Exchange to Aruba - Marriott Ocean Club

[disney4me4ever]

Just got notified that we got our exchange to Aruba Marriott Ocean Club for the end of March. Has anyone been there lately? We were in Aruba about 5 yrs. ago and stayed at the Hyatt, so we are somewhat familiar with this property, but just wondering about condition of rooms, construction next door, that sort of thing.

Thanks,
Nancy

 

[Dean]

Haven't been even though I own a number of weeks on Aruba. If you got a 1 BR or larger, that's a great exchange.

 

[pistonfan32]

I stayed there about 3 years ago and it was great. The island has great restaurants. I'd be happy to give you some recommendations if you'd like them.

 

[steven1194]

Nancy,

Was just down in November and stayed @ the Ocean Club. We had a great time. I don't know if it matters to you but we were told washer and dryer in room they are not each floor has a laundry room except the first floor. The room was great had a 2bdrm on the first floor, no view but still nice. I don't know if shopping for food is in your plans if so try Ling and Sons
large, clean, and great selection of food. Hope, this helps anymore questions let me know.

Steven

 

[zalansky]

How many points did you have to give up for the trade? I've heard Aruba is beautiful, enjoy your trip and planning!

 

[Dean]

How many points did you have to give up for the trade? I've heard Aruba is beautiful, enjoy your trip and planning!

This property is HIGH season fro that time so it should have been high season points for the unit size she was requesting. For example, if you were searching for a 1 BR and got a 2 BR, it'd still be 1 BR points (160). However, if you called asking for a 1 BR and they offered you a 2 BR on that initial call, you'd have to pay the 270 points or put in an ongoing search.

 

[jlx2]

Out of curiosity how long were you on the wait list for? Did you give them a bunch of dates or were you very specific? We want to do a trade through Intervale and were wondering how long the wait actually is. (I know it depends on how high in demand a property is, and Aruba sounds like a high demand one to me.) Thanks!

 

[Lucy D.]

We walked through this resort in December when we had taken a cruise to Aruba. Wanted to check it out in case we wanted to do an II exchange there as well. I remember construction next door but I didn't get the impression it was annoying if you were staying at the Ocean Club--you certainly couldn't see it from the pool area which was very nice. It seemed like a great place to stay. We spoke to some owners on the bus ride there and they loved it.
Lucy

 

[Daitcher]

I just stayed next door at the Marriott Surf Club. The OC is a great place as well. Be sure to go next door and use the Surf Club pool, that is where the water slide is and the lazy river. We found the service better on the Surf Club side as well. The staff at thses Marriott proeries is better than any DVC Resort. The Arubans are truly a gracious people. Have a great trip. This is truly a great exchange and one I'd make. How far in advance and how many flexible where you with the dates?


DAVE

 

[smsnorthup]

Question for the OP...How far in advance did you start the search with II to be able to get a March booking? Just curious about timeframe

 

[jlx2]

Dave - We are pretty flexible with dates. We were thinking about March, April, May, November or December (any weeks in those months) for 2007. How far in advance would you put in with Intervale for these requests? We were also interested in the Westin St. John, but I know there's pretty much no chance with that one. Any other suggestions so we can put a few more destinations in to better our chances? We would like somewhere in the Caribbean. It's great to talk with members that have actually been to these other resorts. Thanks for the help!

 

[Dean]

Out of curiosity how long were you on the wait list for? Did you give them a bunch of dates or were you very specific? We want to do a trade through Intervale and were wondering how long the wait actually is. (I know it depends on how high in demand a property is, and Aruba sounds like a high demand one to me.) Thanks!

I'm not Dave but there is no way to know how long you'll wait or even if you'll get anything. The only guide is how high or low the demand is which should give some idea of how successful you are likely to be. Most II properties don't deposit until a least 12 months out but it could be much less. There are a few at 18 months and 24 months and some Marriott options will come on line at 13 months out.

Westin is tough but not impossible. Aruba is also tough but much more likely to happen. You should start your search a full 12 months or more out but don't be surprised even if you do match, that it's 6 months or less. If you list May, Nov and Dec, this is almost certainly what you will get as those are much lower times other than the holiday dates. Good luck.

 

[Cinderella]

We have an exchange to Marriott Aruba Surf Club in October. You need to read the reviews on www.tug2.net. There are three marriotts right beside each other and they sound absolutely fantastic. Congratulations.

 

[lts862]

We are hoping to do an exchange for a 2 bedroom at either the Surf or Ocean Club in August, 2008. We will be celebrating a milestone birthday for DH. I think we will put the request in with MS 12-18 months prior. We have been to Aruba many times and love it there. This will be a first time with our two children.

 

[disney4me4ever]

Hi All~ Sorry it's taken me a while to get back to this thread. Thanks for all your good wishes. I knew folks would be excited to know that an Aruba exchange went through! Because we had been to Aruba before and had seen some of the other properties, the only property I wanted to exchange into was the Marriott. I checked my DVC journal (where I log all my calls to MS and transactions) and I requested that 1 BR exchange on 1/25/05. So it took about 13 months. I was very specific on the date range, as I wanted high season, so I requested any week between 2/10 & 4/15. As Dean said, this will be a 160 point exchange -- well worth it. I had also wanted Westin St. John, but am pretty convinced I will only get that one if I do a direct exchange, and I do have that out there on www.tug2.net. My only hesitation is I don't think I want to deal with renting a car, so if anyone has restaurant recommendations within walk or cab distance, let me know. Can't wait to go back!

Nancy