Marriott's Canyon Villas, Phoenix, AZ. Have you stayed there in 2024?

[CalGalTraveler]

Might be worth a visit someday for the waterpark. My son would love it. How does it compare to the lazy river and slide at Westin Kierland?

FWIW We just cancelled a stay for this fall because their website indicated that this resort was undergoing renovations and we didn't want to hassle with the noise and dust.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Hello,

I'm wondering if any MVC Owners have vacationed at Canyon Villas in 2024?

The reviews on www.tripadvisor.com are not very impressive, and call attention to worn out villas.

I'm wondering how accurate those reviews are.

Thank you.

I stayed there in February this year for a business trip and the units were a bit worn out, but I loved the location and it was close to our manufacturing plant

 

[WBP]

Might be worth a visit someday for the waterpark. My son would love it. How does it compare to the lazy river and slide at Westin Kierland?

FWIW We just cancelled a stay for this fall because their website indicated that this resort was undergoing renovations and we didn't want to hassle with the noise and dust.

I believe "AquaRidge" at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge is superior to the pool area at Westin Kierland Villas and to the pool area at the Westin Kierland Resort, HOWEVER, the JW Marriott AquaRidge does not have the wave feature that the Westin Kierland does.

I believe the true answer to your question is best provided by kids. As adults, we enjoyed the adult features of AquaRidge; we may be young at heart, but no longer in soul, so we were not climbing to the top of the waterslide.

 

[WBP]

Might be worth a visit someday for the waterpark. My son would love it. How does it compare to the lazy river and slide at Westin Kierland?

FWIW We just cancelled a stay for this fall because their website indicated that this resort was undergoing renovations and we didn't want to hassle with the noise and dust.

PS: There is substantial work (villa refurbishment) going on at Westin Kierland Villas, now. That same activity is scheduled to begin in November 2024, at Marriott's Canyon Villas.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

@WBP Good to know. Do you know when the Westin Kierland Villas refurb will end? We will be staying at the end of Oct. I couldn't get 2 more days added onto WKV so now planning on SDO (was Canyon Villas).

 

[dioxide45]

@WBP Good to know. Do you know when the Westin Kierland Villas refurb will end? We will be staying at the end of Oct. I couldn't get 2 more days added onto WKV so now planning on SDO (was Canyon Villas).

The HUB only has this to say about construction at Westin Kierland Villas;

The Westin Kierland Villas will be undergoing an enhancement project from May 6, 2024, to Jun. 11, 2024. Demolition will occur during the week of May 6. Please anticipate contractors and construction noise between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

I know they were doing villa renovations last year. Perhaps some of that could also carry through to this year. I don't know the full status of villa renovations The above may be referring to the installation of a pickleball court at the resort that happened earlier this year.

 

[tamu_bu]

We left WKV yesterday. The reference to construction has to have been the pickleball court. Didn't see any other construction. For that matter, we never heard the pickleball construction. It wasn't an inconvenience whatsoever. It's almost complete. The court was painted but net wasn't up yet as of 6/6.

 

[Dana123me]

Here is the info I received from canyon villas for a upcoming stay

We are pleased to announce that Marriott’s Canyon Villas is currently undergoing a soft goods renovation. The renovation will take place from July to November, and we are very excited to show you the newly renovated villas & lobby experience. The villas will have updated carpet, dishwasher, sofas, mattresses, & many more upgrades to enhance your future stay with us.

During the renovation period, one building will be renovated at a time. Work will commence from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm daily. As a result, there may be some construction noise and we apologize for any inconvenience it may cause. We appreciate your patience and understanding during your stay as we enhance the resort.

 

[4Reliefnow]

Do they still have the shuttle to the grocery store?

No Shuttle.

 

[dioxide45]

No Shuttle.

I wonder why? Not enough demand? Trying to keep costs for the HOA down? I think most people who go there probably have a car.

 

[Superchief]

There are public buses across the street from the JW that go to the mall and other places. I've never taken one, but they appear to run frequently and there is usually one sitting there. I noticed that one of the buses listed the airport as a destination. Has anyone taken a bus to/from the airport from there? This would be a good option for those without cars.

 

[Dean]

I wonder why? Not enough demand? Trying to keep costs for the HOA down? I think most people who go there probably have a car.

I wonder what resorts have a shuttle. I know LV does.

 

[The Colorado Kid]

The "AquaRidge" area at the JW is very nice. We were just there, so, as you can imagine, there were a lot of kids (summer, school vacation), who appeared to be in absolute heaven, as evidenced by the smile on their face. If Marriott is smart, they target their product design, and subliminal marketing to these kids, who "pull on their parent's heart strings" to vacation at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge.

AqaRidge has several parts, there is the excellent lazy river, two water slides, and a private island-like retreat (Adult Only). The JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge has maxed out their "cash-grab capacity," at the AquaRidge/pool area, by converting a lot of poolside chase lounges, to private cabanas, and adding the private island, that have huge price tags/upcharge potential associated with them. The number of non-additional revenue generating chase lounges around the pool, have been dramatically reduced, and are in non-premium areas of the pool deck. However, it is hard to have anything but a great time, pool-side at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge.

If you are a guest at Canyon Villas, presently, Canyon Villas guests have access to the JW, Sunday to Thursday. The JW has the ability to otherwise "black-out" seven days a week, if they anticipate high demand, pool-side. There is no longer a shuttle between Canyon Villas and the JW, which, in my opinion, is disappointing, but, that could have been done to control the Canyon Villas foot traffic at the JW. If you want to visit the JW, and you are staying at Canyon Villas, you can walk (forget that when it's 115 degrees out), or you can self-park at the JW for $12.00 (for 12 hours).

Poolside food and beverages at the JW are very expensive, as are snacks from the hotel lobby Gift Shop. The only "affordable" venue is the Starbucks, in the lobby of the hotel. For example, two chicken ceasar salads, at the golf club restaurant, no beverages, nothing else, were $56.00 plus tax and gratuity. The JW does not allow you to bring food and beverage into the pool area, and they inspect your bags, as you enter the pool are, and confiscate your food.

@WBP What a great summary! I am staying at the MCV first time soon...when I trek over to the JDub...how do I best find the entry point to the pool area and how do I prove I belong there?

 

[dioxide45]

@WBP What a great summary! I am staying at the MCV first time soon...when I trek over to the JDub...how do I best find the entry point to the pool area and how do I prove I belong there?

You will need to get a wristband from the Canyon Villas front desk. Just enter through the lobby.

 

[dioxide45]

I wonder what resorts have a shuttle. I know LV does.

LV?

As for resorts with shuttles that go off site, I don't think there are many. I know Westin Kierland Villas has one that goes to the grocery store and to Kierland Commons.

 

[Dean]

LV?

As for resorts with shuttles that go off site, I don't think there are many. I know Westin Kierland Villas has one that goes to the grocery store and to Kierland Commons.

Las Vegas has a shuttle that goes about 3 times a week to Wal Mart

 

[dioxide45]

Las Vegas has a shuttle that goes about 3 times a week to Wal Mart

Got it, I wasn't aware that Grand Chateau had such a shuttle. Is there a fee or is it complementary? Harborside Resort has a grocery shuttle that runs Sat, Sun and Mon but there is a $12 fee as it is an outside vendor that operates it.

 

[Dean]

Got it, I wasn't aware that Grand Chateau had such a shuttle. Is there a fee or is it complementary? Harborside Resort has a grocery shuttle that runs Sat, Sun and Mon but there is a $12 fee as it is an outside vendor that operates it.

When we were there last it was complementary to the Wal Mart about 4-5 miles away. It ran on a schedule mid morning I believe.. I swear I've heard recently about another location that has a shuttle which is why I asked about others, it might have been Park City but I'm not certain.

 

[Superchief]

LV?

As for resorts with shuttles that go off site, I don't think there are many. I know Westin Kierland Villas has one that goes to the grocery store and to Kierland Commons.

Newport Coast Villas used to have a free shuttle to a local shopping center, Laguna, and Crystal Cove park, but we haven't been there in a few years.

 

[jwalk03]

Newport Coast Villas used to have a free shuttle to a local shopping center, Laguna, and Crystal Cove park, but we haven't been there in a few years.

They do still have it. I don't remember all the specifics but I remember seeing it mentioned on the activity sheet

 

[jwalk03]

Las Vegas has a shuttle that goes about 3 times a week to Wal Mart

I don't remember any mention of a grocery shuttle when we were there in March. Though we just ordered from Wal Mart and had our groceries delivered so I wasn't really looking for the info either.

 

[The Colorado Kid]

You will need to get a wristband from the Canyon Villas front desk. Just enter through the lobby.

@dioxide45 thanks much!

 

[Huskerpaul]

Newport Coast Villas used to have a free shuttle to a local shopping center, Laguna, and Crystal Cove park, but we haven't been there in a few years.

When we were there last month the shuttle only went to Laguna and Crystal Cove. I asked about Fashion Island and they said they don't go there any longer. We used the shuttle multiple times and found it really convenient.

 

[The Colorado Kid]

When we were there last month the shuttle only went to Laguna and Crystal Cove. I asked about Fashion Island and they said they don't go there any longer. We used the shuttle multiple times and found it really convenient.

@Huskerpaul - what is Crystal Cove and Laguna? Worth the trip on the shuttle?

 

[Huskerpaul]

@Huskerpaul - what is Crystal Cove and Laguna? Worth the trip on the shuttle?

The town of Laguna Beach and the Crystal Cove beach area which is a state park I believe. Both were great. The shuttle to Laguna Beach ran every two hours and Crytsal Cove ran every hour. Laguna Beach has lots of great places to eat. We went to Oliver's Osteria and highly recommend it for great Italian food. Crystal Cove has The Beachcomber restraunt. We did not eat there but it looked good. Right on the beach. Crystal Cove might not be the best beach in the area, but you can't beat the ease of access with the shuttle from NCV.