Marriott Expansion in Asia and NZ/Australia?

[SharonD]

We just returned from the fabulous Marriott Vacation Club at Phuket, Thailand. A Marriott salesman there told us the following:

Marriott is going to expand aggressively into Asia and the Pacific, with future vacation clubs in Bali, China, New Zealand, Australia (he named some other locations which I have now forgotten since I got excited about those locations, but it was a longer list). He made it sounds like the "future" would be fairly soon.

Marriott is going to have some kind of "points program" (not the regular Marriott rewards program) in Asia that will allow timeshare owners to use points for urban locations, like Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai. The Bangkok location would be the current Mayfair Apartments. He was pretty clear that this wasn't the Marriott rewards program, but it was some kind of points system that would allow "fewer than a week" stays.

OK, this information came from a Marriott salesman, so of course it's taken with a grain of salt. But I thought I'd check... has any one else heard anything like this about future plans for Asia and NZ/Australia? It sounds pretty exciting to me if it's true.

 

[camachinist]

Well, it would make sense that there's something to the disclosure, given the propensity for most salespeople to obviously push their own resort.

I had hoped perhaps Marriott would consider villas at their new Fiji resort, but haven't heard anything to that effect yet.

I'd definitely be interested in something in Australia or New Zealand.

Pat

 

[jancurious]

Sharon,
We went on a timeshare presentation at the Marriott Phuket last month & heard the same thing (but not about the points). There is a big expansion plan for Asia.

It makes sense as land is still so reasonable in this part of the world & the Asian economies are the fastest growing.

Did you enjoy that resort? We just loved it!

Jan

 

[LisaH]

I heard similar stories about Marriott expending into Asia/Pacific region last summer when visiting Marbella. I'd be very interested in buying the Shanghai one if it happens. I grew up there and still have some relatives lviing there.

 

[pwrshift]

There was some talk on TUG about a Marriott timeshare in Italy, somewhere in Tuscany, Italy about a year ago - haven't heard anything since. I know I'd get in line for that one.

Brian

 

[luckydude]

I just came back from Aruba and the salesmanager at the Surf Club said that Marriott was planning a lot of expansion into Europe and Asia. He also said that Marriott didn't see a lot of good opportunities left in the US.

 

[Bizzyb]

We heard this same thing when we stayed at Marriott Phuket in July 2004.
The salesman said they were going to renovate existing Marriott hotels in Asia and make several of the upper floors into timeshare units. The ability to use less than one week was for owners of Asia properties only. They were looking at making the system more flexible for Asia owners since their research found that most Asians don't vacation for more than a few days or a week at one time.

 

[Island_Hopper]

I would be very excited about any potential Marriott properties in Australia.

 

[SharonD]

Great to hear that others have heard this, too! I remember now -- the salesman did mention Fiji as well

Jan, we LOVED the Marriott in Phuket. Easily the best of any of the Marriotts we've stayed at in the past. The service was fantastic and the people at the resort were so friendly. We'll definitely be back. Wish I could be there now!

 

[Cruiser Too]

Jan, we LOVED the Marriott in Phuket. Easily the best of any of the Marriotts we've stayed at in the past. The service was fantastic and the people at the resort were so friendly. We'll definitely be back. Wish I could be there now!

Me Too !!!!

 

[jancurious]

Me Three!

It's a long flight but I would highly encourage people to consider a trade to this resort! (and do some sightseeing while you are there)

Jan