Comparing DVC & Marriot villas

[CarolMN]

Have a chance to stay a couple of nights at either the Grande Vista or Cypress Harbour Marriot right after this coming Thanksgiving. Can anyone compare the 2 bedroom villas of either of those with a DVC 2 bedroom? Mostly wondering about size and resort amenities - there will be 4 adults and 2 children (boys, ages 4 and 8).

Is $239/night plus tax a good price? Does not require sitting through a presentation.

Also, which of those two Marriots would you recommend - is one significantly nicer than the other? We will have a minivan and will be checking into the BWV after the Marriot nights.

Thanks for any advice/information.

 

[sgtpet]

I stayed at the Grande Vista and found it more spacious than DVC except for OKW. They seemed very similar. I would choose the Grande Vista if I were you.

Enjoy

 

[Jimbo]

We once extended a trip by staying at Cypress Harbour for a few days. In some ways, it reminded us of OKW. The 2BR was very spacious, and had parking right in front of it. But the resort had kind of a generic feel about it, certainly none of the atmosphere that OKW has. Something it had that DVC could emulate was that the large deck was screened.

The pools were nice and big - no theming tho. There was an onsite General Store, plus a Pizza Hut and a frozen yogurt stand. Sea World is right next door, and in return for sitting through a presentation we received 4 passes, so that was nice.

All in all, we had a pretty nice stay. There wasn't anything especially memorable about it, but OTOH we didn't have any complaints either.

 

[KANSAS]

I love DVC
but actually find the Marriott accomdoations, to be much nicer than DVC
(larger and more up to date)

of course, DVC is more than the rooms,that you stay in.

 

[llp479]

We stayed at Grande Vista in August before our stay at OKW. There are two types of 2bdrm, one that is similar to BWV, with the one bdrm and studio type arrangement, or a 2 bdrm "lockoff" of a 3 bdrm. This type has two double beds in the second bedroom, and the laundry facility is in the kitchen. This was the type of room we had. My mother said the second arrangement was preferrable to the first. My sister owns at Grande Vista and mom has been there numerous times with her.

The rate you were quoted is good for that room. We stayed for about $175/night last summer, no presentation required either. Did you get that rate from the Marriott website? They guarentee the lowest rate is available on their site.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Hi there! We have stayed at both the Grand Vista and Cypress Harbour. Both are great resorts, but with different feels to them.
We stayed in the Grand Vista first...our first Marriott experience and were thrilled. It has more formal decor. The Grand Vista is much newer than Cypress Harbour and thus everything inside the villa is newer. The villa we stayed in had a latex mattress on the king size bed which I had never experienced before and fell in love with...very supportive and sooooo comfortable. There were kids activities I think...we spent our time at Disney and Universal, so we didn't take advantage of anything other than the Surrey Bikes the last day. The Grand Vista had more ameneties within the villa than Cypress Harbour...dishwashing soap, lots of kitchen towels and sponge, etc., plus a laundry basket which I loved. The Grand Vista has stacked washer/dryer.
The next time we went, we stayed at Cypress Harbour. It has a calm feel to it. It was nice, but the villas were in need of a rehab (that was a few years ago so I imagine it is all done now). It is a GREAT resort when you have teenagers (which we had two on this visit). They have a great game room with teen night where they have competitions--with prizes. As I recall they had quite a few activities planned plus basketball courts and other sports things. The pool area had a volleyball net and the teens would congregate at the end of the day and play. My sons really loved it. Cypress Harbour has full size washer/dryer.
I have not stayed at our DVC home resort yet, but just from reading the square footage and seeing photos, the Marriott villas are much, much more spacious--more like OKW. We had a dining room table that sat six at the Grand Vista and a round table that sat four at Cypress Harbour as I remember, plus the seating at the bar.
We went to visit the Marriott Horizons while we were staying at Cypress Harbour to see if it was an option the next time. (Yes, the salespeople thought it was strange that WE were asking to go on a short mini tour and not wanting anything in return. Ha!) The rooms were a bit smaller, the furniture less formal, and the pool area appeared to have a more kids oriented theme...more playful things. When we were talking to our salesperson, he said that Horizon's was being marketing to families with younger children versus Cypress Harbour is great for families with teens.
Both the Grand Vista and Cypress Harbour were quiet, set back away from any noise. We would go back to either when we are not staying at our DVC home resort. Also, Marriott has non-smoking buildings which are nice. Parking is right outside your building.
I hope this helps with some of your questions.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Originally posted by KANSAS
I love DVC
but actually find the Marriott accomdoations, to be much nicer than DVC
(larger and more up to date)

of course, DVC is more than the rooms,that you stay in.

I totally agree with KANSAS and LoveToDisney. I have stayed at both Marriotts. The units in both were nicer and more spacious than even OKW. BUT they're not Disney, of course.

GV is newer and the studio portion was larger than that of CH. Both locations were very convenient. But I preferred the location of CH a little better. The drive into the GV complex itself was quite long (but pretty). Whereas, I found the CH easier to get in and out of.

But these are minor details. If I would have to reccommend one resort over the other, GV would win by a hair because of the newness, size, and ammenities. If I had to stay at one of them, I would pick CH. I would be perfectly happy to stay at either resorts again.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Carol,

I re-read your post and noticed that you will have 4 adults. In that case, I would lean towards the Grande Vista because of the larger studio portion. The second bedroom at Cypress Harbor was smaller.

I stayed in a 2 bedroom which consisted of a one bedroom and a studio at GV. I don't know how the other type of 2 bedroom compares.


Btw, I agree that the screened in porch/balcony at Cypress Harbor was great. My balcony at GV was not screened in.

 

[LoveToDisney]

As an added thought...I agree with SleepyatDVC...lean towards the Grand Vista
When we had a two bedroom lockoff at GV, there were King size beds in both the master bedroom and the second bedroom (don't know if some have 2 queens) and a queen size sofabed in the living room.
At Cypress Harbour, all the villas are dedicated 2 BR and the second BR is very small with a queen bed and double sofabed...absolutely no room to walk around if the sofa is open. The second bedroom almost seems like an afterthought. They also have the queen sofabed in the living room.
The GV is definitely more spacious.

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by SleepyatDVC
I totally agree with KANSAS and LoveToDisney. I have stayed at both Marriotts. The units in both were nicer and more spacious than even OKW. BUT they're not Disney, of course.

I agree also. Friends of mine own timeshares at both Marriott and Hilton and I have to admit those villas are pretty darn nice and quite a bit bigger than any DVC resort. But as nice as it is, it is still missing that Disney magic. I don't even want to tell you how much more time/usuage per year they were able to get for the same amount of money as what my DVC membership cost me! And they own it forever! But I still would not trade for the world, I love DVC.

 

[jmatias]

Originally posted by BWVDee
I don't even want to tell you how much more time/usuage per year they were able to get for the same amount of money as what my DVC membership cost me! And they own it forever! But I still would not trade for the world, I love DVC.

That is my DH's biggest argument against DVC. We are Marriott owners already and we will be at Grande Vista this June in a 3 bedroom for 2 weeks. I love our Marriott weeks! But I love to stay on property while visiting WDW. I'm gonna try my hardest this trip to convince him!

 

[jmatias]

sorry...double post

 

[Dean]

I think GV is the nicer of the two but CH seems to have more personality. People seem more enthused with the activities and amenities at CH. I think the units at GV are much nicer though. Both are great and it will be much like comparing OKW to SSR.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Originally posted by jmatias
I love our Marriott weeks! But I love to stay on property while visiting WDW.

jmatias, I know what you mean. We have enjoyed staying at the Marriotts and they have spoiled me...roomy villas with kitchen and washer/dryer. But I still longed to get back on Disney property, and after being spoiled with a villa, a hotel room just wasn't enough anymore! The only option was DVC, so we finally purchased some points at BCV last summer and I'm looking forward to our first trip home in a few months.

 

[niks81]

I knew Dean would be here for this one

I stayed at GV....it is really a pretty resort! The rooms are very nice...I was in a 1 BR and it was a good size I took quite a few pictures of the exterior though because it is beautiful! And it has a nice pool too

I think that's probably a pretty good rate

 

[jmatias]

LovetoDisney:

What's funny about this is that 2 years ago we toured while DVC was selling BCV and my DH would have bought if I really wanted it....I told him "No..that's okay".....looking back...I was an idiot

At the time we were staying at OKW via an Interval trade and then the next week was at Horizons. Our boys were 5 & 4 at the time and loved Horizons mainly because of the pool. I asked them where the liked better and of course they said Horizons....so I said no to DVC

Well...of course now I want DVC and DH thinks Marriotts are the best value...which is hard to argue against.

And to top it all off, last month my older son said " Do you remember that place we stayed in Florida with the big rooms, pool with the play area, where we caught the boat....I want to stay there again."

Oh well....I'm hoping DS says something like that again and DH gets the hint

 

[Joeblack]

I own both and love both. DVC is more versatile in terms of when you want to go. Marriott is much more versatile for exchanging to other locations (and even transforming your weeks to rewards points).

DVC has that distinctive Disney Magic that no other timeshare can have for Disney lovers. Marriott offers incredible beach, snow destinations that have a magic of their own for those who seek such things.

IMO, for thos who can afford it, a mix of the two tiwmshares is the perfect way to go. If I had to choose, I don't know which one I would.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Originally posted by jmatias
What's funny about this is that 2 years ago we toured while DVC was selling BCV and my DH would have bought if I really wanted it....I told him "No..that's okay".....looking back...I was an idiot

My heart goes out to you because I know exactly how you feel. Here's hoping your DH gets the "hint" again and will offer you the opportunity to purchase at SSR. It sounds like your boys are at an age to "encourage" things along!!
Have a great trip and enjoy whichever Marriott resort you choose.

 

[spiceycat]

I have only stayed in the Grande Vista - beautiful - they remind me of OKW -

the studio has a king bed and queen sleeping sofa - which DVC would go this route - also the TV is bigger.

really dishes in the studio - not the paper things you get at DVC.

we also stayed in a 1-bedroom lovely.

if you own another timeshare resort that trades through II - remember the getaways - there are several out at both GV and CH for May.

 

[Geubux]

Why don't you trade your Marriott ts for a week at DVC and let us know how it turns out?
We toured Marriott GV two years ago. I liked the resort but it didn't have the on site feel of DVC, which is not necessarily bad. I would love to own Marriott on Hilton Head and both Marriott and DVC have excellent resale value. However, the model we toured did not seem a lot bigger than DVC. Does anyone have a square foot comparison?