• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 31 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 31st anniversary: Happy 31st Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $23,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $23 Million dollars
  • Wish you could meet up with other TUG members? Well look no further as this annual event has been going on for years in Orlando! How to Attend the TUG January Get-Together!
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    Tens of thousands of subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

Just Returned From Canyon Villas

Bogeygirl

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2008
Messages
231
Reaction score
2
Location
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Spent last week at Canyon Villas and hadn't been there since April 2014. We were top floor of the 2800 building right where we wanted to be. Mixed reviews about the refurbishment. The sofa fabric is light enough that there are already stains on it and I didn't think it was very comfortable. The kitchen appliances are stainless steel and all still nice and new looking but the refrigerator in our unit had a long dent right across the door - how does that happen?
 

VegasBella

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2013
Messages
3,328
Reaction score
1,046
Location
Vegas
Resorts Owned
Carlsbad Inn
Avenue Plaza
Riviera Beach & Spa
Aquamarine Villas

BJRSanDiego

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2012
Messages
3,692
Reaction score
2,161
Location
San Diego
Resorts Owned
Sands of Kahana, Desert Springs I, DSV2, Shadow Ridge Enclaves Dlx
IIRC, the top floor of the 2800 building is the primo spot in the complex.

I also recall that the fabric on the couches was slippery and I found that after 5 minutes that I was sliding down and almost horizontal. The next time that I'll be there, I'm going to put one of those rubber non-slide dining room table placemats under by butt and see if it slows down the sliding action. ha ha. :rofl:

But be happy that you got the primo spot in the complex.
 

DB-Wis

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2009
Messages
237
Reaction score
6
Location
Madison, WI
...

I also recall that the fabric on the couches was slippery and I found that after 5 minutes that I was sliding down and almost horizontal. The next time that I'll be there, I'm going to put one of those rubber non-slide dining room table placemats under by butt and see if it slows down the sliding action. ha ha. :rofl:

Funny, I had exactly the same experience when I was there two weeks ago!

Overall, though, I liked both the interior and exterior updates. While I really liked the original exterior color scheme, and was first taken aback at the new colors, I quickly came to like it. The buildings blend into the desert environment very nicely -- they almost seem camouflaged, and I liked that.
 

thinze3

Tug Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2007
Messages
6,364
Reaction score
38
Location
Houston, TX
We'll be there in April '16. Can you guys rank the buildings in order of preference? High floors are usually preferred.

BUT ... Since we also loved ground floor at DSV, are there any really nice ground floor buildings with great morning views?

Thanks in advance. :wave:
 

DB-Wis

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2009
Messages
237
Reaction score
6
Location
Madison, WI
We'll be there in April '16. Can you guys rank the buildings in order of preference? High floors are usually preferred.

BUT ... Since we also loved ground floor at DSV, are there any really nice ground floor buildings with great morning views?

Thanks in advance. :wave:

I hesitate to identify our favorites -- for fear that it will make it even harder to get them -- but here goes:

We like third floor units facing toward the JW and the golf course, especially in Buildings 2700, 2600 and 2400. These buildings are also close to the main pool.

We've never stayed in 2500, but it overlooks a very nicely designed and very peaceful courtyard. I would have no problem with that building. Likewise, I've never stayed in 2300, but it offers views of the JW/gold course on one side and the quiet pool (which is always virtually empty) on the other. I wouldn't mind this building.

If you have small kids, 3200 or 3300 might be a good choice (they are next to the kid's pool/water park).

When we were there a few weeks ago, they tried to put us in a third floor unit in 3300. I asked for another option because it's next to Tatum Blvd (a very busy/noisy street) and far from the main pool. We got a second floor unit in 2900, which I liked more than I expected. Our balcony felt very private -- even though it overlooked the entrance to the property -- because of trees that provided a nice screen. It's also close to the main pool. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

We have never stayed in a ground floor unit at Canyon Villas, but if you want the morning sun, I think your best choices would be first floor units facing the JW/golf course in 2700, 2600, 2400 or 2300. While you probably get a nice morning sun in the first floor units in 2900 to 3200, I noticed when we recently stayed in 2900 that there is a de facto path in front of first floor units in these buildings that many guests use going to (and coming from) the main pool. I wouldn't like that traffic.

The location preference request form that Canyon Villas now uses doesn't allow you to specify a building -- it only lists things like "near the pool/clubhouse", "upper [or lower] floor", etc.

Hope this helps. Feel free to send a PM if you have other questions. Good luck!
 
Last edited:

Superchief

TUG Member
Joined
May 6, 2009
Messages
4,234
Reaction score
3,217
Location
Cincinnati, OH
JW Pool Access

We will be staying there in early March. I know that the JW pool facilities sometimes have blackout dates (typically on weekends) due to holidays or special events. However, I saw the notice below on the CV resort page:

'Please note, the use of the pool(s) at the JW Desert Ridge Resort & Spa are subject to seasonal availability and/or blackout dates. Fees may apply, inquire at check-in.'

In the past, the blackout dates were posted, but this makes it appear that blackouts can occur at any time. Additionally, I have never seen the 'fees may apply' statement before. I hope this isn't a sign that access to JW will become more limited or require fees. I own EOY and JW access was a key reason for buying a week.
 

Bogeygirl

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2008
Messages
231
Reaction score
2
Location
Niagara Falls, Ontario
IIRC, the top floor of the 2800 building is the primo spot in the complex.

I also recall that the fabric on the couches was slippery and I found that after 5 minutes that I was sliding down and almost horizontal. The next time that I'll be there, I'm going to put one of those rubber non-slide dining room table placemats under by butt and see if it slows down the sliding action. ha ha. :rofl:

But be happy that you got the primo spot in the complex.

That's exactly what we found too - slipping off the pillows and having to keep shoving them back in. But we were thrilled to have gotten our primo spot - I replied to the pre-arrival email and then followed up with a call.
 

SunandFun83

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2012
Messages
510
Reaction score
78
Location
Margaritaville
Resorts Owned
Marriott: Canyon Villas, Grande Vista, Ocean Pointe
Hyatt: Coconut Plantation, Hyatt Pinion Point
Staying at Canyon Villas now

I was at the board meeting two years ago when renovations were discussed. Are other TUGGERS spending too much time on the couch? Phoenix is an outdoor activity town. Get off the couch and enjoy the sunshine!

The kitchen is all new and very classy. Our favorite improvement is the bar stools. They were too deep before and hard to pass around. The stools are now more comfortable and smaller.

The resort has new synthetic pillows. Dust is a big problem in Phoenix and old pillows push my allergies. I usually go to Target and buy a new pillow. This visit I am able to sleep well on the resort pillows.

The sheets fit better. We have king fitted sheets that stay tucked in.

The studio has a mini kitchen upgrade: it now has a 3/4 size fridge, a microwave and a sink/counter-top work area.

The tables have sensible laminate tops. The old table was real wood and did not hold up to heavy daily use. The new tables hold up and are easier to clean.

The living room TV is bigger and has convenient inputs. You can plug your device into the rear of the TV. My wife had to figure it out, but, the inputs are combination component and A/V. Component video is red/green/blue. A/V video is Yellow. I used the flashlight on my iPhone to see that the green input is 1/2 green and 1/2 yellow. I was able to plug in my camera and see pictures of antelope canyon on the big screen.

I counted less than a dozen people at the pool on Tuesday and it was 80 degrees and sunny. That is a great advantage of Canyon Villas. I also played the Faldo golf course at the JW on Monday.

:cool:
 

DB-Wis

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2009
Messages
237
Reaction score
6
Location
Madison, WI
I was at the board meeting two years ago when renovations were discussed. Are other TUGGERS spending too much time on the couch? Phoenix is an outdoor activity town. Get off the couch and enjoy the sunshine!

The kitchen is all new and very classy. Our favorite improvement is the bar stools. They were too deep before and hard to pass around. The stools are now more comfortable and smaller.

The resort has new synthetic pillows. Dust is a big problem in Phoenix and old pillows push my allergies. I usually go to Target and buy a new pillow. This visit I am able to sleep well on the resort pillows.

The sheets fit better. We have king fitted sheets that stay tucked in.

The studio has a mini kitchen upgrade: it now has a 3/4 size fridge, a microwave and a sink/counter-top work area.

The tables have sensible laminate tops. The old table was real wood and did not hold up to heavy daily use. The new tables hold up and are easier to clean.

The living room TV is bigger and has convenient inputs. You can plug your device into the rear of the TV. My wife had to figure it out, but, the inputs are combination component and A/V. Component video is red/green/blue. A/V video is Yellow. I used the flashlight on my iPhone to see that the green input is 1/2 green and 1/2 yellow. I was able to plug in my camera and see pictures of antelope canyon on the big screen.

I counted less than a dozen people at the pool on Tuesday and it was 80 degrees and sunny. That is a great advantage of Canyon Villas. I also played the Faldo golf course at the JW on Monday.

:cool:

SunandFun,

I was slipping off the couch only in the evenings -- after a full day of fun at Canyon Villas!

Seriously, thanks for your efforts with the refurbishments. It is clear a lot of thought went into that effort, and it shows. We really liked the final results! I appreciate the efforts of people like you who work to make Canyon Villas a great place!
 

SunandFun83

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2012
Messages
510
Reaction score
78
Location
Margaritaville
Resorts Owned
Marriott: Canyon Villas, Grande Vista, Ocean Pointe
Hyatt: Coconut Plantation, Hyatt Pinion Point
SunandFun,

I was slipping off the couch only in the evenings -- after a full day of fun at Canyon Villas!

Seriously, thanks for your efforts with the refurbishments. It is clear a lot of thought went into that effort, and it shows. We really liked the final results! I appreciate the efforts of people like you who work to make Canyon Villas a great place!

My wife and I are frequent guests at Canyon Villas. I have not decided to run for the board. Mike Pruyn has been President and has a contested election, I think, in 2016. We always spend some time with Sue Tan(GM) and Lane Palma (Exec Assistant) to talk about the buildings and ideas for improving the resort.

You must reflect a loud enough owner feedback group because MCV Management said they have definitely heard about the slippery couches. They are trying to decide if swapping them out early is a good decision. Has anyone slept on the couch? I recommend you contact Sue Tan or complete the post-stay feedback form.

:cool:
 

SunandFun83

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2012
Messages
510
Reaction score
78
Location
Margaritaville
Resorts Owned
Marriott: Canyon Villas, Grande Vista, Ocean Pointe
Hyatt: Coconut Plantation, Hyatt Pinion Point
New Facebook Group

I started a Facebook page called
Marriott Canyon Villas - Owners Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/558510584312423/

I am trying to keep it as owners only and would really appreciate your help if you ask to join the group. Please send me a message that you own a legacy week and if possible, any indication that you really own.

I have been asking for "Deed ID" which is on your Plan and Review My Vacations page.

FYI: Marriott does not use this ID for anything except maybe a sales contract. The information to access your account is home phone, email, name , address, zip. When you give someone phone and email, they might be able to access your account. I am not asking for email and phone.


:cool:
 
Top