Marriott Grand Vista Review

[ttfn3]

Here's my review of our stay at the Marriott Grand Vista in November. We found a great deal for a 2 BR unit and were very pleased with the accomodations. We actually had a full one bedroom unit with a one bedroom studio/lockout unit. The unit was large - full kitchen/ 3 TV's, a jacuzzi tub in the master bedroom, separate vanity in the master bedroom, large shower unit in the master bath. Balconies off the master bedroom/living room, and the second studio bedroom. Washer/dryer in the kitchen. Fully stocked kitchen. Living/dining room with large table, and pull out couch with chairs. The second bedroom was a studio unit with a king sized bed, pull out couch, table with 2 chairs, small kitchenette with mini fridge/microwave/coffemaker/sink - fully equipped for 4 people. This unit's bathroom had a combo shower/tub.

The MGV was a very nice resort. It's set back quite a ways from the main road. The entire resort is built with the Nick Faldo Golf Institute's Golf course wrapping around the resort. Our unit looked out over one of the greens and we enjoyed watching the golfers.

The resort is very family oriented. Lots of activities for the kids and nice pools (tho. our weather didn't cooperative very much for much pool time). The resort has a huge indoor padded play gym/climber that came in very handy the rainy day that we checked in (plus a good way to meet other kids). They also have a nice arcade room that has 2 air hockey tables and a pool table in addition to same decent arcade games. There are scheduled kid activites but we didn't have time to particpate in any of them. A Daily Navigator is delivered with an USA Today each morning to describe the next day's activities.

Lots of other activities - my DH and DS enjoyed a "boat" ride on the lake. My DH took a golf lesson (for $20) and got a video that showed his swing in a split screen with Nick Faldo - with instruction from a golf pro.

One of our highlights was seeing the space rocket launch from our balcony one afternoon. We also saw fireworks from Sea World one night from the balcony outside our front door.

Our drive was an easy drive to Disney. IMHO any resort from Central Parkway south on International Drive is a very nice/easy drive to Disney.

A car is a necessity (IMHO) if you are staying at this resort. We were only called once to ask to attend a timeshare presentation - which we declined. No pressure whatever to attend.

So far we have stayed at the Vistana Resort, Vistana Villages and the Marriott Grand Vista. We also visited (took a look) at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club on this visit. If you have any questions, please let me know.

 

[Belle5]

Thanks for the review! Would you say that you liked it more than the Vistana Villages?

 

[bonnie w]

We have reservations to stay there in March. Overall was everything in pretty good condition? How close is it to Sea World & how far a drive is it to Disney? Were the pools nice & were they heated? Are all th buildings pretty well spread out & would you need to drive to get to the main pool area? Thanks for your posting & glad that you had a good trip.

 

[ttfn3]

The Marriott Grand Vista was built in 1996, so it's relatively new. Everything in our unit was in good condition. The beds/pillows were very comfy. We really liked our unit and the view of the golf course. I have a map of the resort that I'll look for and post the section that we stayed in. I made some requests one week prior to arrival and all of our requests were honored - Nonsmoking, building ?(can't remember I'll look for it and post it later) near the main pool, and top floor unit. We were also near the elevator which was nice. The unit was very quiet. We never heard a peep out of anyone - well, until the rocket launch - everyone was pretty excited to see it from the resort balconies. The pools were heated. However, we had a cold snap while we were there. I was just getting over a cold, so I opted not to go swimming. However, my DS and DH braved the cold air temps and hit the pool. They said the water was great (as long as you stayed in the water).

Our unit was close to the main pool area, so it was a very easy walk. All the units are pretty close together, so it's not really a very long walk anywhere on the resort. The MGV is a very long way, tho, from the main road - International Drive - it's set back off a LONG drive. A car really is a must IMHO, at this resort.

MGV is very close to Sea World - you turn right out of the resort, make a left on Central Parkway and there's Sea World. I would say about 5 minutes drive at the most. Our drive to Disney World took about 15 minutes from MGV to the TTC parking lot. It's a very easy drive.

As for MGV versus V V, I would say it's a toss up. I liked the brand new unit at the Vistana Villages and the cool waterfall pool. However, the MGV had more to offer in terms of amenities and activities. The MGV 2 BR unit wasn't much of a step down, tho, in terms of newest than the V V. The fact that we got the MGV for 1/2 the price that we paid for a week at the V V was a big plus. I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.

Bonnie, let me know if you have any more questions. I tend to keep the literature I get from the places that we stay. I will add that my DS LOVED having his own little apartment. We even let him put some bottled water in the fridge, so he could get a drink when we wanted one. We told him to enjoy while we were there. He'll never have a TV, fridge, nor a microwave in his room at home

 

[karenvicki]

Thanks so much for your report! My parents are actually staying there right now in a 2 bdrm unit and I was curious to see what people had to say about the place. I had done a search on this site prior to their trip but found very little info. Glad to hear such a positive review!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

We just returned also - had 1 bedroom for DH, DD and DS and myself, with plenty of room.
Resort was really nice (and we are extremely picky), great condition and found all staff to be extremely nice and helpful.
Just as an aside - we stayed one night at Vistana Resort - and didn't like it at all. Very crowded feel to it, 1 bdrm we were in was very small and tired. DH just hated it! We were in the Lakes section I believe, but wouldn't stay there again.

 

[bonnie w]

Thanks for all the information. You've been a great help. I am looking forward to our stay in March. It sounds like a great place & I am sure that I will like it. I am like your son & husband, as long as the pool water is pretty warm, I will be swimming..........Thanks again.

 

[sharon-nj]

Sounds like a really nice place. Would you mind telling us how much it was? How did you book the reservation, any special promo/discounts?

Thanks!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

We rec'd a card with a special promotion from Delta Airlines Skymiles for $199. for three nights in a one bedroom. The deal was we had to attend a timeshare presentation at the property. They were quoting $169. for 1 bdrm for additional nights, which I believe is their standard rate. Try HotelKingdom.com they seem to have fairly good rates. This is where we booked the first night at Vistana Villages ($86.)

 

[nlesl2000]

We were at the Grande Vista on the same special-3 nights for $199 and we received 5000 delta miles. We enjoyed the area and found it very easy to get around. The timeshare presentation wasn't a hard sell-but it definately took the full 90 minutes. The last night we had a free Marriott certificate for one of their 4 star resorts-wasn't valid at the courtyard in downtown disney so we did the one in Lake Buena Vista and it was also very nice. Large room with a king bed and a sitting area. Plenty of room for a crib. My parents met us for the evening and they paid $69 a night there.
ttfn3-what did you think of the Hilton Vacation Club? We received a deal from them for $69 for 3 nights 4 days, again with the condition that we do the timeshare presentation. We have to book by March but can go anytime next year. Would like to know if the rooms we comparable to the Grande Vista. We were in a one bedroom there. Let me know what you thought of it. Thanks!

 

[Lorix2]

ttfn3 - thanks so much for posting about this resort. Sounds like you had a great time there.

We stayed at the V V last year and are very excited about staying at the MGV in April. I'm glad to hear you weren't dissappointed after staying at the V V.

Aren't the MGV and V V pretty close in proximity?

thank you

 

[ttfn3]

I'll see if I can answer all the questions posted.

We actually got the MGV (2 BR for a week) off the Internet at a fabulous price of $450 for the whole week - taxes included. I'm not sure if we'll be able to repeat this deal in the future, but I wouldn't hesitate staying here again if I got such a good deal. We did not have to attend a timeshare presentation; which after our experience (with a timeshare presentation) this spring at the Vistana Villages, I was VERY glad!

The Marriott Grand Vista is very close to the Vistana Villages. Maybe 5 more minutes north on International Drive. It's south of Central Parkway - which IMHO any location on International Drive south of Central Parkway is a great location to be. It's pretty much large resorts and the traffic is pretty minimal (of course, we were there in offseason). Lorix2 I think you will not be disappointed with the MGV. If you have young children, they will LOVE the indoor padded play gym. Plus, the MGV has more amenities than the Vistana Villages. However, it is just a tad older than the V V (built in 1996 versus 2000).

I liked the looks of the Hilton Grand Vacation Club. The amenities, accomodations, location looked nice. We haven't stayed here - just took a peak while we were in the area. I've always had good luck at staying at other Hilton resorts, so I wouldn't hesitate to stay here if I got a good price. However, I don't know how high pressured the timeshare presentation is. I really hate these presentations so I tend to shy away from a deal that makes it a necessity. I did think the small indoor movie theater at the HGVC looked cool. I guess you can "rent" it out and show your whole group a movie in the theater. That would be fun.

If you have any more questions, let me know. I know that I've appreciated all the help I've gotten off these boards before, so if I can help someone else, I'd like to return the favor.

 

[Lorix2]

ttfn3 - thanks again for the information. I enjoyed reading your post. I'm glad you had a great vacation. I am very excited about staying there. I also think my kids will be very happy here, especially since they LOVED the V. V. This is so funny, I've had my eye on HGVC too for April 2004! Great minds think alike right?

Luckily, we were never approached for a timeshare presentation at the V. V. - Maybe because we booked thru HK.com, I think that's why.

Happy planning everyone