Marriott's

Continuing to blog alphabetically for the month of April for the A-Z challenge brings us to M and today, let's talk Marriott.  Or maybe you like to visit an M destination, Manzanilla for instints, I've blogged about it HERE.   I've counted 38 Marriott Time Shares in the Continental US, however there are over 50 in 31 countries to choose from.  That's alot of locations and variety in activities as well.  Some are beach locations, others geared to golf, while others are geared to more family oriented destinations with things like Disney at hand.  Example there are 7 Marriott Time Shares in Hilton Head South Carolina (where it all began), and 7 in the ever popular Orlando and Disney area.

You can stay at your home resort, you can trade your weeks through Interval International, you can convert your weeks to destination points to stay elsewhere beyond your home resort, and you can turn your weeks into Marriott Rewards Points.  Maybe you've purchased more recently and don't own "weeks" but own trust points.  You can use your trust points to book at any of the locations and or use them towards tours or cruises.  Lots to choose from.

But, that's only one side of Marriott.  You can enjoy the quality of Marriott's without purchasing time share weeks.  There are a variety of Marriott Hotels, Marriott, JW Marriott, Residents Inn, Springhills, Courtyards and Renaissance.  With that variety there's always one near at hand.  With that variety of brands you also have many chooses in prize, room styles and amenities.  Some are geared more to personal travel, some more business, while others are nice adult locations and others geared towards traveling families.  Remember to use your Marriott Charge Card to obtain the most bang for your buck.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

Marriott's Newport Coast Villas

(N post)
The kitchen and breakfast bar at Marriott's Newport Coast

Where we had dinner almost every night, our dining room.

Living room for after the sunset and it got too cool on balcony.  We were there in February, so nights are still a little chilly.

Looking towards the bathroom from the master suite.  Large tub to the right with the shower around the corner.

2nd bedroom with table and sleeper sofa.  It has it's own bathroom, door there on the left.

We LOVED our balcony.  We used it some for morning coffee, and sometimes when we lunched in, and always for cocktails in the evening.  We had a routine of getting the Martini's ready so all we needed to do was add ice and shake in order to have our Martini's as we watched the sunset.  Sunset's were fabulous.  Best we've had anywhere.

Pop back tomorrow for a Sunset Special Post.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(7, start with 559)

Marriott Time Shares

(M post)
This post can be used as reference material.  It's a small paragraph about the various Marriott Time Share's we either stayed in or seen doing tours.  There will be links provided if posts have previously been done on a particular location.

There are multiple ways to vacation at a Marriott Time Share.  If you own a time share you can reserve a week at your home resort (for those who own weeks under the old system), you can reserve one using Destination/Vacation/Trust Points if you've converted your weeks to Destination/Vacation Points (the newer system), AND you can reserve a week using Trust Points (newest system where you purchase points and not weeks), sometimes you can reserve one using Marriott Reward Points (you don't need to be a time share owner to have these), you can trade your week through Interval International for a location different from your home resort, and sometimes you can reserve and pay right out...just as you would for a hotel.

These are listed by the state, in alphabetical order.

Arizona: Canyon Villas at Desert Ridge is a beautiful facility with 1 and 2 BR's, and a quest suite/efficiency.  These are lock off's, which means the 2 BR can be converted into a 1 BR and an efficiency.  With this system you don't need to reserve more space then you need, AND even if you have the full 2 BR each side has it's own door.  That's particularly nice in a group situation, like 2 couples vacationing together.  It's close to a JW Marriott Resort which gives you the ability for fine dining, spa's and other recreational activities beyond the villas.  There's lots to see and do here, and it's on our list of places to return to.

California: We've not stayed in or seen the inside of Desert Springs Villa, but the outside is very impressive.  They look large and are in a very picturesque location.  Desert Springs Villas II were the next phase of the development.  We've stayed here.  You can walk from one to the other, in fact they share the rental office.  Villas II are a lock off situation like the above Canyon Villas in Arizona.  The dining room area is perhaps the most impressive area of the villa with floor to ceiling bay window area.  The quest/efficiency side is the smallest of those we've seen and the only one that didn't have a separate kitchen area from the bedroom.  The arrangement here was a large cabinet that housed the microwave, and dorm fridge.  Like Canyon Villas it's close to The JW Marriott Resort with access to fine dining and other activities.  However, Villas I has the use of the pool and recreation areas at the JW, whereas Villas II does not.  You can play golf at the JW regardless of which area you're lodged in.

Near by (not walking distance) the Desert Springs resorts is Shadow Ridge.  Shadow Ridge is also a lock off situation as described above.  It has easy access to golf and dining at Faldo's.  This is our personal favorite of those in Desert Springs/Palm Desert.  We've been here a number of times and plan to return.  The quest/efficiency area here is quite nice and roomy.
*There's a new phase here called The Enclaves, while newer and perhaps a bit more fancy with furnishings etc. we prefer the older area at Shadow Ridge called the Villages.

Newport Coast Villas very pretty common areas, beautiful views, magnificent sunsets.  Sorry no link yet with pictures (up and coming tomorrow), probably though not on the top of our we want to return list.  Newport Coast Villas are dedicated 2 BR.  The spacing is the same in that you have 2 BR 2 bath, living room, kitchen, laundry, and dining room like lock offs; but you have the one door and 1 balcony or patio vs 2.  This arrangement is far better for families with small children; as everyone comes and goes together.  There are links for Huntington Beach, and Crystal Cove (2 areas nearby that we enjoyed).

Colorado: Mountain Valley Lodge at Breckenridge.  Though I've blogged quite a bit about Breckenridge, to date I've not posted any pictures of the condo.  Here's a quick look at the outside. 

It's a ski area, though we were there in the summer.  The condo's are furnished like a ski lodge.  There's a 1 BR and and 1 BR suite.  The suite has a bath and half and sleeping for 3 in the living room with 2 in the pull out sofa and 1 in a day bed.  We really enjoyed our stay there.  The disadvantages perhaps is that getting there isn't that easy.  You fly into Denver then drive to Breckenridge, (2 hours), and you're up around 10,000 feet so the altitude can be an issue.  Since it's a ski area, there is limited access to outside from the condo.  A small screen balcony with room to stand, not sit with your morning cup of coffee.  There is no air conditioning here, as it's not needed in the mountains.

Florida: We've stayed at Ocean Pointe at Palm Beach Shores, and toured Oceana Palms at Singer Island.  Oceana is the newest facility, a good walk down the beach.  Ocean Pointe is a lock off arrangement (see above description), while Oceana Palms is a dedicated 2 BR.  Oceana Palms is fancy and newer, though hubby and I prefer Ocean Pointe.  There is a small walking community and you can go out to dinner from both locations without the need of a car.  We would certainly entertain going back at either location.

South Carolina: We've stayed on Hilton Head Island 4 or 5 times and love it there.  Marriott has a rather large presence on the island between the resort, 8 timeshares, and other accommodations in Residence Inn's etc.  We've stayed in 3 of the 8 Marriott Time Shares, and have seen them all from the outside.  All are very nice.  Some are in the harbor area, some on the beach, some on the marsh.  Heritage Club at Harbour Town is the smallest, the quietest and probably our personal favorite.  It's geared much more for adults then children and families.  There's golf there with your stay and hubby really enjoys that.  It's within walking distance to Harbour town, and is inside Sea Pines Plantation.   It's a dedicated 2 BR as all the timeshares on the island are.  A few locations have 3 BR's as well.  It's not on the water, but a short bike ride from the beach.  Grande Ocean is probably the largest and has the most ocean frontage.  We've stayed there a couple of times and would go back.  It's just inside Sea Pines Plantation and within biking distance of Harbor Town.  Marriott's Monarch is another favorite.  It's smaller then Grande Ocean but larger then Heritage, on the beach, in Sea Pines, with easy access.  Monarch is one of the timeshares that offers a 3 BR in addition to the standard 2 BR.

Ocean Watch Villas in Myrtle Beach are dedicated 2 BR, very small; probably the smallest of all the villas we've seen.  The resort itself is quite pretty and the beach is nice; but the people were crabby.  This is the ONLY Marriott we've been to that doesn't give people additional towels at the pool without charging extra.  They have several play areas for children and seemed geared more towards young families then couples or groups.  The buildings are highrises and by the time you pack up gear to go to the pool or the beach and get the elevator down...you're worn out, lol.  You can't really walk or ride a bike anywhere from the resort to eat or shop.  If you want to stay put and play in the sand, or read pool-side this is probably a good match.

Utah: We've stayed at Summit Watch several times and have another trip already booked there.  We've toured Mountain Side also in Park City.  Both of these timeshares are lock-offs so 1 and 2 BR's as well as efficiency's are available.  These, like Breckenridge are ski resorts but great places to visit in summer months.   Park City is easier to get to, just a short drive from The Salt Lake Airport, and there's not an elevation problem to adjust to.  The biggest draw back to both of these locations is no outside feeling while indoors.  There are no balcony's.  Summit Watch is in downtown Park City with access to the mountain from the city lift. Mountain Side is on the mountain, a ski in ski out location.  There are many blog posts with information about the area, as there is much to do and see.  Just type Park City in the search at the top right corner of the blog. Mountain Side is larger, and newer and has more outside space with activities geared towards kids, and a larger pool.  We prefer Summit Watch, a bit more adult oriented, from our perspective.


Virginia: Marriott's Ford's Colony and the Sequel in historic Williamsburg.  Ford's Colony is a dedicated 2 BR and the sequel is a lock-off situation with the 1 and 2 BR's and quest/efficient suite.  The grounds are beautiful, right on the golf course.  There's a golf package based on your length of stay and owner ship level.  The villas are beautiful.  Hubby enjoyed the golf, though I'm not sure this is a location to return to.  The pool at Ford's Colony is very small and over run with screaming children, the pool at the Sequel is larger, but not by much.  It's the only Marriott timeshare we've stayed in without a pool bar.  They sell a few pop-cycles but that's about it.  The resort is nestled in an up-scale neighborhood so you feel like your not vacationing exactly.  You can walk around the resort and neighborhood, but on vacation I'd rather not feel like I'm walking around the block.


Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(12, start with 551)

What to do With the Kids

 (A-Z challenge K post)
Bon Bini to Aruba
Not all resorts or vacation destination are a good spot to bring the kids.  When you travel as a family, vs a couple, or adult group; you really need to think about what the kids are going to do when you want to relax and read by the pool or ocean ..or go out in the evening.  It's ok that not everywhere is kid friendly, we adults like our time too.  But, you do yourself, your children and everyone around you a disservice not to know the answer to the question, "What do the Kids Do?"........BEFORE you plan your trip.  This fun picture was taken poolside at Marriott's Surb Club Time Share in Aruba.  Knowing the cost of flights out of the country, I'm always surprised by the number of families with small children doing the beach thing here vs a place closer to home, and cheaper. 

 However, the resort does offer fun activities for kids.  These native type dancers kept the kids entertained for close to hour.  Parents and adults enjoyed watching and taking pictures.  AND...the music was fun too.  However, this isn't a baby sitting service giving adults an hour free and most of the activities scheduled at Marriott Time Shares aren't either.  Most offer choices of indoor and outdoor activities, but parents need to be present.  It does give you an excuse to get them out of the sun for awhile if you sign them up for an activity at The Maze, which all Marriott Time Shares have.  There's face painting, jewelry making, tie-dye shirts, balloon animals, and other craft type projects.  Some activities are free, some require a fee.  The only activity that gives you, the adult time would be movie night.  Most time shares offer a movie night where the kids get popcorn, pizza and watch movies; but check the age for this activity as it's not for the wee ones.

Please also check and be aware that your children can not be in the pool without your supervision at most resorts; so don't plan on sending them out while you read your book on the balcony.  Some resorts have adult only pools, quiet pools, or pools with restricted hours for children.  Don't assume the pool closest to your room/condo/villa will be the one you'll use with your children.  Read the signs at the pool, and or the book available in every room. 

Kids want to have a good time, and so do adults.  Everyone can if they know what's what.  Always give thought to who wants to do what during vacation before hand, a bit of pre-planning make the whole trip so much more enjoyable.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

(9 start with 1300)

Efficiency's Safe Money When Traveling

Coffee in your room is not only a convenience, but it can save you money and time when you're traveling.  Some hotel rooms have in room coffee, but you can't count on it.  Look for Efficiency's when you travel that have in room coffee makers, small dorm type refrigerator, and a microwave.  There are several good frozen options you can pop in the microwave for a quick bite that again saves you time and money when traveling.  Particularly if you're between locations and wanting to roll out of bed early in the morning and drive a full day.  You can easily have breakfast and dinner in your room.  Lunch of lunch meat cheese and yogurt will easily fit in the fridge, saving you money from eating every meal out.  Springhill Suites by Marriott is our favorite of these efficiency's when traveling.

Additionally they all have a sofa and desk so you don't have to sit on the bed when relaxing.  The sofa is a sleeper sofa if you have others traveling with you.  AND, they have a free breakfast of fruit, cereals and hot eggs etc in the lobby if you want to eat quickly before starting out.

Take efficiency's up a notch when you reach your final destination.  This is an efficiency kitchen area where we stayed in Aruba at Marriott's Surf Club.  Above are dishes and glassware and some reasonable storage if you don't over shop for supplies.  To the right of the kitchen is the bathroom and entrance into the well equipped quest room/efficiency.  Because all Marriott Time Shares (and many Springhills) have grills at the ready, it's possible to grill out and have a nice meal vs a costly dinner out.

And with either something you've tossed in the microwave or cooked on the grill you still have a place to sit and to eat on your balcony

or inside.  Might be hard to see as this was the morning we were checking out.  But the TV on the dresser is across from the bed, table and chairs next for your computer and or eating, with door to your private balcony.  The bed, unmade since it was our last morning prior to check out.

And you still have a view.  You also have a sleeper sofa which I neglected to get a photo of.  So, paying a bit more for an efficiency's saves you money eating all meals (like you would with a regular hotel room) out...and is less expensive then a larger condo unit.  After all, you have most of the comforts of home...and who's going to be spending much time indoors anyway?


Haven't traveled to many places that start with the letter E, but Effingham, Illinois , and the burial place of Edgar Allen Poe

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

#9 start with 511

Palm Desert California

That's me dressed for dinner in the desert at Marriott's Palm Desert at Shadow Ridge.  You start out warm in the desert thus the sleeves and cool shoes and skirt, but it's always good to have a sweater to put on after the sun goes down...it can get cool very quickly in the desert.   We were heading out that evening, though we generally fixed our meals in since we had a full kitchen. (it's the day for D in the A-Z challenge)

Looking from the living room into the dining room and kitchen beyond with the door on left where you enter.

You can eat in the kitchen or on the nicely sized patio/balcony as we did most nights.  The balcony is large enough to accommodate 4 at the table and has a chaise lounge for relaxing during the day.

It's easy to prepare a fabulous meal like the steak, grilled potatoes and veggies and bread with the convenience of the grills between most buildings.  Nice view too.  We often would have the prep done, take it with our cocktails down to the grill and enjoy the sun setting over the mountains while we were cooking dinner.

You know you're in the desert by the abundance of cactus, and in some cases pretty cactus flowers.

Master suite has nice king bed, and soak tube with bathroom and shower area beyond.

Living room with entrance onto the balcony with a sleeper queen sofa if you need more sleeping space beyond the quest suite/2nd bedroom.

The quest room/2nd bedroom is queen/king (can't remember) with sleeper sofa, small table on the right, kitchenette which is where I was standing to take this photo.  It too has an entrance to a balcony..a separate one with table for 2.  The two bedrooms are separated by the common areas, kitchen, dining room, and living room.  Very nice with 2 balcony's in case everyone in your party doesn't get up at the same time.

Fun sculptures throughout the landscaping that serve again to remind you that you're in the desert.  The kids loved sitting on them.

Colorful Mosaic ones too. 

Kids also can enjoy the miniature golf course, or adults can practice their putting.

Jack Rabbits common desert wild life are abundant in late afternoon and early evening.

Awesome place to play golf...not though for the faint at hard.  Look at the area hubby's in...grass up to his knees.  The greens are nicely manicured, but if you're off the greens....again you're reminded you're in the desert.

Beautiful grounds the course in the middle with the villas/condo's on each side; but you can see it's a wide open area, not crowded.  I was laying down on the ground to see what the ball sees, when I took this photo lol.

A wonderful resort, we've been there several times and always enjoyed ourselves.  Take HUGE amounts of sun-screen regardless of what season you go.

The blogs search window is top left, should you want to see more about this resort from other trips.

And in keeping with our A-Z challenge, here's more D posts for you.

Daniel Boone, my childhood Hero
A Turtle Play Ground in Dog Town, St. Louis
Drayton Hall South Carolina

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

#5, mixing up number, start with 506

Marriott's Monarch Resort, Hilton Head Island

Marriott's Monarch at Hilton Head Island, like Harbour Club, and Heritage Club (see two previous posts) is nestled inside the prestigious Sea Pines Plantation. Unlike Harbour Club and Hertiage Club, it is also on the ocean. Monarch is where it all began for Marriott. Marriott got it's start in time shares in Hilton Head and has a huge presence there. Additionally Monarch was the first of all Marriott's time shares. Though it's the oldest, don't let that fool you. It has resently gone a complete rehab. Marriott has on going projects so no facility/resort ever get's truly outdated.
Monarch is the largest of the 3 resorts inside Sea Pines with 4 buildings and a much larger resort area then the other two. Because of it's size, and it's location on the beach; it is more suitable for families with children. The 4 buildings are Magnolia, Dogwood, Camellia, and Azalea...are you getting a feel for the place yet? It's quite pretty with wonderful landscaping that attracts birds and butterflies. While I feel it's more suited to families with children then the other 2 in Sea Pines; it is also quite serene and large enough; it seem you would be able to find quiet-if that was your interest. The lobby can accomodate social gatherings of good size, as you can see by the picture.

Grab a book and rock away in the shade of The Pines and relax. This is the back porch area.I mentioned birds and butterflies...it's a a bit of a bird santuary.
The pool, the bar, and pretty pond area. One of the pools, I should say.
Another pool provides a great view of the ocean below.The buildings you see down the way, are the 4 villas at Monarch from the beach view.

While I can't say I've stayed here, or viewed the inside of the villas, I was indeed impressed with what I did see.

**Parts of the blog theme have been missing for about a week. I blieve it's tied into the many changes blogger and Google are making. Things like scheduled posts haven't been working well. Trying to play through, hoping it will come back on line. The plane white is rather boring. If not, I'll be on the look out for a new travel blog theme.**

Marriott's in Hilton Head, South Carolina

*those circled in yellow are timeshares located in Sea Pines, those circled in blue on the beach, orange located on the marsh side of the Island,... Green is The Residence Inn, and Red The Resort both non timeshare locations*

If you want a quiet relaxed vacation at Hilton Head, think Marriott. If you want an active beach vacation with the kids think Hilton Head, if you like to golf...think Hilton Head. Are you a history buff, think Marriott's at Hilton Head.

Marriott has a huge presence on Hilton Head Island, something for anytime of year, and a variety of budgets. Not only that, but you can focus on the type of vacation you want by the location.

There are 3 Marriott Time Shares in the prestigious Sea Pines Plantation. Marriott's Heritage Club and Marriott's Harbour Club both in Harbour Time, Mariott's Monarch on the beach. Both Heritage Club and Harbour Club are within walking distance to shopping, dining, and the harbour. The Monarch has beautiful beach front views and is within biking distance to the shopping and dining in the harbour as well as The Sea Pine's Shopping areas. All 3 locations are 2 bedroom 2 bath facilities available to owners, and renters. Beautiful accommodations to choose from. Heritage Club is the smallest and probably the most quiet if you're looking for a more relaxed adult location. Monarch is the oldest of all Marriott's timeshares, as it was the first built and where Marriott got it's start in the timeshare business. Don't let that fool you though, as they're always updated.

We enjoyed a wonderful week at The Heritage Club and plan to return. I wouldn't suggest this location for families, as the pool area is small and without the kids extra stuff that exists in many other locations. It was however perfect for us, as we like the quiet and the un-congested areas. We no longer have small children and so prefer the more adult vacation spots.

A nice galley kitchen which we found to be very efficient. We like to cook our own meals the bulk of the time on vacations. The door at the end leads to the small utility room with a stack washer and dryer.
Living room area with fireplace looking into the bar area and kitchen. The dining room is to the right of the bar stools, and sliding glass door with balcony right behind me. I was standing at the door when I took this photo.
One of 2 jetted tubs. This one is in the 2nd bedroom.
The bar area looking into the kitchen. We had our cocktails here most nights.
The second bedroom.
Master suite with jetted tub, and sliding glass door to the balcony.
The dining room area.

The villa was laid out nicely and had plenty of room, though the living room was one of the smaller one's we've seen in our travels, we found it to be very comfortable. The villa can sleep 8 with 4 in the 2nd bedroom and 2 on the sleeper sofa in the living room though I believe that would be a bit crowded in the space provided with the table able to seat 6 and the living room doesn't have seating for more then 4 or 5 comfortably.

The balcony is large enough for a table and 4 chairs, so eating outside during nice weather would be a plus.

More details for Monarch and Harbour Club (in Sea Pines Plantation) discussed in the next post, as well as more detail on the commons spaces at Heritage Club.