Just back from Ocean Pointe

[tmoscola]

Our family just returned from six nights at Ocean Pointe. I was really excited to visit this resort after hearing all the positive comments about it. I was expecting to have a great time. I was not overly impressed with the resort and can safely say we have no need to return. I do not mean to offend any owners with my following comments. My favorite resort might not be your favorite for a number of reasons.

We were placed on the fifth floor of the Sailfish building, oceanfront room. The room itself was nice, although I am not sure why they would update the rooms and not change the cabinetry in the kitchen or the bathrooms. The update just looked poorly done but I am sure it was a cost effective measure. Everything in the villa was in working order though.

The water from the tap was disgustingly yellow. We were extremely surprised to see how yellow the water was. The sink, tub, toilets everything was yellow. When I was giving my son a bath I continually ran the water because I didn't want him sitting in it.

The surrounding area to get to the resort is pretty shady. We ventured out a few different times. Once you cross either one of the bridges you feel like you are on the other side of the tracks. Not exactly the tropical vacation I was looking forward to.

The splash area for the kids is decent but I feel like for that size of a property they could put in a better playground area for the kids. Plus with it being part of the water park it does get wet during the day sometimes making it hard to climb the wall.

We did have a nice lunch at Off the Rocks right at the pool. (I think that is what it was called?) We were surprised at how decent the food was. Plus one night we ordered pizza and wings from Subtropic. The wings were very good but the pizza was just okay.

All in all even considering the bad weather we had a nice vacation, but we see no reason to return to Ocean Pointe in the future.

We also were called every single day to attend a presentation at Oceana Palms even after telling the sales person we were not interested. For those curious, the incentive was a $300 travel reward card.

 

[brigechols]

Can any playground compare to the tree house at OceanWatch? Thanks for posting.

 

[tmoscola]

Can any playground compare to the tree house at OceanWatch? Thanks for posting.

I personally think Ocean Watch is so great which is probably why I have a hard time when visiting other resorts. It just makes me realize that I made the right choice when picking my home resort.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

What update are you referring to? Sailfish was last updated in 2010 and I believe that at that time all the cabinets were replaced.

The color of the water has nothing to do with the resort. It is from the water utility. This coloration is extremely common along the palm coast in Florida. It is also common in many other coastal areas all over the world.


The less desirable areas? Welcome to South Florida. It cannot be escaped.

I suppose if I was flying distance I "might" feel somewhat the same as you. Since it is less than a 3 hour drive it is one of our favorites.

 

[billymach4]

The water from the tap was disgustingly yellow. We were extremely surprised to see how yellow the water was. The sink, tub, toilets everything was yellow. When I was giving my son a bath I continually ran the water because I didn't want him sitting in it.

The surrounding area to get to the resort is pretty shady. We ventured out a few different times. Once you cross either one of the bridges you feel like you are on the other side of the tracks. Not exactly the tropical vacation I was looking forward to.

I was at OP last week as well. However I was in the Southern most building next to the inlet. Kingfish building. My child is an adult now so I try to avoid the small child scene while on vacation.

I got the typical call for a tour prior to my departure at home. They were offering 20k points or a $125 gift card. I signed up for Thursday at 8:30am. However the rain really got us down and we took out our revenge on the sales staff at the Oceana Palms. I called them on Wed afternoon and told them we not interested! Hopefully they scrambled and got someone else to fill in our slot.

As far as the surrounding area it is pristine compared to some of the other inner city areas of the Northeast. Living in NYC I can take you on a tour of some prime inner city real estate.

You can avoid the other side of the tracks if you choose to go north to PGA blvd. There is some high class real estate on that end of the neighborhood!

As far as the water I personally did not see any yellow water while I bathed. However I will not drink Florida water from the tap. Sorry Florida residents but your water is horrible.

What really ruined our week was the 3-4 days of driving wind and rain. I did manage to catch a tan towards the end of the week.

 

[dioxide45]

I don't think MVCI replaced the kitchen cabinets during the 10 year refurbishment at any resort. They sometimes refinish them, but I am not aware that they replace them every ten years ever time.

 

[ira g]

I don't think MVCI replaced the kitchen cabinets during the 10 year refurbishment at any resort. They sometimes refinish them, but I am not aware that they replace them every ten years ever time.

Agree. We are at Ocean Pointe in the Dolphin building. All the interior sofas, chairs, curtains and carpets were just replaced but the cabinets haven't been touched. They are worn, scuffed and way below Marriott standards. They haven't even been re-stained. They did a great job in what has been replaced but dropped the ball in not addressing the kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

 

[Smooth Air]

Hello, tmoscola:

Thank you for your comments.

Let me state my bias up front! I am a multiple week Owner @ Ocean Pointe and our family loves Ocean Pointe.

If you were told that Ocean Pointe was a "tropical" destination, then you were misinformed. Southeast Florida is hardly the tropics! Perhaps your source confused Marriott Ocean Pointe w/ Marriott Ocean Club in Aruba.

I would never describe the immediate Ocean Pointe area as "shady". We stroll along Tacoma Drive over to Sailfish Marina for dinner 2 or 3 times per week while @ OP.
Tacoma Drive is a lovely little residential street w/ well manicured lawns and some expensive homes. We noticed 2 "new builds" when we were there in February.

The "yellow" water is something I have never seen @ OP but I do recall seeing posted notices about this. As I recall, while aesthetically unappealing, the yellow water does not pesent a health hazard.

In any event, you did not like Ocean Pointe and I am sorry to hear that but I do appreciate your taking the time to post. I hope that next time you have better luck if you choose to venture from your home resort which sounds like a beautiful Marriott property.

I agree with you about the bathroom & kitchen cabinets and this issue needs to be addressed.

Smooth Air

 

[tmoscola]

I am not sure when the refurbishment was completed in the Sailfish building. I am not an owner there so I don’t have all the specific details. The furnishings were definitely updated, just think Marriott needs to consider the cabinetry when making the updates. The cabinets stuck out like a sore thumb. We still really enjoyed the villa though and it fit our needs just fine.

The front desk did assure us the water was safe for drinking. The front desk did tell us it was a common problem in South Florida and they could never predict when or why the water was discolored. However; I am pretty sure if you saw the yellow water coming from the faucet you would not be drinking it either. One day we filled up the Jacuzzi tub to rinse some beach toys off. It looked like the tub was filled with urine.

I grew up in NJ so I am very much aware of what the inner city of NYC looks like. It is definitely nowhere near NYC but just not as nice as I expected it to be. I was under the impression West Palm Beach and Singer Island was more of a prestigious area so I was shocked to see the outlying areas were not as nice as I had imagined. And I was not expecting it to be a tropical area like Aruba. I think in my mind I was expecting Singer Island to be a little more like the Naples area.

Overall we had a great time at the resort. The pools and beach were both very nice just wish we had some better weather to really enjoy it! I was just giving some feedback from my experience at the resort. As I said in my original post, my favorite resort is probably not yours for different reasons.

 

[jimf41]

tmoscola,

Not every resort is to everybody's liking. As an OP owner I think you comments are valid. The water does have a yellow tinge to it. My wife won't make coffee with it. We usually stay in Kingfish and that was built in 2005 or so. Sailfish however was built in about 1997. The cabinets are in good shape in Kingfish but I don't doubt that in Sailfish they are a little dinged up.

As an owner I'll live with dinged up as long as they function OK. When Oceanwatch is 20 years old post back and let us know if your HOA replaces them to the tune of about 15k per unit.

I also own at Frenchman's Cove. Some folks absolutely hate the place. We love it. The cabinets there started falling apart the first year and they are replacing them at the 5 year refurb.

Each to his own. The thing I really like about MVCI is the number of choices. Some I like, some not so much. I liked your review because although you didn't care for some aspects of the resort you didn't trash it. To me that's constructive criticism.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

I incorrectly assumed the cabinets were part of the hard renovation. It shows how much I pay attention to cabinets while on vacation

This is from a Q&A on one water utility web site along the palm coast.

Q: Why is my water green or yellow?

A: Most water from the source water wells that supply the Palm Coast treatment facilities contains trace amounts of organic material that occurs naturally and tends to impart a yellow/green to green color when rainfall percolates through the ground into the water table. Our treatment process only removes some of the organic color from the water. The color is most noticeable in large volume with a light colored background such as a toilet, tub or pool. The color issue is purely aesthetic and the level is below the maximum standard set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection of 15 color units. Some color may also be generated by corrosion by-products that can impart a red, orange or brown color to water in the distribution pipes; we can flush the lines to reduce this type of color. Air can also cause water to appear milky; we can flush the lines to reduce this type of color too.

 

[Traveling Suitcase]

I personally think Ocean Watch is so great which is probably why I have a hard time when visiting other resorts. It just makes me realize that I made the right choice when picking my home resort.

That's funny, shows how different we all are. Ocean Watch is the ONLY Marriott we would not want to return to. Staff there was anything but friendly, rooms were really outdated. Ocean Pointe is one we'll go to over and over, have already been there 3 times. Love how you can walk everwhere.

 

[Traveling Suitcase]

Hello, tmoscola:

Thank you for your comments.

Let me state my bias up front! I am a multiple week Owner @ Ocean Pointe and our family loves Ocean Pointe.

If you were told that Ocean Pointe was a "tropical" destination, then you were misinformed. Southeast Florida is hardly the tropics! Perhaps your source confused Marriott Ocean Pointe w/ Marriott Ocean Club in Aruba.

I would never describe the immediate Ocean Pointe area as "shady". We stroll along Tacoma Drive over to Sailfish Marina for dinner 2 or 3 times per week while @ OP.
Tacoma Drive is a lovely little residential street w/ well manicured lawns and some expensive homes. We noticed 2 "new builds" when we were there in February.

The "yellow" water is something I have never seen @ OP but I do recall seeing posted notices about this. As I recall, while aesthetically unappealing, the yellow water does not pesent a health hazard.

In any event, you did not like Ocean Pointe and I am sorry to hear that but I do appreciate your taking the time to post. I hope that next time you have better luck if you choose to venture from your home resort which sounds like a beautiful Marriott property.

I agree with you about the bathroom & kitchen cabinets and this issue needs to be addressed.

Smooth Air

Like you, we love Ocean Pointe and walking to the Sailfish for dinner mutliple nights during our stay. It is actually though considered subtropics due to how far south it is. Many Marriott Employees have pointed that out to us. We've been there in Spring and in Fall, GREAT location

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Like you, we love Ocean Pointe and walking to the Sailfish for dinner mutliple nights during our stay. It is actually though considered subtropics due to how far south it is. Many Marriott Employees have pointed that out to us. We've been there in Spring and in Fall, GREAT location

I realize people are using the terms loosely but it is not subtropic due to it being too far South. It is the opposite. It is Subtropic because it is too far North. The entire lower third of the continental US is subtropic, including the keys. Even Hawaii is subtropic. The tropic region does not begin until the Southern half of Mexico and Cuba. Basically a straight line from the Northern edge of Cuba.

 

[pwrshift]

Yellow water is not drinkable IMO, but this is not just at OP. I have it at BeachPlace and suspect it's everywhere. Years ago I got into the habit of buying jugs of water from Publix for coffee, etc. I admit to using the ice cubes though.

All resorts have differences and I'm glad they do as it would otherwise be so boring. Enjoy the differences, not the faults. To some BeachPlace is too active an area, but even though I love it, many others don't. I've found all of Singer Island 'sleepy' but that doesn't make it a bad holiday area...just different.

I've never been wild about the 'over the bridge' area but noticed significant reconstruction and repairs when we were there in February...so they are working on cleaning it up. We went to City Place a couple of times down that road and didn't feel threatened, although I did many years ago.

Brian

 

[dougp26364]

All resorts provide different experiences, it's all right not to really enjoy one or two.

Personally, we weren't thrilled with the remodel either but it's grown on us.

The splash pad use to be a children's play area. They replaced the play area with the splash pad because neighborhood cats where using the sand as their personal litter box. The splash pad is the size it is because that was the size of the original play area.

The neighborhood is actually a little better than it use to be if you can believe that. As mentioned, if you drive north and take PGA you can avoid the bad part of the neighborhood and be in the Palm Beach Gardens area. Much nicer neighborhood with better restaurants, grocery stores, Starbucks and shopping malls.

The yellow water is in all the taps in the area. Personally we don't like it either. It's easy to tell which restaurants use filtered water and which do not. The water has a peculiar taste. I buy bottled water to use for cooking and making coffee in the unit.

We think of Ocean Pointe as a relaxing Beach vacation. I don't know that this resort would be a great family vacation for a lot of families or a great vacation for anyone who loves the nightlife.

Beachplace Towers 30 miles south provides MVC owners a different experience that many find attractive. Eventually I'd like to give Beachplace Towers a shot but, we like Singer Island enough that we're trying Oceana Palms next year.

 

[pwrshift]

Beachplace Towers live webcam.

http://www.sunny.org/webcam/

Brian

 

[suzannesimon]

I have found that the way I feel about a resort has a lot to do with the weather. I get very grumpy about a place if I can't get sun daily and it just leaves a less-than-optimal impression. I've been to Puerto Rico 3 times. 2 times was a total-wash-out - had to put towels next to the unit door to sop up the rain water flowing under the door. The third time my son and granddaughter got food-poisoning at the Hilton right before we had to board a cruise. I would never actually go to Puerto Rico now on a trip I had to pay for (or use points/timeshare units).

When we were at Oceana Palms, I was shopping late at night in areas that I didn't know were bad until I read TUG. It looked fine and safe to me. I think it all has to do with what you are used to. In the DC-area, they build million-dollar townhouses across the street from very deteriorated areas and they buy them up like crazy because people are more interested in an easy commute than a homogenious neighborhood.

 

[BocaBoy]

Our family just returned from six nights at Ocean Pointe. I was really excited to visit this resort after hearing all the positive comments about it. I was expecting to have a great time. I was not overly impressed with the resort and can safely say we have no need to return. I do not mean to offend any owners with my following comments. My favorite resort might not be your favorite for a number of reasons.

I agree 100%. I had high expectations and a very mediocre experience.

 

[Quilter]

We still love OP. It's a great getaway to ride out the end of the winter. I won't defend it to change anyone's mind. To each his own.

I have yet to find an MVCI property that hits every "wish" on the list. There is no perfection this side of Heaven.

This past winter we had laughs with other long-time owners about how much the neighborhood and local area has improved since the beginning of OP construction. We've come a long way baby. We now feel fine walking over the Blue Heron Bridge to the Publix and then turning north along the inter coastal towards Pelican Cafe.

The yellowing of the water comes from tannins. If you search "tannins in water" most reports will mention peat in the ground water area. Well that's Florida. One big swamp. I grew up in Plant City. My mother referred to Kissimmee as a swamp. That's now Disney World. I was going to tell you if you swim in the Hillsboro River at the State Park you'd be swimming in tannins (like I did when I was a Girl Scout). But I found out the River has been closed to swimming and they've built a pool. I have a story to tell about swimming in that river but I'll save it. Watched a Rick Steve's program recently where he was soaking in a peat bath. So, the yellow in the water isn't the biggest thing to fear. It's the other things in tap water you should be worrying about. Even clear tap water. http://www.foxnews.com/story/2008/0...ugs-in-drinking-water-in-24-major-us-regions/ What I am trying to point out is that clear tap water can hide trouble just as well as yellow tap water. The color of the water isn't the issue.

As to the interior of OP rooms. . .well the damage is done. The best thing to hope for is it doesn't happen to another property. I'm a designer of "spaces". To me they count for the overall experience. When we stayed at Oceana for the week prior to OP, the serenity of the design made for a relaxing experience both inside and out. Unfortunately, when we're at OP the inside is now serviceable. Not necessarily pleasant or visually comfortable.

 

[jerseyfinn]

Nothing wrong with an underwhelming visit as individual tastes and preferences are completely subjective and they will indeed vary. Ocean Pointe like most resorts has some negatives. And yes, Ocean Pointe's interiors have improved but still do not come close to some of the newer resorts or the Spain resorts' décor.

That said, I'm glad that Quilter clears up the water explanation as the OP's take on the resort's water suggests that something unsanitary is in play which is in fact not true. Then again, I live in NJ where we stopped worrying about what's in our water decades ago .

Likewise, the OP over-reaches a bit when they describe the surrounding area as 'shady' as if suggesting a criminality factor. What the OP is reacting to is Riveria Beach proper which is the area on the mainland after your cross the Blue Heron bridge. Entirely correct to say that the neighborhood is not a squeaky clean suburban experience that the typical Marriott timeshare owner is used to ( let's be honest here, our MVC economic demographic is middle class & beyond ). But most of us have neighborhoods like this in relative proximity to where live, so I don't get the OP's take here. The fact is that some of our resort associates are locals who reside in these types of neighborhoods and I'm not gonna label them shady people.

My own take on a visit to Palm Beach County ( which means Ocean Pointe/Oceana Palms/Singer Island Resort ) is an experience in the stark contrasts between unbelievable wealth, the 'ordinary' wealthy and middle class folks who represent the dividing line between those folks living at blue collar & subsistence levels. It's all there to be seen and experienced as this is the real America on display when you visit. That said, I too keep my eyes open and doors locked when we drive up Broadway .

The fact is that state and federal governments are sinking about a billion dollars into the surrounding area and the Marriott timeshares & hotels and the hi-rise condos on the ocean side display both wealth and hope from the employment opportunities they create for locals trying to garner a larger slice of the American pie.

Guess I'm done with my rant, but I'm an Animal House sort of guy who always defends his 'pledges' ... Marriott associates that is

Barry

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Exactly. These are blue collar working class people. Someone has to do the actual work while the retired wealthy sit around. People want a luxurious island paradise but also want "those people" to live far out of site. That isn't real island life. That is a very distorted "Disneyland" white-washed view of what tourism should be.

 

[Quilter]

During our stay at Oceana one of the Activities guys told us he was from the Blue Heron neighborhood. He was my favorite morning stretch instructor. Darling young man. I had the feeling he learned his stretching techniques in track or football instead of a yoga studio. While we talked about stretching and mobility he told us how he sees seniors in his neighborhood who fall down and he helps them up. This gave me a much more neighborly image of the "hood" as we drove through.

 

[GTLINZ]

We stayed at OP for the first time in April/May and loved it. I think we were in the Cobia building and on the 7th floor which had a great view (which I did not expect to get trading in thru II, but we were there in low season). Our rooms was recently refurbished and nice but nothing spectacular - what we loved were the grounds. There was plenty to do, the ground were well manicured, the adult pool was private and both pools were saltwater, the staff very friendly, the tiki bar had good food and drink specials, and the workout facility was on of the better I have seen since most seem like an afterthought. We enjoyed walking over to Sailfish Marina (a bit pricey but very good) and Johnny Longboats was surprisingly decent food.
It is cool how folks like different things. We enjoyed all of the food options and not having to drive - just to chill for a week. The grounds and scenery are more important to us that an upscale room, and we had plenty of choices without leaving the area. We did get half a week of good weather - the other half was heavy rain but they had a decent video selection.
I think the water was fine when we were there - but we also quit drinking tapwater years ago and stock up on gallons of filtered water at the grocery store when we travel. There was a publix just across the bridge which was great.

 

[tubelaw]

Building Choices at OP

My wife and I are getting out on a little getaway without the kids for a few days and are staying at OP, ocean front room. Just got an email from Marriott asking for our preferences, and was hoping could get some input from folks in the know about which building they would recommend. Thanks!