New Name for Marriott Horizons - Marriott's Harbour Lake

[littlestar]

Just a heads up that Marriott's Horizons resorts are getting a name change. They will become full fledged Marriott Vacation Club resorts and Horizons Orlando has a new name - Marriott's Harbour Lake.

The Branson, MO, Horizons should have their new name in a few weeks. We are Horizons owners at Branson and received an e-mail from Marriott Vacation Club about the change. Supposedly as refurbishments and new buildings come about, there will be changes to the interiors - granite countertops, etc.

 

[jeff968]

Interesting, We were just there and enjoyed the resort very much. Definately at the same level as Cypress Harbor and Grande Vista although no room hot tubs (although we didn't miss it). How many Horizons were there? Just the two?

 

[littlestar]

Yep. Just the two Horizons. There was supposed to have been another one in Gatlinburg, TN, but 9-11 happened around that time and that project was cancelled. I've actually got an old Interval International guidebook that shows the artist rendering for it, though.

 

[spiceycat]

so the extra stuff that Horizons was to have that the normal Marriott does not - will be cancelled right.

so the Horizons will just be a normal timeshares.

 

[littlestar]

so the extra stuff that Horizons was to have that the normal Marriott does not - will be cancelled right.

so the Horizons will just be a normal timeshares.

The Horizons that was to be built in Gatlinburg got cancelled back when 9-11 happened in '01. I guess they changed their mind about the Horizons brand.

From the e-mail I received from Marriott, the two Horizons resorts will now be full fledged Marriott Vacation Club resorts with upgrades coming. That probably means higher maintenance fees, but I don't care much since I only own an every other year week. It will be nice to have the upgraded rooms when we stay there, too.

 

[tink2007]

We purchased at Horizons last summer. Loved the layout and south Florida theme. The layout we purchased is with the lockout. We have reservations for May. I recieved a confirmation letter this week for a 2 bedroom villa with no lockout. Not what we were planning on. Im not sure how this mix up came about but I have been on the phone with Marriott every day and still do not have an answer. They say they can not change my reservation because I did not call before my 60 days. Some of the people I have spoke to were not so very friendly and some down right rude. I work in costumer service, so I know to write down every name of the people that I spoke to. I have left a message with some big wig and hope to hear from him soon. Why would we purchase a lockout and not use it? I know there are only a few buildings with the lockout. They were working on one when we were there in July. Does anyone know if they have completed another on yet? Im guessing they are not selling too many timeshares with the economy and I think they would like to keep the owners they have happy.

 

[littlestar]

Every Horizons owner has the option to book a lock out unit. It's basically on a first come, first serve basis, though. Marriott owners who own more than one Marriott actually can book at 13 months out instead of the normal 12 months ahead. So single week owners will stand in line behind multiple week owners.

One nice thing about a non lock out unit is the fact that you have two queen beds in the second bedroom instead of a pull-out couch that someone will have to sleep on (ugh). So hopefully Marriott will find someone that would love to switch with you on your vacation.

Many people who book lock out units, though, actually split the units (Marriott charges $75.00 to split them) so they have two reservations to deposit with Interval International for trading. When you split (or lock out the unit) and trade a two bedroom lock out unit through Interval (II) you're in essence getting two vacations for the price of one. So Horizons owners that like to trade will book those lock off units early at either 13 months or 12 months out. I have traded the studio portion of my Horizons Branson unit in the 59 day check-in window through Interval International for large two bedroom units at DVC and Marriott. So lock off units tend to be grabbed early for trading and basically getting an extra vacation out of them.

There's a great Marriott board (like the DIS boards) on Tug. I don't know if you know about tug or not. But here's a link:

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=29

 

[jlp879]

I shouldn't think it would matter too much what your reservation says. I would think that owning a lock-off unit is more beneficial for trading. At this resort, I'd say the best room locations are the dedicated two bedrooms. You're closer to the pool and have a better view.

You might get lucky at check-in and ask for a two bedroom lock-off. We prefer the dedicated two bedrooms because no one likes sleeping on the sofa beds.

 

[dioxide45]

As a previous poster indicates. Everyone at Harbour Lake owns the right to book a lock out. If you reserve a 2BR unit there is a good chance that you will be placed in a dedicated 2BR unit since there is a limited number of lock out units. While you own a week and unit that is deeded it doesn't give you specific rights to that week and unit. You are bound by the underlying club documents associated with your ownership.
You can call a couple weeks before checkin and request to be placed in a lockout unit. Since you own it is likely they will meet your request.