Starwood Hotels & Resorts

When I called to book my vacation the first two years I was able (oh and mind you I was under the impression I got a vacation every year turns out it’s ever other year) not what they explained to me. Why would I spend 11k upfront and nearly 1200 in 2 years to get a week? Well, when I went to book a vacation I was told they only had 2 nights available at the resort, but I could purchase their hotel rooms at full price for the remainder of the week. This happened the two times each when I tried to book a vacation. I’m expected to pay hundreds in airfare to fly to my destination to get 2 days, of which I’ve paid 11k and 549. Annual fees for and I conveniently can pay full price at their hotel for the remainder of the week. Really?! So now grabbing at straws I’m asking for any hotel available at any of the resort locations, even places I don’t want to go to. Surprise all booked. They sign up more people than they can accommodate.

I’m writing to the Attorney General of Florida state and recommend you all do the same if you were not guaranteed your fare timeshare time. I will NEVER do a timeshare again. Also, I read online that your next of kin inherits this when you die and they literally have to fill out paperwork to fight inheriting it. They want to transfer the annual fees to your family when you die. How they are allowed to operate is amazing? Why are we not federally protected from this sort “business”. Why does Universal Studios support companies like this selling their “deals” at the theme parks.? Disgusting.

I called from my work phone (which I had no issues with all day) and was on hold for over 50 minutes! A representative finally answered and acted as if she could not hear me (I think it was time for her to go home for the day) and it appeared that she thought she disconnected the call but, instead she placed me back on hold! I was furious when I heard the hold music playing again. I could not believe she put me back on hold.

A half an hour later, another representative answered and was able to reserve the 2 room villa I needed that was not available on my dashboard. I received a survey and shared my negative experience. A resolution representative called me back and left a messenger with a number to share my experience. I called her back and was on hold another 50 minutes! She told me that they were experiencing long hold times and she would report my concerns to leadership and address the employee who initially answered the call. I am very disappointed in my experience. I don't call often and when I do need to, this is the professionalism or lack thereof of I received. Starwood, you really need to do better. I would not recommend you to anyone else.

My husband is a disabled veteran who has worked hard all of his life. We are so upset. Vacation is now ruined. We don' have the means to pay for this added $7,000.00. Extra loan. Our credit score has p,I meted in a very vulnerable time in our lives. We have to hire an attorney now to get out of this which is something we would rather do than pay for this not so appealing upgrade. Any help or suggestions would be helpful. We were also told that with the new flexible contract we could use Marriott hotels in place of villas. Now we are told we have to pay an additional $145.00 in order to convert to a point system to use the hotels option. Nothing but a horrible scam. We were happy with the original purchase that was almost paid in full.

Fast forward to 2017 and now they want to charge us $59 per reservation if my husband or I do not accompany our family to a reservation destination. Considering it takes approximately 3 minutes or less to change the name with our permission, that equates to paying folks $1,180/hr to accommodate the people who purchased timeshares within their network. They sold on one premise (share with your family) but turned around and are now charging for that privilege. When asked, no one even knows WHY they made this change other than the obvious...revenue flow. Why were we not grand-fathered in?

After I'm a flat out owner, maybe it's worth it. However, the maintenance fees are also very expensive. I pay over $1,100 a year for two units; crazy. And, they fee you for EVERYTHING! I have to pay $145 to convert options to points! Sheraton Vistana Villages is a nice place. I was also told that the Myrtle Beach property in my package was on the beach. The Sheraton Broadway Plantation Resort is not on the beach! The sales rep lied. I may sale my ownership only after one year.

Spent two hours on the phone while medical systems were crashing at the hospital network I work for all because they were telling me, "Tough luck. We're keeping your money." And I had to spend hours trying to get them to be reasonable about something that never should have been an issue. I've spent tens of thousands of dollars at Marriott hotels including my wedding at the Ritz in Laguna Niguel only to be treated this way. NEVER STAYING AT ANOTHER STARWOOD HOTEL AGAIN!!!