeeping, wiping down everything, and keeping all the snacks and food we brought for the beach in the fridge. And the balcony., with a gorgeous view of the beach and ocean, is not screened in. So despite bathing in OFF with 40% DEET, you get absolutely eaten alive by mosquitos, who also get into the room through the same gaps. Hence the balcony becomes practically useless. And I’m not convinced the bites were all mosquitoes, and I fear it may be something worse in the bed. I could go on but the bottom line is, as a Marriott lifetime elite member, I can say that Marriott should be ashamed for attaching their name to this “resort”. Obviously I don’t recommend this place. There are many other similar resort/beach clubs within walking distance which I cannot imagine are not better than this.

great location ON the beach

10.0

great location. friendly staff. full kitchen with everything you could need for cooking. Would definitely stay here again! the second bedroom has two twins, so take note of that when booking. Vistana is Sheraton although it is now part of the Marriott Vacation Club. the pool faces the parking lot, not the beach.