Best Marriot timeshare for family beach vacation?

[eoh57]

What is the best Marriot Vacation Timeshare for a family beach vacation?


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[dioxide45]

Oceana Palms

 

[jmhpsu93]

Depends on the time of year and your own personal preferences for what is considered "best"...summer I'd say Grande Ocean or Surfwatch in HHI. Spring break I'd say Ocean Pointe. Winter Lagunamar in Cancun or either of the Aruba resorts.

 

[Bucky]

Oceanwatch but, I’m not unbiased! Great facility and unlike some other areas, there are many things to do for all ages.

 

[Dean]

What is the best Marriot Vacation Timeshare for a family beach vacation?


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As you see, this is highly variable depending on circumstances and personal preferences. For us it's Grande Ocean but our group likes golf, shopping, restaurants, biking, and greenery in addition to direct and easy access to the beach. Your group may have different priorities. Where you live would have large impact on what most people would feel is best. Something you can drive to is always a plus and would be a must for us. For MVC specifically I'd add Crystal Shores, Barony Beach and some of the HI resorts. I haven't been to St. Kitt's but others here think highly of it. If you tell us more about your location, timing, flexibility and preferences; we could likely narrow down the recommendations somewhat.

 

[SMB1]

OceanWatch

 

[elaine]

OW in MB is a wonderful property, but we strongly prefer HHI over MB, so any of the M at HHI (bike trails are fantastic). In HHI, GO is best location, but SW and B are very nice and would be a great family vaca.

 

[eoh57]

As you see, this is highly variable depending on circumstances and personal preferences. For us it's Grande Ocean but our group likes golf, shopping, restaurants, biking, and greenery in addition to direct and easy access to the beach. Your group may have different priorities. Where you live would have large impact on what most people would feel is best. Something you can drive to is always a plus and would be a must for us. For MVC specifically I'd add Crystal Shores, Barony Beach and some of the HI resorts. I haven't been to St. Kitt's but others here think highly of it. If you tell us more about your location, timing, flexibility and preferences; we could likely narrow down the recommendations somewhat.

Thank you so much for replying. I am a complete novice to MVC and should have stated that the family includes 2 parents (mid 30’s) and a 1 and 3 year old. We’ve been long time Westin Vacation Owners and live near St Louis MO. Probably traveling overseas with a 1 and 3 year old is out, but good access to a beach is probably the best.

 

[eoh57]

OW in MB is a wonderful property, but we strongly prefer HHI over MB, so any of the M at HHI (bike trails are fantastic). In HHI, GO is best location, but SW and B are very nice and would be a great family vaca.

Hawaii is definitely a trip we’d like to take with children and grandchildren in the future, so these are great suggestions. My husband and I own a timeshare at KAN and would love to try a Marriott on Maui

 

[dioxide45]

Best is certainly a very subjective term and just about any of the beachfront Marriott timeshare properties could fall into said "best" category. Living in St Louis probably makes both Hawaii, Florida and the Caribbean about equal in terms of ease and time to get to them. So just about every beachfront resort is on the table. All are great for families like yours with perhaps a couple exceptions. I would probably eliminate Beachplace Towers from said "best" list.

 

[ljmiii]

We're very much beach/ocean people (as opposed to pool people) YMMV. That said...and more or less in order...

Waiohai - not only a great beach but a reef in which you can snorkel steps from your villa. Plus Kauai.
Kauai Beach Club - Depending on season the bay can have waves and the pool is immense. Plus Kauai.
Waikoloa - Not much of a beach, but Hapuna Beach is amazing and about 15 minutes north. Plus Big Island.

Ko Olina - On a man made lagoon...but Kapolei/Ko Olina (the resort area) is still relatively relaxed. Plus Oahu.
South Beach Pulse - World class beach...but you do have to walk across Ocean Drive. No pool though...and some dislike cities.
Crystal Shores (Marco Island) - The sand is hard and the gulf is usually a bathtub...but it's a nice resort. Plus Everglades.
(Bonus tip - we find Marco to be too boring for a week long stay...but combining with South Beach (or DCL) makes a great vacation)

Maui Ocean Club - We've really come to dislike Kaanapali, but if you drive a ways Maui has some amazing sights.

 

[elaine]

Hawaii is definitely a trip we’d like to take with children and grandchildren in the future, so these are great suggestions. My husband and I own a timeshare at KAN and would love to try a Marriott on Maui

Sorry, by HHI, I meant Hilton Head Island SC.

 

[HHDutchy]

I highly recommend Marriott Ocean Pointe for families. Great beach, great pools, and lots of activities on and off site.

 

[pedro47]

East Coast: OceanWatch, Myrtle Beach, SC, Grand Ocean, SurfWatch, the Barony, Hilton Head Island, SC; and Ocean Pointe, West Palm,Fl .

 

[CPNY]

If you’re counting the added vistana properties, I’d say you have to add Westin St John, Harborside at Atlantis, and Westin Lagunamar to the list.

 

[eoh57]

Sorry, by HHI, I meant Hilton Head Island SC.

I guess I don’t know all the abbreviations yet!

 

[eoh57]

We're very much beach/ocean people (as opposed to pool people) YMMV. That said...and more or less in order...

Waiohai - not only a great beach but a reef in which you can snorkel steps from your villa. Plus Kauai.
Kauai Beach Club - Depending on season the bay can have waves and the pool is immense. Plus Kauai.
Waikoloa - Not much of a beach, but Hapuna Beach is amazing and about 15 minutes north. Plus Big Island.

Ko Olina - On a man made lagoon...but Kapolei/Ko Olina (the resort area) is still relatively relaxed. Plus Oahu.
South Beach Pulse - World class beach...but you do have to walk across Ocean Drive. No pool though...and some dislike cities.
Crystal Shores (Marco Island) - The sand is hard and the gulf is usually a bathtub...but it's a nice resort. Plus Everglades.
(Bonus tip - we find Marco to be too boring for a week long stay...but combining with South Beach (or DCL) makes a great vacation)

Maui Ocean Club - We've really come to dislike Kaanapali, but if you drive a ways Maui has some amazing sights.

Thanks for all the Hawaii info. Only been to Maui once and would like to see less developed islands

 

[Pamplemousse]

East Coast: OceanWatch, Myrtle Beach, SC, Grand Ocean, SurfWatch, the Barony, Hilton Head Island, SC; and Ocean Pointe, West Palm,Fl .

I agree with pedros47’s list- but South Carolina in summer (or close shoulders)- all from that list have indoor pools as well as out.
Crystal Shore in Marco Island and Ocean Pointe/Oceania Palms are warm all year.
Aruba, especially Surf Club is good for families.
You also might consider Harbour lake in Orlando- great pool and activities for kids and you can still get a beach day by driving an hour (cocoa beach- space coast is fun as the kids get older).

 

[Superchief]

Thank you so much for replying. I am a complete novice to MVC and should have stated that the family includes 2 parents (mid 30’s) and a 1 and 3 year old. We’ve been long time Westin Vacation Owners and live near St Louis MO. Probably traveling overseas with a 1 and 3 year old is out, but good access to a beach is probably the best.

Since your children are still young, I assume you don't have to travel during summer or key holidays. Crystal Shores on Marco Island would be my suggestion because the water is usually much more calm than the Atlantic. Marco Island is more laid back and 'Midwestern' than the West Palm Beach area. The beach is large with beautiful white sand, but you have to be careful walking on the shells. The resort itself is my favorite of the beach resorts because many facilities are new and most villas have great views. The family may enjoy a boat cruise in Everglades park which is about an hour drive. We've seen dolphin there, as well as offshore at the resort.

I really like Hilton Head Island, but avoid it in the summer due to crowds and heavy traffic. I typically go there for 4 weeks in mid January to enjoy the jacket weather, and the first week in May for beach weather without the crowds. Grand Ocean and Barony are right on the beach, although the main pool will be under construction this year. I really like Surf Watch, but it is more spread out and a longer walk to the beach. I haven't been to Myrtle Beach, but have heard that that Ocean Watch is a great resort for families of all ages.

We own at both Ocean Pointe and Oceana Palms on Singer Island and both are great resorts. If you kids were a little older, I'd recommend Ocean Pointe. Oceana Palms is a smaller high rise but has much nicer facilities and complimentary beach chairs. The beach is wider there as well. The sand is much softer and the ocean can be rough. We've also had very calm days where the water is very clear. We typically go in late October or early November, but it can get windy and rough at those times. I think late spring/early summer are the best times to visit the area.

All of these resorts are very nice and have good beach access. You can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[DRH90277]

East Coast: OceanWatch, Myrtle Beach, SC, Grand Ocean, SurfWatch, the Barony, Hilton Head Island, SC; and Ocean Pointe, West Palm,Fl .

We like OceanWatch a lot and go every year with lots of kids. I'm always surprised when I find the resort is fully occupied as it doesn't seem crowded.

 

[Big Matt]

I've been to a lot of them and have never had a bad experience at any of them. I think the key differences either appeal more or less depending on what you like. Some are more remote while others are in busy urban settings. Some have a lot within walking distance, some don't. Some are high rises, others aren't. The fact that you are in the middle of the US somewhat makes any of the Continental US based ones about the same distance. With kids your children's ages, I would stay at one of the more self contained timeshares where you can easily get from villa to beach to pool and back to villa. Based on that, I like Grande Ocean, Monarch, Ocean Point and Crystal Shores. Barony and Ocean Watch have the same vibe if you are in the units closest to the ocean. Surfwatch is good, but a lot of walking from villa to beach if you are in the units near the entrance. Oceana Palms feels crowded given the small footprint on the beach, but you are real close to the water in either the front or rear building.

 

[dougp26364]

For clear blue Atlantic waters it’s Oceana Palms or Ocean Pointe. Beachplace Towers might work if you want beach and an irban atmosphere.
We also enjoy Crystal Shores on the gulf side. Calmer waters but not the clear blue you get in S Floridas east coast
HHI is nice, but the beach is hard pack sand and the water is a little murky IMHO.
I haven’t been to MB so can’t comment. The resort and beach look lovely, but I’m not sure about the water.
Of course Hawaii is beautiful. We were going EOY prior to CoVid. Of course it’s expensive to fly there and expensive on the islands themselves. But the beaches and ocean are magnificent

 

[NYFLTRAVELER]

Harborside at Atlantis is a dump.

 

[dioxide45]

Harborside at Atlantis is a dump.

Someone must have had a bad experience there? I wouldn't necessarily consider it a beach timeshare and it also isn't a Marriott.

 

[DanCali]

Harborside at Atlantis is a dump.

And yet 2BR lockoff Platinum weeks still rent for $4500+ during spring break, so some people must feel different...

Let's keep things in perspective - by staying there for 7 nights you get 8-day access for your entire party to Atlantis/Aquaventure, which is an awesome water park. Disney Cruise Line wants to charge me $956 for my family of 4 to experience that water park for 4-6 hours... I could probably get away with $760 + cab fares by buying the Day Passes on my own, but still...

On cruises - savvy tuggers would book a night at Harborside in a small room, check into the hotel, get the Aquaventure wristbands, not even go into the room, and visit the water park that way - it can be much more economical. We prefer the weeklong stays at Atlantis, and remaining on the uncrowded cruise ship for Nassau day stops.

For longer stays, sure - a 1BR Suite at the Atlantis Reef's residential style accommodations would be nicer than a 1BR at Harborside - if you have the $900+/night for stays during the busier times. I just checked and for July 2023, you can a 1BR at the Reef for $900+/night. Alternatively, you can get a full week in a 1BR at Harborside on Redweek for $1500-$2000. So, unless you find the Comfort Suites more appealing, Harborside still probably offers one of the best cost/accommodation/experience tradeoffs for Atlantis/Bahamas.

I'll agree that some of the maintenance aspects at Harborside can be better (occasional burnt light bulbs, occasional noisy appliance, bathroom amenities etc), and it may have lost some of its luster over the years as it used to be an extremely difficult Vistana internal trade (using Staroptions) when I joined TUG 12-13 years ago while it's somewhat more doable now. However, the accommodations are at least on par with Sheratons (i.e., better than most average timeshares), you get the water park access, and it definitely beats staying in a smaller hotel room with no kitchen or dining area, and no washer/dryer in the room. Here are some photos from the smaller non-lockoff 2BR unit. YMMV...

And technically it is part of MVC and is expected to join Abound later in 2023.