Marriott's site for Grande Ocean The villas are 1380 sq ft. the website has a typo of 1390. The units sleep 8 and come with a King bed, whirlpool and large bath. There is a queen with a pull out full and a pull out queen in the LR. There were in the process of replacing the matresses and converting most of the second BR to two queen instead of the pull out.
Basically, they are set up similar in many ways to
DVC 2 BR units. W/D, full kitchen and the like. No restaurant on site but there is a deli/market place similar to DVC but with sandwiches and pizza as well. The parking is covered for the most part and under the Villas. It's located on
Forest Beach Rd. about a mile South of Coligny Circle. That puts it close to many of the great restaraunts and just outside the second sea pine gate. You also get a sea pines pass by staying there. Bike rentals on site. There are actually 5 pools with one indoor, one quiet and one activity pool. I don't know which are heated. The activity pool has a Wyland Dolphin scultpture. The grounds are great with swings, gas grills and the like. They have ocean side and oceanfront units, your friend should put in a request for smoking/non and location, basically highest floor possible.
One note is that Check in is at the Marriott Welcome center, not the resort. The welcome center is located about a 100 feet before you get to the Sea Pines circle on 278 and is open 24 hours.
Also, Marriott offers a number of discounts for local restaurants and activities, far more than DVC. You can also use you DVC for the discounts they offer as they do not require one to be staying at the resort to get them.
