Nice Marriott Grand Chateau experience

[MOXJO7282]

Just got back from a week at the MGC. We had a 3BDRM unit and were placed on the 32nd floor facing the Strip. Very nice views from a very spacious and well appointed room. How I wish every lock-off were so nice. Basically a 1BDRM unit with kitchen and laundry that a couple could be very comfortable in. Resort itself was also very nice. Best gym that I've seen at any of the Marriott TSs. Loved the steam room. The resort had a very nice bar in the lobby. The location for me was excellent. I really don't think I'd want to be right on the Strip so being just a block off the Strip was perfect. And the close proximity to the airport is always a positive for me.

The first half of the week I had some buddies join me and we had a lot of fun gambling and partying. It was the first time gambling for me in a true casino and I loved the experience. It was so much fun playing blackjack at 4 in the morning. I'm happy to say I played every day for multiple hours and only lost less than $300 which I thought was an acceptable amount given how much I played. At one point I was up $800 but I think the fix was in and I ended up losing it all and then some but all in good fun. I did win $50 on a slot machine at the airport so that helped the bottom line a little.

Then Thursday thru Sunday my wife and son came and friends left so that made for a great week throughout. My son and I played some cards and that was a fun experience. We had one excellent night where we won $200 and then 2 sessions where we lost but we played for hours. We also went to the Hoover Dam and the Red Rock Canyon. Both were excellent day trips within a 30 minutes of the resort. The Red Rock Canyon was absolutely amazing with the colors the mountains in that area had. I can't wait to go back just to explore that area even more. Las Vegas is definitely much more than just the casinos.

Las Vegas is also a food mecca, We had some amazing meals, some not so much but overall I think it has so much to offer in every category that it was truly very enjoyable. Right by the resort is Nacho Daddy which is a top quality Mexican Cantina that we enjoyed a few times during the week. We also enjoyed a Peking Duck dinner at Blossom that was amazing and another great Asian meal at China Mama. If you're in Vegas and want an amazing spicy beef dish try the Mongolian Beef at China Mama. One of the best meals period I've ever had.

The Strip was definitely an interesting experience. The glitz and grandeur of the casinos is amazing. The smell of pot is pervasive. The number of scantly dressed young woman was disturbing. I'm pot friendly so that didn't bother me but I could see so older folks were really bothered by it and it should be better policed so it isn't done in the open. The dancing girls were more of a concern for me. Not that it bothered me but I felt so bad for those girls who clearly are being exploited.

Overall another great Marriott TS experience. I enjoyed it so much that I made an offer to purchase a 3BDRM unit and hope the deal goes through.

 

[davidvel]

Just got back from a week at the MGC. We had a 3BDRM unit and were placed on the 32nd floor facing the Strip. Very nice views from a very spacious and well appointed room. How I wish every lock-off were so nice. Basically a 1BDRM unit with kitchen and laundry that a couple could be very comfortable in. Resort itself was also very nice. Best gym that I've seen at any of the Marriott TSs. Loved the steam room. The resort had a very nice bar in the lobby. The location for me was excellent. I really don't think I'd want to be right on the Strip so being just a block off the Strip was perfect. And the close proximity to the airport is always a positive for me.

The first half of the week I had some buddies join me and we had a lot of fun gambling and partying. It was the first time gambling for me in a true casino and I loved the experience. It was so much fun playing blackjack at 4 in the morning. I'm happy to say I played every day for multiple hours and only lost less than $300 which I thought was an acceptable amount given how much I played. At one point I was up $800 but I think the fix was in and I ended up losing it all and then some but all in good fun. I did win $50 on a slot machine at the airport so that helped the bottom line a little.

Then Thursday thru Sunday my wife and son came and friends left so that made for a great week throughout. My son and I played some cards and that was a fun experience. We had one excellent night where we won $200 and then 2 sessions where we lost but we played for hours. We also went to the Hoover Dam and the Red Rock Canyon. Both were excellent day trips within a 30 minutes of the resort. The Red Rock Canyon was absolutely amazing with the colors the mountains in that area had. I can't wait to go back just to explore that area even more. Las Vegas is definitely much more than just the casinos.

Las Vegas is also a food mecca, We had some amazing meals, some not so much but overall I think it has so much to offer in every category that it was truly very enjoyable. Right by the resort is Nacho Daddy which is a top quality Mexican Cantina that we enjoyed a few times during the week. We also enjoyed a Peking Duck dinner at Blossom that was amazing and another great Asian meal at China Mama. If you're in Vegas and want an amazing spicy beef dish try the Mongolian Beef at China Mama. One of the best meals period I've ever had.

The Strip was definitely an interesting experience. The glitz and grandeur of the casinos is amazing. The smell of pot is pervasive. The number of scantly dressed young woman was disturbing. I'm pot friendly so that didn't bother me but I could see so older folks were really bothered by it and it should be better policed so it isn't done in the open. The dancing girls were more of a concern for me. Not that it bothered me but I felt so bad for those girls who clearly are being exploited.

Overall another great Marriott TS experience. I enjoyed it so much that I made an offer to purchase a 3BDRM unit and hope the deal goes through.

I've been going to Vegas for over 30 years, and your overall description is typical and basically unchanged over the years. Certainly another world, but with perspective, can be a whole lot of fun.

Totally agree that the worst part is the number of those that are in horrible jobs, or those that are outright exploited. No one should be supporting that.

 

[Retired2025 aka AlmostRetired]

I enjoyed it so much that I made an offer to purchase a 3BDRM unit and hope the deal goes through.

Be patient. it is interesting what is going on in the resale market. The ask price has gone up significantly for both Grande Ocean and Grand Chateau. I picked up a MGO for 9400 (Oceanside) 3 months ago and now the cheapest one I can find is 15900.. The ask was 10,500 when I offered 9400. I am looking for another one and offered 11000 a number of times with no takers. I picked up the annual 3 bedroom MGC for 3500. The ask was 5000. This is a trader for me. I am thinking of picking up another one so I have following prices. Again the ask has gone up. There is no reason for the increase so I am waiting to see what happens. I am hoping anyone looking to get out will have more incentive after paying MF. We will see. Good luck.

 

[MOXJO7282]

Be patient. it is interesting what is going on in the resale market. The ask price has gone up significantly for both Grande Ocean and Grand Chateau. I picked up a MGO for 9400 (Oceanside) 3 months ago and now the cheapest one I can find is 15900.. The ask was 10,500 when I offered 9400. I am looking for another one and offered 11000 a number of times with no takers. I picked up the annual 3 bedroom MGC for 3500. The ask was 5000. This is a trader for me. I am thinking of picking up another one so I have following prices. Again the ask has gone up. There is no reason for the increase so I am waiting to see what happens. I am hoping anyone looking to get out will have more incentive after paying MF. We will see. Good luck.

I know you got that great deal and in the past I would've been more aggressive but it is a seller's marker right now so I offered and was accepted at $4500 which I still think is a pretty good price in this market. I wouldn't purchase a 2BDRM at any price but the 3BDRM units in the Marriott system are special, none more so than the MGC with the 1BDRM LOs so I'm always in the market for them at the right price. For me MGC will be a trader and something I will use from time to time.

 

[dioxide45]

I know you got that great deal and in the past I would've been more aggressive but it is a seller's marker right now so I offered and was accepted at $4500 which I still think is a pretty good price in this market. I wouldn't purchase a 2BDRM at any price but the 3BDRM units in the Marriott system are special, none more so than the MGC with the 1BDRM LOs so I'm always in the market for them at the right price. For me MGC will be a trader and something I will use from time to time.

From what some have reported, the premium one has to pay (purchase price and MF) isn't necessarily worth the additional trade advantage. Generally, for many trades, you can get the same exchanges using the 1BR and studio from the 2BR lock off. You do save a couple of upgrade fees. So a couple hundred in savings there, but that is eaten up by the increased maintenance fees on the 3BR vs the 2BR. I recall one person here saying they sold their EOY 3BR at MGC and instead picked up an annual 2BR MGC. It seems the 3BR MGC will work out from a home resort usage standpoint, so I wish you luck on your new purchase.

 

[MOXJO7282]

From what some have reported, the premium one has to pay (purchase price and MF) isn't necessarily worth the additional trade advantage. Generally, for many trades, you can get the same exchanges using the 1BR and studio from the 2BR lock off. You do save a couple of upgrade fees. So a couple hundred in savings there, but that is eaten up by the increased maintenance fees on the 3BR vs the 2BR. I recall one person here saying they sold their EOY 3BR at MGC and instead picked up an annual 2BR MGC. It seems the 3BR MGC will work out from a home resort usage standpoint, so I wish you luck on your new purchase.

Does the 2BDRM LO into 1BDRM units?

I see us using it most of the times and of course renting it. With our portfolio I think it really compliments our other properties in Maui and Newport. Maybe we'll use it as a stop over for Maui and using for some of the week and then renting or giving the rest to family or friends. With the 1BDRM LO we could be very comfortable using that while renting or trading the 2BDRM. Many different possibilities.

 

[dioxide45]

Does the 2BDRM LO into 1BDRM units?

I see us using it most of the times and of course renting it. With our portfolio I think it really compliments our other properties in Maui and Newport. Maybe we'll use it as a stop over for Maui and using for some of the week and then renting or giving the rest to family or friends. With the 1BDRM LO we could be very comfortable using that while renting or trading the 2BDRM. Many different possibilities.

No, the 2BR is a standard Marriott lock off; Studio and 1BR.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Today I went to Pampas Brazilian Grill across the street from the Grand Chateau in the Miracle Mile. The "rack rate" for evening dinner is $58, but with the Marriott activities card I got a 50% discount. That is not a typo. So I ended up paying only around $29 per person for a multi-course dinner. Considering the quality and quantity of food that we got, I thought that it was a good deal.

 

[Retired2025 aka AlmostRetired]

From what some have reported, the premium one has to pay (purchase price and MF) isn't necessarily worth the additional trade advantage. Generally, for many trades, you can get the same exchanges using the 1BR and studio from the 2BR lock off. You do save a couple of upgrade fees. So a couple hundred in savings there, but that is eaten up by the increased maintenance fees on the 3BR vs the 2BR. I recall one person here saying they sold their EOY 3BR at MGC and instead picked up an annual 2BR MGC. It seems the 3BR MGC will work out from a home resort usage standpoint, so I wish you luck on your new purchase.

As I have mentioned in the past, so I apologize for the repeat, I had a 2 bedroom EOY at the MGC, purchased in 2015 that I sold this year for an annual 3 bedroom. The big difference is the 2 br and 1 br of the 3 bedroom has significant trading power over the 1 br and studio of the 2 bedroom in hard to trade places during peak seasons.

We are a beach family and tied to a school schedule. Summer HHI is a favorite trade choice (MGO and Monarch) allowing me to rent my HHI weeks to fund vacations outside of timeshares or have extended vacation time in HHI.

I got 4 years or 8 trades worth of experience with the 2 br with some great trades (st Thomas in April, Oceana palms in May, Aruba summer, MGO Labor Day to name a few) but they were all traded with immediate trades with frequent searches looking for best place available. To be clear, this is a point of information not a complaint because we got great trades.

With the 2 bedroom side of the 3 bedroom I put in a trade request for the week before and week after my MGO week in July and got it within a month. I would have never been able to do this with the 1 br. With the 1 bedroom I put in a larger timespan trade request for August in HHI for my son and got a 2 nd week August at the MGO. I would have gotten this with the 1 br of the 2 br but not the studio.

The cost difference of purchasing is not a big deal because I believe on both you make it back on the sale. The MF difference is about 500 and when you account for the up grade fee of the studio to 2 bedroom it goes down to 400. So the question becomes is the difference in trading power of 2 trades worth 400. I can see for some the answer may be no because of their vacation requirements.