Marriott timeshares with subpar unit locations - Ocean Pointe and Desert Spring II

[nycjimster]

I stay at numerous Marriott timeshares over the years. I was at Ocean Pointe last week, and my assigned unit in the Kingfish building was disappointing. While a short walk to the main resort, the Kingfish building is separated from the main resort by another condo building. The feel of the Kingfish building versus the main resort was totally different. Kingfish had limited activities compared to the hustle and bustle of the main resort. The main resort had numerous activities, restaurants and marketplace to eat and shop, the pool was busy (but not crowded), and there were people all around the resort. The Kingfish location would be ideal if I wanted to avoid people and have a quiet vacation. I had two kids and the Kingfish building was so boring. The only other location I stayed at that is similar is Jasmine Court location in Desert Spring II, which is other side the main complex and you have to drive to get to. I avoid trading to Desert Spring II because traders will like get this location.

 

[dioxide45]

One could say that the Garden View section at Barony is similar.

 

[Dean]

I stay at numerous Marriott timeshares over the years. I was at Ocean Pointe last week, and my assigned unit in the Kingfish building was disappointing. While a short walk to the main resort, the Kingfish building is separated from the main resort by another condo building. The feel of the Kingfish building versus the main resort was totally different. Kingfish had limited activities compared to the hustle and bustle of the main resort. The main resort had numerous activities, restaurants and marketplace to eat and shop, the pool was busy (but not crowded), and there were people all around the resort. The Kingfish location would be ideal if I wanted to avoid people and have a quiet vacation. I had two kids and the Kingfish building was so boring. The only other location I stayed at that is similar is Jasmine Court location in Desert Spring II, which is other side the main complex and you have to drive to get to. I avoid trading to Desert Spring II because traders will like get this location.

I've been to many Marriott's and seen significant variability in unit assignments, views, etc. Obviously there is the variable of owned/reserved unit type vs exchange. But ignoring view type and resorts that don't patricianly have a view like Orlando, I'd say there are a LOT that are worse IMO. They include Surf Club, Ocean Watch, Surfwatch, Barony, Waiohai, Ko Olina. If you qualify to Ocean side or better, I'd still put Surf Club, Ocean Watch and Ko Olina as potentially worse. While the fifth building at OP is separate, the majority is actually a decent to very good view and most is actually OF.

 

[dioxide45]

I've been to many Marriott's and seen significant variability in unit assignments, views, etc. Obviously there is the variable of owned/reserved unit type vs exchange. But ignoring view type and resorts that don't patricianly have a view like Orlando, I'd say there are a LOT that are worse IMO. They include Surf Club, Ocean Watch, Surfwatch, Barony, Waiohai, Ko Olina. If you qualify to Ocean side or better, I'd still put Surf Club, Ocean Watch and Ko Olina as potentially worse. While the fifth building at OP is separate, the majority is actually a decent to very good view and most is actually OF.

I don't think the OP was talking specifically about views, but rather overall desirability. We avoid Kingfish for the same reasons the OP didn't like it. Kingfish building could almost be considered a separate resort from the other buildings if it just had its own checkin desk. While some of the views at Ko'Olina may not be the best. All the buildings are relatively close together and you can easily walk to all areas of the resort. No need to get in the car. The same is true at Surf Club. I agree about Ocean Watch though where the gardenview and ocean view units are in the Woodsy section across the street, but it is still walkable.

 

[Dean]

I don't think the OP was talking specifically about views, but rather overall desirability. We avoid Kingfish for the same reasons the OP didn't like it. Kingfish building could almost be considered a separate resort from the other buildings if it just had its own checkin desk. While some of the views at Ko'Olina may not be the best. All the buildings are relatively close together and you can easily walk to all areas of the resort. No need to get in the car. The same is true at Surf Club. I agree about Ocean Watch though where the gardenview and ocean view units are in the Woodsy section across the street, but it is still walkable.

Yes I understood that which is why I answered it both ways.

 

[mjm1]

.......The only other location I stayed at that is similar is Jasmine Court location in Desert Spring II, which is other side the main complex and you have to drive to get to. I avoid trading to Desert Spring II because traders will like get this location.

We own at DSV1 and have traded into DSVII several times. We have always been assigned to a building in the main portion of the resort rather than the Jasmine Court location. I wouldn't hesitate to trade into DSVII. If you do, I recommend calling the rooms coordinator a couple of weeks before check in and request certain buildings, or at least to be in the main portion of the property. I have been told that some people actually request the Jasmine Court location because it is removed and more quiet.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[BJRSanDiego]

I too have heard that some people prefer Jasmine Court at DSV2. It is a bit more quiet and there are shuttles to take you from Jasmine court to DSV2. Plus they have their own exercise facility, pools, etc. I am also told that some of the best views are to the south, towards the Santa Rosa mountains. So I wouldn't call it "sub par". It is actually a really nice facility.

 

[VacationForever]

The first time we exchanged into DSV II, I asked for Jasmine Court because a couple of TUG threads said the location was desirable. I was assigned there and did not like it. I have stayed at DSV II twice more, once in a fabulous location and the 2nd time without any sort of view. View assignment is based on the luck of the draw, unless you own there. The room assignment folks will strive to give you a room that is satisfactory to an owner of the resort, even if it is through an exchange. We own at DSV I and in our most recent stay at DSV I using II exchange, they swapped our room twice because of the room they sent us to first was not going to be ready hours after check-in time. We were moved to another room and then moved again the following day to a much better room location.

 

[Steve Fatula]

I

I stay at numerous Marriott timeshares over the years. I was at Ocean Pointe last week, and my assigned unit in the Kingfish building was disappointing. While a short walk to the main resort, the Kingfish building is separated from the main resort by another condo building. The feel of the Kingfish building versus the main resort was totally different. Kingfish had limited activities compared to the hustle and bustle of the main resort. The main resort had numerous activities, restaurants and marketplace to eat and shop, the pool was busy (but not crowded), and there were people all around the resort. The Kingfish location would be ideal if I wanted to avoid people and have a quiet vacation. I had two kids and the Kingfish building was so boring. The only other location I stayed at that is similar is Jasmine Court location in Desert Spring II, which is other side the main complex and you have to drive to get to. I avoid trading to Desert Spring II because traders will like get this location.

I have never been assigned to Jasmine court in 20 years as I specify "no jasmine court" when they ask for preference

 

[Luvtoride]

Having been at most of the resorts mentioned (other than Hawaii) and owning at Ocean Pointe and DSV II, I understand the “less desirable” location issues of Kingfish and Jasmine Court. Personally I wouldn’t want to stay at either building/ location and as an owner I doubt I’d ever be assigned at either (and wouldn’t accept it if I was). As an II trader I guess you would have less priority to change out of one of those locations. Let the trader beware.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[EZ-ED]

I stay at numerous Marriott timeshares over the years. I was at Ocean Pointe last week, and my assigned unit in the Kingfish building was disappointing. While a short walk to the main resort, the Kingfish building is separated from the main resort by another condo building. The feel of the Kingfish building versus the main resort was totally different. Kingfish had limited activities compared to the hustle and bustle of the main resort. The main resort had numerous activities, restaurants and marketplace to eat and shop, the pool was busy (but not crowded), and there were people all around the resort. The Kingfish location would be ideal if I wanted to avoid people and have a quiet vacation. I had two kids and the Kingfish building was so boring. The only other location I stayed at that is similar is Jasmine Court location in Desert Spring II, which is other side the main complex and you have to drive to get to. I avoid trading to Desert Spring II because traders will like get this location.

While we have never been to OP your description sounds perfect for us and we prefer the Jasmine Court over DS 1 or 2. So opinions vary as may yours when your children grow older.

 

[Bmerritt]

Our home resort is Ocean Pointe, and we stay there for extended periods of time every year. We agree that the Kingfish building is very separated from the main resort. The staff does try to host some activities at that building, but the bar and snack area do have limited hours, forcing you to walk to the main resort most of the day. The building was being renovated in October 2019, the interior will be new, but the Kingfish will still be in the same old location.

 

[Steve Fatula]

I stay at numerous Marriott timeshares over the years. I was at Ocean Pointe last week, and my assigned unit in the Kingfish building was disappointing. While a short walk to the main resort, the Kingfish building is separated from the main resort by another condo building. The feel of the Kingfish building versus the main resort was totally different. Kingfish had limited activities compared to the hustle and bustle of the main resort. The main resort had numerous activities, restaurants and marketplace to eat and shop, the pool was busy (but not crowded), and there were people all around the resort. The Kingfish location would be ideal if I wanted to avoid people and have a quiet vacation. I had two kids and the Kingfish building was so boring. The only other location I stayed at that is similar is Jasmine Court location in Desert Spring II, which is other side the main complex and you have to drive to get to. I avoid trading to Desert Spring II because traders will like get this location.

I actually like Jasmine Court, it's much quieter. I used to always say on the pre arrival preferences no Jasmine, but now I feel differently. I prefer Jasmine. But it's definitely separated. So, depends what your goal is I suppose. We don't like hustle and bustle! But we go in winter, high season, when it's mostly older folks like us anyway.

You do not have to drive to Jasmine. You pick up the phone, and they come get you very quickly in the shuttle. Definitely not the same as walking for sure. Completely understand your point, just saying not all of us want the same thing. The only thing I don't like about Jasmine is they don't have any of the 2 story dining rooms like dsv2 has elsewhere.

 

[caribbeanqueen]

I will be at Ocean Pointe for the first time in April and specifically asked to not be put in the Kingfish building per others suggestions here. Hoping they honor this request.

 

[dioxide45]

There are some resorts with subpar locations that I prefer. We are at Sheraton Vistana Villages now and they have the Key West Villages section. Located at the back of the resort with a smaller pool away from all the activities. The main pools would be Bella and St Augustine. We are in Bella at the moment, but the other day (while it was still warm) we walked over to Key West to use the pool there. There were no open loungers around Bella, but plenty at Key West.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I stay at numerous Marriott timeshares over the years. I was at Ocean Pointe last week, and my assigned unit in the Kingfish building was disappointing. While a short walk to the main resort, the Kingfish building is separated from the main resort by another condo building. The feel of the Kingfish building versus the main resort was totally different. Kingfish had limited activities compared to the hustle and bustle of the main resort. The main resort had numerous activities, restaurants and marketplace to eat and shop, the pool was busy (but not crowded), and there were people all around the resort. The Kingfish location would be ideal if I wanted to avoid people and have a quiet vacation. I had two kids and the Kingfish building was so boring. The only other location I stayed at that is similar is Jasmine Court location in Desert Spring II, which is other side the main complex and you have to drive to get to. I avoid trading to Desert Spring II because traders will like get this location.

With your extreme disappointment I am surprised that you did not request to be moved to the Sailfish or Dolphin building closer to all the activities........



.

 

[MabelP]

I think that if there are buildings that you do not want to stay in at different locations, you need to let the room assignment department know ahead of time as they strive to please vacationers.

There are many people who love Kingfish (Ocean Pointe) and Jasmine Court (DSII) who are happy to stay in those locations. They are seeking a more quiet and relaxed vacation. Unless you let them know, they will never know! Maintenance Fees are expensive so be proactive. I know I am!

 

[Luckybee]

This thread well explains why there are so many different flavors of ice cream ! We've been to Ocean Pointe twice on exchanges now. The first time( 2004) we didnt like it very much at all and hadn't planned on going back. FF to last year and it fit within our plans for a trip to Florida and we decided to give it one more try. Asked for a quiet location and ended up in the Kingfish building and we loved it. Only problem is now we'd only want to go back if we knew we'd get into that building.
I thought we got lucky expecting our odds wouldnt be good to get it again and expected Kingfish would have been high on the request list. I'm surprised but glad to hear it isnt which makes me more willing to consider OP again . Sounds like our odds for that request are better than I thought.

 

[Quilter]

With your extreme disappointment I am surprised that you did not request to be moved to the Sailfish or Dolphin building closer to all the activities........



.

I was thinking the same thing.

nycjimstrr did you ask to be relocated?

Curious as to what you used to exchange into OP.