First time MVC owner going to Aruba Surf Club

[AKC3333]

Hello, this is our first Marriot Vacation Club stay with my wife and I. We are going to Aruba Surf Club in a few weeks. What are some good advice tips or anything I should prepare for? I got a welcome email asking me if I want to opt in now for the breakfast and dinner buffets and also if I want to add more room cleaning. Are there any other fees we are going to pay during our stay? Should we pack anything with us? If anyone can just help us out, we are literally walking into this blind. Thank you.

 

[ilene13]

The restaurants on the island are excellent, do not opt in for eating at the resort. I usually get the daily tidy and towel change service. We don’t need a daily full cleaning. There are some taxes added to you bill but they are nominal.

 

[Theiggy]

You will have a great time! There are some taxes but I think they are approximately $100 for the week. You be charged for daily room cleaning if you opt for that. There is a washer/dryer in room so you can just wash your own if you prefer. Bring tubes for the lazy river, bring pods for the washing machine if you plan to use. I bring a few snacks or cereal for the kids. Definitely don’t bother with the buffet dinner. There are tons of great restaurants, many of them you can walk to. Bring sunscreen!


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[AKC3333]

Awesome, thanks.

 

[Theiggy]

Note the washer dryer is only in room if you have a 1 or 2 bedroom. No w/d in the studio/lock off


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[AKC3333]

Oh man, I think ours is a Studio. I wanted to pack light and use it, oh well I will figure something out.

The thing that I cannot completely figure out is the difference between a regular hotel stay vs MVC stay. Of course, we have all stayed a ton of times in hotels and I am a lot more familiar with how they work. If I want to try my luck for a view or upgraded room, slip the hotel check-in staff a $20 bill; if it's a special event/anniversary, ask for champagne in the room; shampoo/soap/towels all refreshed everyday; I want a late night snack or water, room service 24-hours a day...Things like these. How is it with MVC? How can I get an ocean view room? It will suck if we are staring at buildings and greens for 7 days. Do we take our own shampoos and soaps? Do we take our own beach towels and/or extra bath towels? Thanks

 

[ilene13]

The resort has beach towels. You cannot slip the check in staff money for an upgraded view. If you are an owner you bought a specific view! A timeshare is like staying in a rented condo. Some timeshares have daily maid service but Marriott’s do not. They do offer it for an extra fee. You have a kitchen so you can buy snacks to keep. Even if you have studio you will have a small refrigerator and a microwave. There are grocery stores not too far away and there is a mini market at the resort.

 

[AKC3333]

Villa locations are based on availability as Interval International reservations do not have any view type guaranteed.

That was the response when I asked about a room with a view. How do II people get ocean view rooms? What can I do to get one?

 

[ilene13]

We own at the Ocean Club and we have never exchanged into the resort through II.

 

[TravelTime]

Villa locations are based on availability as Interval International reservations do not have any view type guaranteed.

That was the response when I asked about a room with a view. How do II people get ocean view rooms? What can I do to get one?

They don’t unless they get lucky.