OceanWatch Villas - any question?

[yumdrey]

Checked in today and walked around the resort for about an hour (have rain here).
It is the first time stay for me, so I wanted to see many places to compare this resort to other Marriotts I have stayed so far.

First, it was the first time my request was not accepted.
As a 5 Marriott weeks owner, I always got room upgrade or villa upgrade at check-in. Today, they said occupancy is almost 100% and couldn't move me to oceanside or oceanfront. That's ok, I already saw other TUG thread about it and expected this.
When I stayed at SurfWatch (Hilton Head) as an exchanger, even though it was a mid-August, they put me in a nice building and a higher floor. Barony Beach did the same to me. Maybe I am too spoiled

I am staying at Pines building, check-in guy said it is the newest building and some units have more space than others. He assured me that I am getting better view (pond view instead of parking lot view) and bigger unit. But unit itself is not impressive at all. Has 3 flat screen TVs, but kitchen is smaller than grande ocean or surfwatch or barony beach. Appliances are not stainless steel (that's ok for me) and cabinets are mustard yellow and look very cheap.
No whirlpool tub in master bathroom. No conditioner either. No TV guide or information folder in unit. It's weird.

Anyway, I will meet sales manager on Tuesday and will ask several questions (about joining DC program).
If you have any question, please post here, so I can ask and put answers here.
My question will be :
1) what is the "free enrollment deal" which I got from Marriott VC?
2) What is an incentive for enrollment?

 

[dioxide45]

It seems that getting unit request preference seems to be easier in the high season than it does in the off season? Not sure if that is a true observation overall, but the last few accounts would lead me to believe it is so.

If true, I wonder what could be the cause?

 

[pedro47]

Are you in a villa above the fifth floor and do you have a direct view of the ocean?

 

[Big Matt]

Later in the week give us a report about any restaurants that you recommend that are close to the resort. I know there are hundreds as you get closer to the busier part of MB, but I don't know the area well. I'll be going next July.

 

[yumdrey]

Are you in a villa above the fifth floor and do you have a direct view of the ocean?

No, I am in the first floor and view of fountain and pond.
I cannot believe I am in silver season, because parking lots are full and resort is full too.

 

[yumdrey]

Later in the week give us a report about any restaurants that you recommend that are close to the resort. I know there are hundreds as you get closer to the busier part of MB, but I don't know the area well. I'll be going next July.

I checked TUG review and previous BBS threads about restaurants, and decided to try these places :
Sea Captain's House
Aspen
Landry's
Crabby Mike's Seafood buffet
Chesapeake House
Cagney's

I didn't bring anything to cook this time, so will go out for dinner each day.
Will update about above restaurants after I try them.

 

[Shirtman]

This is bike week for the Grand Strand so some of the crowd might be coming from that event.

 

[pedro47]

This is bike week for the Grand Strand so some of the crowd might be coming from that event.

Thanks for the information and heads up about bike week(is this a change of date for bike week at MB)?

A few years ago we arrived at MB on the last day of bike week and the whole parking lot at The Broadway Shopping complex was totally fill with bikes and not cheap bikes.

 

[bobcat]

Thanks for the information and heads up about bike week(is this a change of date for bike week at MB)?

A few years ago we arrived at MB on the last day of bike week and the whole parking lot at The Broadway Shopping complex was totally fill with bikes and not cheap bikes.

There are two bike weeks. Spring and Fall.

 

[MOXJO7282]

If you like wings and such munchies there is a Wild Wings Cafe at the Broadway shopping center.

Try the the Gold Rush or the Chipotle BBQ flavors. they are both sweet and spicey a nice change for traditional buffalo.

 

[jme]

Checked in today and walked around the resort for about an hour (have rain here).
It is the first time stay for me, so I wanted to see many places to compare this resort to other Marriotts I have stayed so far.

First, it was the first time my request was not accepted.
As a 5 Marriott weeks owner, I always got room upgrade or villa upgrade at check-in. Today, they said occupancy is almost 100% and couldn't move me to oceanside or oceanfront. That's ok, I already saw other TUG thread about it and expected this.
When I stayed at SurfWatch (Hilton Head) as an exchanger, even though it was a mid-August, they put me in a nice building and a higher floor. Barony Beach did the same to me. Maybe I am too spoiled

I am staying at Pines building, check-in guy said it is the newest building and some units have more space than others. He assured me that I am getting better view (pond view instead of parking lot view) and bigger unit. But unit itself is not impressive at all. Has 3 flat screen TVs, but kitchen is smaller than grande ocean or surfwatch or barony beach. Appliances are not stainless steel (that's ok for me) and cabinets are mustard yellow and look very cheap.
No whirlpool tub in master bathroom. No conditioner either. No TV guide or information folder in unit. It's weird.

Anyway, I will meet sales manager on Tuesday and will ask several questions (about joining DC program).
If you have any question, please post here, so I can ask and put answers here.
My question will be :
1) what is the "free enrollment deal" which I got from Marriott VC?
2) What is an incentive for enrollment?

what specifically did you trade to get in?

 

[jont]

I checked TUG review and previous BBS threads about restaurants, and decided to try these places :
Sea Captain's House
Aspen
Landry's
Crabby Mike's Seafood buffet
Chesapeake House
Cagney's

I didn't bring anything to cook this time, so will go out for dinner each day.
Will update about above restaurants after I try them.

I like Carolina Roadhouse and Greg Norman's Resturant.

 

[tiel]

I checked TUG review and previous BBS threads about restaurants, and decided to try these places :
Sea Captain's House
Aspen
Landry's
Crabby Mike's Seafood buffet
Chesapeake House
Cagney's

I didn't bring anything to cook this time, so will go out for dinner each day.
Will update about above restaurants after I try them.

A couple more places we like: Luigi's (for casual Italian) and Little Pigs (for VERY casual BBQ...nothing fancy about this family-run place, but the pork sandwiches (especially with mustard-based sauce) and sides are yummy, IOHO).

 

[yumdrey]

what specifically did you trade to get in?

I traded with my WorldMark. II and WorldMark (or RCI and WorldMark) has special arrangement for flexchanges, no matter size I get within 59 days from check-in, I use only 4000 WM credits which is about $200 maintenance fee.

 

[Shirtman]

I like Carolina Roadhouse and Greg Norman's Resturant.

I agree with Carolina Roadhouse. Also California Dreaming & Burro Loco which all three are owned by centraarchy dot com. Never had a bad meal at any of their restaurants that I have tried. Check their receipts as they usually give a dessert or something at one of the other restaurants.

 

[Feverdog66]

I have to recommend Abuelo's, a Mexican restaurant located at the Coastal Grand Mall off 17, just south of Broadway at the Beach. A local gave me the tip, we went there tonight and the food was wonderful, not that expensive either. We will definitely be going back on each of our return trips here.....