JW Lazy River Closed

[Superchief]

I am checking in at Canyon Villas today and learned that the Lazy River at the JW is closed because they are building a water park in the area. I'm confident that the water park will be off limits to MCV guests unless a fee is paid. Roy's will also be closing in the near future. Ever since a new owner took over the JW a few years ago, they have been focusing on 'margin enhancement' but replacing free options with 'for fee'. The complimentary lounge chairs around the adult pool have been replaced with premium umbrella+lounge' that cost $50+ per day. This is in addition to a hefty resort fee charged to those at the hotel. These changes greatly diminish the MVC ownership stays. Meanwhile, MF's continue to climb. I may have to look for other MVC option for next March.

I'll post any other information that I learn this week during my stay.

 

[dioxide45]

I am checking in at Canyon Villas today and learned that the Lazy River at the JW is closed because they are building a water park in the area. I'm confident that the water park will be off limits to MCV guests unless a fee is paid. Roy's will also be closing in the near future. Ever since a new owner took over the JW a few years ago, they have been focusing on 'margin enhancement' but replacing free options with 'for fee'. The complimentary lounge chairs around the adult pool have been replaced with premium umbrella+lounge' that cost $50+ per day. This is in addition to a hefty resort fee charged to those at the hotel. These changes greatly diminish the MVC ownership stays. Meanwhile, MF's continue to climb. I may have to look for other MVC option for next March.

I'll post any other information that I learn this week during my stay.

They are doing the same thing over at the JW Grande Lakes that is associated with Lakeshore Reserve. Apparently a fee will be involved and the JW pool will become off limits too.

I agree about the benefits of these types of accoiations between timeshare resorts and hotels. I think the MVC resort boards need to look closely at these types of things and ask owners if they think it is something they are still willing to pay for. I don't know if all resorts have these benefits as a fee on the r bidget or if they are charged as part of a larger master association. If owners knew how much it cost, would they be willing to maintain the agreement?

 

[Superchief]

Last year, the JW was only open to MCV guests for one day of my 7 day stay. The only value I got was the use of their fitness facility, but CV had some weight equipment that the JW didn't have

 

[Safti]

We just checked in to CV on Saturday. In addition to the closings, they used to offer an owners discount at the Spa. That's been removed as well. No discounts and no access. That seems to be the name of the game these days.

 

[Fi2]

Yikes! I’m double booked at the Canyon Villas and Sheraton Desert Oasis for a few days during my daughter’s Easter break. Given this change, which would you choose for a group of 4 visiting for the first time?

I’m taking two newly retired sisters, and my youngest (14) for a few days stay at the rim of the Grand Canyon beforehand, so I imagine they’ll all appreciate some down time enjoying the resort facilities, before or after we venture out (to yet unplanned excursions) during the 5-6 days at the timeshare(s).

Initially, full points reservations were made at the SDO to guarantee villas, but the CV rooms were picked up at a discount, using hold points, if one would consider costs in this equation.

 

[dioxide45]

Yikes! I’m double booked at the Canyon Villas and Sheraton Desert Oasis for a few days during my daughter’s Easter break. Given this change, which would you choose for a group of 4 visiting for the first time?

I’m taking two newly retired sisters, and my youngest (14) for a few days stay at the rim of the Grand Canyon beforehand, so I imagine they’ll all appreciate some down time enjoying the resort facilities, before or after we venture out (to yet unplanned excursions) during the 5-6 days at the timeshare(s).

Initially, full points reservations were made at the SDO to guarantee villas, but the CV rooms were picked up at a discount, using hold points, if one would consider costs in this equation.

If you cancel the MCV it will turn those points into holding account points. So your costs are now the same.

That said, I would pick Canyon Villas.

 

[VacationForever]

We much prefer to stay at Westin Kierland as my one stay at Canyon Villas about 8 years ago offered us no joy... If you haven't tried Kierland yet, you should. Its location cannot be beaten.

 

[Fi2]

If you cancel the MCV it will turn those points into holding account points. So your costs are now the same.

That said, I would pick Canyon Villas

Thank you for your reply! Actually, my current string of four same CV room type nights was booked with my Chairman’s club discount, using my all-too-many hold points, whereas any SDO night kept will come at the full points cost of being booked as soon as Marriott owners had access (and nights cancelled will return borrowed points).

If I had to accept a single room change, to stay at CV the entire time, would that be preferable to moving between timeshares entirely? (I’d definitely move to try the Westin, given the chance, but I have not seen a single night open up for the month of April!)

 

[Fi2]

We much prefer to stay at Westin Kierland as my one stay at Canyon Villas about 8 years ago offered us no joy... If you haven't tried Kierland yet, you should. Its location cannot be beaten.

I’ve been looking daily, or at least on the days I remember to earn extra sweepstakes entries (no real prizes for me yet), but with no luck thus far!

 

[larryallen]

We much prefer to stay at Westin Kierland as my one stay at Canyon Villas about 8 years ago offered us no joy... If you haven't tried Kierland yet, you should. Its location cannot be beaten.

Agreed. Kierland is great! Tons of great restaurants in walking distance. Plus the Westin hotel has an incredible pool area. For the win!