Starwood Club opens in Avon

It has been a very challenging year for real estate across the county. Now, it might be a better time to sell units a week at a time. (Timeshare)
While all real estate sales are down these days, people who own pieces of Starwood clubs tend to use them. The average occupancy rate is about 85 percent at all the clubs, according to company official David Matheson.Starwood Vacation Ownership recently opened its Vail Valley property, 34 units of time-share property next to the Westin Riverwalk Resort & Spa.
Unlike units at the Westin, which are sold to single owners, then put back into the hotel’s rental pool, Starwood’s condo units are sold in one-week pieces to club members, who can trade their ownership interest in the Avon units for nights in Starwood properties around the world.
Owners at the Westin can use all that resort’s amenities, including the pool, spa and fitness center.
About half of all Starwood customers pay cash for their weeks, company official Bruce McNish said, so those units tend to get used. They also tend to be kept.
Sales have just started for the Starwood units at the Westin, and the company is optimistic. Still, the 34 units just opened represent only the first of three phases, and further construction has been postponed until the national economy turns around.
And the new units next to the Westin look like a nice place to spend a week. Most have small kitchens, and all have living-room areas with flat-screen TVs and Internet access. Two-bedroom units have natural stone fireplaces, marble bathrooms and dining areas that seat six.