Marriott Grand Chateau Question

[Darlene]

Do they have a decent pool yet?
Darlene

 

[Dave M]

No. Not until (unless?) the next phase is built. There have been reports that construction on the next tower will start in 2012, but I have not seen anything from Marriott confirming that plan.

 

[Mamianka]

Do they have a decent pool yet?
Darlene

We own there. I cannot see it EVER being *decent* as compared to the other ones in LV, even if the fantasy new construction has one bigger than the current rooftop bathtub. But - we do not go there to swim, or see/be seen. Grew up near Cape Cod, go to Florida every winter - LV is a different kind of vacation altogether.

 

[LUV2TRVL2HI]

No. Not until (unless?) the next phase is built. There have been reports that construction on the next tower will start in 2012, but I have not seen anything from Marriott confirming that plan.

We have reservations at Grand Chateau for April 2012, and our confirmation shows "Renovation Information – Third tower construction starts March 1, 2012. Noise, dust, debris and views of construction will be prevalent and somewhat severe at times. Completion date Dec. 31, 2014." It will be interesting to see if it has actually started by the time we get there.

 

[Darlene]

We go to Las Vegas because it's close, and for the shows. It's the "Orlando of the West. I enjoy the mild weather in the winter, and like swimming. Also, we shop, and go to the spa. Don't gamble. I *love* the units at the Grand Chateau and we have stayed there, but like said previously, they have a bath tub on the roof.
Darlene

 

[KauaiMark]

New pool...

Do they have a decent pool yet?
Darlene

My backyard pool is bigger than the current one on the roof.

The new pool (we were told) will be much bigger as it will be on the same level in the new tower(s) as the garage in the current towers and not on the roof of the new towers.

 

[TRAVELING FOOL]

We own there and were just there the end of August. The pool is pitiful, but you can't beat the location. Saw some great shows and ate at some wonderful places. Went to Roy's for our Anniversary and were treated like royalty! Highly recommend it. This was a stop over for us, after visiting family in Wa. State.

 

[dougp26364]

My backyard pool is bigger than the current one on the roof.

The new pool (we were told) will be much bigger as it will be on the same level in the new tower(s) as the garage in the current towers and not on the roof of the new towers.

Keep in mind that they could double the size of the current pool and the new pool would be "much bigger" but still tiny by everyone elses standards.

That being said, the deck between towers 1 & 2 will provide a much larger area for a pool. I doubt it will be anything near what most people expect of Marriott. In my mind, it's most likely to be similar to what they have at Beach Place Towers.

 

[Mamianka]

We have reservations at Grand Chateau for April 2012, and our confirmation shows "Renovation Information – Third tower construction starts March 1, 2012. Noise, dust, debris and views of construction will be prevalent and somewhat severe at times. Completion date Dec. 31, 2014." It will be interesting to see if it has actually started by the time we get there.

That blurb has been up forever - let me know if you REALLY see any evidence of any construction whatsoever when you are there. Like that old Bruce Willis movie, and certain people running for President - Marriott just refuses to admit yet that this is DEAD.

In this economy, I do not think that Marriott/Spinco is going to build anything unless they MUST - they are squeezing every lemon (including us, the owners) for every drop of revenue.

 

[dougp26364]

That blurb has been up forever - let me know if you REALLY see any evidence of any construction whatsoever when you are there. Like that old Bruce Willis movie, and certain people running for President - Marriott just refuses to admit yet that this is DEAD.

In this economy, I do not think that Marriott/Spinco is going to build anything unless they MUST - they are squeezing every lemon (including us, the owners) for every drop of revenue.

They've alreayd begun construction on the second tower of Oceana Palms so, they're still interested in completion of resorts that are in demand. Grand Chateau has been in demand and was selling very well up until the economic collapse.

I'm not certain tower 4 will ever be completed but I am reasonably hopeful that tower 3 will eventually see the light of day. With construction firms in Vegas hurting for business, now might be the perfect time to start construction again.

Grand Chateau was already being sold as a points product before the DC ever saw the light of day. It is in the Asian Pacific program. There were plans to redesign the interior of towers 3 & 4 and sell them as sort of a seperate timeshare from towers 1 & 2. With the new DC, I suppose this is still possible.

Still, there's been enough announcements that construction will begin that I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Mamianka]

They've alreayd begun construction on the second tower of Oceana Palms so, they're still interested in completion of resorts that are in demand. Grand Chateau has been in demand and was selling very well up until the economic collapse.

I'm not certain tower 4 will ever be completed but I am reasonably hopeful that tower 3 will eventually see the light of day. With construction firms in Vegas hurting for business, now might be the perfect time to start construction again.

Grand Chateau was already being sold as a points product before the DC ever saw the light of day. It is in the Asian Pacific program. There were plans to redesign the interior of towers 3 & 4 and sell them as sort of a seperate timeshare from towers 1 & 2. With the new DC, I suppose this is still possible.

Still, there's been enough announcements that construction will begin that I'll believe it when I see it.

A previous thread explained why they are OBLIGATED to finish this build-out at OP. Had to do with permission for other things - and municipal sidewalks, too. This is exactly what I was referring to in my previous response - just did not want to open up that whole thread AGAIN. Marriott has been caught in a tight spot in more than a few locations, what with the downturn in the economy, and has some obligations that they MUST meet. at least the OP site will probably make them some money - to help take the sting out of the places where they are losing it. Building near the ocean makes a lot more sense than adding more towers in over-built LV, and then adding a teensy pool on the top of another tower. In the early blurbs, they stipulated that owners in Tower 1 and 2 could only use villas and services in those towers - which was to forestall the first-day stampede to the *new, big* pool on the new towers - until folks realized that that one was pretty poor, too.

Again - I do not go to Vegas to swim - I save that for other vacations. I also do not see over-priced, cut-down versions of Broadway shows - I am in NYC almost every month, and always get a deal. I suppose that certain destinations offer things that people from other locales want to see and do - we all choose what WE are there for. People here have said they go to Vegas, and do not gamble a dime - we usually gamble less than fifty bucks, and are just as happy doing pennies and nickels. Heck, we have a favorite CHURCH we go to in Vegas - and we do not burst into flame because we saw a show the night before with a little *skin* visible. I suppose that the BIG resort pools have just as much skin visible poolside, anyway.

Mamianka

 

[dioxide45]

A previous thread explained why they are OBLIGATED to finish this build-out at OP. Had to do with permission for other things - and municipal sidewalks, too. This is exactly what I was referring to in my previous response - just did not want to open up that whole thread AGAIN.

Yeah, we don't want a repeat of that thread .

 

[dioxide45]

While LV has some resorts with fantastic pools, I don't think that Grande Château is looking to attract the clientèle that those huge pool resorts attract. LV has plenty of topless and party pools, not something that Marriott wants to have at their family resort. Still a decent pool with pool bar would be a plus.

 

[LAX Mom]

Recently stayed at the Grand Chateau & was very impressed. We had a 2 bedroom on the tower towards the MGM Grand (south).

I have another stay coming up in the 2 bedroom part of the 3 bedroom. Have a couple of questions:
1) Is there just one 3 bedroom unit per floor?
2) I understand the 3 bedrooms are at the end of the hall? Which tower, or are they at the end of both towers?
3) Which tower was constructed first? Any difference in the units?

Thanks so much!

 

[dougp26364]

Recently stayed at the Grand Chateau & was very impressed. We had a 2 bedroom on the tower towards the MGM Grand (south).

I have another stay coming up in the 2 bedroom part of the 3 bedroom. Have a couple of questions:
1) Is there just one 3 bedroom unit per floor?
2) I understand the 3 bedrooms are at the end of the hall? Which tower, or are they at the end of both towers?
3) Which tower was constructed first? Any difference in the units?

Thanks so much!

1 & 2. There is one 3 bedroom unit per floor per tower. So there two 3 bedrooms per floor as it stands with the two towers completed. They are at the end of the hallway and wrap around the end.

3. Tower 1 was constructed first, which is the north tower closest to Planet Hollywood. There isn't suppose to be any difference between towers 1 and 2 but, we've always been placed in tower 1.

 

[LAX Mom]

Doug,

Thanks for the info. We were in tower 2 on our most recent trip. The unit was in good shape, but missing several items when we checked in....hair dryer, iron, blender, and several glasses. I guess housekeeping was just sloppy, but I wondered if the previous occupant had taken some extra items with him/her? I hope not, but I've never had so many missing items in the room.

It was our first stay at the Grand Chateau, but I have several more booked. Our first grandchild was born in Vegas last month and it's now my favorite destination!

I'm taking my parents there in Nov. to see their great-grandson. I can tell from the Marriott site that I have a 2 bedroom lock-off from the 3 bedroom unit. Sounds like it will be a nice view! I loved the location of the Grand Chateau!

 

[dougp26364]

Doug,

Thanks for the info. We were in tower 2 on our most recent trip. The unit was in good shape, but missing several items when we checked in....hair dryer, iron, blender, and several glasses. I guess housekeeping was just sloppy, but I wondered if the previous occupant had taken some extra items with him/her? I hope not, but I've never had so many missing items in the room.

It was our first stay at the Grand Chateau, but I have several more booked. Our first grandchild was born in Vegas last month and it's now my favorite destination!

I'm taking my parents there in Nov. to see their great-grandson. I can tell from the Marriott site that I have a 2 bedroom lock-off from the 3 bedroom unit. Sounds like it will be a nice view! I loved the location of the Grand Chateau!

Did you look under the counters and in drawers? Over the last few years I've noticed Marriott has been hiding things. It actually sort of irritates me when I have to play search and find for a hair dryer or the blender.

Our last stay at MGC was in 2008. We own a 3 bedroom unit and have always used the 2 bedroom master suite when we've used the unit instead of exchanged. Here's a link to our 2008 photo album if you want to see the room layout for yourself. http://dougp26364.smugmug.com/Travel/Grand-Chateau/13690878_DRCzBz#1001382982_HHLb4

 

[LAX Mom]

Thanks for the pictures Doug. That is definitely different than the 2 bedroom lock-off unit we stayed in.

I searched everywhere (closets, drawers, cabinets, etc.) for the hair dryer. There was one in the studio bathroom, but not one in the 1 bedroom master suite. Same with the iron, and I could see it should have been hanging by the iron.

The next day DH discovered there was no blender in the kitchen. I checked in all the cupboards but it wasn't there.

I agree with you that's annoying to have to search for items. They do often get hidden. But in this case they were missing. I hope the prior occupant didn't take them when packing! But how do the blender, iron, hair dryer, beverage pitcher & several glasses end up missing?

 

[RedHook]

Again - I do not go to Vegas to swim - I save that for other vacations. I also do not see over-priced, cut-down versions of Broadway shows - I am in NYC almost every month, and always get a deal. I suppose that certain destinations offer things that people from other locales want to see and do - we all choose what WE are there for. People here have said they go to Vegas, and do not gamble a dime - we usually gamble less than fifty bucks, and are just as happy doing pennies and nickels. Heck, we have a favorite CHURCH we go to in Vegas - and we do not burst into flame because we saw a show the night before with a little *skin* visible. I suppose that the BIG resort pools have just as much skin visible poolside, anyway.

Mamianka

I don't go to Las Vegas to cook. Does that mean MGC should have been built without kitchens?

 

[dougp26364]

Thanks for the pictures Doug. That is definitely different than the 2 bedroom lock-off unit we stayed in.

I searched everywhere (closets, drawers, cabinets, etc.) for the hair dryer. There was one in the studio bathroom, but not one in the 1 bedroom master suite. Same with the iron, and I could see it should have been hanging by the iron.

The next day DH discovered there was no blender in the kitchen. I checked in all the cupboards but it wasn't there.

I agree with you that's annoying to have to search for items. They do often get hidden. But in this case they were missing. I hope the prior occupant didn't take them when packing! But how do the blender, iron, hair dryer, beverage pitcher & several glasses end up missing?

Sounds as if they got packed in someone's suitcase. I hope this doesn't become an issue with timeshares. MF's are high enough already.

 

[kjd]

They must have taken a bath at the tables. Probably headed for the pawn shop with the goods. It's a way of life in Vegas.

 

[maph]

The front desk at the Grand Chateau just confirmed that construction on the third tower will definitely be starting in March & to expect lots of dust and construction noise going forward.

 

[dougp26364]

The front desk at the Grand Chateau just confirmed that construction on the third tower will definitely be starting in March & to expect lots of dust and construction noise going forward.

I hope it does. It's been a long time coming. At one point, sales were so strong they were going to build towers 3 and 4 concurently. The plan also allowed them to save on construction costs. But, because Marriott has indicated more than once they'd be starting construction, I'll wait until I see them get started before getting to excited.

 

[GaryDouglas]

Better late than never...

If you log into My-VacationClub and do a resort search for the Grand Chateau, a pop-up window displays the following (Yea, finally):

The resort will be under construction with an estimated completion date of 2014. Beginning in March 2012, we will be starting the construction process of our third tower. Although noise, dust, debris and views of construction will be prevalent and somewhat severe at times, the amenities and facilities of our completed towers will be fully operational.

 

[kjd]

If they go ahead with tower 3 does anyone know the plan for the elevators? Towers 1 and 2 share the same elevator bank. You can reasonably assume that tower 3 will have a separate bank. Probably to share eventually with tower 4.

Question is have they said if there will be crossover floors between each bank? (I'm not sure I'd want to have a unit on a crossover floor) Or, would one have to go to the lobby to transfer to the other bank? I don't know of many Marriott timeshares that have this problem but I have encountered it in several hotels. Besides the security question it would seem that being on a crossover floor might be a mess during construction.