Grand Residence or Timber Lodge

[Valleykat]

We are planning to trade into South Lake Tahoe and are wondering whether to include both properties or one or the other in our request. What are the pros/cons of each? From what I have learned so far, Timber Lodge is newer but considerably smaller. True? We are interested in a 2 bedroom.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

I'm not familiar with the size difference so, somebody will need to answer that. But I do believe the Grand Residences do not have Washer/dryers if that is important to you.

 

[bdurstta]

we've stayed at both properties. By far, the Grand Residences are HUGH....we had a 2 bedroom 3 bath that was HUGH. No washer/dryers in Grand REsidence, but then I don't recall seeing (but I didn't look) at Timber Lodge. I personally would want to go back to the Grand Residence (the bathroom in the master bedroom, so to speak....was wonderful!).

However, that being said, both properties are nice and I would stay in either if a trade came my way.

 

[calberry]

we've stayed at both properties. By far, the Grand Residences are HUGH....we had a 2 bedroom 3 bath that was HUGH. No washer/dryers in Grand REsidence, but then I don't recall seeing (but I didn't look) at Timber Lodge. I personally would want to go back to the Grand Residence (the bathroom in the master bedroom, so to speak....was wonderful!).

However, that being said, both properties are nice and I would stay in either if a trade came my way.

Indeed the TL 1BR/2BR have w/d.

Steve

 

[Valleykat]

Thanks for your replies. Bdurstta, or others who have seen both, would you say that they are comparable in quality? If so, I'm thinking I would prefer the larger Grand Residence units, because more space is always a good thing. Unless it is considerably more dated. Timber Lodge is a newer property, right?

 

[Big Matt]

They were both built at about the same time.

 

[bdurstta]

Can you actually "request" Grand Residence anymore? I'm not so sure Marriott lets us request it for points anymore...that is why I ask. If you don't need a w/d then go with Grand Residence....I think the units are very large....but either one would be great. Enjoy your time!

 

[gores95]

You should also try a search...your question has been asked and answered many times. We traded our Aruba 1BR into a TL 1BR. The washer/dryer in the unit made it a no brainer.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

Can you actually "request" Grand Residence anymore? I'm not so sure Marriott lets us request it for points anymore...that is why I ask. If you don't need a w/d then go with Grand Residence....I think the units are very large....but either one would be great. Enjoy your time!

Per the OP's 1st post it says that they plan on trading in. I'm assuming they plan on using II to trade if so then, yes it is still available for trades in II.

 

[Valleykat]

Yes, we do plan on trading in. Marc, you are right. A search was helpful. I could have sworn I had done one and only a few threads came up. I must have had a typo in there or something. I don't know that I'm really any closer to making a decision so perhaps I'll just let II do that for me and select both properties. Thanks to all for your replies.

 

[fleming4]

We own at GRC and have stayed there many times. Have never stayed at TL, so cannot comment on them much. The units in the GRC don't have washers/dryers, while those in TL do. However, there are free washers/dryers in laundry rooms distributed pretty widely throughout the GRC. Whenever we've needed to use them, they were empty. Pluses for the GRC are larger size units, the concierge for both GRC and TL is located in the GRC (I find it helpful to work them face-to-face), a beautiful and uncrowded exercise area, a fabulous sauna/steam room, and a full service spa, all right in the building. Both buildings were built at the same time, so age is not a difference. The GRC condos just underwent a minor renovation over the last few months. I'm sure you'd have a great time at either GRC or TL.

 

[Valleykat]

Thanks fleming4. We decided to go for GR intially and broaden it to include more dates and TL down the line perhaps. IDK if this is a good strategy since the properties are so similar and we can't really go wrong with either, so we may be changing it sooner than later to increase our chances.

 

[Robert D]

We're at TL now in a 2BR lockoff. This afternoon, we went over to GR and asked if we could see a 2BR there. They were very helpful and showed us a 2BR on the second floor that was on the front of the building. The lady at the reception desk said they had 52 different floor plans at GR. They were at 100% occupancy so they showed us a unit that had been cleaned but the owner had not checked in yet. This unit was no where near as nice as the 2BR we have at TL, and it wasn't as big or laid out very well. Very strange layout. The lockoff unit was similar to our TL lockoff, but the 1BR side really wasn't a 1BR. It had a kitchen that was furnished the same as our kitchen but it was not open to the living room and in fact the living room was also the bedroom, which only had a sleeper sofa on it. They said this was a 2BR lockoff and it looked like it as there were two entry doors with two different room numbers on them. The lady who showed it to us said that this was one of the worst layouts she had seen for a 2BR but it was one of the only ones they could show us due to the occupancy. So, if you get GR, you run the risk being an exchanger that you might get a unit like this one.

Also, it's not true that the concerieges are located only at GR. There was one conceirge at GR and two at TL. The pool at GR didn't seem to be as large as TL and there are only 2 hot tubs (versus 4 at TL), but GR doesn't have as many units. I don't think you can go wrong with either (unless you get a 2BR unit like we saw today), but we love TL. The section we are staying in (building 7) was just built and finished earlier this summer and has flat screen TV's, and is basically brand new. The GR unit we saw didn't have flat screens but was well maintained.

 

[Valleykat]

That's a little disconcerting to hear Robert. The reason we singled out GR was because they are supposed to be larger units and we may be at full capacity. We were going back and forth about adding TL, so I told DH just to do it. From what I've read here, we should be happy with either. I'll update when we hear something. I'm not super optimistic as we are trading a Platinum, but fall NCV week. We didn't know what we were doing the first year and waited too late to reserve.

 

[Robert D]

I didn't see the time frame when you are planning to go to Tahoe. That will have a lot to do as to how hard a trade it is. My sense of GR is that there are lots of different floor plans so it depends on which one they give you whereas most of the floor plans at TL are close to the same. If you are a Marriott owner, you'll be a notch up on the priority list at either resort in being able to request the unit you want if you get the trade. If you're not a Marriott owner, then you're pretty low on the priority list as an exchanger when it comes to room assignment. One thing we like about TL is the washer / dryer in each 1BR or larger unit. At GR, you have a laundry room down the hall which is not near as convenient. Bottom line is either place will be very nice.

 

[gores95]

If you are staying in TL can you use the GR facilities (pool, exercise room, etc) and vice versa?

 

[Beverley]

We're at TL now in a 2BR lockoff. This afternoon, we went over to GR and asked if we could see a 2BR there. They were very helpful and showed us a 2BR on the second floor that was on the front of the building. The lady at the reception desk said they had 52 different floor plans at GR. They were at 100% occupancy so they showed us a unit that had been cleaned but the owner had not checked in yet. This unit was no where near as nice as the 2BR we have at TL, and it wasn't as big or laid out very well. Very strange layout. The lockoff unit was similar to our TL lockoff, but the 1BR side really wasn't a 1BR. It had a kitchen that was furnished the same as our kitchen but it was not open to the living room and in fact the living room was also the bedroom, which only had a sleeper sofa on it. They said this was a 2BR lockoff and it looked like it as there were two entry doors with two different room numbers on them. The lady who showed it to us said that this was one of the worst layouts she had seen for a 2BR but it was one of the only ones they could show us due to the occupancy. So, if you get GR, you run the risk being an exchanger that you might get a unit like this one.

Also, it's not true that the concerieges are located only at GR. There was one conceirge at GR and two at TL. The pool at GR didn't seem to be as large as TL and there are only 2 hot tubs (versus 4 at TL), but GR doesn't have as many units. I don't think you can go wrong with either (unless you get a 2BR unit like we saw today), but we love TL. The section we are staying in (building 7) was just built and finished earlier this summer and has flat screen TV's, and is basically brand new. The GR unit we saw didn't have flat screens but was well maintained.

The person is correct that there are numerous different layouts for the GRC. We stayed there and also toured. The unit we had was a one bedroom so the "master" bedroom was locked off and we had a bedroom with 2 queens ( I think it had 2 beds) and the living area had a kitchen (full) a living room and a dining room area. It was exceptionally large and much bigger than the TL. It sounds like this property might be similar to the Manhattan Club in that with so many different floor plans you could get many variations ..

We thought the furnishings at the time were in top notch condition.

Beverley

 

[Robert D]

Beverly, it could be that the unit they showed us was a 1BR because it was like you described the 1BR you had. But, they told us it was a 2BR. Seems strange you'd have the master BR locked off in a 1BR layout - I've never seen that before because what would be the purpose of the lockoff if you can't split them up as two units, which typically is a studio and 1BR?

 

[Beverley]

It has been a while since I was there but if memory serves me right ... we were in the one bedroom side of the 2 bedroom unit but it allowed another lockoff feature. Similar to Kauai Beach Club, it allowed the one bedroom to also lock off to a HU (hotel unit) and a studio. The HU was the living room and would not trade in II because there is only a pull out. But this allows owners to use and trade the other 2 bedrooms separately ... sort cake and eat it too ...

Definitely an unusual set up but also very top drawer.

Beverley