San Diego Now Available to Book

[SueDonJ]

I would argue that the Marriott portfolio already serves such areas well. Why not allow MVCI owners to trade their points for stays at hotels in these areas if that is what the particular demographic want? If you have no interest in extra rooms for the kids, a kitchen, a pool etc then why not stay in a hotel? MVCI can then concentrate on ploughing their resources into new 'proper' resorts.

There are Explorer options that allow hotel usage in exchange for DC Points but those are through an affiliate agreement with Marriott, Int'l., which is an entirely separate company from Marriott Vacations Worldwide. The advantage with that affiliation appears to be in favor of MI, so it's understandable that MVW is making inroads into the demographic and resort model through ownership rather than affiliation. If they can do it successfully, which apparently they think they can, it benefits all of us as well as the company's shareholders.

 

[SueDonJ]

They already allow this to selected Marriott-managed properties in the US and abroad through the Explorer Collection, but the point requirements per night for these are absurdly high in most cases. By contrast the per night point requirements at the new city Marriott Vacation Club locations are more reasonable. If this point differential reflects the relative economics of acquiring access to the hotel inventory of Marriott International versus buying/building their own in the Vacation Club, I think we're better off with them investing in urban Vacation Club locations rather than relying on the high point exchange requirements into Marriott International's hotels.

DOH! What he said.

 

[MarriottVacationClub]

Message from Marriott Vacation Club

Everyone’s feedback regarding the opening of Marriott Vacation Club, San Diego is very much appreciated.

While we rarely consider an urban location for our weeks based model due to the length of stay, after adding the points option we were able to develop in locations where our owners were already using Marriott Rewards points. We knew that we could deliver a much better value proposition by developing a product ourselves in these high demand markets.

We are currently filling some holes in our system right now; however, we will continue to develop in prime resort areas with fully appointed condominium unit offerings, as well.

As always, our goal is to provide flexibility and value to our diverse customer base, and we think these urban products support both of those objectives.

For questions about the new location or to provide us your feedback, please feel free to contact us at customer.care@vacationclub.com or by phone at 800 860 9384.

 

[Cruiser Too]

Everyone’s feedback regarding the opening of Marriott Vacation Club, San Diego is very much appreciated.

I'm happy to know MVCI is listening to their customers.

While we rarely consider an urban location for our weeks based model due to the length of stay, after adding the points option we were able to develop in locations where our owners were already using Marriott Rewards points. We knew that we could deliver a much better value proposition by developing a product ourselves in these high demand markets.

Altho a few miles north of San Diego proper, our current timeshare-of-choice is Lawrence Welk Resorts near Escondito.
It has the features that lead us into the timeshare world.
So far... we haven't looked back on our decision.

We are currently filling some holes in our system right now; however, we will continue to develop in prime resort areas with fully appointed condominium unit offerings, as well.

In prime resort areas (or not)... we'd almost certainly exchange/buy there.

Doug

 

[ronparise]

I dont own Marriott, but I do Wyndham and Worldmark. One of the best things about those two systems is the number of urban resorts, San Francisco, Seattle, San Antonio, New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Vancouver, Alexandria Va (near Washington DC) and Portland is on the way

I gotta say I dont understand why some think a week in a big city is too much. I could spend a month in any of these cities just at the galleries and museums. and the cost is a whole lot less than a hotel

Im gonna bet that Marriott has a winner here and the urban "resorts" will be booked solid.

 

[Rene McDaniel]

I dont own Marriott, but I do Wyndham and Worldmark. One of the best things about those two systems is the number of urban resorts, San Francisco, Seattle, San Antonio, New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Vancouver, Alexandria Va (near Washington DC) and Portland is on the way

I gotta say I dont understand why some think a week in a big city is too much. I could spend a month in any of these cities just at the galleries and museums. and the cost is a whole lot less than a hotel

Im gonna bet that Marriott has a winner here and the urban "resorts" will be booked solid.

100% AGREE. When our kids were younger and we both worked we were delighted to spend a week with the kiddos enjoying the large resort pools with fun & activities for them, and bar service for us weary parents. But, once our girls were older they were interested in city attractions with lots to do. We have exchanged to the Manhattan Club, Hyatt Chicago (thru RCI platinum), Royal Regency-Paris, Marriott Mayflower (Wash DC), Marriott Custom House (Boston) and an upcoming trip to Barcelona (RCI platinum).

I think that once you are retired and become an empty-nester, there is just not the need for a big resort-pool type of vacation anymore. I don't need to de-stress or catch up on my reading, plus I'm already in the pool 3 times a week for water aerobics and swim. We're more interested in being out and about: museums, music, cultural events, beautiful sights, historic places of interest, scenic wonders. Starting to work on our bucket list, now. No more just going to the same old places we always went. Hotel units in the heart of the city are ideal for us. One week is fine, but retirees have plenty of vacation time, so we often book 2 back-to-back weeks, and still don't get to everything on our list. So, we are delighted that Marriott is finally adding more city locations to the Vacation Club.

Of course after all those years of timesharing, I wish they would at least put in some kind of mini-kitchen like they have at Custom House or the Manhattan Club. It really helps with keeping travel costs down.

--- Rene

 

[klpca]

For me this is like choosing my favorite child. I love them all. I love beach resorts, urban properties, and properties near something outdoorsy. (I know that this will shock some of you - but we still tent camp in national parks too). I love traveling, I love vacationing, I love not being in the office. It's all good.

 

[Cruiser Too]

For me this is like choosing my favorite child. I love them all. I love beach resorts, urban properties, and properties near something outdoorsy. (I know that this will shock some of you - but we still tent camp in national parks too). I love traveling, I love vacationing, I love not being in the office. It's all good.

My issue is not about urban or resort-area timeshares.
I like them both.
My preference is having a full kitchen, dishwashers, laundry machines... the whole nine yards.
Altho we'd go back to the Custom House in Boston.

We have ALWAYS been empty-nesters, by choice, and got into the timeshare world because of our preference for "real" timeshares versus hotel rooms.

 

[NYFLTRAVELER]

Now that they have these city locations out of the way, they can go back to their roots and create great resorts in resort areas. Give us Cancun, Barbados and Bahamas!

Absolutely agree. These city locations are nothing more than glorified hotel rooms.

Focus on RESORT SETTINGS such as Bahamas, Cancun, Puerto Rico, etc...

 

[ronparise]

My issue is not about urban or resort-area timeshares.
I like them both.
My preference is having a full kitchen, dishwashers, laundry machines... the whole nine yards.
Altho we'd go back to the Custom House in Boston.

We have ALWAYS been empty-nesters, by choice, and got into the timeshare world because of our preference for "real" timeshares versus hotel rooms.

I like a kitchen too, but if my choice is a room with a kitchen, or stay home, Ill eat in a restaurant

Once again I draw on my experience with Wyndham and Worldmark to say another good thing about big timeshare systems is their diversity. There really is something for everyone, I think J Willard Marriott, who started his business with a chain of family restaurants with something on the menu for everyone, would be pleased.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipN5sa8EKykqPWml6wfs0FlerLgkiI6PwlDHrxLf

 

[bobpark56]

Recent TripAdvisor reviews of this property are not encouraging

Recent TripAdvisor reviews of this property are not encouraging:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_R...an_Suites_San_Diego-San_Diego_California.html

 

[Luckybee]

I'm happy to know MVCI is listening to their customers.



Altho a few miles north of San Diego proper, our current timeshare-of-choice is Lawrence Welk Resorts near Escondito.
It has the features that lead us into the timeshare world.
So far... we haven't looked back on our decision.



In prime resort areas (or not)... we'd almost certainly exchange/buy there.

Doug

Doug..I don't wish to hijack the thread so I wonder if you could perhaps pm me. We had a couple of our Aruba weeks sitting in I.I and we just used one of them to trade into Welk Escondido. We booked the "resort Villas" since it was the only thing available this far out but we were thinking maybe we should have held out for the "mountain villas ". Its just dh and I looking for nice units and peace and quiet . Any advice/opinions ?

 

[SeaDoc]

Great to see Marriott Vacation Club responding...

As an empty nester ourselves, we are enjoying the new property options in a variety of big cities, NYC, SD, Miami, Boston, and DC to name a few. Even my kids who love city travel take advantage of the program, using our points. For those of us that enjoy some kitchen amenities, we bring along a small induction flat plate cooker and small pan for cooking eggs, bacon, etc. Works great and allows us some amenities not afforded in these new locations. If MVWC is listening, it would be a nice addition along with a refrigerator and microwave to have in these new properties.

Everyone’s feedback regarding the opening of Marriott Vacation Club, San Diego is very much appreciated.

While we rarely consider an urban location for our weeks based model due to the length of stay, after adding the points option we were able to develop in locations where our owners were already using Marriott Rewards points. We knew that we could deliver a much better value proposition by developing a product ourselves in these high demand markets.

We are currently filling some holes in our system right now; however, we will continue to develop in prime resort areas with fully appointed condominium unit offerings, as well.

As always, our goal is to provide flexibility and value to our diverse customer base, and we think these urban products support both of those objectives.

For questions about the new location or to provide us your feedback, please feel free to contact us at customer.care@vacationclub.com or by phone at 800 860 9384.

 

[amycurl]

My issue is not about urban or resort-area timeshares.
I like them both.
My preference is having a full kitchen, dishwashers, laundry machines... the whole nine yards.

Of course after all those years of timesharing, I wish they would at least put in some kind of mini-kitchen like they have at Custom House or the Manhattan Club. It really helps with keeping travel costs down.

--- Rene

Both of these. I *love* the urban locations--that's not what my complaint is about. It's about the relative lack of amenities. What is there about this property that differentiates it from any other hotel? Even suite-based hotels tend to have better amenities that this. Perhaps that only difference is that MVW controls/owns this hotel, and is therefore able to keep its members in-house. But is this still a "high and best use" for members, based on MF/point? Wouldn't it be cheaper just to Hotwire a highly-rated suite hotel?

Honestly---even the addition of just a mini-kitchen would make this more attractive/reasonable to me. I just don't see the point--to owners, that is.

There are good examples of urban locations with better amenities, some MVW, some others--Custom House, Old Town Alexandria, the BlueGreen in downtown Savannah, the New Orleans and Charleston timeshares, even the HGVC options in Manhattan. I'm not saying the location is the problem; I'm saying the design of the units is.

The reason we fell in love with timeshares was having more space and not having to eat out every meal when we traveled, and that was as true pre-kids as it is post-kids.

(And isn't it nice to finally have proof that MVW does regularly read TUG?)

 

[Superchief]

The flexibility of weeks and points is great now that the kids are moving out.
The DC program is not about weeks at one place.
For me I was able to put together two weeks in Hawaii and do island hoping with the a mix of points and weeks.

For a few nights stay, I don't want a kitchen.
I can't imagine spending a week in San Diego, but being able to add a few nights on top of a stay at NCV or Palm Desert is a great addition.

For me, having an enrolled week is the best of both worlds.
I can do week long tradition stays when I want and I can get some great value on some short stays in places that I want to visit. Plus, I have had great luck getting the dates I want farther in advance with points vs waiting for something to show up in II.

Still can't imagine someone wanting to spend the money for points - but for those of us in the system with multiple weeks - the cheap cost of enrolling back at the beginning was well worth. Free trades, Free Lock off and flexibility so I don't lose days when I only want to stay for 4 nights is awesome.

I agree completely. I doubt I would stay at this property for more than a few nights due to lack of kitchens, but it will be a nice combination for a stay at NCV. We enjoy the San Diego zoo and this will allow us to avoid the roundtrip drive to NCV. There also appears to be a lower DC point premium for weekend nights here vs NCV.

How far is this from the Amtrak station?

 

[mjm1]

Doug..I don't wish to hijack the thread so I wonder if you could perhaps pm me. We had a couple of our Aruba weeks sitting in I.I and we just used one of them to trade into Welk Escondido. We booked the "resort Villas" since it was the only thing available this far out but we were thinking maybe we should have held out for the "mountain villas ". Its just dh and I looking for nice units and peace and quiet . Any advice/opinions ?

I just sent a pm to you as we owned at Welk until just recently. Have a great trip.

Mike

 

[JIMinNC]

But is this still a "high and best use" for members, based on MF/point? Wouldn't it be cheaper just to Hotwire a highly-rated suite hotel?

The big difference to me in using points versus a cash hotel stay is that the points are a sunk cost. We paid the MF back in December or January and are now just using the alternate currency of points. By contrast a cash hotel stay requires an additional outlay of funds. So as long as we don't have more travel/vacation plans than we can fund with points, I would rather use already-paid-for points than incremental cash - even if it is to a hotel-like property.

Honestly---even the addition of just a mini-kitchen would make this more attractive/reasonable to me. I just don't see the point--to owners, that is.

The reason we fell in love with timeshares was having more space and not having to eat out every meal when we traveled, and that was as true pre-kids as it is post-kids.

The problem with many of these urban locations is MVW must renovate an existing hotel facility rather than being able to build new. Adding even minimal kitchen facilities can often dramatically increase the renovation cost, so I'm sure that factors into the cost/benefit equation.

Marriott did an extensive research survey of owners and potential owners a couple of years ago, asking what amenities were important in urban city locations. We participated in the study and I recall a lot of TUGgers received the same survey. Given that many of these new locations do not have kitchen facilities, I suspect the survey results may have told Marriott that - at least amongst the target market for these new locations - kitchen facilities were not a key driver for urban locations and not worth the cost...and given how my wife generally feels about cooking on vacation (or at home for that matter!), it doesn't surprise me that kitchens may not be as important an amenity to many owners and potential owners. I would rather have free parking at these urban locations and use those savings (often $30- $50/day in urban locales) to cover the extra meal expense.

 

[Cruiser Too]

I haven't seen it mentioned but:

The former resort manager at Ko'Olina is the head honcho here.
He goes by his initials: "BQ".
He did a fantastic job at our home resort Ko'Olina.

Hi Bill Q !!!!

 

[suzannesimon]

Does anyone but me believe that the urban hotel conversion is the cheapest and fastest way to add rooms to the Trust so that the pure points owners have some choices? I hear a lot of grumbling from Trust point owners that they can't get prime weeks in the pre-Destination Club resorts when it was sold to them that they could go to any of the MVC resorts. Personally, I would use Reward points to stay at Springhill Suites or Residence Inn in urban locations - free breakfast and a light or full kitchen. I'll keep my weeks to use at real resorts

 

[Luckybee]

I just sent a pm to you as we owned at Welk until just recently. Have a great trip.

Mike

Mike

Thanks ... I got Doug's pm but didn't get yours...did u send to someone else by chance ?

 

[jlr10]

What I find disturbing is the description of the resort as it is misleading. This is not in the Gaslamp area, as it implies. You can get to the Gaslamp area from here but the walk to the Gaslamp is not one I would take at night, as you would have to go through some dicey areas to get there. The pictures of San Diego are beautiful stock pictures of San Diego, but not ones taken at the resort but down by the Gaslamp and the water area. If you want to stay year the Gaslamp are a better choice would the Courtyard or Residence Inn.

If you want to be near Balboa Park and the Zoo this would be a good location for distance to these attractions, but this location is not a family resort location. Notice that all the pictures are of the room, which as noted does not reflect a mini kitchen.

 

[dioxide45]

Does anyone but me believe that the urban hotel conversion is the cheapest and fastest way to add rooms to the Trust so that the pure points owners have some choices? I hear a lot of grumbling from Trust point owners that they can't get prime weeks in the pre-Destination Club resorts when it was sold to them that they could go to any of the MVC resorts. Personally, I would use Reward points to stay at Springhill Suites or Residence Inn in urban locations - free breakfast and a light or full kitchen. I'll keep my weeks to use at real resorts

It does seem to be the quick and easy way. Marriott really has to hope that legacy owners are willing to convert their weeks to points and use them at these new urban properties in order to alleviate the strain on demand at legacy resort that are weak in the trust. If comments here about the point allocations for these new properties is an indication, it doesn't seem that many people are willing to do that. If that is the case, the strain on demand for the legacy resorts that are short in the trust will only go up because Marriott will soon have millions of more points on the market being sold out of these properties.

One good thing is that they have indicated they don't plan to add any inventory to the trust from NYC in the very near future, so this will help on the supply side without increasing demand for legacy resorts. Though this is only temporary.

 

[GetawaysRus]

My issue is not about urban or resort-area timeshares.
I like them both.
My preference is having a full kitchen, dishwashers, laundry machines... the whole nine yards.

Yup. That's what distinguishes timeshares from hotels.

With a kitchen, we can wake up and get going at our own pace in the morning. If my wife is watching her waistline, we can eat in and eat light in the evening if we wish. (Going out to eat in restaurants every day generally means losing control of our calories, salt, and the amount of fat in our diet.)

And the in-room laundry is a big deal for us. It allows us to pack lighter for our trips if we wish, and it's nice returning home without a big pile of laundry to do.

I agree that this new San Diego location looks just like a hotel. The 425 sq. ft. "suites" are small compared to a typical timeshare 1BR. Looks like it doesn't even offer a free breakfast (like any self-respecting Holiday Inn Express would).

I'm unimpressed, and I'm not chomping on the bit to exchange here.

 

[amycurl]

Does anyone but me believe that the urban hotel conversion is the cheapest and fastest way to add rooms to the Trust so that the pure points owners have some choices? I hear a lot of grumbling from Trust point owners that they can't get prime weeks in the pre-Destination Club resorts when it was sold to them that they could go to any of the MVC resorts. Personally, I would use Reward points to stay at Springhill Suites or Residence Inn in urban locations - free breakfast and a light or full kitchen. I'll keep my weeks to use at real resorts

Ding, ding, ding! I believe we have a winner.

It would be nice if the Marriott person monitoring this thread would weigh in on Jim's response about the survey findings. Perhaps even mini-kitchens weren't that important, but it just seems like they then lose their market differentiation.

I agree about the free parking--but that's a pure profit center so I wouldn't hold my breath.

If that is the case, the strain on demand for the legacy resorts that are short in the trust will only go up because Marriott will soon have millions of more points on the market being sold out of these properties.

Do you think this strain/demand will eventually force MVW to develop more "resort" (and capital-intensive) properties in the nearer future? Perhaps where there is more demand and less DC presence--thinking Carolina coast, for example. While "capital light" is definitely more attractive to them and makes financial sense on many levels, this point--which I hadn't really thought much about--may force their hands, at least a little. Interesting, as GregT would say....

 

[Luanne]

And the in-room laundry is a big deal for us. It allows us to pack lighter for our trips if we wish, and it's nice returning home without a big pile of laundry to do.

We love having laundry in the room, but I haven't found any timeshares in San Diego that have in room laundry.