Since we are exchangers we get the least priority for request....
Not exactly. At many Marriott resorts, including Grande Ocean, exchangers are supposed to get the view that is the same as that deposited by the owner of the week that the exchanger is confirmed into. Thus, if the exchanger is lucky enough to be matched with an Oceanfront unit that was deposited, that's the view the exchanger is supposed to get.
Owners at GO get the view they paid for. Renters from Marriott also get the view they paid for.
Other than view, you are correct.
Once all with reservations have been assigned to a view category, the prioritization of assignments takes over. Although the exact ranking varies slightly at various resorts, here is the published priority for Grande Ocean for making unit assignments
within each view category:
- Multiple-week Marriott Grande Ocean Owner stays
- Single-week Marriott Grande Ocean Owner stays
- Marriott Grande Ocean Owners, returning on an exchange
- Marriott multiple-week owners on an exchange
- Marriott single-week owners on an exchange
- Rental and sales preview guests
- Non-Marriott owners on an exchange.
Thus, the best views/floors/confirmed preferences within a category are assigned based on that priority list.
Since many, many owners and exchangers don't make requests, it's still worthwhile to make your preference known, if you have one.
Making a Unit Request
With all that in mind, make a reasonable request and you should have a decent chance. What is "Reasonable"? Be wary of asking for multiple things (e.g., Oceanfront
and top floor
and Dolphin building). Definitely don't ask for a specific unit. If all of your requests can't be met, the database (which accepts only about 18 characters) can't determine which of your requests are most important and your request might well fall to the bottom of the pile.
The GO General Manager, Bob Spear, has suggested in writing that about
three weeks prior to your arrival, you should send an e-mail to
mvcigorvillarequests@vacationclub.com with your villa requests.
Specific Buildings
Start by accessing the map of Grande Ocean in the TUG Resort Reviews. The map is accessible from the "View all images" link in the upper left corner of the GO review page.
The five buildings on the right side of the map are a good choice if you have small children. The entire open area in the center of those five buildings (including the large pool) is gated in a manner that a small child can't open the gates. Best ocean views (for non-oceanfront units) in that cluster will be on a high floor in Laughing Gull or Sand Dollar.
Decent ocean views from non-oceanfront units in the five buildings on the left side of the map are hit-and-miss, but your best chance is probably a high floor in Dolphin. However, since there are only four to eight units in Dolphin that fit that requirement, spread out among the three check-in dates for your week, your chances would not be good if you make that your request, assuming you'll get an "Oceanside” (not oceanfront) unit.
Bike rentals and the new workout room are in Sea Horse. All ten buildings have been completely renovated within the past five years. The five buildings on the right side of the map were all completely redone within the past two years. No building is more than about 100 yards from the entrances to the beach.
As a GO owner, I have stayed in seven of the ten buildings, usually an oceanfront unit (my ownership), but also in non-oceanfront units (on exchanges). I have never been disappointed.
Renovation Work
A soft goods renovation is scheduled to begin in January of 2009 and is expected to be complete by April 2009. The North side of the resort which includes the Dolphin, Pelican, Sand Piper, Royal Tern and Sea Horse buildings will be undergoing that work. In addition, the rubber membrane roofs on the Kingfisher, Sand Dollar, Laughing Gull and Starfish buildings are scheduled to be resurfaced this winter - beginning a few weeks ago.
