Sheraton Vistana Villages – International Drive

A Starwood timeshare property (a "vacation ownership resort" in company parlance), Sheraton Vistana Villages offers traveling families spacious and well-equipped accommodations and a decent number of big-resort features. The private grounds and common areas are full of relaxing spots, like poolside lounge chairs and cabanas, where guests can read, play games, snack, chat, or decompress with an adult beverage as kids splash in the pools. Those wanting to get a workout in can jog the winding pathways or swim laps in the designated quiet pool. Despite all of the opportunity for outdoor relaxation, the high volume of families with young kids means that the property maintains an energetic buzz. Also, the aggressive sales tactics from hotel reps for purchasing timeshares can also curtail a sense of relaxation.

The grounds at the Sheraton Vistana Villages are immaculately kept, and beautifully landscaped with a lake, poolside grottos, plenty of palm trees, and even sand for beach volleyball. A 10-minute drive to Disney and fifteen minutes to Sea World, the resort is close to all major Orlando attractions. Just outside the gates, there are numerous restaurants and convenient mega stores like Walmart and Target. The resort does have a market for those who'd rather stay put. A car makes getting around easier, but it's not absolutely necessary.

All 1,037 rooms at the Sheraton Vistana Villages are one- or two-bedroom villas with full kitchens, which range from 500 to 1,100 square feet. All units come with dining areas for up to six people, and living rooms with sofa beds. In the kitchens are granite countertops, breakfast bars (in most), microwaves, cooktops, ovens, coffeemakers and teakettles (with Starbucks coffee and Tazo tea), blenders, toasters, and dishes. A separate utility room contains a stacked washer/dryer and ironing facilities. There are two fully equipped entertainment consoles (flat-screen HDTVs with cable, a CD/DVD player, and movie rentals) in the one-bedroom villas, and three in the two-bedrooms. 

Master bedrooms have double jetted tubs and large shower stalls; the second bedrooms in the larger villas have private attached bathrooms with shower/tub combos. All units have air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, and safes large enough to hold laptops. There are balconies or terraces off of most of the one-bedroom villas and all of the two-bedroom units. Some guests have reported traffic noise from rooms facing the road. 

Highlights of the Sheraton Vistana Villages are the three pools: the quarter-acre Bella pool, which has a rock waterfall at its center; Key West pool, a quiet pool with an adjacent whirlpool, and the pirate-themed St. Augustine pool, which has a zero-entry edge and a ship with slides and water shoots. Lounge chairs and cabanas dot the pool patios.

Near the St. Augustine pool is the Pirate's Cove Pool Bar, which is open seasonally for snacks, drinks, and smoothies. Breeze Bar & Grille is Sheraton's sit-down dining option, though it is still a casual venue, with booth and outdoor seating, sports games and news shows on flat-screen TVs, a traditional American menu, and draft beers on tap. Pre-made sandwiches, Starbucks coffee, and basic groceries are available at The Village Marketplace, an on-site mini-mart (where guests have the option to pre-ordering groceries online and have them waiting at the villa upon arrival), and there are outdoor gas grills for picnics and cookouts.

There are also several programed events like family campfires, swim-up movie nights, gator shows, fitness classes, pool parties, and even beer tasting. There are basketball, shuffleboard, and tennis courts in addition to a spacious fitness center with TV-equipped cardio machines. The hotel takes a number of environmental measures, including recycling and the use of biodegradable cleaning supplies and high-efficiency lighting in rooms and public spaces. Parking is free and there are charging stations for travelers with electric vehicles. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.