Marriott's Ocean Watch Villas at Grand Dunes/Just used an AC

[hajjah]

I’m shocked that an AC pulled this resort after 7:00 AM. I search daily and Marriotts haven’t been available this year, even though I space banked 4 Marriott weeks with II to get the AC’s. It's been at least 10 years since we’ve been in Myrtle Beach. I couldn’t find any updated information on TUG as to building and unit suggestions. It will be for the last week in January, so the temperature may be cold. What buildings should I request? I did read that there is an indoor pool just in case I decide to invite a friend with children. What is there to do in Myrtle Beach during the winter? I’m just glad to be able to use an AC before it expires in February. I have 3 more that end in May, but they are only pulling the Sheratons. Btw, I only use my AC's for Marriotts so I can get the 7 nights and bonus points.

 

[dioxide45]

I’m shocked that an AC pulled this resort after 7:00 AM. I search daily and Marriotts haven’t been available this year, even though I space banked 4 Marriott weeks with II to get the AC’s. It's been at least 10 years since we’ve been in Myrtle Beach. I couldn’t find any updated information on TUG as to building and unit suggestions. It will be for the last week in January, so the temperature may be cold. What buildings should I request? I did read that there is an indoor pool just in case I decide to invite a friend with children. What is there to do in Myrtle Beach during the winter? I’m just glad to be able to use an AC before it expires in February. I have 3 more that end in May, but they are only pulling the Sheratons. Btw, I only use my AC's for Marriotts so I can get the 7 nights and bonus points.

What is the unit code associated with the week you confirmed? You can find this on the Exchange tab in the My History section of your II account.

BTW, you can get the 7 Elite nights for Sheraton exchanges. You may also get the 1,000 welcome points, but that isn't a promised benefit for Vistana timeshare stays.

Generally, ACs don't pull Marriott properties except for more last minute stuff. Kind of like what you found here. We scored a last minute Ocean Pointe on an AC, but right now none of our ACs see Marriott's more than 60 days out and even last minute stuff is rare. Most likely cancellations and last minute deposits.

 

[hajjah]

The unit is: Unit: HTOGA (2 Bedrooms). I have stayed at the Sheraton Vistana several times after they became affiliated with Marriot. As a matter of fact, I was there 2 weeks ago. There are still some things needing to done in order to be on par with Marriott, but at least I have 7 nights in my account and 1000 points.

Btw, before this year I was pulling Marriotts with AC's all the time. Things changed drastically this year even though I space banked my Marriotts into II. And, you are correct, what I’m seeing now are very last minute cancellations.

 

[dioxide45]

TOGA is a gardenview. If they go by that you would be in the Woodsy section (Maple or Pine). I think floors 7 and below are garden view.

TOGA....Ocean Watch.................Garden View........2BR unit.
TBOF....Ocean Watch.................Ocean Front........2BR unit.
TWOS....Ocean Watch.................Ocean Side.........2BR unit.
TBOV....Ocean Watch.................Ocean View.........2BR unit.

ACs and Marriott have gone in waves. Many years ago, there was plenty of AC availability and Marriott's showed up pretty often. Then a few years before the pandemic, Marriott's were more or less blocked from AC availability. This was reported several years back and generally Marriott's were not seen with ACs except for some last minute or off season and smaller units. There are of course exceptions for those with persistence. That changed with COVID and 2020 and early 2021 it was pretty easy to pull a Marriott with ACs. We got Oceana Palms, Grande Vista, Cypress Harbour, Harbour Lake and Barony Beach Club on ACs. The past couple years certainly can't be used as a guide for how things will be in the future.

 

[hajjah]

Thanks so much for your help. Since this was a last minute find, I’ll appreciate a high floor in whatever building I’m assigned. Or, should I request a particular building? We may not participate in too many activities or even use the pools.

 

[pedro47]

Garden views are not bad, especially anything passed the seven (7) floor.
You will be over looking the outdoor pool area and the children playground area.
The garden view two buildings have an indoor pool within walking distance from both building.

 

[dioxide45]

Garden views are not bad, especially anything passed the seven (7) floor.

From what I understand, everything above the 7th floor in Woodsy is considered Ocean View.

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks so much for your help. Since this was a last minute find, I’ll appreciate a high floor in whatever building I’m assigned. Or, should I request a particular building? We may not participate in too many activities or even use the pools.

I don't think it matters much between Pine or Maple. You can try requesting one of the ocean side/ocean front buildings and perhaps with low season they may put you in it. Doesn't hurt. But if they keep you in garden view, I think the highest floor is the 7th.

 

[pedro47]

Just enjoy your vacation at Ocean Watch. You are near some great restaurants and groceries stores.

 

[dioxide45]

The highest floor, I think is the 16th floor in the Pine or Maple buildings. I know for a fact there are more than seven (7) floor in the Ocean Watch Pine or Maple buildings.

Yes, there are more than 7 floors. But in Maple and Pine, the Garden View villas only go to the 7th floor (I think). Above that it is Ocean View villas. The OP is confirmed into a GV villa (via the code).