Marriott Vacation Club...

[billyb1]

Does anyone know of a forum, such as this one, that exists to discuss the resorts of the Marriott Vacation Club Timeshares?

I am considering a Marriott ownership to supplement my DVC, and am trying to find out some information as to where to buy.. for travelling, trading, etc..

I have some knowledge of the MVC/II trading situation, but I would like to read up on the different resorts and here from actual owners.

I realize Disney tends to be a much more "social" group, but does such a thing exist for other timeshare companies, Marriott in particular?

Bill

 

[Caskbill]

We own Marriott also, and I don't know of any specific discussion forums.

Have you tried a Google search? That would be my suggestion.

 

[utahkennedys]

www.tug2.net has a Marriott specific board. It's not nearly as "busy" as these boards, but there are some very Marriott-smart folks over there.

 

[LoriKutchey]

Just scroll down until you find Marriott!

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/

 

[littlestar]

Tug is my favorite (as mentioned above).

But here are a couple of more links for Marriott:

http://www.ownertrades.com/ExchangeCenter.htm

http://www.marowner.com/

 

[billyb1]

Great suggestions, thanks a lot for the info. I can always count on the DISBoards.

Any suggestions on Marriott? Should it be the DVC "Buy Where you want to Stay" or more of a "Buy where the best trade is, that is also a really nice place to stay"?

Is the II trading a pro or a con to the MVC system? I realize it is not as flexible as DVC, but there is som much more selection tradewise, just within Marriott... although it is pricey. I think it will complement my Disney trips nicely.

I am really looking for a nice beach place, that has a high trade value for other stays around the Marriott system. I will spend the next few days combing the suggested boards.

 

[Dean]

Great suggestions, thanks a lot for the info. I can always count on the DISBoards.

Any suggestions on Marriott? Should it be the DVC "Buy Where you want to Stay" or more of a "Buy where the best trade is, that is also a really nice place to stay"?

Is the II trading a pro or a con to the MVC system? I realize it is not as flexible as DVC, but there is som much more selection tradewise, just within Marriott... although it is pricey. I think it will complement my Disney trips nicely.

I am really looking for a nice beach place, that has a high trade value for other stays around the Marriott system. I will spend the next few days combing the suggested boards.

I agree with TUG. As for beach suggestions, You might look at Ocean Watch, Barony, Surfwatch, Grande Ocean, and Ocean Point. I would discourage a novice from buying mostly to trade but if you will use it part time and trade part time, that's OK. The best value to use and trade is likely Ocean Pointe Gold Season at this point. But there are many choices, I'd say spend 6 months getting educated and figure out what's best for YOU. One caveat is that I'd rather see you buy some where you can use and easily rent out off years than to worry about trading. If you meet the other criteria, trading will always be there.

 

[littlestar]

Great comments, Dean. I probably read the tug boards for a full 7 months before we bought our Marriott week.

Read, read, read, before you buy anything.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Also, if you aren't interested in trading your Marriott week for plane tickets and a hotel room every other year, you should check resales before you pay developer prices. Most Marriott's sell on resale for about 1/2 to 2/3 less than their original price. While it tends not to be the case in some locations, it always pays to check it out before you plunk down your hard-earned cash.

I have a Marriott week, which is good for accessing the Interval website to scope out the good deals on rentals. If the Marriott property that you are thinking of buying shows up on the site, then you should reconsider paying $25,000 for a week at that resort when you can rent it for $900. Of course, you have to have a membership thru II, but sometimes it pays to have a cheap trade for the access to the better properties that sometimes pop up on their board for rent.

 

[billyb1]

Lots of useful info. I was looking into Ocean Pointe.

I stayed at Barony and looked at Surfwatch, I thought they were both really nice, (although a bit $$ for Oceanfront) and I loved HH, but I also loved DVC HHI, so I am less inclined to purchase there, if I can utilize DVC or trading into HH (there 124 Marriott resorts there I believe).

I found this list of the top demanded MVC properties.

1. Maui
2. Aruba Ocean
3. Ko Olina
4. Waiohai
5. Kauai
6. Mountainside
7. Grande Ocean
8. Aruba Surf Club
9. Marbella
10. Ocean Pointe
11. Newport Coast
12. Canyon Villas
13. Ocean Watch
14. Grande Residence London
15. Barony

Ocean Pointe is the highest resort with reasonable east coast airfare, and not in HHI. I dont mind spending the money if it will get me value in the long run through Trades, rentals, ACs, etc.. Is it a family friendly resort?

Part of me wants to buy small to test the waters, but the extravagant side of me wants to buy Hawaii and hope next years Bonus can pay for it, and not worry about it.

I called Marriott and they are pushing St. Thomas pretty hard, which is still in developer price. and the Gold season is pretty reasonable.

I guess for ease of travel and tradability, I am looking into Ocean Pointe, Surf Watch or Frenchman's Cove. Any comments on those three or other suggestions?

I guess I should move these questions ove to the Marriott boards I originally asked about... Thanks again.

 

[Dean]

Lots of useful info. I was looking into Ocean Pointe.

I stayed at Barony and looked at Surfwatch, I thought they were both really nice, (although a bit $$ for Oceanfront) and I loved HH, but I also loved DVC HHI, so I am less inclined to purchase there, if I can utilize DVC or trading into HH (there 124 Marriott resorts there I believe).

I found this list of the top demanded MVC properties.

1. Maui
2. Aruba Ocean
3. Ko Olina
4. Waiohai
5. Kauai
6. Mountainside
7. Grande Ocean
8. Aruba Surf Club
9. Marbella
10. Ocean Pointe
11. Newport Coast
12. Canyon Villas
13. Ocean Watch
14. Grande Residence London
15. Barony

Ocean Pointe is the highest resort with reasonable east coast airfare, and not in HHI. I dont mind spending the money if it will get me value in the long run through Trades, rentals, ACs, etc.. Is it a family friendly resort?

Part of me wants to buy small to test the waters, but the extravagant side of me wants to buy Hawaii and hope next years Bonus can pay for it, and not worry about it.

I called Marriott and they are pushing St. Thomas pretty hard, which is still in developer price. and the Gold season is pretty reasonable.

I guess for ease of travel and tradability, I am looking into Ocean Pointe, Surf Watch or Frenchman's Cove. Any comments on those three or other suggestions?

I guess I should move these questions ove to the Marriott boards I originally asked about... Thanks again.

You'll see this list with about 100 different variations. Don't put too much stock into it.

 

[crazyaboutdisney]

we are dvc owners and also marriott ocean watch owners. we did not want to buy at hh due to our favorite resort is disney hh. we took the tour at ocean watch and really liked the rooms and being right on the beach is a great addition. we like hh and myrtle beach because we can drive to both locations and need no tickets to get in. very relaxing and much cheaper. take a long look at the resales on redweek.com. i wish we would have !! we bought gold season ocean view for $18,000. I get very confused with all the II trade options, but we will go every august and enjoy a great resort.

 

[JimC]

Another vote for TUG. The Marriott forum is very helpful and there are other forums for different locations and systems.

We are also MVCI owners and went with them because of their consistent quality in product and service, extensive network of resorts and the fact that I frequent their properties for business travel -- we also participate in MR program. Good luck in your search.

 

[Deb & Bill]

On the topic of Marriott: since the hotels went non-smoking, did the timeshare also go non-smoking?

 

[Dean]

On the topic of Marriott: since the hotels went non-smoking, did the timeshare also go non-smoking?

No, they are separate. MVCI has been moving NS and some resorts have done so, but not all. Even at new ones, there are still Smoking rooms/floors though at most they are still asking guests to smoke on the balcony or outside. Grande Ocean is going NS as they renovate the rooms and that should be complete by next May. They have a policy where they charge any guest that violates the NS policy $250 plus any damages. They ARE enforcing it and have charged a number of guests per the GM there. They do have to be careful that it's obvious and defendable so if there is a question as to guilt, they let it slide. Here is a quote from a VP at MVCI

Ed Kinney VP Marriott Vacation Club to see if similar plans were in store for their units at their timeshare resorts. Here is his reply, "Yes we are with the approval of the respective property COAs. We will be presenting this as an item at each annual COA board meeting which will be taking place now through the Fall depending on location. We currently have only a small proportion of Villas at each property designated as smoking units based on existing consumer feedback".