any dvc marriott owners?

[jvincent16]

hello, basically starting a new thread so i wouldnt hijack another. just curious if anyone around here besides dean owns a marriott. if so, which one and how do you like it and the marriott system? i am currently looking into purchasing a marriott (yes, already a dvc member) and just looking to hear from some dvc members that also own marriotts. i am currently considering MOC because we love it there (got hitched there on the beach) and NCV because we would probably use more often and its not as expensive (purchase and MF). these are probably the only two places we would travel to, besides disney of course. My only concern is trying to trade for MOC with the NCV. we would probably only use MOC every 3yrs but it would be nice to know that our stay there would be guaranteed. i am also assuming that owning at MOC would guarantee a trade at any location and would be easy to rent. thanks!!

[littlestar]

Yes. We own an every other year (EOY) lockoff silver week at Marriott Horizons Branson. We bought it to basically trade back into Orlando with - for Horizons Orlando or Marriott's Cypress Harbour (two of our favorites when we're not staying on our DVC points). Hopefully when Marriott goes internal on its exchanges, we will still be able to trade into the Orlando Marriotts I mentioned above. There seems to be plenty of Orlando Marriotts supply, so hopefully that's in our favor. Plus, we travel off season - September/October, late January, and early May.

I do see the Hawaii Marriotts in flexchange on the II website (flexchange is the 59 day or less travel window). So if a person had some flexibility on being able to travel short notice, I could grab some nice Marriott exchanges in flexchange. But who knows what the future holds on this when Marriott goes to an internal exchange system for Marriott to Marriott exchanges. :confused3 My husband thinks I'm worrying too much about it. I've even wondered if I should just sell the Horizons week and buy II getaway weeks instead, since we travel off season and there are plenty of Marriott Orlando Getaway weeks on II. And we never take advantage of flexchange in II for those Hawaii Marriotts that we see.

[jvincent16]

thanks littlestar. i've read some info on the internal exchange but still dont really understand it. will it basically only allow trades of same value? example: gold for gold or platinum for platinum, etc...
if this is true then the only marriott timeshare worth owning (for us since we travel only in the summer months) is one that is in a very desirable location during a platinum week. true?

[littlestar]

Who knows what Marriott is planning when they go internal. I wish I had a crystal ball. I figure they will still need dues paying owners for all year. Especially at seasonal resorts. The platinum owners can't survive without the gold, silver, and bronze owners (unless they want dues out the whazoo). Surely to goodness Marriott would still have something like flexchange (for last minute) travel. But no one high up in Marriott is talking -darn it.

Another thing that worries me with Marriott is they have a habit of dropping resorts. We don't have much money tied up with Marriott so it's no big deal for us. But, if I were paying big bucks/developer prices, I'd want to be careful about what and where I bought. Thank goodness that's one thing I haven't had to worry about with DVC. I guess DVC could drop a resort, but they haven't done it yet.

You definitely need to own platinum if that's when you want to travel.

[Dean]

I own 4 Marriott, DVC points, Bluegreen Points and Paradise Village MX at this time. This is a smaller version of what I owned a couple of years ago. I have evolved my holdings more of a own to use and trade for fun and variety approach overall with a few exceptions. One of my Marriott's a a trade unit, it's Platinum lockoff at the same property that Littlestar owns. If looking for a trader realize that closing costs and yearly dues are usually the same or nearly so regardless of season.

As for Marriott internal trading, it's been discussed for a few years but I'm not sure if they'll ever actually do it or not, we shall see. If they do, those with lower demand Marriott trading weeks will likely be far worse off. The current trading system allows an internal trade preference through II though it is not absolute. Trading power still comes into play.

[jvincent16]

thanks guys. definitely going with a platinum week since we only travel in summer and with all the internal trading and/or point system talk. WOW, nice diversified portfolio dean!!! i am not really looking for a "trader only" with marriott but of course is always something to consider. the two resorts i am looking at are newport and MOC. MOC only because we love it there and want to be able to go to maui without having to worry about trading. we would only go approx. every 3yrs. would rent the other yrs or trade for a closer resort (live in az). trade power would be great (from what i have read) and is something we would possibly take advantage of since we only travel during the summer months. considering newport platinum because it is closer, would probably use every year or every other year, cheaper purchase/MF, very easy to rent (again from the renting boards/forums i've seen online) but have to worry about trading power (unfamiliar with its trading power) and our ability to book a summer week at MOC. btw, how many weeks can u bank with a marriott resort? thanks again.

[Dean]

thanks guys. definitely going with a platinum week since we only travel in summer and with all the internal trading and/or point system talk. WOW, nice diversified portfolio dean!!! i am not really looking for a "trader only" with marriott but of course is always something to consider. the two resorts i am looking at are newport and MOC. MOC only because we love it there and want to be able to go to maui without having to worry about trading. we would only go approx. every 3yrs. would rent the other yrs or trade for a closer resort (live in az). trade power would be great (from what i have read) and is something we would possibly take advantage of since we only travel during the summer months. considering newport platinum because it is closer, would probably use every year or every other year, cheaper purchase/MF, very easy to rent (again from the renting boards/forums i've seen online) but have to worry about trading power (unfamiliar with its trading power) and our ability to book a summer week at MOC. btw, how many weeks can u bank with a marriott resort? thanks again.What size do you need. Newport is not lockoff and Maui is really too expensive to trade for most options. One thing to look at is if you go retail that you can buy one Every Other year at two different places without paying the 10% premium for EOY normally charged. Of course resale is usually worth the extra savings even with the loss of the points option. Remember not all summer options are Platinum, take Aruba for example. One other issue to consider is that a single week owner at Maui is likely not going to get s summer week most years. Just like with DVC, you might be better off owning something cheaper and trying to trade in to Maui and paying cash if you don't match.

[mzzbuzzlightyear]

We own Marriott Ocean Pointe in West Palm Beach, DVC, as well as Paradise and Corel Marien by Hilton, in Puerto Plata, DR.

The Marriotts, we use to either stay at our Home resort or to trade into other Marriotts.

We traded into Marriott Beach Place in FLL this past April...1BR for 1BR.

July 15, we are going to a 1 BR BCV, with a trade-in of our 1 BR Marriott.

I found them both on the II website.

I plan on using my DVC just for WDW, although we did go to HHI and VB once before. I prefer to use my Marriott if I go to Hilton Head or to the beaches in south Florida.

The 2 in the DR, we use to go in February or March when the New Jersey weather is really obnoxious.:rotfl:

All in all, I love both my Marriott and DVC. You can't go wrong with both of them, they compliment each other, IMHO.

June

[jvincent16]

thanks guys, btw already dvc owner. just looking to diversify my portfolio so it can one day look like deans :)
dean, currently we only need a one bedroom since it is just my wife and I. i have been online all day and it seems like MOC just doesnt make as much sense as newport. its just hard to totally abandon the thought of owning there. my heart says moc but my brain says newport. btw, neither one is smarter than the other. :) if i decide on newport i will just have to take my chances on trading and getting a summer week in maui. now i have to look into the lack of lockoff options with newport. havent really explored or educated myself on the lockoff option. to put it in simple terms i would say a 2bd (either eoy or annual) would only be good for a one week 2bd stay at my resort or another (traded) resort?? correct? if i had a lockoff option i would be able to split the resort and possibly come away with two 2wk vacations for my one week??? this would be great but there arent any other resorts that are close (az) and that i would be satisfied staying at if a trade fell through. any suggestions on other resorts with a lockoff? *TOO much info* :eek: :scared1: :headache:
What are the disadvantages of owning EOY? looks like cheaper MF and if i dont plan on using every year, like maui, it seems like it would be an advantage. hey, maybe an EOY at each location :cool2: gotta be a downside to that. seems to simple, even though i just thought of it:)
thanks again, love hearing how all of u crunch numbers and use the system to its fullest. seems like multiple ts is the way to go.

[Dean]

thanks guys, btw already dvc owner. just looking to diversify my portfolio so it can one day look like deans :)
dean, currently we only need a one bedroom since it is just my wife and I. i have been online all day and it seems like MOC just doesnt make as much sense as newport. its just hard to totally abandon the thought of owning there. my heart says moc but my brain says newport. btw, neither one is smarter than the other. :) if i decide on newport i will just have to take my chances on trading and getting a summer week in maui. now i have to look into the lack of lockoff options with newport. havent really explored or educated myself on the lockoff option. to put it in simple terms i would say a 2bd (either eoy or annual) would only be good for a one week 2bd stay at my resort or another (traded) resort?? correct? if i had a lockoff option i would be able to split the resort and possibly come away with two 2wk vacations for my one week??? this would be great but there arent any other resorts that are close (az) and that i would be satisfied staying at if a trade fell through. any suggestions on other resorts with a lockoff? *TOO much info* :eek: :scared1: :headache:
What are the disadvantages of owning EOY? looks like cheaper MF and if i dont plan on using every year, like maui, it seems like it would be an advantage. hey, maybe an EOY at each location :cool2: gotta be a downside to that. seems to simple, even though i just thought of it:)
thanks again, love hearing how all of u crunch numbers and use the system to its fullest. seems like multiple ts is the way to go.The main advantage of a lockoff is an extra trade for every year of ownership usually with a bonus week as well. As for EOY, the only disadvantage I can think of is the usually higher buy in price plus managing the EOY option. Obviously this is a personal decision and really depends on how you'll use it and the $$ differences involved as well as your risk tolerance. See what prices you can find for what you want keeping in mind the fees as well. Don't forget what I said about the difficulty in reserving summer for the Maui Marriott. I know more than one person that bought then sold because they could never get summer, usually in a very bitter way. Truthfully I think the only way to buy for summer at MOC is to have 2 weeks min so you can reserve at 13 months out.

One option is to rely more on the exchange aspect by buying something cheaper, preferably a lockoff. The CA and AZ desert options come to mind as does LV and Utah for the Western US. A few good options for the central and eastern US might include Ocean Point, Manor Club and Horizon's Branson. NC shouldn't be too difficult to get if you have a good MVCI trader and plan ahead. MOC will be tough to own or trade to get what you want. Regardless there are no perfect answers to this situation. One approach is to do what I've done. That is to buy multiple weeks plus a trading week to essentially ensure success on reservations, at least until Marriott changes the rules, LOL. One of the options might be to talk Marriott about a fixed week for Maui in the new section EOY, it might be more but you'd be set for what though at an even higher cost.

[Tinkbellfan]

We just purchased a Plat. week in the Marriott in St. Thomas. We are also DVC owners, but we only have 150 pts. We haven't even gotten into the whole trade thing yet, so I can't comment on that. Sounds very confusing! I don't even know why we bought into it, it must have been the rum drinks! We do plan on going there next March as it should be almost fully completed by then.

[jvincent16]

thanks again. i will look into the fixed week at MOC. waiting for a reply from a sales executive. havent seen any fixed weeks for that resort on the resale ads.
it seems like newport rents very easily but its my understanding that marriott handles the rentals now and take a large chunk of change out of the owners pocket. true?? i was thinking make some money by renting newport then turn around and rent MOC. would probably have to pay a couple hundred more than i would make but i would be able to get what i want when i want. lots of rentals for pretty much anywhere and everywhere. even MOC. would also possibly come out ahead since i would be saving from the lower MF's. it seems like owning a property, renting it out, and then renting what u want is the way to go. seems much more reliable, hasselfree and actually pretty easy. i guess it would only really work out if u did that with "like" resorts. wouldnt be able to do that with a less reliable resort that obviously would rent for less.
why doesnt newport offer lockoff? does it have anything to do with desireabilitytrading value/power? is it eligible for the AC? btw, whats that stand for again? i know its the extra week II gives u for banking your week correct? maybe going away once the internal switch right? thanks

[jvincent16]

congrats tinkbell fan. "rum drinks" :cool1: if they were smart they would have an open bar at every ts presentation. i would probably be a proud owner of 10ts right now and living out of a cardboard box!!

[Dean]

thanks again. i will look into the fixed week at MOC. waiting for a reply from a sales executive. havent seen any fixed weeks for that resort on the resale ads.
it seems like newport rents very easily but its my understanding that marriott handles the rentals now and take a large chunk of change out of the owners pocket. true?? i was thinking make some money by renting newport then turn around and rent MOC. would probably have to pay a couple hundred more than i would make but i would be able to get what i want when i want. lots of rentals for pretty much anywhere and everywhere. even MOC. would also possibly come out ahead since i would be saving from the lower MF's. it seems like owning a property, renting it out, and then renting what u want is the way to go. seems much more reliable, hasselfree and actually pretty easy. i guess it would only really work out if u did that with "like" resorts. wouldnt be able to do that with a less reliable resort that obviously would rent for less.
why doesnt newport offer lockoff? does it have anything to do with desireabilitytrading value/power? is it eligible for the AC? btw, whats that stand for again? i know its the extra week II gives u for banking your week correct? maybe going away once the internal switch right? thanksThe fixed weeks are fairly new and there aren't many of them. I doubt you'll find one resale for a while. Marriott has changed their rental approach for the worse. If you own and want to rent, do it on your own. Some Marriott's offer lockoff's and others don't. I've never heard an official explanation but it likely relates to parking and density, it certainly does at HH.

[jvincent16]

hey dean, they did say fixed units available at MOC during summer months but it will be in the new units and only 2 or 3bedroom. i can only imagine what the price will be. expecting prices tomorrow. he didnt get back to me on newport. do u know if they offer fixed weeks? looks like i might just have to bite the bullet and buy exactly what we want/need. wife is a teacher and is the reason why we need summer months only.
about the 13month window. if i own ncv eoy (lets say odd yrs.) and moc eoy(even yrs.) that allows me to book at the 13month window correct? also, just saw their promotion. allows u to buy 2 eoy contracts at different resorts for 50% instead of the 65 or 67% for eoy contracts. it is only on certain inventory though. probably not what i want. gonna have to start searching the resale ads. maybe i'll get lucky. i just have to know exactly what i want/need first. thanks again to all. anyone else out there with a marriott?? how u like??

[jvincent16]

sorry, another question. i assume you cant bank any weeks with marriott since i dont see that on their site and on any of the marriott faq's. if so then what happens if i book a week, cant go or cant rent? do a basically just lose that week? can i bank it with II for lets say, two years or longer? if so and if i buy where i want to go (eoy) but cant then i have to bank with II and not be able to stay at my resort and have to play the trading game for that following year. ahhh!! :scared1: :scared1: :scared1: dvc is so much easier. sorry for all the marriott questions but u guys are great. btw, for all u new comers, yes i am a dvc member as well :)
heres an example of what i am thinking.
buy eoy at moc and eoy at newport. that will give me 13month window for moc (which is suggested). could i bank one of the eoy at moc with II then make a reservation the following year or two years later at moc for two weeks instead of one. again, sorry, i think i am confusing myself now.
thanks!!!!!!!!

[Dean]

hey dean, they did say fixed units available at MOC during summer months but it will be in the new units and only 2 or 3bedroom. i can only imagine what the price will be. expecting prices tomorrow. he didnt get back to me on newport. do u know if they offer fixed weeks? looks like i might just have to bite the bullet and buy exactly what we want/need. wife is a teacher and is the reason why we need summer months only.
From what I've heard the prices will be higher than you think. I don't believe NC offers fixed weeks. Some of the ski properties did and some of the older resorts came in with them such as Harbour Pt and Monarch. The other essentially fixed week resorts are the Platinum plus where you can reserve THE high demand one or two weeks but can also reserve in the Platinum season as well. I'm not really sure how that works exactly. For Maui this is only weeks 52 or 51 & 52 depending on the portion in question.

about the 13month window. if i own ncv eoy (lets say odd yrs.) and moc eoy(even yrs.) that allows me to book at the 13month window correct?That is not correct. In order to book at 13 months out it's not enough to be a multiweek owner. You must book concurrent or consecutive weeks that match up exactly. But you can book the same week in Maui and the east coast if you want and one could be another season say Silver at one resort and Platinum at another. As I mentioned, I have 4 weeks, my trading unit is a lockoff. I locked it off (extra fee) then booked week 25 studio, week 26 1 BR, week 27 for two HH weeks and week 28 for the other HH week (pre-rented for this week).
also, just saw their promotion. allows u to buy 2 eoy contracts at different resorts for 50% instead of the 65 or 67% for eoy contracts. I know I mentioned that recently on another thread. In the past the EOY premium has normally been 10% (60% compared to 50%) with the option to upgrade to EY with a year for the extra 40% ante.

Marriott has ROFR of many but not all of their properties and they have been far more active in exercising it lately. Let me reiterate, buying platinum at the Maui Marriott will not ensure you get a summer week that will work for you, actually far from it unless you go for the fixed weeks. NC should work better in that capacity. Let me go another direction, you might consider buying a fixed week non Marriott option for a week later in the time you prefer. You could then place a request first for the Marriott, Westin, etc. If you get it great, if not, you're all set since you have a week that works for you. Or you could look at the Westin property, sorry I don't know enough about their system to direct you further that way.

[Dean]

sorry, another question. i assume you cant bank any weeks with marriott since i dont see that on their site and on any of the marriott faq's. if so then what happens if i book a week, cant go or cant rent? do a basically just lose that week? can i bank it with II for lets say, two years or longer? if so and if i buy where i want to go (eoy) but cant then i have to bank with II and not be able to stay at my resort and have to play the trading game for that following year. ahhh!! :scared1: :scared1: :scared1: dvc is so much easier. sorry for all the marriott questions but u guys are great. btw, for all u new comers, yes i am a dvc member as well :)
heres an example of what i am thinking.
buy eoy at moc and eoy at newport. that will give me 13month window for moc (which is suggested). could i bank one of the eoy at moc with II then make a reservation the following year or two years later at moc for two weeks instead of one. again, sorry, i think i am confusing myself now.
thanks!!!!!!!!Marriott currently uses II as their internal trading mechanism. There have been rumors they may start to handle it on their own. You can deposit or request first and the charge is $89 for Marriott ONLY exchanges and a little higher for requests that include non Marriott options, I think it's $134 & $149 domestic and intl. If you actually give up your week to II you have up to 2 years past your week to secure and USE a week from their system.

DVC is easier because you know it and you call and get a reservation or not at 7 or 11 months out. But there are other benefits and flexibilities to the Marriott and II system that CAN be better for a given person depending on needs and circumstances. Once you learn the system I think DVC is more difficult in many ways.

You may also want too reconsider a good trading option that you can use during the summer such as Manor Club lockoff or Ocean Pointe, even Aruba. If you use the request first trade option you can keep what you have and use it while looking for NC, MOC, etc. A little less certain but certainly workable. You've already shown me you're aggressive enough and willing to do the work to make this approach successful.

[jvincent16]

thanks dean! you've been a great help. i'm a little bit closer to knowing what i want. i have looked at other companies/resorts but either the resorts dont impress me, too many disgruntle owners, too many horror stories or too many questions regarding the companies reputation and current events. i think i will stick with marriott. i think i will also just stick to the resort i would want to stay at. nc or moc and try to get a fixed week if possible. since it will only be the second ts in my portfolio i am still going to play it safe. i am still at the point where i need to know that i will be able to have a june/july month and have it at one of my desired locations. maybe the third will be an inexpensive one that i can use as a trader and take full advantage of a system. :) :woohoo: some of the very first posts were right, "this is an addiction." :)

real quick, about the 13month window. if i wanted two eoy resorts then i would have to buy both for the same yrs (either both odd or both even) to qualify for the 13mos.? if its not too much trouble can u give an example using nc (2bd eoy) and moc (1bd eoy). as u know, neither one a lock off. THANKS!!!!!!!!

[jvincent16]

one more ? about the eoy. if i own two same eoy resorts, lets use nc and a really cheap resort but platinum week, can i try to reserve two consecutive weeks at nc during the 13month window?

[dbertola]

We own at Marriott's Oceanwatch in Myrtle Beach and love it. It is a beautiful resort and a difficult location to get into during the summer months. We own plat plus.

[Dean]

We own at Marriott's Oceanwatch in Myrtle Beach and love it. It is a beautiful resort and a difficult location to get into during the summer months. We own plat plus.Maybe you can add info about how the platinum plus reservations work. My understanding is you can reserve your week during the platinum plus time OR during the regular platinum time. If you do reserve a regular platinum week, what happens to the unused platinum plus week?

[Dean]

real quick, about the 13month window. if i wanted two eoy resorts then i would have to buy both for the same yrs (either both odd or both even) to qualify for the 13mos.? if its not too much trouble can u give an example using nc (2bd eoy) and moc (1bd eoy). as u know, neither one a lock off. THANKS!!!!!!!!The only question is whether you can and are booking concurrent or consecutive weeks. Generally two EOY in the same year would do this other than the last week of one year and the first of the next.

one more ? about the eoy. if i own two same eoy resorts, lets use nc and a really cheap resort but platinum week, can i try to reserve two consecutive weeks at nc during the 13month window?NO, you must reserve what you own. You would reserve one week at each resort you owned. The exception is Marriott will sometimes sell off the week 53 in one way or another.

Obviously you must do what you feel is best however if you only need a 1 BR, I can't believe it'd be worth buying a fixed week 2 BR even EOY, esp retail, unless they are lockoff's and I don't think they are. Given your reluctance I think you'd be far better off getting a platinum NC week resale and trying to trade request first for Maui over time. That way if you didn't get it this year you could try again next year. But I still think that you might consider a fixed week non Marriott and try to trade up to the Westin or Marriott when you wanted to go. There are several places worth considering for this purpose.

Here's some pricing information.

I have a price sheet from when we went in Feb, and the new tower prices are based on floor and week being purchased. For instance, 2 BDRM 7th Fl OF is $74,200 wk 8, $63.2k wk 16, $58.9k wk 48. Same unit 12th floor is $95k, $76k, 63K, respectively.
Pricing for the New Lahaina Villas Per Week as of 4/18/2007 (and you always know "it is going up in the next 28 day sales period"):

Two Bedroom Lahaina Villas which includes lockoff (there are no one bedroom)
Ocean Front $67,200 plus 135,000 points
Ocean View $61,000 plus 120,000 points
Mountain/Garden View $49,3000 plus 100,000 points

Maui Ocean Club Suites Per Week( I used to own a "villa" too!)
One Bedroom Suites:
Ocean Front $38,700 ten left from trade ins
Ocean View $33,400 fifty left from trade ins
Mountain View $25,400 none available
Island View $22,000 never heard of this one at Maui
Maint Fee for all of the above $1,337
Two Bedroom Suites:
Ocean Front $59,300 number avail not stated but "few"
Ocean View was $51,00 none avail
Mountain/Garden $42,000 number avail not stated
Maint Fee for all of the above $1,470

[3pirates]

Hi...

We have been with DVC since 1993. About five years ago we bought one week with Marriott, hoping to have more trade options. While we would NEVER trade our DVC we are considering selling the Marriott. We have found it a hassle that all trades have to be done through Interval. We love our resort, but if we want to trade with one week it is difficult, especially since we have school age children and have to travel peak times.

I think things get better if you have travel flexibility or own multiple weeks.

[dbertola]

Maybe you can add info about how the platinum plus reservations work. My understanding is you can reserve your week during the platinum plus time OR during the regular platinum time. If you do reserve a regular platinum week, what happens to the unused platinum plus week?

I'm not sure what happens to the unused plat plus week. They must make it avail to someone. Because like you said we can reserve our 4th of July week or any other time during the summer.

[Terpy]

I bought a 3 bdr EOY at Marriott's Grand Chateau. I picked up on eBay a Cypress Harbour Sport and a Cypress Harbour Summer. Every other year this allows me to book Cypress Harbour Summer for July 4 almost 14 months out!

How do I do this? I book the Sport at 13 months out for Week 23. I lock off the Grand Chateau and book weeks 24 and 25. In the same phone call I book Cypress Harbour Summer for week 26. This allows me to book the July 4th week (week 26 most years) at 13 months and three weeks.

I usually deposit the weeks that I'm not certain to use, so that I can get Marriott's internal priority at other Marriott's that I like. For example, I toured Marriott's Horizon's Orlando. I prefer Cypress Harbour for me, but my little one and cousins will probably like the shipwreck in the pool more. For this summer I traded into Horizon's for $89.

This works for me as I like to timeshare 3-5x per year. I use my DVC points for shorter stays.

I hope this helps.

Terpy

[Dean]

I'm not sure what happens to the unused plat plus week. They must make it avail to someone. Because like you said we can reserve our 4th of July week or any other time during the summer.
They have to do something to balance the system obviously, I was just not sure how they do so.

[Dean]

Hi...

We have been with DVC since 1993. About five years ago we bought one week with Marriott, hoping to have more trade options. While we would NEVER trade our DVC we are considering selling the Marriott. We have found it a hassle that all trades have to be done through Interval. We love our resort, but if we want to trade with one week it is difficult, especially since we have school age children and have to travel peak times.

I think things get better if you have travel flexibility or own multiple weeks.
I don't want to get too far off DVC on this BBS. If you want to email me directly I'll be happy to try to get you up to speed to figure out how to use the Marriott and II system. In addition you should be aware of the Timeshare Users Group (www.tug2.net) where there are adds and BBS including one specific to Marriott.

[Dean]

I bought a 3 bdr EOY at Marriott's Grand Chateau. I picked up on eBay a Cypress Harbour Sport and a Cypress Harbour Summer. Every other year this allows me to book Cypress Harbour Summer for July 4 almost 14 months out!

How do I do this? I book the Sport at 13 months out for Week 23. I lock off the Grand Chateau and book weeks 24 and 25. In the same phone call I book Cypress Harbour Summer for week 26. This allows me to book the July 4th week (week 26 most years) at 13 months and three weeks.

I usually deposit the weeks that I'm not certain to use, so that I can get Marriott's internal priority at other Marriott's that I like. For example, I toured Marriott's Horizon's Orlando. I prefer Cypress Harbour for me, but my little one and cousins will probably like the shipwreck in the pool more. For this summer I traded into Horizon's for $89.

This works for me as I like to timeshare 3-5x per year. I use my DVC points for shorter stays.

I hope this helps.

TerpyThat's c/w how I resereve my weeks. The one thing I'd have a different take on is that for trading it's actually not that difficult for one week owners. It's renting on your own or using where you have major issues as one week owner. Even many multiple week owners can't take advantage of the 13 month reservations because they're not reserving concurrently or consecutively.

[theOCdisney]

Just stumbled onto this thread. To the OP: Go to Timeshare Users Group before you do ANYTHING!! (tug2.net) There is so much to be educated on before you buy. I would not buy MOC from the developer when there are so many resales at substantially lower prices. IMHO the maintenance fees are too high to trade for points anyway. We own three Marriotts in addition to DVC. We own at MOC, Desert Springs Villas II and the new Frenchman's Cove in St. Thomas. Up until this year we owned two weeks at MOC. (Sold the 1 bdrm to buy DVC!) I have heard about owners having trouble reserving weeks at MOC. We have never had trouble, even when reserving at the 12 month window.

From reading the tug bbs, I know that there have been issues at NCV with reserving summer weeks at the 12 month window. Perhaps even more difficult than MOC. Keep in mind that good beach weather in So. Cal usually begins in July and lasts through Sept. (I live near NCV.) Thus limiting the prime summer weeks to approximately 8. (Nice weather weeks + school vacation weeks = July and August.) The Platinum season goes from the second week of June to the end of December, which makes for lots of competition for the prime weeks.

There is so much to digest before you make the move to buy. I know you talked about purchasing a 1 bedroom. We sold our one bedroom and kept our two bedroom. So many more options with a two bedroom.

We have traded into NCV and it is a very nice place. Since we live in Orange Co. (CA) it doesn't WOW me. I get more excited about MOC. I love the warm tropical breezes, the island smells, the balmy nights and the laid back feel. I think with any timeshare the motto is: "Buy where you want to stay." If you really want to go to Maui, then buy in Maui. If you want Newport Beach, buy in Newport Beach.

Good luck with which ever one you choose. We love our Marriotts and the flexibility they afford. When our kids finish college we will buy a Waiohai EOY and then our timeshare portfolio will be complete.

[ccigliano]

I own DVC at the WLV, Marriott's Aruba Ocean Club (2Bed EY, OceanFront), and the Hanalei Bay Resort (2Bed, EY, OceanFront) in Princeville Kauai. I bought in Aruba since my sister already owned there and I got a really good resale price for a gold season oceanfront unit. The resort there is what they call a Mega resort, since the Marriott Stellaris Hotel, Marriott Ocean Club and Marriott Surf Club are side by side on a beautiful strand of Eagle Beach. I can tell you that I am trying to trade the Aruba Marriott for a Hawaii Marriott now and I did make a big mistake. I did not break up the unit into the one bedroom and the studio, I traded it as a two bedroom. I have found several trades for studios and 1 bedroom Marriotts in Maui, Kauai, and Oahu but not 2 bedrooms. Since I have a lockoff I should have traded it separately and got two weeks out of it, I guess I know for next time. I am actually trying to sell my Hanalei Bay Resort timeshare since I don't really go every year as I live in NY. Good Luck with your decision and go for a lockoff.

[Cruelladeville]

I have three weeks in addition to my DVC, 2 at Marriott Cypress Harbour in their sport season(fall), and 1 week at Barony. I always reserve my Cypress Harbour for Thanksgiving, then I can trade anywhere. I have gotten Easter and Christmas weeks every year for the past 4 years, and always have gotten my trades. I have also bought the getaway weeks on II for basically dues, so I can't see why you would need platinum at most resorts, with the exception of those resorts with a very short platinum season. While I initially hated having to buy a membership in II, I buy the longest membership so it's the cheapest, and I buy those Getaway weeks. What a deal! Last year, you could spend a week in Florida in the winter for $299 in a two bedroom villa.I wintered there for $1200 per month, and many Marriott's dues are nearly that much for a week.:confused3

[littlestar]

. . .While I initially hated having to buy a membership in II, I buy the longest membership so it's the cheapest, and I buy those Getaway weeks. What a deal! Last year, you could spend a week in Florida in the winter for $299 in a two bedroom villa.I wintered there for $1200 per month, and many Marriott's dues are nearly that much for a week.:confused3

That's one of the things I like the best about our II membership, Getaway weeks. If you can travel off season, they are such a good deal. Of course, if you need holidays/platinum time, you are going to need to own something with good trade power to exchange (or if you own a low season week you can chance picking something up in flexchange - which is never guaranteed).

[JimC]

Sport Cypress Harbour in Orlando
Gold Ocean View Aruba Ocean Club
EEY Platinum Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert CA
EOY Platinum Canyon Villas in Phoenix AZ

We are very happy with the Marriott brand. MVCI is a less flexible than DVC and while it is less expensive than DVC, it is not inexpensive. MVCI does a consistently good job at delivering a quality product and service.

[Dean]

MVCI is a less flexible than DVC and while it is less expensive than DVC, it is not inexpensive. MVCI does a consistently good job at delivering a quality product and service.Jim I would suggest that full week timeshares in general are less flexible in some ways and more so in others. For example, you get the internal trading preference with Marriott through II as well as the option of direct II services like reduced "cost" flexweeks, bonus weeks, getaways and the like.

[JimC]

Jim I would suggest that full week timeshares in general are less flexible in some ways and more so in others. For example, you get the internal trading preference with Marriott through II as well as the option of direct II services like reduced "cost" flexweeks, bonus weeks, getaways and the like.

True. I was thinking of only the MVCI portion. But my personal view on the Marriott internal trade preference with II is that DVC's internal trading system is much better. But on the other II benefits I agree with you

[littlestar]

One thing I think Marriott does a better job at than DVC is giving better views and priority to their owners when you check into a Marriott resort. We had friends that checked into Marriott Cypress Harbour last week (they just recently bought their first Marriott resale in the spring) and the manager at Cypress Harbour e-mailed them about a week before their trip and wanted to know about special requests or what the resort could do (as far as requests) to make their vacation special. Pretty neat. Our friends have thought about DVC, too, but so far they haven't bought any DVC points. I really wish DVC would give more priority to their owners on requests. Someone that supports their home resort through maintenance fees really should be given priority on requests for the better views/areas.

[JimC]

...We had friends that checked into Marriott Cypress Harbour last week (they just recently bought their first Marriott resale in the spring) and the manager at Cypress Harbour e-mailed them about a week before their trip and wanted to know about special requests or what the resort could do (as far as requests) to make their vacation special. Pretty neat. Our friends have thought about DVC, too, but so far they haven't bought any DVC points. I really wish DVC would give more priority to their owners on requests. Someone that supports their home resort through maintenance fees really should be given priority on requests for the better views/areas.

The pre-check-in email is standard MVCI (at least at the resorts I own). I agree that it would be nice if DVC did the same.

[Dean]

True. I was thinking of only the MVCI portion. But my personal view on the Marriott internal trade preference with II is that DVC's internal trading system is much better. But on the other II benefits I agree with youObviously being able to reserve for the unit size, exact numbers of days, any time of year and to reserve directly are major benefits and are very flexible compared to the industry. If DVC made II exchanges more beneficial such as bonus weeks and lower points in flexchange, DVC could be a major benefit from an exchange standpoint. Even better if they would expand the BVTC to include many of the big players for direct bookings such as MVCI, Hyatt, Hilton, Worldmark, etc.

One thing I think Marriott does a better job at than DVC is giving better views and priority to their owners when you check into a Marriott resort. We had friends that checked into Marriott Cypress Harbour last week (they just recently bought their first Marriott resale in the spring) and the manager at Cypress Harbour e-mailed them about a week before their trip and wanted to know about special requests or what the resort could do (as far as requests) to make their vacation special. Pretty neat. Our friends have thought about DVC, too, but so far they haven't bought any DVC points. I really wish DVC would give more priority to their owners on requests. Someone that supports their home resort through maintenance fees really should be given priority on requests for the better views/areas.I recently posted the room assignment priority that most Marriott use which starts with multiple week owners and filters down through Marriott exchangers, cash guests then regular exchangers. Marriott also does a better job of partnering with local businesses than does DVC and that's true if one only compares to non WDW resorts. The one benefit I like about Marriott's that DVC does not do is when you are changing units or resorts in the same area. Marriott will allow you to stay in the old unit until the new one is ready regardless of when that is, at least all the ones I specifically know about.