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Non Marriott Interval Resorts

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Cotswolds UK
Like many, occasionally I deposit a week with interval to go to another Marriott, rather than use DP points.

I have only once gone to a non-marriott resort via II and that was approx. 10 years ago and the resort in Las Vegas was no where near up to Marriott Standard.

I feel that giving up a Marriott week for something non Marriott is a poor deal, but have little experience - what brands do II also look after that are worth considering? I know that they have different symbols supposed to mean a certain level, but how accurate are these and which are the best alternatives to MVC.
 
Vistana (Westin and Sheraton), Four Seasons, Grand Lodge, and Hyatt immediately come to mind. Possibly Welk. Recommend also looking at the resort list youppi posted (members only). Would look at Elite resorts. There are also a few hidden gems that are Gold (premiere) and Silver. I'll look for the link and send it to you. You can also look at the highest rated II resorts here: https://tug2.com/timeshare-resorts/default.aspx?Top-Rated-II-Resorts&top=II
 
:)the DeVere properties in the UK, actually quite a few in the British countryside we enjoyed over the years. Four Seasons in the US, Hilton properties, and some others I can't think of off the top of my head. Many in Mexico. Sorry I am not more help. The crazy thing is I have stayed at TONS of Marriott's over the years, Hiltons, Hyatt's and about 6 or 7 times at the Four Season Aviara, and twice at the Four Season in Arizona, etc. Stayed at all the Owners Clubs properties until they were put in the Registry Collection. We have been timesharing since 1993 and my 2 favorite resorts EVER hands down were each NON RATED resorts. I would take those 2 any day over the others. Go Figure! For me It's not about the furnishings and plush, but I do enjoy that too ;).
 
Cameron House, Loch Lomond, Scotland.
We traded a Hilton Head Marriott week for a July week at Cameron House (part of our 14 night trip to Scotland).
Amazing property, hotel adjacent is also amazing, perhaps best trip ever.
See my previous post #6 in this thread, specifically regarding Cameron House cottages:
tugbbs.com

Scotland

Heading to Scotland next month for 2 weeks. Will be staying in Edinburgh then renting a car to Inverness, Skye, Oban, then back to Edinburgh. Although I think I have my itinerary down any must see things you would recommend I might have missed.
tugbbs.com tugbbs.com

Post #3 in that thread also has great info on our Scotland experience.
(photos are included)
 
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We really enjoyed a stay at a Welk resort north of San Diego. I feel it was as good as a Marriott, Excellent rooms and facilities, and in some ways it was better. They had shops and a theatre right on property.

Sometimes the destination may dictate the quality. We went to Sint Maarten for over 20 years. We stayed at several properties and found which we liked best. But even the best there did not compete, overall, with a Marriott. That’s our opinion. Things we take for granted, such as good WiFi and insect control, getting more than one beach towel per person, are just not standard in all Caribbean resorts.
 
normab said:
We really enjoyed a stay at a Welk resort north of San Diego. I feel it was as good as a Marriott, Excellent rooms and facilities, and in some ways it was better. They had shops and a theatre right on property.

Sometimes the destination may dictate the quality. We went to Sint Maarten for over 20 years. We stayed at several properties and found which we liked best. But even the best there did not compete, overall, with a Marriott. That’s our opinion. Things we take for granted, such as good WiFi and insect control, getting more than one beach towel per person, are just not standard in all Caribbean resorts.
Click to expand...

I have stayed at Welk San Diego and while I did enjoy it, I did not find it to be of Marriott standard. A tier below perhaps.
 
When we went to Barbados in 2018, we stayed at Ocean 2 Resort. While not Marriott quality in the suites, the resort was fantastic. Still the best pool loungers we have seen at a timeshare.
 
dioxide45 said:
When we went to Barbados in 2018, we stayed at Ocean 2 Resort. While not Marriott quality in the suites, the resort was fantastic. Still the best pool loungers we have seen at a timeshare.
Click to expand...
They must be seriously impressive pool loungers there if they are better than the deeply cushioned ones at MVC Phuket Beach Club.

DBBBED94-9679-4536-9D82-77B94960097B.jpeg
 
In addition to our Marriott weeks we own 3 weeks in Cancun at the Royal Sands and the Royal Haciendas. I believe that they are on par with Marriott and actually a bit better. We have daily maid service at these resorts, there are no washers and dryers in the units but they have an excellent and very reasonable laundry service. Unfortunately if you do an exchange you must do AI. If you rent a week from an owner the AI is optional. Although their restaurants are good there are some exceptional restaurants in the Cancun area.
 
I would not do it by company as much as by resort. Certainly Hilton, Hyatt, Westin, Disney, Four Seasons are going to be on par with Marriott for their club resorts but for those who also have affiliates, it's more hit or miss. Wyndham, Diamond, Bluegreen, Worldmark and Vistana are going to have some that are and some that are not. Some of these are not in II but one might have access by direct exchange or through independent exchanges or even using MVC through RCI in some cases. I would not limit to just certain systems and I would investigate every resort. There are a few Marriott's I wouldn't stay at personally if I had other options including gone I previously owned at.
 
Similar to NiteMaire - I would generally start with wanting the resort to have the "Interval Premier" logo which, from what I've seen, virtually all of the Marriott, Vistana, Hilton, Hyatt, Disney have. There are also a bunch of non-branded resorts that have that designation and for those I'd try to read reviews in various places to get an idea if it was worth the risk.

Also would recommend trying a direct exchange here on Tug via the marketplace. I haven't had much luck with that, but always liked the idea.
 
jme said:
Cameron House, Loch Lomond, Scotland.
We traded a Hilton Head Marriott week for a July week at Cameron House (part of our 14 night trip to Scotland).
Amazing property, hotel adjacent is also amazing, perhaps best trip ever.
See my previous post #6 in this thread, specifically regarding Cameron House cottages:
tugbbs.com

Scotland

Heading to Scotland next month for 2 weeks. Will be staying in Edinburgh then renting a car to Inverness, Skye, Oban, then back to Edinburgh. Although I think I have my itinerary down any must see things you would recommend I might have missed.
tugbbs.com tugbbs.com

Post #3 in that thread also has great info on our Scotland experience.
(photos are included)
Click to expand...

Yes, we stayed there in a 3 bedroom unit it was lovely, all the DeVere properties are.
 
I forgot to mention the on site Disney resorts, stayed at 4 of them also, very nice.
 
I’m pretty particular if I’m going to trade outside of the MVC system. In fact I haven’t traded outside the system in several years. However, I like Breckenridge CO and the MVC resort in Breck isn’t as nice as we like (although very nice) and isn’t in a location we prefer.
To that end, we purchased a week at Grand Lodge on Peak 7. Nice, but not as nice as MVC resorts, but the location was were we wanted to be, up on the mountain instead of in town. Then Grand Lodge built Grand Colorado on Peak 8. ThIs resort is up to MVC levels and in the location we prefer. It’s the one resort I’d use one of our MVC weeks for an exchange.
dougp26364.smugmug.com

Grand Colorado on Peak 8 June 2020 - dougp26364

2 bedroom Colorado unit
dougp26364.smugmug.com dougp26364.smugmug.com

dougp26364.smugmug.com

Grand Colorado on Peak 8 - dougp26364

One bedroom Breckenridge unit
dougp26364.smugmug.com dougp26364.smugmug.com
 
Lots of great ones in Cabo. Hacienda Encantada. Grand Solmar Lands End. Fabulous resorts. Optional AI. Twice daily housekeeping. They say limited kitchen-because no ovens or dishwashers. Housekeeping does your dishes.
 
My strategy for exchanging for non-Marriott locations is to split my 2 BR and use the ii unit upgrade to get a 1 or 2 size upgrade. Plus, when we go to a non-Marriott I read the tripadvisor reviews so my expectations are basically in line with what I'll experience.

Also, I often go through a valuation process and compare the value of my unit (Maintenance fee plus split fee plus exchange fee) and compare it to the price of a getaway or an A/C. If I can find a cheap rental alternative, I'll save my Marriott deposits for something else.
 
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