[2010] Manor Club Question

[Serina]

We will be going to Manor Club for the first time and I was wondering what building we should request. (we have golfers in the group - don't know if that makes a difference for location) Thanks for any advice!

 

[CMF]

I don't think building location makes as much difference at Manor Club as it does at other resorts because it's not acres and acres. I like to be in the original section close to the pool and activity center. T

Charles

 

[DJensen]

Golf Course

The golf clubhouse is near the roundabout (Fords Colony Drive) and should not factor into the building selection. The Sequel Side is not as "pretty" as the original. If you are on the Sequel side, I would not suggest the Jamestown building, if you get on the non-pool side you look at an open lot of construction (Oct 2009). We were on the main floor of Colonial and it was acceptable.

 

[pwrshift]

The 'original' building (Berkeley) is the one they always show in the aerial picture of MMC. The rest of the buildings were Marriott designed, as the Berkeley was already constructed...and closest to the golf course, perhaps 200 yards away. Marriott owners get 6 golf rounds included, but you must rent a golf cart - single golfers rarely get a cart ($32) by themselves as they will probably be paired with other non-foursomes. As a result, the suites in this building are quite different ... and I believe the only building with widescreen TV (Yes, Manor Club is way behind in TV upgrades even with dramatic increases in MF over the last few years). The showers and jacuzzi tubs are much smaller too than in the Marriott designed buildings. On the other hand, the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, closets, etc. are much charger than the suites in the other buildings (at least in the 3 Berkeley suites I've had in the past).

My pref, like Charles, is more central ... on either side of the offices and close to the outdoor/indoor pools.

On the Sequel side, I've only stayed there once, I think I would prefer the 2nd building facing the very large pool area there as you'd be closer to the entrance to the pool, the BBQ section and tennis courts, etc. Sequel has lockoff suites, the original side is non-lockoff and looks much more Virginian.

The resort is in the middle of a very beautiful and challenging 54 hole golf course and there are not many balconies with a totally unobstructed view due to the fact there is a lot of tree growth in the way. Summertime is very very hot and humid there. Marketplace is open until 10 pm, later than most Marriott TS. The setting is very nice, but most places you go will need a car to get there ... Busch Gardens is perhaps a 15 minute drive. Lots to do in the area and more than you can do in a week, so be sure to prepare.

Hope that helps.

Brian

 

[Serina]

Thanks so much! Very helpful - we are looking forward to a great time.

 

[pedro47]

We will be going to Manor Club for the first time and I was wondering what building we should request. (we have golfers in the group - don't know if that makes a difference for location) Thanks for any advice!

Ask the front desk for a discount coupon as a Marriott owner to play golf at Ford Colony or at any golf courses in the area.

 

[Big Matt]

Put in a room request for a high floor with a golf course view. If not, you may be facing the parking lot or the side of a building and there is a good chance your screened in patio will be on the first floor right next to a sidewalk where people walk right by and look in on you.

I prefer the following buildings in this order:
Berkeley
Chesapeake
Herritage
Governors
Jefferson

Thanks so much! Very helpful - we are looking forward to a great time.

 

[windje2000]

Put in a room request for a high floor with a golf course view. If not, you may be facing the parking lot or the side of a building and there is a good chance your screened in patio will be on the first floor right next to a sidewalk where people walk right by and look in on you.

I prefer the following buildings in this order:
Berkeley
Chesapeake
Herritage
Governors
Jefferson

Good advice. Also note that Berkeley, the original building which was not constructed by Marriott, is of frame construction rather than poured concrete. Upstairs neighbors can be noisy without even realizing it.

 

[Big Matt]

It also has 3BR units on the top floor, but nobody usually gets them.

Good advice. Also note that Berkeley, the original building which was not constructed by Marriott, is of frame construction rather than poured concrete. Upstairs neighbors can be noisy without even realizing it.

 

[rsackett]

It also has 3BR units on the top floor, but nobody usually gets them.

Someone must get them? I wonder who?

Ray

 

[Big Matt]

The hand full of original owners who bought when that building was the only one finished is what I understand.

Someone must get them? I wonder who?

Ray

 

[emmaddy]

The hand full of original owners who bought when that building was the only one finished is what I understand.

We got one last spring and were quite frankly flabbergsted at the size and opulence. It must have had 2000 sq feet on two floors. I wish I had known we would be in this size unit as we could have asked the entire family. The problem is one can never count on getting these mega-units until check-in. BTW we are not owners there, but do have 3 other Marriott weeks. I think we got it because it was early spring and not completely filled.

 

[Big Matt]

I'm checking in on Sunday and I'm asking for one of them!

We got one last spring and were quite frankly flabbergsted at the size and opulence. It must have had 2000 sq feet on two floors. I wish I had known we would be in this size unit as we could have asked the entire family. The problem is one can never count on getting these mega-units until check-in. BTW we are not owners there, but do have 3 other Marriott weeks. I think we got it because it was early spring and not completely filled.

 

[Villa holiday]

Manor Club Sequel

We have MSE booked Thanksgiving week thru II. What is the most desirable building to request? ANY suggestions for activities that week would be appreciated!

 

[Big Matt]

The three MSE buildings are all exactly the same. Five 2BR lockoffs on the right side of the hall, five on the left. Three floors.

Ask for Colonial Commons. It is the closest to the tennis, fitness room, and the outdoor grills. Ask for a room on the second or third floor at the end of the hall way. You will actually be able to see some of the golf course with those units.

Jamestown Commons is closest to the original main building, spa, indoor pool, and marketplace, but there is construction next to it. Federal Commons is nice and quiet, but is farthest from everything and there are very few parking spots, so you may need to park a hundred yards from the unit if you get there later after dinner.

 

[ironweed]

We are in Berkeley Manor right now, and couldn't think of a finer spot to be !
Second floor, golf course view. The weather has been PERFECT all week!

We got the certificate for 6 rounds of golf, but have been so busy touring, we have not made use of it. Maybe next time........

 

[pwrshift]

In the 'old' days at MMC the larger loft suites at the Berkeley had books and ornaments on the shelving...they looked like someone's home. Now those shelves are bare ... due mainly because guests didn't read them, they stole them. The furniture in Berkeley was really upscale, especially the beds and the tables (which were spoiled by careless guests).

The shower stalls and jacuzzi tubs are much smaller than the Marriott 'standard' elsewhere in the resort, but the closets in some suites are walk in size and more than you'll need. It's a big building with more landscaping than the other buildings, so you often find it a bit of a hike to your car. I actually prefer another building however.

Friends of mine got into the Berkeley about 5 years ago and got an outstanding suite, and before they unpacked they were asked to move as it was given to them by mistake - the story was that it was the golf course designer's personal suite. They moved them to another suite ... but there was nothing on the shelves.

Everyone rushes for Manor Club in the summer, but it's not my favourite time to go because of the heat and humidity...but it's really tough to find a nicer resort if you go late Spring and early Fall.

Brian

 

[javabean]

Our two stays at MMC have been at Berkley. The setting is restful and refined and the units are beautiful. It did become apparent that landscaping and attention to the outdoor grounds was more neglected compared to the buildings that were more "in the public eye". There were no flowers, the fountain was leaking, the lighting was dirty and full of leaves and cobwebs and the bricks needed to be shored up. As the most secluded of the buildings it was looking like a poor cousin, which many of us feel it is not. On the other hand, a maintence worker responding to a request stayed to chat with us a while. He was very proud that the clasic hardwood furniture, which had been looking worn and scuffed during our first visit was being refinished and not replaced. I also miss the books and shelf decorations. We had rearranged furniture to establish a computer table and one of the arms of a chair actually fell off. When we left for the week, we left it off. Hopefully it became the next classic piece of furniture to be refinished and repaired.

 

[enma]

I got a week at Marriott's Manor Club at Ford's Colony with an AC for the end of this month. Parents of a good friend of mine are going. They are in their late 70's. I got an email from Marriott to submit our preferences. I will be asking for golf course view, 2nd or 3rd floor. Been reading about building preferences...does anyone know if any of the buildings have been recently refurbished or are in desperate need of refurbishing?

 

[Big Matt]

If you have MMC (original section) the units were all refurbished a few years ago and all are in good shape. Ask for Berkeley or Chesapeake to be close to the country club and the main building.

If it is MSE (sequel) all units were refurbished last winter/spring. They are all as nice or nicer than the original section inside the units. There really aren't any golf views in the sequel. If you have this side, ask for a unit at the end of the hallway farthest from the elevators. Each of these buildings are three floors with a long hall way with units on each side. The majority of the noise is from foot traffic and doors shutting up and down the hall. Being at the end will eliminate all of the foot traffic.

 

[ahdah]

Thanks for all of the info!

My friend is going with an II getaway and the information was very helpful. She will be there starting on the 20th and is looking forward to the get away.