All a bit confusing, why can't they keep to one standard? JME, as a HHI afficianado do you have any experience of Sunset Pointe?
well, it's the proverbial unanswered question..... same reason we left England I guess. Just a tough thing for us Americans, holding to one standard......
OK, you're ACTUALLY talking about the "RED" designation that is pervasive throughout all timeshare brands all over the world........ Again, I would think somewhere along the line someone would break out & do things their own way. Marriott did.
With that in mind, I prefer Marriott's nomenclature because it breaks down the "red" spectrum into smaller segments. With other brands, out of necessity the "high red" and "weak red" designations evolved, and Marriott wished to avoid that, and so its system attempts and succeeds in making a better distinction. Frankly, Marriott doesn't really care about the other systems anyway, and perhaps their motivation was to sell the higher seasons at higher prices....that's my guess. They even instituted the Platinum Plus ski weeks and beach weeks at select resorts, which sold for $50,000+.
As to the resort area you mention which contains Marriott's Sunset Point and Harbour Point, first let me say that SP and HP are not in the class of the newer Marriott super-resorts such as Newport Coast Villas, Lakeshore Reserve, Grande Vista, Grande Ocean, OceanWatch, SurfWatch, Oceana Palms, Aruba Surf Club and Aruba Ocean Club, Ko Olina, Maui Ocean Club, etc., etc., etc......
....BUT, they are solid, decent, quality resorts offering beautiful accommodations in a harborside setting. They were developed well before the design/amenities resort revolution of the late 90's.
My only personal experience is that I've been inside the villas once or twice, and also over at the sister resort Harbour Point, either touring on my own with a sales person (not an official tour), or by visiting a friend who was staying there. Have not occupied at either of them, but didn't need to in order to fully see and evaluate them accurately.
Both are in the area of Shelter Cove, both have had refurbishments since I've seen them, and from all reports they are great. Photos of newly refurbished villas look super. Both have the typical new Marriott updates with nice decor, granite countertops, flat-screen TV's, and excellent/superior mattresses & bedding (my favorite).
Some say not a good location, but that depends. Consider that Marriott is already well represented with resorts all over HH (the most of any area, and would build more if property was available!), some close to the ocean and some not. Many don't care about the ocean and prefer the experience of a quiet spot with beautiful sunsets. This location provides for additional villas in an alternative setting on a hugely popular island with high demand. Trying to make them "oceanside resorts" is a bit unfair, but they are what they are (I hate that phrase, but it works).
So, it's different, BUT the area is still quite beautiful.....it's a harbor or inland waterway view, and the shops and restaurants close by are upscale. With the new mall development coming soon down the road, it should be even better. We always visit Shelter Cove when we're on the island, sometimes just to walk around and look at the boats---- and I would not hesitate to stay at either resort. It's the area where Disney chose to locate, by the way.
The only downside might be the smaller pools, but they are quite adequate, and are only an issue if comparing them to the gorgeous big pools at GO, SW, and Barony. It's all relative, but in the end, both SP and HP are solid resorts. Still better than most non-Marriotts on the island, imho. Both provide great trades within the system, so that supercedes any shortfall.
