Aruba Marriott Ocean Club?

[HeatherAnne]

Hi,

I just put in a search for NEXT August to stay at the Aruba Marriott Ocean Club. I was told to try at least a year in advance for this place. Anyone have any luck getting this hotel through DVC/Intervale? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
HeatherAnne

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by HeatherAnne
Hi,

I just put in a search for NEXT August to stay at the Aruba Marriott Ocean Club. I was told to try at least a year in advance for this place. Anyone have any luck getting this hotel through DVC/Intervale? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
HeatherAnne

As long as you are not asking for a 2 BR, your chances are excellent I'd say. August is a relatively low time for Aruba though late August would be far easier than earlier. Remember that air fare will likely be in excess of $600 pp R/T. I'd agree with a year in advance as that's when the owners there can start depositing with II. You may want to look at TUG for a direct excahange as well. And post on the rent/trade board in case an owner comes by. You likely need to know that exchanging for an exchagne is not within II's rules though it's done frequently.

I assume that time is the middle point level. Just remember tha once you accept it you are pretty well stuck as the cancellation rules are not in your favor.

 

[HeatherAnne]

Thanks Dean! I knew you would know and would reply. I actually put in for a 1 bedroom so hopefully it will go through. Do you have any idea what type of rooms they offer - ocean or garden view? Do you think we would be able to upgrade somehow if it was a gardenview? Thanks again for all the great tips!

HeatherAnne

 

[carlos1117]

I can tell you this; it's a great resort on a great beach. And of course all those great restuarants in Aruba.

 

[Donald-n-Daisy]

DW and I were lucky enough to get an exchange through II in Sept 2001 (The week before 9-11). We loved the resort and the island. It has arguably one of the nicest beachfronts of all the hotels in the Palm Beach area, and the pool w/swim-up bar is great. We found the 1BR unit to be on par with DVC accomodations, the only thing it did not have was a washer/dryer in the unit, but there were machines right down the hall. I highly recommend the resort.
Aruba is more of a dry, desert like island, as opposed to lush and tropical, but that makes it unique in my opinion. Just enough things to see and do. Probably one of the most relaxing vacations I have ever taken. Good luck on your search.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by HeatherAnne
Thanks Dean! I knew you would know and would reply. I actually put in for a 1 bedroom so hopefully it will go through. Do you have any idea what type of rooms they offer - ocean or garden view? Do you think we would be able to upgrade somehow if it was a gardenview? Thanks again for all the great tips!

HeatherAnne

The Aruba Ocean Club has ocean front and ocean view units. There are dedicated 1 BR and 2 BR lockoff's. The lockoff is the reason you will likely not get a 2 BR unit. The Surf Club has garden view, ocean side, ocean view and ocean front. I think they are all 2 Br lockoff units. If you list that resort expect to get garden view or at best ocean side. You can make a request but Marriott does not normally let you upgrade, even for a fee. Still, it never hurts to ask. Part of the problem is that as a non Marriott exchanger, you will be at the bottom of the ladder from a priority standpoint. Be a little careful listing things you may not want. While DVC has gotten easier when you turn down requests, they will take that resort off your list as a minimum if you turn down a unit offered. Early on, they would actually remove the entire area from your list if you declined an offered exchange.

Under the old system it was likely reasonable to go for a studio, 55 points for an August studio most of the time. But under the new system the difference in points is low enough as to make it not reasonable to pay the points for a studio at the Marriott's. Somewhere like La Cabana the studios are much closer to the one BR units making a studio reasonable if the 1 BR were also a choice. The problem with LCB is it's below DVC's standards and I think it's been removed from the exchange list.

 

[yecats]

Never stayed at Marriott in Aruba but the vacation I had there was wonderful. Beach is prestine and water is fabulous. If you like scuba, snuba or snorkeling then be sure to take a tour of the sunken german boat out in the bay. I have gorgeous pics of the natural rock formations. Island is beautiful and plenty of GREAT shopping all around. Beginning of year til beginning of May is Tourist season on the island (especially from cruises) so if you go late summer you'll be talking to more locals (all I met were very nice). Have fun and best of luck to you in getting a good room.