Side-by-side comparison
Marriott Vacation Club vs. Vistana (Sheraton / Westin): Both Under MVW
In 2018, Marriott Vacations Worldwide acquired Vistana Signature Network (formerly Starwood Vacation Ownership) — bringing Sheraton and Westin-branded timeshare resorts under the same corporate umbrella as Marriott Vacation Club. Both programs continue to operate distinct point systems (Vacation Club Points for MVC, StarOptions for Vistana) but ownership consolidation is opening cross-booking and conversion options. For owners deciding between contracts — or comparing the value of existing ones — here's the practical breakdown.
Head-to-head
| Attribute | Marriott VC | Vistana |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Vacation Club Points | StarOptions |
| Parent | Marriott Vacations Worldwide (MVW) | Marriott Vacations Worldwide (acquired 2018) |
| Resort count | 90+ | 20+ |
| Typical allocation | 1,000–15,000 | 30,000–200,000 |
| Rental value per point | 35¢–90¢ | 2.5¢–5.5¢ |
The verdict
Which is better?
MVC and Vistana both offer premium-tier ownership at similar economic levels — typical annual rental values land in the $2,000–$4,500 range for either program. MVC has stronger per-point cash value ($0.35–$0.90 vs. $0.025–$0.055 for StarOptions) but Vistana allocations are larger (typical 80,000 StarOptions vs. 5,000 MVC points), so totals are comparable. The decision comes down to resort preference: MVC for the Caribbean and broader Marriott-brand resorts; Vistana for Hawaii Westin properties (Ka'anapali, Princeville) and St. John.
Which one fits you?
Pick Marriott VC when:
- ✓You value Marriott Bonvoy hotel cross-redemption (1:20 ratio)
- ✓You want the larger MVC resort footprint outside Hawaii
- ✓You prefer simpler points-based reservation flow
- ✓You're considering converting Vistana to MVC Destination Points
Pick Vistana when:
- ✓Westin Ka'anapali, Westin Princeville, or Westin St. John are your target destinations
- ✓You prefer Sheraton or Westin brand consistency
- ✓You're buying resale and want stronger per-contract recovery at premium properties
- ✓You appreciate the legacy SVN/StarOptions reservation system