New Timber Lodge 3 bd villas

[Latravel]

I just got a postcard in the mail that says Marriott is offering new 3 bedroom fixed week villas in Timber Lodge which they are offering first to current Timber Lodge owners. This is part of phase 3 in the development and will be offered at special pricing to current Timber Lodge owners until Dec. 31. They also mentioned that people can upgrade their current platinum or platinum plus for the new units. They also stressed that the units can be traded for every year Marriott reward points so it appears points are still their main selling point.

I am really considering this offer though they don't mention any prices. I am hoping that they have lowered their costs for platinum plus units and I could then upgrade my platinum 2 bd for not much more. I will be there in 3 weeks so I figure I may be able to negotiate an upgrade.

Has anyone negotiated an upgrade before and do you have any ideas? Is this a crazy idea in this current economy (which is not affecting my family) or should I take advantage of the weak sales? I am NOT willing to give up my ability to trade for points so I am not interested in purchasing on the resale market.

 

[ondeadlin]

If they're ever going to negotiate on price, they're going to negotiate now.

If you seriously consider it, don't accept less for your trade-in than you paid. Given the awful market, they might eventually accept your offer (after first telling you no way, two or three times, and insisting that the 3BRs are flying out the door, about to increase in price, about to all be spoken for, etc.).

 

[lll1929]

Do these 3 bdrms trade as 2bdrm and lockoff or 2bdrm and 1bdrm like Grand Chateau in Vegas?

 

[Latravel]

They don't mention if they can be locked off but I assume they can be split. They did mention that all 3 bd units have a balcony.

 

[Dave M]

The existing 3BR (and 2BR) units there are all lockouts, so it's logical that the new ones would be, too. Also, the floorplans for the existing #BR units include a 2BR and a studio, not a 1BR. Logically, the new ones would be similar.

 

[kjd]

I was there in September and toured the 3 bedroom. We stayed in a two bedroom. The three bedroom IMHO is not as nice as the three bedroom at the Grand Chateau. I seem to recall that the Timber Lodge unit locked off into a two bedroom and a studio. No full kitchen. The master bathroom is also not as nice as the MGC.

There are only a few balcony rooms at TL and we had one but it was more decorative than functional. I don't recall if the three bedroom had a balcony. However, I do like the atmosphere and location of TL. I would like to return there for a vacation.

In sitting down with the sales people they were considering a trade in with my two bedroom unit at Grand Vista. They said that the numbers wouldn't work with my two bedroom unit at the Grand Chateau. When I told them that I purchased the Grand Vista at resale, the meeting was over. They sort of had a hissey-fit. Anyway, I got 10,000 MR points.

 

[Latravel]

So the big news they were advertising is the special pricing, not the fact there are 3 bds. They did mention that all new 3 bds have balconys.

Either way, if the current pricing is lower than before, it may work out that I could upgrade for not much more since I bought at full price. I could be dreaming, too.