Choosing Between a Marriott Grand Chateau 2 bdrm or 3 bdrm Trader

[Dean]

Hi All,

Thank you for all of your replies and advice. Just to clarify, I am tied to a school schedule. I am really trying to decide between a 2 bdrm L/O and a 3 bdrm L/O. I would like to get two weeks of vacation from my purchase. The resorts I am focusing on now are: Newport Coast Villas (summer) , Aruba Surf Club (summer) and Hawaii (summer and October). My main question is can the studio portion of a 2 bdrm L/O at Grand Chateau pull these locations and times or should I just purchase a 3 bdrm which will L/O into a 1 bdrm and 2 bdrm?

Thank you.

FamilyEsq

P.S. I think Thunder Up is a great handle. I want to be able to sign off as Thunder Up.

If you're OK with studios and 1 BR consistently, the 2 BR might be the best choice. If you want a 1 BR or above consistently, I'd put the 3 BR at the best choice. I think you're OK letting the great deal you find make the final decision. I think you have too much risk trying to get NC in Summer (2BR) and HI in summer trying to trade up in unit size. Aruba in summer should be easier. Personally I'd prefer the 3 BR in this situation for a comparable pricing. For those goals I'm not sure I'd buy a trading unit at all, I might look for a couple of EOY units for the locations you want and use without trading when possible, assuming you won't use it for LV part of the time. Or maybe an EOY unit to use and an EOY unit to trade. Regardless you need to reserve a top week and both deposit and put in your searches early if that's the route you decide to go.

 

[Quadmaniac]

I stand corrected and will apologize to all for my ignorance. I have been tied to a school schedule way to long. I am shocked that Newport Beach Platinum would extend over that long period of time. Quadmaniac, this apology especially goes to you. I will agree with you 100% that a 2 bedroom lock out is sufficient given Newport platinum season. FamilyEsq, you are next in line for an apology....do not listen to me.

No apology needed. We all have different opinions based upon our experiences. Hearing about what others have done or been able to do, allows us to compare what we have gotten out of a unit and if we can better utilize it.

I’m always learning from others here too so it’s all good.

 

[NiteMaire]

I am really trying to decide between a 2 bdrm L/O and a 3 bdrm L/O. I would like to get two weeks of vacation from my purchase. The resorts I am focusing on now are: Newport Coast Villas (summer) , Aruba Surf Club (summer) and Hawaii (summer and October). My main question is can the studio portion of a 2 bdrm L/O at Grand Chateau pull these locations and times or should I just purchase a 3 bdrm which will L/O into a 1 bdrm and 2 bdrm?

With a lot of questions on TUG, you get differing opinions/answers. Your question is one of them. I had the same dilemma as you in deciding between the 2BR and 3BR LOs. As mentioned above, I ultimately decided on the 3BR LO. I may have purchased a rocket ship to go around the corner (thanks @Quadmaniac). The studio trades discussed in this thread have me rethinking my decision.

I'd buy a 2BR LO if it got me the trades during the times I want. I realize you're still trying to determine if that's the case for you. It may have worked for me, but I wanted the extra horsepower (rocket fuel?) to get me the best chance of trading to Hawaii, HHI (MGO specifically--extremely difficult for summer), and other desirable locations. I had the fallback of being able to exchange to a desirable location regardless of season since I'm not tied to a school schedule. Maybe even more reason to purchase the 2BR LO in my case.

You may want to get a 2BR LO (EY or EOY) and try it out. If it doesn't meet your expectations, sell it and get the 3BR LO. If the studio works out, you'll spend significantly less over time. As others have stated, they have been able to get Hawaii (and other great locations) with a studio. Maybe the 2BR LO would have worked out for me; maybe it'll work out for you.

In the end, you'll have to decide if the "evidence" presented here warrants the "risk" associated with purchasing the 2BR LO instead of the rocket ship 3BR LO.

 

[Quadmaniac]

If you're OK with studios and 1 BR consistently, the 2 BR might be the best choice. If you want a 1 BR or above consistently, I'd put the 3 BR at the best choice.

In 7 years of trading I’ve only been in a studio once and a 1 br 2 times. All other times were 2 br or 3 br units.

 

[Dean]

In 7 years of trading I’ve only been in a studio once and a 1 br 2 times. All other times were 2 br or 3 br units.

I've had similar experiences but the OP is tied to school calendars and there is additional risk to the 2 BR compared to the 3 BR in this specific situation. I do feel the 2 BR is potentially workable a well though I do not believe they will consistently get 2 & 3 BR units for the locations and times they mention.

 

[Quadmaniac]

I've had similar experiences but the OP is tied to school calendars and there is additional risk to the 2 BR compared to the 3 BR in this specific situation. I do feel the 2 BR is potentially workable a well though I do not believe they will consistently get 2 & 3 BR units for the locations and times they mention.

A lot of my trades were on holidays and in larger units but the key is still how much effort you’re willing to put into searches. I used to be relentless but as I’m not traveling as much, I don’t search as often anymore.

 

[NiteMaire]

A lot of my trades were on holidays and in larger units but the key is still how much effort you’re willing to put into searches. I used to be relentless but as I’m not traveling as much, I don’t search as often anymore.

I completely agree with being relentless, and using e-plus I use it on every trade even if I'm certain I'll make the trip. You never know what circumstances may occur. I've always retraded at least twice (better location, time, or unit).

 

[Dean]

A lot of my trades were on holidays and in larger units but the key is still how much effort you’re willing to put into searches. I used to be relentless but as I’m not traveling as much, I don’t search as often anymore.

There is more risk and effort and I suspect some of those you report were on retrades. Personally I enjoy the chase but there is risk. That's why I said that the 3 BR might be better in some situations. Even then personally I tend to deposit a mixture of smaller and full 2 BR units for exchanging depending on what I want to try for and for the locations/times mentioned, I would personally not try to do it all with studios and 1 BR trying to get 2 BR consistently.

ETA: I think exchanging has been more challenging the last couple of years than it was a few years before that. I don't know if it's economy related, II gets less marriott deposits or other factors.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Whether it's two bedroom or a three bedroom it's a personal choice for a you.

Keep in mind one thing; Closing costs will likely cost you the same whether you purchase a two bedroom or a three bedroom Villa. The only variance here is the cost of the Villa itself.




.

 

[chemteach]

Hi All,

Thank you for all of your replies and advice. Just to clarify, I am tied to a school schedule. I am really trying to decide between a 2 bdrm L/O and a 3 bdrm L/O. I would like to get two weeks of vacation from my purchase. The resorts I am focusing on now are: Newport Coast Villas (summer) , Aruba Surf Club (summer) and Hawaii (summer and October). My main question is can the studio portion of a 2 bdrm L/O at Grand Chateau pull these locations and times or should I just purchase a 3 bdrm which will L/O into a 1 bdrm and 2 bdrm?

Thank you.

FamilyEsq

P.S. I think Thunder Up is a great handle. I want to be able to sign off as Thunder Up.

The studio side of Grand Chateau can get 2 bedroom units at Aruba March weeks, so it should be able to get summer weeks in Aruba. It can also get Ko Olina March weeks, so if summer weeks are deposited, it should be able to get those, as well. The thing to consider is whether Marriott will continue to deposit the weeks in Interval. It would seem Marriott will continue to make deposits, but one never can tell the future...

 

[Retired2025 aka AlmostRetired]

Hi All,

Thank you for all of your replies and advice. Just to clarify, I am tied to a school schedule. I am really trying to decide between a 2 bdrm L/O and a 3 bdrm L/O. I would like to get two weeks of vacation from my purchase. The resorts I am focusing on now are: Newport Coast Villas (summer) , Aruba Surf Club (summer) and Hawaii (summer and October). My main question is can the studio portion of a 2 bdrm L/O at Grand Chateau pull these locations and times or should I just purchase a 3 bdrm which will L/O into a 1 bdrm and 2 bdrm?

Thank you.

FamilyEsq

P.S. I think Thunder Up is a great handle. I want to be able to sign off as Thunder Up.

Thanks for clarification on better defining your use of Newport for summer which is an important subset of the broader definition of Newport platinum. Your question is a clear one and the answer should be also. As mentioned, I have tried for summer at Newport using an upgrade and have not been successful over the last 4 years.

My lack of success may not be a good example but summer Newport is suppose to be as difficult and some say more difficult a trade than summer Hilton Head exchange.

Using HHI as a parallel, I have 100 percent success in trading 2 two bedroom I own (not GC) when trading into HHI for July, when I prefer to go. In fact I have 100 percent success in trading for the Grand Ocean where we will only trade for with our 2 br. Late August is an easier trade into HHI because of when schools in the surrounding states go back to school. I have 2 trades into HHI for later August using an upgrade. One a studio for a 3 br at Surfwatch last year that I did a retrade later on. One a 1 br for the Grand Ocean I am going this summer beginning 8/17. I have never had successful in trading the studio or 1 br into HHI for July for any Marriott on the ocean ( there are 4).


If you asked about HHI, my experience would tell you to go with the 3 br if you traded for July and wanted to stay on the ocean and a two bedroom if you traded for late August and didn’t care were you stayed. You have some feedback on general trades and good examples of Aruba and Hawaii trades specifically. An HHI parallel means nothing. You need someone with enough success or a number of responses with success specific to Newport when you want to travel. If I couldn’t get enough to feel comfortable, I would go with the 3 bedroom.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for clarification on better defining your use of Newport for summer which is an important subset of the broader definition of Newport platinum. As mentioned, I have tried for summer at Newport using an upgrade and have not been successful over the last 4 years. My lack of success may not be a good example but summer Newport is suppose to be as difficult and some say more difficult a trade than summer Hilton Head exchange.

Using HHI as a parallel, I have 100 percent success in trading 2 two bedroom I own (not GC) when trading into HHI for July, when I prefer to go. In fact I have 100 percent success in trading for the Grand Ocean where we will only trade for with our 2 br. Late August is an easier trade into HHI because of when schools in the surrounding states go back to school. I have 2 trades into HHI for later August using an upgrade. One a studio for a 3 br at Surfwatch last year that I did a retrade later on. One a 1 br for the Grand Ocean I am going this summer beginning 8/17. I have never had successful in trading the studio or 1 br into HHI for July for any Marriott on the ocean ( there are 4).


If you asked about HHI, my experience would tell you to go with the 3 br if you traded for July and wanted to stay on the ocean and a two bedroom if you traded for late August and didn’t care were you stayed. You have some feedback on general trades and good examples of Aruba and Hawaii trades specifically. An HHI parallel means nothing. If Newport is important to you, you need to get enough examples of summer trades to Newport when you can go. If I couldn’t get enough to feel comfortable, I would go with the 3 bedroom.

I have had no luck trading for GO for week 25-27 using a 2 BR WR 4th of July deposited more 13 months out and where the request was put in at 13 months out over 3 or 4 tries.

 

[dansimms]

When you get these trades for a larger size, you do have to pay the upcharge from Interval.

 

[Retired2025 aka AlmostRetired]

I have had no luck trading for GO for week 25-27 using a 2 BR WR 4th of July deposited more 13 months out and where the request was put in at 13 months out over 3 or 4 tries.

Interesting. I own two summer weeks at the Monarch. One I owned for 25 years. I rented it the last 7 years but it was always a good trader into the GO when I needed to sleep 8. Just as a reminder, the Monarch only sleeps 6. The other Monarch unit I purchased in 2015 and rented it out to rent at the GO. This was a start of a string of years I needed to sleep 8. Since 2016 I traded it into the GO. I just looked at at my last 4 trades. In Mid September 2015 I was confirmed at the GO for July 24th 2016. End of August 2016 I was confirmed for July 24th 2017. July 2017 I was confirmed for July 13th 2018. Aug 2018 I was confirmed for July 7th 2019. If I remember correctly, the confirmations happened within a week or two of placing the request.


I always do the exchange at around 12 months in advance. This being said, the Monarch are fixed weeks and I already have the confirmation numbers for my 2020 weeks in my Marriott account. I have never tried this but I am betting I can put a reservation is now with those weeks.

 

[Dean]

Interesting. I own two summer weeks at the Monarch. One I owned for 25 years. I rented it the last 7 years but it was always a good trader into the GO when I needed to sleep 8. Just as a reminder, the Monarch only sleeps 6. The other Monarch unit I purchased in 2015 and rented it out to rent at the GO. This was a start of a string of years I needed to sleep 8. Since 2016 I traded it into the GO. I just looked at at my last 4 trades. In Mid September 2015 I was confirmed at the GO for July 24th 2016. End of August 2016 I was confirmed for July 24th 2017. July 2017 I was confirmed for July 13th 2018. Aug 2018 I was confirmed for July 7th 2019. If I remember correctly, the confirmations happened within a week or two of placing the request.


I always do the exchange at around 12 months in advance. This being said, the Monarch are fixed weeks and I already have the confirmation numbers for my 2020 weeks in my Marriott account. I have never tried this but I am betting I can put a reservation is now with those weeks.

II trades are only for 6 anyway so the sleep 6 2 BR would not be a deterrent from a trade standpoint but can be a benefit to the receiver if the exchange sleeps 8. I'm sure Monarch Summer weeks would have a significantly higher trade power even for fringe weeks than would Branson. Branson and GC should have a similar trade power but GC would have a higher resort rating which is good or bad depending on how you want to use it but for the purposes of this thread, it's a good thing. I'm normally booking at 14 plus months out but I often rebook the Branson weeks to 4th of July at 13 months out then deposit immediately and put in any request immediately. I've also had a number of times when I rolled that to a second year requesting so the request was in a full 2 years out with no luck for GO. Years ago I owned a HP week 35 which I deposited and put in my request for GO at 18 months out as you can do with fixed weeks. The only times I got GO were 2, one within 60 days and one on a VIP search when they messed something up and even that was a pain. I didn't have any problem getting Monarch with HP during the summer, I haven't tried with WR.

I've had 2 requests in for GO for week 27 of this year using a 1 BR HL week 27 from 2018 & a 1 BR HL week 26 from 2019, again should be comparable trade power. One request was in 1.5 years out. We went to HI this past year so didn't go to HH. The other week was deposited 13 months out and the request place immediately again only for a specific week at GO since we'll be there that week anyway. We did a big trip to HI this past year with similar trade approaches. 3 weeks/3 islands and 15 people for 2 weeks/2 islands. We were able to get a 1 BR on Maui by retrading and ended up getting 2 Waiohai using WR 2 BR but never matched trying to trade up using 1 BR.

So I wouldn't be comfortable even with the 2 BR for the week's we're normally on HH at GO (25-27) with this plan but I might if I had more flexibility to travel fringe weeks and could open up to more resorts than just one, and I would be concerned for NC. In this situation I think there's a considerable difference between trading a 2 BR and a 1 BR vs a studio and a 1 BR at GC. There certainly is more cost to a 3 BR but not that much. Same closing costs in all likelihood and the same L/O fee. Higher Maintenance fees and likely a higher up front cost. Some savings on upgrade fees between the 2 scenarios. I don't think there's a right and wrong here and I'm not sure either will work as well as one might like for the stated goal. Personally this would not be the route I'd go as my only Marriott to trade to HI, NC & Aruba and I'd say that double if they need a 2 BR for the locations that have smaller units.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Hello All,

I am contemplating purchasing a Marriott Grand Chateau for trading purposes. Marriott seems to be exercising ROFR a lot more post merger.

I would be using the trader to attempt to primarily trade into Newport Coast Villas (plat and gold), Aruba (gold) and occasionally Hawaii (August and October).

With these trades in mind, do you think it is necessary to purchase a 3 bedroom or will the studio portion of a 2 bdrm trader be sufficient to pull these locations?

I have considered the increased maintenance expense for a 3 bedroom vs. 2 bedroom. I am also concerned about the potential changes Marriott may make by adding Vistana to its MVC Destination Points Program and thereby decreasing the deposits to Interval.

Any and all advice is appreciated. Thank you.

FamilyESQ

I'm bumping an old thread here because I am also considering purchasing an MGC for primarily trading purposes. Are all of the units at this resort lockoffs? I've seen a couple of ads for sale for it that don't specify. Thanks in advance!

 

[marmite]

I missed that you were bumping the thread @Fido Chuckwagon

I don't think all the units are lockoffs, however when you go to book you can request a lockoff so you can split it into the 2 units.

As for trade power, I will just chime in to say I booked a June Newport week yesterday with the 1BR Marriott Grand Chateau. The studio would not pull it.

People own different things (so their trade power will be different than mine), but Marriott Grand Chateau studio can get a 2BR Newport & 2BR Hawaii (the Marriott's) in shoulder season, and I find Waiohai takes more trade power than Ko Olina (no idea why).

In Flexchange the studio gets everything. The one bedroom will see everything all the time (I have never had to use a 2BR to see more inventory). This of course is you booking the highest TDI week when you deposit. Interval continually tweaks trade power so what I am saying probably will not be true by tomorrow.

I still agree with the former advice from @Quadmaniac though, I would take a 2BR. The very definition of a good trader includes low MF which the 3BR does not have.

 

[Dean]

I still agree with the former advice from @Quadmaniac though, I would take a 2BR. The very definition of a good trader includes low MF which the 3BR does not have.

I think the 3BR is a better deal at GC but not at GV IF and only if one can get a comparable price. However, the price of the 3 BR the last couple of years has been enough more than I do not feel it worth the extra cost. The fact it trades as a 2 BR and a 1 BR is a significant plus but not enough to justify a couple thousand $$$ more IMO. In many ways two 2 BR is better than a 3 BR but it depends on the specific goals and whether one would use the 3 BR at times for personal use.

 

[marmite]

@Dean Yes, I hear what you're saying and yes it depends on your goals. I looked at the latest MF for the 3BR and really couldn't justify the cost if I were to get another trader. I think you were the one who taught me that by definition a good trader has low MF as well as good trade power (and hopefully wasn't ridiculously expensive either). I would never stay a week in Vegas regardless of the size of unit available, but if I wanted to trade in it is a very easy trade (even the 3BR GC is plentiful). If I relied on OGS for everything, maybe I would want the 2BR for the toughest of trades.

 

[dioxide45]

According to this thread there are only 2BR LO units along with the 1BR and 3BR LO units. There aren't any dedicated 2BR or 3BR units. They all lock off. Though I did raise the issue that they have units that are called 2BR Standard and 2BR Deluxe at Grand Chateau. So take that for what it is worth.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

According to this thread there are only 2BR LO units along with the 1BR and 3BR LO units. There aren't any dedicated 2BR or 3BR units. They all lock off. Though I did raise the issue that they have units that are called 2BR Standard and 2BR Deluxe at Grand Chateau. So take that for what it is worth.

Thank you everyone for your answers!

 

[Dean]

@Dean Yes, I hear what you're saying and yes it depends on your goals. I looked at the latest MF for the 3BR and really couldn't justify the cost if I were to get another trader. I think you were the one who taught me that by definition a good trader has low MF as well as good trade power (and hopefully wasn't ridiculously expensive either). I would never stay a week in Vegas regardless of the size of unit available, but if I wanted to trade in it is a very easy trade (even the 3BR GC is plentiful). If I relied on OGS for everything, maybe I would want the 2BR for the toughest of trades.

If you needed the volume and the price were proportional, the 3 BR would be a better deal as you get a 2 BR and a 1 BR deposit instead of a studio and 1 BR. The fees are roughly 50% more. If exchanging that means you get a higher trade power (2 BR over a studio) AND you save 2 levels of unit upgrade fees assuming exchanging to a 2 BR. The issue and the reason I've recommended against the 3 BR of late is simply that the prices for the 3 BR have not been proportional of late, not even close. IMO one should also compare to two 2BR units there in terms of price, fees and exchange options. The two 2BR gives the 13 month reservation window though it likely isn't needed. A single 2 BR is cheaper but more limited in terms of trade power and does have the higher unit upgrade fees at times.

 

[echino]

Studio is almost useless for trading into anything 1br+ and high demand. For this reason a 3br at Grand Chateau is excellent. But pricy.

If you need to trade into 2br+ Marriotts, then the best trader is Phuket Beach Club, in my opinion. 2br non-lockoff, pulls pretty much everything, ~$1,200 maintenance fees.

 

[marmite]

What 1BR can't you get with the studio @echino? Do you own MGC right now? The only things I've had trouble pulling with the studio is 2BR high season in places like Hawaii. All the sightings I post I only need my 1BR for. I compare bulk deposits from time to time with a 2BR just to double-check my trade power.

 

[bazzap]

Studio is almost useless for trading into anything 1br+ and high demand. For this reason a 3br at Grand Chateau is excellent. But pricy.

If you need to trade into 2br+ Marriotts, then the best trader is Phuket Beach Club, in my opinion. 2br non-lockoff, pulls pretty much everything, ~$1,200 maintenance fees.

For exchanges into MVC resorts with only 2 Bed or larger (in Phuket Spain and St Kitts), we have been successful many times using just the Guest Suite (Studio) of our Grand Chateau 2 Bed unit.