Marriott's Canyon Villas at Desert Ridge

[Ubil]

I did an exchange search on II for Phoenix. It is showing efficiency availability for MCV. The search results do not show any kitchen symbols (i.e., LK or K). Don't the efficiencies at MCV have any kitchen facilities at all? The II "Resort Details" and the MCV web site available to non-owners don't say anything about it.

Also, is there anything reason to prefer Sheraton Desert Oasis over MCV?

 

[Lawlar]

No Frills

We stayed in a lock-off (studio) at MCV three weeks ago (I posted a review here on TUG). We had a great time there (the pools/jacuzzi are wonderful - it was quiet and the art museum is great).

Th studio is very small. There was a tiny refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot. That's it. The balcony helped give us a little more room. For my wife and me it was ok. When we had the granddaughter spend two nights it was really cramped.

There is a really nice mall about 5 blocks from MCV. It has a number of good restaurants. That is where we ate our meals. We did have cereal and coffee in the room a few mornings. You can also buy sandwhiches at the grocery store at the mall and store it in the refrigerator (or buy frozen food, if that appeals to you). The food choices at the resort are very limited.

 

[pwrshift]

I can't make a comparison to the Sheraton, but do own at MCV. Studios in most Marriotts are nothing more than a large hotel room (king bed, sofabed, table/2 chairs, kitchenette, balcony with table/2 chairs. The biggest advantage to Canyon Villas is hopping on the shuttle (or walking) over to the JW Marriott Desert Ridge - it's the largest hotel resort in AZ and has about 7 restaurants which you can charge back to your room and earn Marriott Reward points...and all the pools and lazy river are great fun, along with drinks and eats delivered to your lounge. Nice. A small hotel room at the JW will probably set you back over $500 a night plus a nightly charge for your laptop....but it has room service and they make your beds.

Brian

added thought...the JW has a limited menu from which they will deliver to you at Canyon Villas.

 

[jaypea]

Efficiency Suite Has Limited Kitchen Facilities

We are owners at MCV and have only used the full 2 BR villa or the 1 BR villa, both of which have the full kitchen. The efficiency suite is the 2nd bedroom of the larger villa. You can probably find a layout of the units on the vacationworld website.

Upon entering the room, there will be a bathroom on one side and a 4-5 foot kitchen counter with a sink on the other side of the entrance. Underneath the counter is a garbage area, some storage space and a mini-refrigerator. Above is a microwave and sliding cupboards, with some dishware. I think there is a coffee maker as well.

The room itself is not very wide, but has a king bed. There is only about 4 feet from the end of the bed to the wall, where there will be the locked off door to the 1 BR villa side. Next to the bed is a sofa bed facing a desk and chair. Sort of like a junior hotel suite. The sofa bed in this room is quite small, maybe only a twin while the sofa bed in the villa side is either a double or queen.

Getting a 1 BR villa is far more spacious. It is a lot of room for 2 people, but after a week, I would feel cramped staying in the smaller room. However, the efficiency room still has a small balcony and the sofa/sitting area, which may be just right for many.

 

[grgs]

Also, is there anything reason to prefer Sheraton Desert Oasis over MCV?

The smaller half of the LO at SDO is a true one bedroom unit, albeit with a kitchenette. I would definitely prefer it to the typical Marriott studio. You can see the floorplan here:

http://www.starwoodvacationownership.com/sheraton_desert_oasis/onebedroom_villa.jsp

Glorian