Ocean Watch Villas, Myrtle Beach, SC

[dryden]

Just returned from "The Pitch" at Ocean Watch Villas at Grand Dune. The layout looks beautiful and seemingly one of the only quality resorts/hotels that are actually on the beach in Myrtle Beach. The location is between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. The basic pitch was: platinum week, oceanview, 100k points, rights to other marriott resort exchanges through II prior to general public for $29k (oceanview is $40k) and $800/yr maint. fees. The true upside is that it does seem to be the only beachside resort in the area. It is a resort that my family agrees that we'd go every year, with occassional trading.The downside is buying direct from the developer/new sale- a TUG no no.

I own one other timeshare- a fixed week that trades through II/RCI. I'm very comfortable and happy with the fixed week, knowing how that system works. The points I'm not so sure about trading, buying and selling, and will begin reading...and looking for some objective opinions after the subjective salesperson's speech.

So, you're take is...?

Thanks in advance,
Tim

 

[dioxide45]

My take is go for resale. Even as new as Ocean Watch is, there are resale weeks out there.

 

[potchak]

I second the notion of resale. If you are going to go there every year, you would have no need for the ability to exchange for points.

 

[bcat]

I'm sure you knew before you asked that most everyone here would say to buy resale. Me, too.

We bought a MOW resale last fall and stayed there for the first time last month. We definitely bought to use it most years with maybe an occasional direct exchange.

Make sure you're aware of the view designations. All the oceanview and gardenview villas are in the back 2 buildings. One of these buildings is now under construction with the other to follow. All the oceanfronts and oceansides are in the 3 buildings already finished next to the beach. There's not too much difference between oceanfront and oceanside, but there's a BIG difference between oceanfront/oceanside and oceanview.

There aren't tons of resales but you should still be able to find what you want. Redweek has several listings.

Feel free to PM me if you would like more details or opinions on MOW.

 

[Dave M]

As a comparison, Redweek currently has a Platinum oceanfront week with an asking price that's $12,500 less than you were quoted. Since that's the asking price, it's very likely that the seller (or another seller) will knock several thousand off in negotiation.

And if you buy resale, you get everything - yes, everything - you are entitled to by buying from Marriott, except for the 100K upfront points and the opportunity to trade your week occasionally for points (a dubious benefit at best). As an example, you get that same II trading priority when buying resale.

There can sometimes be good reasons for buying from a developer, especially Marriott. You'll have to decide if there is anything that makes this one of those times for you.

 

[pwrshift]

I haven't been to the resort, but didn't I read somewhere that the 'on the beach' feature of this resort isn't really 'on' the beach but a healthy walk from the complex. I could be confusing it with the new one on HH.

Brian

 

[tompk]

Ocean Watch

Yes, you have it confused with Surf Watch on HHI.

 

[bogey21]

....seemingly one of the only quality resorts/hotels that are actually on the beach in Myrtle Beach. The location is between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach....The basic pitch was: platinum week, oceanview, 100k points, rights to other marriott resort exchanges through II prior to general public for $29k (oceanview is $40k) and $800/yr maint. fees.....The true upside is that it does seem to be the only beachside resort in the area.

Usual Marriott luxury. No question. I opted for better beach, inferior (to Marriott standards) accommodations, but a heck of a lot less money. I own 2 one bedroom units, same Week (week after Labor Day) at Peppertree by the Sea in North Myrtle Beach. Better beach, lower cost (I think my total investment in both Weeks is about $800), my two MFs total about $850. One unit overlooks beach, other is walk out onto beach.

You will have nicer accommodations and ability to trade into other Marriotts. I have better beach and $39,000 invested elsewhere. To each his own, I guess.

GEORGE

 

[tomandrobin]

Usual Marriott luxury. No question. I opted for better beach, inferior (to Marriott standards) accommodations, but a heck of a lot less money. I own 2 one bedroom units, same Week (week after Labor Day) at Peppertree by the Sea in North Myrtle Beach. Better beach, lower cost (I think my total investment in both Weeks is about $800), my two MFs total about $850. One unit overlooks beach, other is walk out onto beach. GEORGE

To compare Ocean Watch to Peppertree is like comparing Macys to a Walmart.

A better baech? ...... They are both in Myrtle Beach, a couple miles apart. Its not like comparing Miami Beach to Daytona Beach. And the Marriott Beach is part of the Dunes Section which gives you huge expanse of secluded beach front.

But you are right, one will cost you $850 the other $18,000.....but sometimes you get what you pay for, sometimes you don't......Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Beverley]

Actually, I am kind of interested to know more about the condition, size and ammentities of the Peppertree Resort. Perhaps you could email me. Thanks.

Beverley

 

[bogey21]

I like your Macys/Walmart comparisson. Can't argue with it.

I've been on both beachs and prefer the beach that Peppertree, and its neighbor, Fairfield, share.

The comparisson is actually $800 to $40,000 (ocean front/ocean view).

We all make choices. My choice here allows me to own race horses in both Australia and the US. Most on this Board would rather have the Marriott than the horses. I understand. My "el cheapo'' approach to timesharing is not for all (maybe not even for many), I'm just trying to show someone who doesn't have the bucks that they too can participate in timesharing.

GEORGE

PS If you bet the horses, look at PRIDE OF TEXAS in the 2nd tonight at Charles Town. I own 33% of him.

 

[tomandrobin]

I've been on both beachs and prefer the beach that Peppertree, and its neighbor, Fairfield, share.

The comparisson is actually $800 to $40,000 (ocean front/ocean view).

We all make choices. My choice here allows me to own race horses in both Australia and the US. Most on this Board would rather have the Marriott than the horses. I understand. My "el cheapo'' approach to timesharing is not for all (maybe not even for many), I'm just trying to show someone who doesn't have the bucks that they too can participate in timesharing.

GEORGE

PS If you bet the horses, look at PRIDE OF TEXAS in the 2nd tonight at Charles Town. I own 33% of him.

Maybe I can across to harsh. The cost difference of the two are huge. If you are looking for top notch resort, choose MOW. If you are looking for a good condo room with a very affordable price, choose Peppertree. Personally, I like all the additional amenities that come with the Marriott property. But I also don't have a problem with staying at the Peppertree. Hell I've stayed at Jonanthan Harbor at Myrtle Beach in the past.

Ps - The horse tip would have been better yesterday. Too late to take advantage today

 

[davemy]

When i go on vacation and stay at a marriott timeshare I fell rich! And I'm not. If i stayed at the peppertree I would just feel like i'm on vacation, Nothing special. Myrtle beach ocean watch is a very special resort. Been there twice. Would have bought there if it was a lock off.

 

[Wahorn]

Any idea when the facilities behind the 3 completed buildings will be finished? I thought I read on TUG that the pool will be complete next spring...is this true?

 

[disneydor]

We were just down there and I think they said May 2008.

 

[futurewhitehat]

I like your Macys/Walmart comparisson. Can't argue with it.

GEORGE

PS If you bet the horses, look at PRIDE OF TEXAS in the 2nd tonight at Charles Town. I own 33% of him.

Which 33%?????????????? Front, middle or back???????????????

 

[BGFalcon]

Any idea when the facilities behind the 3 completed buildings will be finished? I thought I read on TUG that the pool will be complete next spring...is this true?

Here is the info I picked up from the Owners Meeting in July:

The Maple Building (building 4) will be ready by Platinum Season 2008. Floors 1 to 10 will be Gardenview, and Floors 11-16 will be Oceanview. All villas face the same direction--east, toward the ocean. Kudos to Marriott for keeping the mature trees in this area of the resort. Floors 11 and up are considered Oceanview since they are supposed to be higher than the trees, and will have a view of the ocean between the Scallop building and the Marriott Hotel. As I have posted before, I am not sure if OV is truly worth the money as opposed to GV. I have photos of the construction of Maple if anyone is interested.

Next to Maple will be the Magnolia activities center. The primary attractions will be an indoor pool and an exercise facility. The current exercise room in Starfish will become a Teen Center. This is also scheduled to be completed by summer 2008.

The last building at MOW, Pine, is scheduled to be completed by summer 2009. Floors 1 to 5 will be Gardenview, 6 to 16 Oceanview. There are fewer trees in this area, and the view will overlook the private Ocean Club, a much smaller structure than the Marriott Hotel. Expect construction noise in summer 2008. However, the construction of Scallop and Starfish never really bothered me, so I am not too worried.

The new pool area is scheduled to be ready by summer 2008. The pool will be heated as required by Marriott, and be zero-entry, meaning you enter gradually instead of walking down stairs as with the front two pools. The new pool will have a water slide.

There will also be a children's play area by the pool in a structure they call the Tree House. The facilities director at the owners meeting joked the tree house is going to be larger and more expensive than his own house.

Also in the area will be a putting green and shuffle board courts. There is a lagoon in front of Maple, which I do not think serves a purpose other than to add to the nature theme MOW seems to be striving for in this part of the resort. Only time will tell, but the area around the rear 3 buildings may have more of a Grande Ocean feel than the front part of MOW.

Although not in the original specs, the facilities director said a food kiosk will be placed in the pool area for drinks and sandwiches. He also said flat screen LCD TVs will be in all of the new villas, which is an upgrade from the tube TVs in the current three buildings. The older TVs will be replaced with flat screens as they breakdown. Other than that, the villas will be the same that you would find in Starfish.

He also said they were hoping to not do any refurbs until Pine was finished, but are realizing the original building, Conch, may need some attention sooner than later. Conch opened in 2004.

As I said, I took photos of the new area if anyone is interested.

Scott

 

[vlapinta]

Thanks Scott for the update on OW. I am most interested in this area because I bought a garden view years ago. I stayed at OW 2 years ago in an Ocean Side unit before the third building was completed. I have used my OW to trade into GO on HHI and next year we will be going to Arizona so I am looking into a trade into Canyon Villas. I am happy with the exchanges I have gotten so far and I plan to visit OW when the garden section is completed.

Vicki

 

[jme]

One thing not mentioned is the Marriott flexibility in owning SEASONS rather than a fixed week. The poster who owns at Peppertree (George, aka bogey21) said that he owns the "same week...etc., etc....", but with Marriott there is no fixed week (unless one buys the ridiculously high-prime holiday weeks at some of the newer Marriott resorts).

I have nothing against the Peppertree owner's reasons for being there...it IS the same beach, and it IS a great way to spend the summer....for family fun, who really cares? I admire George for doing his homework.

I happen to love the Marriotts, but I happen to love the beach too.....that's the REAL reason we bought in the first place...it's the location first, then the resort.... and the buying of a SEASON is great, too, because "things change", and we want to adjust our schedules around our kids' schedules later on...(with one in college, and another very close, that is soooo important to us now).....

We just happened to want all three: location, flexible season, and then up-scale resort, in that order. So, location is what George and I went for first....nooooo problem........jme

 

[squiggle]

I think like JME - I love the beach, in the summer and I WANT the oceanfront - where I can hear the waves and watch from the balcony the kids playing in the water- I actually bought at Ocean Watch when it was very new but I was allowed to cancel a few months later to buy KoOlina - but b/c I really want to go every year to a beach closer than Hawaii, I discovered and bought FF - the Seawatch Tower is in the same stretch - you could even see Ocean Watch from there - but for less than 6K investment, I get a 2BR that is as oceanfront as you can get - and b/c it is points I can be flexible in the time I go and at 12 mos ARP, I can defintely get a summer week or days if I so choose - the rooms to my surprise are nicer than most FF - maybe b/c recently refurbished - a notch lower than MArriott - only drawback, I dont have granite countertop and the bed linens are so-so - but hey, for the $$ difference -:whoopie:

Am going to HH at MGO Labor day to check it out - am exchanging so I'm sure wont get the oceanfront this time but just wanted to see for myself what the gang here is raving about this resort - before I plunge like I did at KoOlina.

 

[Brutie]

The PepperTree...:hysterical:
I cringe each time I see that on the availability list. :hysterical:

But to each their own, I'm not too big on name brands for most thing, but when it comes to where I will stay, I am very picky about that.

 

[bogey21]

The PepperTree...:hysterical:
I cringe each time I see that on the availability list. :hysterical:

Question: Have you stayed at Peppertree by the Sea?

I can see you prefering the classier (much more expensive) resorts, but "cringing"? Come on! No question my units are not Marriott, etc. size or quality but those of us who would rather spend hundreds rather than thousands for a Week have to stay somewhere. And know what? There is something to be said for being able to walk out of my unit right onto a nice wide beach.

For the record. I've done it both ways; sold my Monarch Crown Suite on HHI for $42,000; and bought my Peppertree for less than $1,000. If I were Bill Gates I might have done things differently.

GEORGE

 

[dryden]

Thanks to all

No doubt the benefits outweigh the membership cost! This place is great!