Rented Oceanwatch Reservation Request

[opie]

We are currently renting from a nice couple that sent us the Oceanside reservation they made for us so that we could see it was legit. Question - in regards to fulfilling a location request (high floor, close to beach), are the odds of getting that better if the reservation remains in the owners name? I remember a past rental where the owner's name continued to appear and the renter appeared as a "guest." Perhaps the Marriott online system doesn't work that way anymore. Just wondering what is the best way to be listed in order to maximize the odds for a good assignment. Thank you.

 

[DeniseM]

It still works that way - the renter is shown as the owner's guest.

 

[opie]

At least when searching on the reservation number on the Marriott site, it only shows my name under GUEST RESERVATION. Perhaps the owner we rented from in the past kept his name on it as well. Would that improve the odds of better location (within that room category)?

 

[SueDonJ]

Regardless of which name the reservation appears under, the owner's or the guest's, it's still indicated as an owner stay in the system and the owner is still ultimately responsible for it. The guest's name needs to be on it in order for the guest to check in (and a credit card in the guest's name will need to be shown at check-in) but the system doesn't know and doesn't care whether it's an owner rental or an owner gift. Wherever the owner falls in any any priority placement list is where the guest should fall.

 

[tiel]

We are owners at MOW. The last time we got an email from them requesting our preferences for an upcoming reservation, we were only able to indicate high, low, or no preference with regard to floor. There was no mechanism to request pool side or close to the beach.

Further, they indicated they employ a rotation with regard to room assignments. So, for example, if an owner got a villa close to the beach the last time they stayed, this time they would more likely be placed away from the beach.

Therefore, I am guessing room location requests may only coincidentally be satisfied. It never hurts to make a request, of course, but you probably just need to be flexible so a less than ideal location from your perspective won't ruin things for you. Hope you have a great time!

 

[chuck1955]

I recently rented at MOW and had Oceanside. You should call MOW about a month out with your preferences - they probably will not send you an email for this since you are renting. If you don't request any preferences, expect to get bottom floor....

 

[Bucky]

We are owners at MOW. The last time we got an email from them requesting our preferences for an upcoming reservation, we were only able to indicate high, low, or no preference with regard to floor. There was no mechanism to request pool side or close to the beach.

Further, they indicated they employ a rotation with regard to room assignments. So, for example, if an owner got a villa close to the beach the last time they stayed, this time they would more likely be placed away from the beach.

Therefore, I am guessing room location requests may only coincidentally be satisfied. It never hurts to make a request, of course, but you probably just need to be flexible so a less than ideal location from your perspective won't ruin things for you. Hope you have a great time!

We have always received a pre arrival Csr email 2-3 weeks in advance of our stay. At that time we respond to it and request an Oceanside pool view. Since our Marriott preferences always show a high floor we don't even address that part of it. Have always received what we requested and have never seen anything about a rotation being used!

 

[mbeach89]

Call

We own Oceanside there, and every year about a month out, I call and talk to someone and give them my requests. Low floor, pool view. There were only 2 years out of the past 8 that I did not get my request.

One year we didn't get the pool view, but a south view of the Marriott next door, but a much much better view of the ocean than we would get with the pool view.

The other year, we got the top floor in the Scallop building facing the pool. Very windy!

It's a great resort no matter your room designation.

 

[suzannesimon]

When we rented from an owner for spring break at Aruba Surf Club, we got an excellent high-floor view in a 3-bedroom unit. I have always gotten better views renting from an owner than we received from Interval so I think they assign as if you are the owner. The owner's name is always on the reservation. They really don't know if you and the owner are both occupying or it is just you. After we checked in, they asked us if the owner would be occupying also and we told them no, but they didn't take the great unit away at that point.

 

[tiel]

We have always received a pre arrival Csr email 2-3 weeks in advance of our stay. At that time we respond to it and request an Oceanside pool view. Since our Marriott preferences always show a high floor we don't even address that part of it. Have always received what we requested and have never seen anything about a rotation being used!

I would agree with this, except that THIS year the email was different. It mentioned the rotation, and provided a choice between high or low floor only:

Please provide us with your preferred floor location below. We will try to accommodate your preference based on availability and where you were blocked during your previous stay at OceanWatch as we apply a rotation process.

I intend to call them and state our preference (same as yours, low floor), but I am wondering if they haven't instituted a different approach to assigning rooms. In the past, we have gotten what we wanted more often than not, BUT, perhaps that's the case because of WHAT we want, vs. what most other owners who are there at the same time want. Guess we'll never know!

 

[1st Class]

At least when searching on the reservation number on the Marriott site, it only shows my name under GUEST RESERVATION. Perhaps the owner we rented from in the past kept his name on it as well. Would that improve the odds of better location (within that room category)?

The owner's name is most likely listed second and can't be seen. I had this situation when renting one of my weeks and after speaking with the Marriott rep was assured that they were limited to one name only on the reservation. They e-mailed me two separate reservations, one with each name, for my records. I wanted to be sure that my renter would receive my owner's view. I typically call about a month prior to check-in and place the renter's view request. I also ask my renters for feedback particularly regarding villa placement and no one has yet been disappointed. I wouldn't hesitate to ask the owner to place the request for you.

 

[opie]

The owner's name is most likely listed second and can't be seen. I had this situation when renting one of my weeks and after speaking with the Marriott rep was assured that they were limited to one name only on the reservation. They e-mailed me two separate reservations, one with each name, for my records. I wanted to be sure that my renter would receive my owner's view. I typically call about a month prior to check-in and place the renter's view request. I also ask my renters for feedback particularly regarding villa placement and no one has yet been disappointed. I wouldn't hesitate to ask the owner to place the request for you.

Wow, great customer service that you provide for your renters. We've gotten lucky so far renting with nice owners. One time we did a preview weekend and they put us on first floor exterior in Conch, which wasn't a good location -- but glad that owners didn't end up with it. Honestly I think we prefer a south view away from the pool -- just didn't want to ask for too much.

Thanks for everyone's responses. We are doing Friday-Friday this time, so wondering if there will be less turnover than on a Sat or Sun.

 

[Bucky]

I would agree with this, except that THIS year the email was different. It mentioned the rotation, and provided a choice between high or low floor only:

Please provide us with your preferred floor location below. We will try to accommodate your preference based on availability and where you were blocked during your previous stay at OceanWatch as we apply a rotation process.

I intend to call them and state our preference (same as yours, low floor), but I am wondering if they haven't instituted a different approach to assigning rooms. In the past, we have gotten what we wanted more often than not, BUT, perhaps that's the case because of WHAT we want, vs. what most other owners who are there at the same time want. Guess we'll never know!

Going back through my records I see what you are referring to. What you are saying is contained in the pre arrival email. I didn't fill the part out about the floor because mine was already checked as a high floor. Must be because my Marriott preferences are set up that way. About a week after receiving this email I received another one directly from Oceanwatch and that's the one I replied to requesting a pool view.