Any DVCer tried Marriott Grand Ocean in Hilton Head?

[luckytso]

I am playing around with the idea of buying a week at Marriott Grand Ocean (GO). Has anyone stayed there before? How does it compare to DVC? I have DVC HH points, but have never been to Hilton Head.

In In terms of trading, does anyone know if I can buy a green week and trade within GO to get the summer week? Does ocean front and ocean side really justify the price difference?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[CarolA]

I have not stayed there, but I did tour it and it was beautiful. My only complaint was that it was not within the confines of one of the plantations. (I really like Sea Pines, so I would do Monarch if I did a Marriott there.)

As for trading, I will say that HH in general is VERY busy in the summer which I would think would make trading in very difficult.

 

[BeckyV]

I have stayed at both Monarch and Grande Ocean. GO is beautiful and newer than Monarch, but Monarch is in Sea Pines. Monarch sleeps 6, while GO sleeps 8. The grounds at both are beautiful. I also like Harbour Pointe if you are on the river. The views are awesome and the renovations are just beautiful. Marriott did a good job with this. I was there about a month ago. We live about 85 miles from HH and go three or four times a year. My mom owns two oceanfront homes on another beach in SC, so oceanfront views are not that important to us. I would go for a visit and tour both properties before I buy. You can offer a trade to an owner or rent. Check out www.tug2.net for reviews and info. GO is newer and is more expensive. If I had my choice I prefer DVC's HH before all of the rest. I just like the feel and looks of the resort. Check with Dean. He owns at GO and HP and has a different view of DVC HH.

 

[luckytso]

Thanks for your replies.

I think we will check out these resorts in the summer of 2004 when we stay at HH.

The thought is scary, 1 year ago, if someone talks to me about "timeshare", I would say no immdeiately. Now, not only I bought DVC points in 4 out of 6 resorts, but still looking at other places.........

Are there addicts out there like me?

 

[Dean]

I own at Grande Ocean and Harbour Pointe as noted. I've also stayed at Monarch and toured Barony. Personally, I like GO much better than DVC HH for staying in a 2 BR for a week. To me and many others, it's the top timeshare on HH in terms of both location and resort. I liked it so much after staying there last summer, I went out and bought a second week. I do wish it was inside Sea Pines but it is literally just outside Sea Pines and you get a SP pass when staying there. I like the location of Monarch slightly better though GO is within walking distance of Coligney Plaza.

As for buying a Green GO week and trading to summer at GO, I don't think that's likely to work very well. Remember the maint fees are the same for all weeks. The price difference for OF vs OS is real. Resale you will be unlikely to find OF less than $25K while you can find OS for $18-19K or maybe even less. I would never buy GO with trading mostly in mind unless I just wanted to buy an off season week (Gold or other) for a great price. If your looking at much trading with GO, definitely don't pay extra for OF.

 

[luckytso]

Dean,

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping you will respond to this thread. I cannot believe how much GO's OF summer week cost. I talked to resale Sally yesterday and she told me that there was one available for $32,000, with only 2004's week to start, and supposedly there are tons of people waitlisting to buy it.

There is also a TUG ad for someone trying to sell hers at $21,000 for Gold OF.

What do you think of the prices?

Also, what is this plantation thing? Why is it desirable to be close to this? Is DVC's prperty around here?

Thanks

 

[CarolA]

A large portion of HH is divided into "Plantations". They are gated communities with very nice ambience. I find it very desireable if only for the beach access and bike paths. (I can ride my bike for hours in Sea Pines) DVC is not within a plantation, but does have access to Palmetto Dunes.

It sounds like you have not been to HH and I think you should visit prior to buying a Marriott timeshare there.

Now I KNOW that I am in the minority here, but I don't really like the DVC location. I go to HH for the beach and perfer to be within walking distance. DVC is TOO far from the beach for my taste.

 

[Dean]

luckytso, I would not buy there unless you have been to HH and checked out things for yourself, at least not something like Barony or GO. I bought my HP week having never been to HH but I bought it to trade and there's a difference between $4500 to trade and $32000 to use. Personally I'd never buy at $32K but for someone that demanded OF in summer, it might be different. Last I heard, the resale agents in HH had a waiting list for OF at $25K and that's without the points option. While I don't think much of the points option, it is nice to have, especially if you're giving that much anyway. I bought my HP week from Sally, she is a nice lady and very honest. If I were buying from Marriott, I'd buy from Sally.

I bought GO to use, not to trade. Like DVC, if I don't use it, I would rent it. Again like DVC, most trades would be trading down. OF in Maui for a 2 BR is almost $50K.

 

[luckytso]

Carol and Dean,

Thanks so much. That confirms what I believe. I will wait until we are at HH and hopefully we can do a tour of these properties.

My husband said that I can only buy a Marriott timeshare if I sell some of my DVC points. I am not quite sure if I want to part from my points yet, so Marriott has to wait.

 

[Dean]

You can always rent GO or Barony or try for a trade through either II or directly with a Marriott member who owns there.

 

[Cruelladeville]

luckytso, Before you buy Marriott--if you want to trade out, there are cheaper Marriott properties to buy--you need to completely check out how things are done thru their organization. It is very different from DVC, and I find it very confusing. For example, Marriott trades cost money, even within the Marriott system, which completely surprised me. Also, there is a Marriott customer service number that you call if you are staying at your home resort, but if you are trading to a different Marriott property, you have to call a special number at Interval. The price difference between DVC and Marriott might make the hidden costs worth it, but it was an unpleasant surprise to me when I tried to make ressies at the Marriott down the road from my Marriott, and was told that it was going to cost me. Each timeshare company does things their own way, but, as I mentioned, it wasn't what I expected after dealing with DVC.

 

[luckytso]

Dean,

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will use my HH points to stay at DVC in the summer of 2004, maybe try to see if I can get 2-3 nights at GO (if there is availability).

In the mean time, I will pay attention to TUG to get more information about Marriott. I am fairly comfortable with all the DVC rules by now, but still not exactly sure about all the exchanging rules and various fees involved with Marriott.

Thanks again.

 

[luckytso]

Cruelladeville,

I am glad I am not the only one who cannot figure out all the fees and charges. It seems that there are many many different charges: II membership fees, there is a fee to exchange out of your season/resort, I think there is a fee if I need to change the dates of my week after they are confirmed, and some others.

Also, the exchanging itself seems to be iffy depending on where and when you want to go and where your home resort/season is.

Being a Marriott timeshare owner, would you do it again, or would you rather own DVC and trade with a Marriott owner? Thanks

 

[Dean]

As Cruelladeville points out, DVC is a different animal. Marriott is more of a traditional timeshare. That can be good or bad depending on your needs and expectation. I would concur that there are Marriott's with more trade value for the money than GO so if you buy, buy to use. You should be able to pick up a few nights at GO. The nightly price last year was $400 for OS and $425 for OF.