Beach Place Towers or Ocean Pointe

[Steve A]

I have the week of 12/11-12/18/2010 at Beach Place Towers and the week of 12/30-1/6/2011 at Ocean Pointe. Traded for both; don't ask why. Both are two bedrooms. We are an older couple. One needs to be canceled. Which one? Your thoughts requested.

Thanks.

 

[mwwich]

We've been to both in the past year, Ocean Pointe with friends (no kids) last November and loved it (going again this November). Did BeachPlace this March with our 21 year twin daughters and it was perfect for them (more night life). With no kids in tow I would vote for Ocean Pointe.

 

[saturn28]

Take a look at this thread a similar question was asked.

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126997

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[MRSFUSSY]

make It Ocean Point!

 

[Beverley]

I second that motion!! Ocean Point. Beach place is a party area and not that we all don't like a party, but Ocean Point is heaven on earth.

Beverley

 

[dougp26364]

IMHO, it depends on what you want. Beachplace is more metropolitan while Ocean Pointe is more restful. Beachplace has a small pool but shoping and restaurants within walking distance while Ocean Pointe has 4 adult pools, three hot tubs, mult. gas grills, porch style swings et..... Beachplace Towers is across the street from the beach. Ocean Pointe is on the beach.

 

[Smooth Air]

Another vote for Ocean Pointe! But, I must declare my bias b/c I own 2 Platinum weeks there!

One of the things I love about Ocean Pointe is that it is a 20 minute "easy drive" from PBI ( Palm Beach International) airport.

You can PM me if you like with any questions that you may have about Ocean Pointe.

When do you have to choose?

Smooth Air

 

[jme]

OP !

Ocean Pointe hands down. not much of a comparison. OP is one of Marriott's best, and BPT is at the other end....sorry. OP is a large resort, and the resort property itself is beautiful. BPT is all concrete, with nothing much to enjoy. Pools and beach at OP are far, far superior. Laid back and relaxing.

BPT has streets in front and back, and you have to walk across one to get to a narrow beach. We got BPT on an AC, and ended up leaving early. Won't go back for free. OP is another story. Worth the trip. Look at Doug's photos.....OP is gorgeous, even if you sit around the pools and vegetate. At BPT, you'll be sitting around a concrete pool on mid-level floor, with a concrete wall blocking your view, overlooking rooftops toward the ocean....not a pretty view at all. That's enough, hope you have fun.....OP's quite nice.

 

[pedro47]

One more vote Ocean Pointe totally r&r.

 

[pwrshift]

We are an older couple.

Thanks.

Many older people would prefer OP I suspect as it's lights out at 8 p.m. I'm probably considered 'older' but hate r&r resorts as there's nothing to do. Maybe i've lived in a city with millions of people too long but i find the BeachPlace location a walk in the park. Usually I don't go for dinner until 8 p.m. and can easily walk to the Ritz one night, the Hilton on another night, then the Westin, the W, Trina's at the Atlantic with PF Changs, Capital Grille, Blue Martini, Seasons and Trulucks at the Galleria. I don't have to cook one meal or clean dishes. Did I mention you don't need a car at Beachplace and can walk to all these places? OP people like to eat in and get to bed before the fun starts. Different strokes....

Just presenting another side for the young at heart regardless of your age.

Brian

 

[dougp26364]

Many older people would prefer OP I suspect as it's lights out at 8 p.m.

Huh? You must not stay up much past 8:00 PM then. Poolside entertainment usually goes on until 10:00 PM and the Tiki Bar sure doesn't close up at 8:00 PM. I've sat down there many times with a beer watching the late football games. Let's not forget about City Place and Clematis street, which aren't THAT far away from OP. Sure they're not within walking distance but, they're a short drive away and they sure don't roll up the sidewalks at 8:00 PM. Sailfish Marina's restaurant/bar stays very lively long past 8:00 PM. Eventually the Ocean's Mall will be back up and running and I hardly think those businesses are going to be done by 8:00 PM either.

 

[pwrshift]

Here's a mini video I took of BeachPlace this year which shows you the location and decor. You just know you won't run out of things to do in Fort Lauderdale..just go for a safe walk day or night. The whole area has gone real upscale over the last few years.

http://www.vimeo.com/11768762.

It can be shown on full screen. You'll note there are only two views...ocean front and Intracoastal Waterway. 70% of OP's balconies look into other balconies and half of those get almost no sun every day.

At BeachPlace there's no need to drive late at night through unsafe slums to get a good upscale meal...or to sit alone at 10 p.m. in a bar watching football on tv. jMHO, biased of course as I own at BeachPlace and go there every year. 100 steps to the huge CVS next door to the Ritz.

Brian

 

[dougp26364]

At BeachPlace there's no need to drive late at night through unsafe slums to get a good upscale meal...or to sit alone at 10 p.m. in a bar watching football on tv. jMHO, biased of course as I own at BeachPlace and go there every year. 100 steps to the huge CVS next door to the Ritz.

Brian

Just a wee bit dramatic there aren't we? I haven't sat alone at the Tiki Bar and, having lived in cities, I haven't had to drive through unsafe slums when we visit MPB either. I don't feel any safer in Fort Lauderdale than I do in West Palm Beach. I don't feel anymore unsafe either.

 

[saturn28]

I have been to both resorts and I found the Ocean Pointe had a large population of seniors staying there. At least it did in February. In the summer it may be different with the kids out of school, but in the winter it was mainly senior citizens. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it gives you an idea of a resort with a more laid back feeling and not really a high energy resort.

I did enjoy morning and evening walks around the immediate Palm Beach Shores area. The Sail Fish Marina and Restaurant were nice. However, when I wanted to drive to Palm Beach or to the downtown area of West Palm, I had to drive through Rivera Beach. This is a run down area that is accross the bridge from Palm Beach Shores. It is suggested to take the long way around by driving through Singer Island and getting on PGA Blvd then take that to the highway. It probably ads 15 to 20 minutes onto the trip to Palm Beach or downtown West Palm.

BeachPlace Towers is located in a high traffic area of Ft. Lauderdale Beach. The area has undergone a lot of new development with numerous new condos, hotels, and restaurants. Most are with walking distance. In fact the resort is part of a complex that has nightclubs, restaurants, and shopping. The area also has some of the most expensive homes located on the intercostal waterfront and throughout the canals that wind their way through the city. I have never seen so many multi million dollar yachts, as I saw from my balcony on the intra coastal water way. There is also a water taxi pickup within about a 2 to 3 minute walk from the resort. The water taxi can take you to downtown Ft. Lauderdale to Las Olas Blve and to the Galleria Mall that is nearby. This location really has a lot to offer if you are looking for an active vacation.

My personel favorite is BeachPlace Towers over Ocean Pointe. I find the area is more upscale with lots of things to do both during the day and evening. In addition, you are not located close to run down areas of the city that you have to constantly drive around to get to where you want to go. However, if you are looking at just hanging out at the resort and having a relaxing holiday, I would say the Ocean Pointe is probably better

 

[Steve A]

Whoa. People obviously have strong feelings about this. Sort of like the Ocean Club vs. the Surf Club.

I don't want to over stress the old thing. While we are both retired from our first careers and in our mid-60s, we both are still working at full-time, somewhat stressful, jobs; live in one of the best college towns in the country surrounded by huge numbers of young people; and have a weekend place in Chicago. We love the city, which was really jammed this weekend with tourists and crowds from Lollapalooza. We're not the type to go "Up North."

I'm still not sure which one to cancel. I do like the idea of being away of New Year's. I'll probably need to fly into FLL if we leave from Madison. It's hard to get really inexpensive flights to PBI; not so much of a problem with FLL.

I want to cancel 60 days out so I'll get full use of the trade for the next year.

Please keep the comments coming. You all have been great.

 

[Sunbum]

Great video

Brian....Great job on the video. We have been to OP a few times and are looking forward to PBT for New Years. Thanks for your input.

Cheers,

 

[gravitar]

Just a wee bit dramatic there aren't we? I haven't sat alone at the Tiki Bar and, having lived in cities, I haven't had to drive through unsafe slums when we visit MPB

I think he was speaking of the slums in Riveria Beach

A number of years ago, my car broke down on 45th St (Riveria Beach) I called AAA. When I told the dispatcher where I was, I was asked if i was in a well lit area and advised to stay in my car and not to botheri getting out to raise the hood. They said the truck would be there shortly. It was less than 5 minutes before they arrived.

I live in South Florida, I know the area is not the best, especially at night. Things have gotten better since then. I still wouldnt want to get stuck at night in the area.

Just think its important to have the full picture of the surrounding area if you are planning on venturing off the island in the evening.

 

[mas]

...I'll probably need to fly into FLL if we leave from Madison. It's hard to get really inexpensive flights to PBI; not so much of a problem with FLL..

I own at Beach Place and have stayed at Ocean Pointe. I like them both for different reasons and would have a tough time choosing one over the other. The reviews so far are pretty accurate.

As far as flying to either FLL or PBI, flying into FLL doesn't necessarily rule out Ocean Pointe as it's only an hour drive up I-95. ''

One thing that may make a difference for you is Beach Place is a high rise hotel style and Ocean Pointe is more of a traditional campus style resort. So if you prefer traditional campus style you might opt for Ocean Pointe.

 

[jme]

100 steps to the huge CVS next door to the Ritz.

Brian

Sure glad I don't map out the drugstore locations prior to a vacation. ....well, at least not yet.

and "huge"? Maybe it just LOOKS huge after all that drinking.

....and, at that age, size doesn't matter, does it? That is, big or small store, they still have Lomotil.

 

[pwrshift]

Sure glad I don't map out the drugstore locations prior to a vacation. ....well, at least not yet.

and "huge"? Maybe it just LOOKS huge after all that drinking.

....and, at that age, size doesn't matter, does it? That is, big or small store, they still have Lomotil.

Well, they do have beach chairs with umbrellas for $12...a fraction of what they rent them for on the beach. Ben&jerry's ice cream 2for $5, and dental floss for pennies. Their prices are killing BeachPlace's Marketplace. How far away is a CVS from OP?

 

[urple2]

This is a great thread...funny. Haven't stayed at either place yet. I stay at OP in sept. and I've seen beach place and walked all around that area in Lauderdale. Lots to do. Great area. Clean.

 

[dioxide45]

We have visited both. We prefer Ocean Pointe over Beach Place. We were exchangers in to both. At Beach Place we were given the lowest floor inter-coastal view even though we requested Ocean View high floor. We were visiting during low season and with the low owner occupancy rates I am sure we would have been higher in the pecking order. At Ocean Pointe we have always gotten a great location usually in our first choice of building.

I am also perturbed about the parking fee at Beach Place for Marriott exchangers. Sure it is a big city, and parking fees is the norm, but Ko'Olina and Maui have parking fees , but they don't charge to Marriott exchangers.

This resistance to the parking fee rubs owners at Beach Place the wrong way because the fee subsidizes their MF. It is a big money maker for the HOA. I still don't have to like it and choose to not go there any more because of it.

 

[dougp26364]

Well, they do have beach chairs with umbrellas for $12...a fraction of what they rent them for on the beach. Ben&jerry's ice cream 2for $5, and dental floss for pennies. Their prices are killing BeachPlace's Marketplace. How far away is a CVS from OP?

Good question. I rarely go to the drug store while on vacation. There is a Wallgreens but, it's a short drive away. There was still the 7-11 at the Ocean Mall the last time we were there but, I've never walked into that store to check it's prices. Grator Gater grocery store is also walkable as is the store over at Sailfish Marina.

Like I said in my original post on this thread. Each resort has it's own culture and it's own positives........and negatives. Ocean Pointe is more laid back. Beachplace Towers is more metropolitan. It just depends on what you want out of a vaction. Sometimes we want the city life and sometimes we want a relaxing beach vacation. That's why we own both types of resorts with Ocean Pointe and Grand Chateau.

 

[dougp26364]

This resistance to the parking fee rubs owners at Beach Place the wrong way because the fee subsidizes their MF. It is a big money maker for the HOA. I still don't have to like it and choose to not go there any more because of it.

I look at it this way. The resorts I own at don't charge BPT owners to park, we pay for parking in our MF's for all Marriott owners (actually for all exchangers). I resent BPT's HOA wanting me to subsidize their MF's by charging me to park. It's one of the reasons we haven't requested BPT's for an exchange.

 

[Smooth Air]

You seem to be drawn to some parts of each! So, why not just let a coin toss determine the issue? Whatever you decide, you shd drive to the other place & check it out.

In all the years that we have been enjoying Ocean Pointe, I have never felt that my family's security was in jeopardy. We stroll over to The Sailfish Marina, take cabs to various restaurants, take the water taxi to Clematis Street on Thursday nights, enjoy wonderful days at the beach & pools.

We also enjoy Fort Lauderdale. But, when we go there we do not stay at MPB. It's just not our kind of place.

Oh! And, we do not go to bed at 8:00PM!!