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How are the Marriott resorts in Cali?

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tracey.a

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So I am looking at buying a timeshare and am trying to decide between Marriott and WorldMark. I really think we will use this most often in the short term for trips to southern Cali, specifically near San Diego and Disneyland. We also will probably go a few places in CO. Anyway can you say anything good about the Marriott Cali resorts?
 
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The Marriotts in California - all of them - are highly rated. As rated by TUGgers, they all rank in the top ten of 111 California timeshares.

You might consider spending $15 to join TUG. That will get you access to the extensive resort reviews at the TUG Resort Database link at the top of this page. The information there is much more extensive than whatever anecdotal responses you get from the relatively few who will see this post. I believe it would be a mistake to purchase before considering the many good and bad reports that you'll read there about any resort you are considering.
 
yeah, I plan on joining tug, I am just waiting for my credit card to cycle.
 
I have stayed at 3 Marriott resorts in California: Newport Coast Villas, Desert Springs Villas I, and Timberlodge. I absolutely loved Newport Coast Villas. Beautiful architecture and decor, in a fantastic setting, with exceptional access to both Newport Beach and Laguna. Awesome swimming pools. Great grounds. Beautiful sunsets over Catalina Island. This one is a winner.

Timberlodge is also a great resort. It has a very nice mountain lodge decor and is well located in the new Heavenly base village in South Lake Tahoe. The villas are a little smaller than many Marriott resorts, there is no view of the lake, and the surrounding neighborhood is a bit congested...but it's still an appealing place. Timberlodge is very comfortable, and it is the nicest timeshare resort in Tahoe.

The grounds of Desert Springs Villas I are gorgeous and the villas are huge, but our villa was in a sad state of repair and was not overly clean. Many people like the fact that guests at this resort have free spa access at the adjacent Marriott hotel, but I would stay at the newer Shadowridge or Desert Springs Villas II rather than DSV-I on a return trip to the area.

All in all, I think Marriott is a great choice in California. It would be nice if they had a resort in Santa Barbara or on the coast in Northern California to go with their present locales, but maybe the future will bring more California locations.

Steve
 
I've stayed at the Newport Coast Villas several times and agree with everything Steve said above about his experience there. It's a beautiful resort and we love the area!
However, if you want to stay at Newport Coast Villas in the summer (July & Aug.), I would recommend you purchase a platinum week (or two) there or an excellent trader somewhere else. It is very difficult to get an exchange into there during the summer. Because of the Marriott priority, I doubt you would ever get a July or Aug week with Worldmark points.
I haven't tried exchanging into the Marriotts in Lake Tahoe or Palm Springs, so I don't know how difficult those trades are.
 
Personally, Newport Coast Villas wasn't a winner for me. While the actual resort was lovely, I thought the units lacked character. They felt like apartments to me more than a resort. The grounds were lovely with all the extra amenities but the units were blah to me. We also didn't like all the driving involved in the LA area (I know, we knew that going in but it was pretty bad). Also, you waited in line for everything. Also, I though the 2nd bedroom at Newport Villas was smaller than most other Marriotts that I have ever been at. I think it had more to do with the angle of the room.

We just recently stayed at Timberlodge and we loved the place. I like being close to things where you can walk to them. But that's the way I like to vacation. Yes, the unit is a bit smaller but it had a lot of character.

So if you like driving to things Newport Coast Villas would be for you. However, if you like to walk and browse, Timberlodge would be for you.

We've also stayed at Desert Springs II but we were there on a promotion and I didn't really get a chance to form an opinion about the place. We've also stayed at the Suites at Fisherman's Wharf. As far as quality goes Marriott DEFINITELY wins.

I've tons of pictures of both resorts. Just click on the link in my signature.
 
WM is building a new TS just minutes from Disneyland. For you mouse lovers this may tip you toward WM.

RE the WM vs Marriott.

The marriott resorts are big and beautiful. But WM has a lot more and varied locations in California.
 
We own at and have stayed at Shadow Ridge. Very nice resort with Faldo golf institute. Still under construction. This will be quite a large resort when complete.
 
Right now NCV is probably overpriced. As an owner there, I would agree with the posters regarding the size and appointments of the units. My reviews elsewhere reflect that. They are starting to rehab the early buildings; we stayed in the 2400 building in 2004 and I was dismayed at its condition and reported such in my Redweek review.

Personally, if the OP has their heart set on a Marriott in the location noted, I'd scout resale deals for a platinum NCV and a blue desert lockoff week. You should be able to do the deal for under 20-22K if you're patient.

If that is out of the budget, go WM.

Pat
 
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