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Aruba Ocean Club remodel a mess?

mindy35

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I just received a confirmation for an II trade. My first reaction was that this is a great trade for my Westin Maui unit.

Now I’m looking at reviews (even by formally happy owners) that are saying that the renovations are creating untenable conditions for an enjoyable vacation week. Jackhammering all day, being forced to climb over construction debris and other unsafe conditions. They are going floor by floor. People are shocked that Marriott is even trying to run the resort in the middle of this mess and they have been forced to check out midweek?

Has anyone had a recent experience there? Or heard when the renovations are going to be completed?

Should I crash out of this exchange?
 

griffer1278

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I just received a confirmation for an II trade. My first reaction was that this is a great trade for my Westin Maui unit.

Now I’m looking at reviews (even by formally happy owners) that are saying that the renovations are creating untenable conditions for an enjoyable vacation week. Jackhammering all day, being forced to climb over construction debris and other unsafe conditions. They are going floor by floor. People are shocked that Marriott is even trying to run the resort in the middle of this mess and they have been forced to check out midweek?

Has anyone had a recent experience there? Or heard when the renovations are going to be completed?

Should I crash out of this exchange?
Depends when you are going. They are stopping construction end of Nov and beginning again in summer of 2020.
 

quezsmith

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Depends when you are going. They are stopping construction end of Nov and beginning again in summer of 2020.
Do you think I will be ok going in May 2020? This will be our first visit to Aruba and this seems to be the best timeshare trade for us. Thank you!!
 

qlaval

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Do you think I will be ok going in May 2020? This will be our first visit to Aruba and this seems to be the best timeshare trade for us. Thank you!!
The construction will restart in July 2020, so it's more than safe.
 

TheTimeTraveler

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Do you think I will be ok going in May 2020? This will be our first visit to Aruba and this seems to be the best timeshare trade for us. Thank you!!




I think the only thing you may have to worry about is the really hot weather and using good sunscreen :wave:




.
 

mindy35

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We did, in fact, refuse this exchange primarily because we were worried about the 24 window to do so. I know someone mentioned above that the renovations will be suspended after 11/30 but I could not find any other evidence online that that was the case (and I am traveling with no cell phone access to call Marriott directly).

The current TripAdvisor reviews are pretty ominous and quite specific as to the issues, even from people who have visited this resort multiple times in the past and loved it. The few positive recent reviews I saw might actually have been for the other nearby Marriott properties. As soon as I saw mention of raw sewage and power/water outages I figured, “I’m out”.

I think we will wait for the whole project to be completed and we can enjoy the results of a fresh, new and updated resort.
 

mdurette

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Wow - just read some of the recent reviews on TA. Not good. Just last week I saw two 1 BR units open up for Thanksgiving week and I spent a considerable amount of time trying to find 5 flights.....glad I didn't!
 

tynian16

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I've heard horror stories about the project so far. Not a good look. We own at the Surf Club but are going somewhere else next year because even that property has been impacted by the noise a little.
 

turkel

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I just sent a co worker to the Surf Club in October. She loved it! Mentioned I heard about construction next door and she said she was aware but it didn’t effect them.
 

fdough1

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So we are at the Ocean Club now. I was a little upset at our room assignment when checking in. It was on first floor at the end of the building facing ocean and resort. We wanted to be up higher. Not a lot of privacy on balcony but steps from beach and pool. I initially protested and they said they could move us on Saturday (today).

After seeing the construction on the upper floors I called back and told them we would stay on current first floor room. I would be pissed if I were on floor with construction.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Marathoner

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When is the Ocean Club renovation starting again in 2020 and when will it be fully completed?
 

pedro47

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Sound liked they are starting on the top floors and working down to the first floors unit to reduce noise.
 

Luckybee

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July to November 2020

According to the Fall newsletter the projected 2020 dates are August 7 to November 14, which is why I'm ever so grateful that we traded for this year and dont arrive next year until November 13th for our 2 wks.
 

qlaval

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Room Renovation Update

We are pleased to announce the room renovation project for floors 3, 4, 5 and 6 was completed on November 30, 2019; a total of 212 villas and the corridors were renovated. The remaining 99 villas and corridors on floors 1 and 2 have not yet undergone renovation. This renovation is scheduled to begin on August 7, 2020, with a projected completion date of November 30, 2020.

During this project, Owners and guests will experience demolition-related noise. Please keep this in mind if you are planning your 2020 vacation over the above-mentioned dates. While we will do our very best to keep noise to a minimum, we realize the project may impact the quietness and tranquility of the resort. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. If you are not personally staying at the resort, and instead you have guests or family members staying in your villa, kindly inform them about this project in order to avoid any disappointment.
 

Luckybee

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qlaval

Would you mind advising where you read this ? I ask because in order to avoid the noise altogether we just changed our dates last week (now arriving on Nov 22 for 2 weeks ) pursuant to an email we received on Dec 13 which again stated work to be completed by Nov 14, 2020. Rep advised work to be completed by Nov 14th as well. We then booked our flights. To say that I will be annoyed if the work is going until Nov 30 would be an understatement. Email below....


Dear Owners and Guests,


Thank you for choosing Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club for your getaway in beautiful Palm Beach!

During your stay, the resort will be undergoing a villa refurbishment project that is taking place between August 7 and November 14, 2020.

Renovation work will take place daily from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. However, work involving loud noise will not begin until after 9 a.m.

During normal working hours, you may experience elevator delays and hear typical construction noise such as operating machinery, carpentry work, and demolition work. For your safety, all construction areas will be surrounded by fencing, and reservations will be placed as far from construction activity as possible. Rest assured, all resort amenities will remain open and fully operational for your enjoyment.

Thank you for your understanding. If you have any questions or would like to make changes to your reservation, please call 800‑845‑4226 or email owner.services@vacationclub.com.

See you soon,
Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club
 

pedro47

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When will the whole project be completed?
 

qlaval

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qlaval

Would you mind advising where you read this ?...
Sure, it's from a newsletter of the Ocean Club General Manager Pedro Vargas himself which I received yesterday.
 

Luckybee

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Thanks...found it in my emails, and I've just emailed him asking if the left and right hands could get together :(:(:(

I cannot believe that the forecast could have changed that much within a few days given that the work for this year ceased over 3 weeks ago.
 

TheTimeTraveler

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Thanks...found it in my emails, and I've just emailed him asking if the left and right hands could get together :(:(:(

I cannot believe that the forecast could have changed that much within a few days given that the work for this year ceased over 3 weeks ago.



They are now entering their busiest time of the year with occupancy at or near 100% so I understand why they have ceased work until August 7th, 2020.



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