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Exchanging Marriott Grand Chateau

77JC

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Marriott Timber Lodge x2, Marriott Grand Chateau, Worldmark
I am considering the purchase of a two bedroom L/O Marriott Grand Chateau platinum week (resale, of course!). I do not currently own Marriott-can anyone give me an idea how easy/difficult it is to exchange into other Marriott properties through II? How about non-Marriott properties? I would primarily be looking at exchanging into Caribbean locations (St Thomas/St Kitts) and Hawaii. I can travel pretty much any time so not locked into the Jan-March high demand season. Thank you in advance for your advice!
 

dioxide45

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You can get some great trades through II if you can travel in the shoulder/off season. I don't know if the 2BR Grand Chateau locks off in to a 1BR and a studio or 1BR and a 1BR. The MFs will be a little higher at Grand Chateau than other Marriott traders that are available.

We have used our Grande Vista and Harbour Lakes weeks as primarily trading units. We have gone to Hawaii, Aruba, Cancun, HHI and anywhere in Florida. We too are able to travel in the shoulder/off season.
 
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rudyr

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Are you buying it to use some years, or only to trade? Per the post above, if it's only to trade there might be equally good options with lower upfront and/or MF's.
 
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77JC

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Rudyr-I would use it some years-maybe one in three or four. Vegas can get awfully expensive real quick. I don't know if I can afford to stay there a week!

Dioxide45-thank you for the info!
 

Fasttr

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I don't know if the 2BR Grand Chateau locks off in to a 2BR and a studio or a 2BR and a 1BR.

Do you mean a 1BR/Studio or a 1BR/1BR?
 

77JC

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This unit locks off as a 1BR/Studio.

I am open to another option if one comes to mind. I live in CA so ideally would like to purchase in CA/NV so my week would be easy to access if I chose not to exchange it.
 

enma

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we own Aruba Surf Club (gold season), Grande Vista (platinum) and Grand Chateau (platinum). All 2 bedrooms and I lock off all of them when trading (1 br and studio) Grand Chateau maintenance fees are not bad, about $1200. Aruba maintenance fees are too high and going up every year. Grande Vista seems to pull better trades than the others. If you can travel off season you shouldn't have a problem though. We are happy with Grand Chateau overall. Typically exchange back there and so far have been able to uptrade every time. This year we stayed there a week after New Years and traded 1 br to a 3 bedroom. We never stay there the whole week,though, too long.
 

AlmostRetired

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I was only looking for an Every Other Year trader and narrowed it down to Grand Vista or Chateau. I purchased a Chateau this past September. Haven't traded yet so I can only give you the theory....I purchased here for the following reasons ( in order of importance):

Initial Cost - even though Marriott has Right of First Refusal at this resort, they do not appear to be exercising it. I picked up the 2 BR for 1800. Included in that are the closing costs. You should be able to pick up every year for under 4.

Flexibility - I added this to my portfolio because I am looking to retire in the next few years. If you own any platinum marriott and you have the flexibility in travel, trading is rarely a challenge.

MF's are average for this size unit.

This being said, either the Vista or Chateau would have worked for me.

Good luck.
 
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77JC

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Good info Enma...thank you. I'm glad to hear you like staying at the property itself.

l0410z-we are thinking along the same lines! I am retiring in the next few years as well so starting to make some travel plans. Thank you for your perspective-good luck to you as well!
 

metatnd

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We bought a 1 bedroom at Grand Chateau 3 years ago and bought it to stay there, but we never have. We have traded it for 2BR at Newport Coast 2X for President's week and the week before President's week. We traded into a 2BR at Ocean Pointe for the summer and then e-plus traded for a 3BR at Grande Vista for the same summer week. It has been a great trader for us and one day we will stay there.
 

IuLiKa

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I own at this resort for about 10 years now. I have been to Aruba, St Thomas, all the islands in Hawaii, Hilton Head, North Carolina, Palm Springs, Florida, Arizona...etc.. no problems getting trades in interval. I usually deposit, and then find the trades on my own.

I usually stay at other resorts when I go to Vegas, but I stayed couple of times using the discount code.

With 1 Bedroom, I see 1 and 2 bedrooms in Hawaii on interval. With the studio portion I see the studio and the 1 bedroom in Hawaii.
 

77JC

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Thank you metatnd and IuLiKa-great information. Sounds very promising-especially the St Thomas/Aruba trades. I'm looking forward to those!
 
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