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Return Vacation Program

NiteMaire

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Marriott G. Château
HVC Sedona Summit
VVR The Colonies
I'm currently on a business trip to Las Vegas. I happen to own a week at Marriott's Grand Château. Since I hadn't been here before (bought resale), I booked a hotel room to check it out. I don't know the tower, but I'm on the 32nd floor in a newly renovated room. Everything is great so far.

I wanted to look at the 3BR so I talked with the vacation counselor as the sales office was closed for the day. She was kind enough to show me the model. During the conversation she brought up the "Return Vacation Package" (not the Encore package) they have at the moment. I leave in a couple days and need to decide before I leave.

There are several price points depending on where you want to stay. Here's the summary:
$199 - 4 days, 3 nights - Vegas, Orlando, San Diego
$299 - 4 days, 3 nights - Tahoe, Palm Desert, Singer Island (other FL locations), Park City, Phoenix, Vail, DC
$399 - 4 days, 3 nights - HHI, Myrtle Beach, Newport Coast
$499 - 4 days, 3 nights - NY
$799 - 6 days, 5 nights - Big Island, Kauai, Oahu

There are 3 black out months in Phoenix (Feb-Apr) and 3 in Myrtle Beach (Jun, Jul, Aug) and surcharge months in other locations during high season.

$99 deposit holds the prices. Choose location and pay remaining fee at time of reservation. Same price regardless of check in date. Can add on days (cost varies based on location). You have to attend an owner's update, but you get 20K MR points or $100 gift card. Seems like a good deal overall. Before I pull the trigger, I'd like Tuggers thoughts on it.

Thanks in advance.
 

VacationForever

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They put you up in a studio for their promotions. If you are good with that and also willing to be subject to their sales presentation. If not, just pass.
 

JIMinNC

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Marriott:
Maui Ocean Club
Waiohai Beach Club
Barony Beach Club
Abound ClubPoints
HGVC:
HGVC at Sea World
They put you up in a studio for their promotions. If you are good with that and also willing to be subject to their sales presentation. If not, just pass.

Some of the locations listed only have non-lockoff 2BR units (HHI, Myrtle Beach, Newport Coast, and maybe others), so there, if they host you in the MVC resort, you would not be stuck in a studio.
 

NiteMaire

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HVC Sedona Summit
VVR The Colonies
They put you up in a studio for their promotions. If you are good with that and also willing to be subject to their sales presentation. If not, just pass.
Good point about the studio, but that statement is partially true according to the paper detailing the program. Depending on location, you get either a "standard hotel room", "guestroom", or "2-bedroom villa". If used at Newport Coast, Myrtle Beach, or Hilton Head, you get a 2BR villa. Newport and HH interest me the most. While I'm willing to endure the presentation, I know my DW would be happy if we never endure another one.
 

nokaoi9

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We were at Ko Olina (our home resort) and were offered the same promotion and decided to take advantage of the offer. You can visit any Marriott property within 12 months or have 24 months if you decide to go back to Grand Chateau. The only downside thus far has been being double charged the $99, though the additional was quickly refunded, and the never ending calls to my wife encouraging her to book before inventory is gone. I'm not looking forward to the 90 minute sales presentation but I'll survive.
 

NiteMaire

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HVC Sedona Summit
VVR The Colonies
Some of the locations listed only have non-lockoff 2BR units (HHI, Myrtle Beach, Newport Coast, and maybe others), so there, if they host you in the MVC resort, you would not be stuck in a studio.
JIMinNC, I'm jealous of your upcoming trips...I'd be interested in your thoughts comparing Barony with MGO (and Surfwatch if you've been there).
 

dioxide45

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Marriott Harbour Lake
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Club Wyndham CWA
Is it possible that in some cases they put you in a nearby hotel and not the MVCI property? So in places like HHI and Myrtle Beach, you may be at the Marriott hotel in a standard hotel room, not in a 2BR at one of the MVC properties.
 

NiteMaire

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HVC Sedona Summit
VVR The Colonies
Is it possible that in some cases they put you in a nearby hotel and not the MVCI property? So in places like HHI and Myrtle Beach, you may be at the Marriott hotel in a standard hotel room, not in a 2BR at one of the MVC properties.
Not according to the paper handed out (and the vacation counselor...I know, I know). The paper specifically states 2-bedroom villa for Newport, MB, and HHI.
 

JIMinNC

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Waiohai Beach Club
Barony Beach Club
Abound ClubPoints
HGVC:
HGVC at Sea World
JIMinNC, I'm jealous of your upcoming trips...I'd be interested in your thoughts comparing Barony with MGO (and Surfwatch if you've been there).

So far, we've only been to Barony (twice), so I can't offer comparisons. Next year will be our first exposure to Harbour Point and Grande Ocean.

This thread from BocaBoy is probably the best head-to-head comparison of the HHI resorts. It is one person's opinion, but it covers them all:
http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/report-on-five-weeks-in-hilton-head.223428/
 

VacationForever

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Not according to the paper handed out (and the vacation counselor...I know, I know). The paper specifically states 2-bedroom villa for Newport, MB, and HHI.

As long as you have it in writing... :) I had been to one of those promotions many years ago, I don't remember which one and I told them that I would only take minimum of 1BR because my son was travelling with us. We showed up and we were given a studio.
 

NiteMaire

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HVC Sedona Summit
VVR The Colonies

b2bailey

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Curious about mention of San Diego. Where does Marriott have a timeshare there?
 

bazzap

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