EXHIBIT 5.1 Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg Two N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2200 Chicago, Illinois 60602 November 21, 1997 VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION - --------------------------- Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Re: Vistana, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 ---------------------------------- Gentlemen: We are counsel to Vistana, Inc., a Florida corporation (the "Company"), and in such capacity we have assisted in the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the "Registration Statement"), relating to the proposed offering by the Company of an aggregate of 2,300,000 shares (inclusive of 300,000 shares that may be issued under the underwriter's over-allotment option) of the common stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), of the Company. As such counsel, we have examined the Registration Statement and such other papers, documents and certificates of public officials and certificates of officers of the Company as we have deemed necessary and appropriate as the basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, and the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as conformed or photostatic copies. As to any facts material to this opinion, we have relied upon statements and representations (a) of the Company and its officers and other representatives and (b) of public officials. Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions, and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that the shares of Common Stock covered by the Registration Statement to be issued by the Company, when issued and paid for as described in the Registration Statement, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Securities and Exchange Commission November 21, 1997 Page 2 We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal Matters" in the prospectus contained therein. Certain partners of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg and attorneys associated with the firm beneficially own shares of Common Stock. Very truly yours, /s/ Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg