Marriott's BeachPlace Towers

[enma]

Has anyone stayed at Marriott's BeachPlace Towers recently? Even the Marriott website warns about extensive elevator wait times due to "necessary elevator upgrades". If I request a lower floor, let's say 6, is it possible to take the stairs?
Are all the units refurbished? If not any idea which ones are? Which view is better, ocean or intercostal view? How far is the beach? I read that it is much cheaper to rent beach chairs from the activity center rather than from the beach, true? Any good advice?
Thanks!

 

[timtax]

Not that bad

I was just at BeachPlace Towers 3 weeks ago. I only had to wait more than a minute once during the 3 days I was there. What a fantastic location. I can't wait to go back again.

Lobby is on the 7th floor. Parking below. Rooms are above. Beach is across the street. No big deal unless you are toting lots of stuff. Intercoastal view was beautiful. You will enjoy the area.

 

[fishandpoi]

I, too, was at Beachplace Towers last month. I love it. No you can't take the stairs. It is a security issue, tho I think they should come up with some way around it. You can take the stairs all the way down to the street level, but you can't go back up. We were on the 16th floor with an intercoastal view. It was beautiful, lots of Christmas lights on the buildings and boats. We went up to the lounge on the top floor to see the ocean. Nothing really to see at night, and the wind off the ocean made the balcony useless. So, in my opinion, the intercoastal side is the way to go. We also never had to wait very long for an elevator. Might be different during, say, spring break season. Beach was easy to get to, I have heard that it is cheaper to rent chairs and umbrellas from Marriott but we didn't use any. Our unit was refurbished. We loved the whole week. Didn't have a car, didn't need one. Took the GoShuttle from the airport. Take the water taxi one evening, it is half price and you still get the whole tour of the lifestyles of the rich and famous (tho some pilots are more informative than others).

 

[minoter]

enma,
There are stairs available to the rooms (not to the parking) as an alternative to the elevator. Hopefully the wait times will not be extensive. The long wait times are generally during checkin and checkout times.
All the villas have been refurbished and have HD TVs and stainless steel appliances.
Both views are wonderful-it depends on your taste. Many owners and guests like the intercoastal view as it is picturesque with views of the intercoastal, Los Alos, and the city lights. The ocean view is spectacular during the day. At night the view is dark onto the ocean and could be noisey with the street activity below.
Early birds can rent beach chairs from activities for a very nominal price. An alternative is to purchase chairs at a local Walgreens. Either option is better than the steep cost of rental on the Beach.
Have fun and please report your experience on TUG or send me a private message through TUG.

Eric Minotti
BeachPlace Board President

 

[pwrshift]

Hi Eric...re: HD TV ... Last year we could only get SD resolution on the HD TV's. Is BP hooked up to HD channels now?

Brian

 

[minoter]

Brian,
Yes--BP has contracted with Direct TV and the HD cards have been added to the TVs.
Eric

 

[normab]

We only waited when there were alot of people checking in--Fri, Sat, Sun. Other than that it was not bad at all. Bigger pain was the parking garage at 4 PM when everyone is leaving the beach--took us 30 minutes to exit. We learned in one visit to leave the parking garage before 3 or after 5....

Norma