My experience with Marriott Vacation Club since 1996 has been always been pleasurable,but in the last few years it has been a dissapointment and a disaster, not to say quite stressful.We own 1 platinum week and 2 gold weeks, but never are able to use our platinum week at our home resort of Aruba.My "travel advisor" suggested numerous callers and on line access at 9AM daily in order to reserve a week at my home resort. So I tried this numerous times, oh yes involved numerous callers, and at exactly 9:01AM, sorry we are all booked. Now how is that? Do I really want to make a vacation a daily committment? My feeling is that a different system should be used, maybe revert to the old system, or is that not feasible since Marriot obviously oversold at the Aruba timeshare properties. In consideration of the high maintenance charges that are paid, I think it is completely unfair that platinum week holders are not able to use the week that when purchased was intended to be used for a "winter" vacation. Needless to say a platinum week is expensive and we would love to use it to get away from the cold weather (our original intention when purchased) What really disgusts me is that we are still paying high maintenance fees, but not able to use our time share. Oh I forgot if you have multiple weeks you get the option of calling 13 months in advance, being the owner of only 1 platinum week, but do own 2 gold, I dont get that perk. Whats wrong with this picture. You know Bill, it would be real nice if your operation could think of someway or somehow to allow all owners to be able to use the week which they have paid for. There should be no special treatment for owners that own multiple weeks. To say I am quite fustrated and upset with Marriott is to say the least, I would never recommend anyone buying a Marriott timeshare, nor would I ever buy another one. Mr. Marriott maybe you can up with a better solution to keep all owners happy, maybe reverting to the old system would be a thought.My feelings are shared by other owners in my predicament. .

I'm also rather recommending Mariott resorts when it comes to timeshares. Happy birthday!

Owners beware of the new attempt to raise funds - the point based club. I was told by MVC upon payment of the $695 I could IMMEDIATELY be transferred to a specialist who could make my reservations - WRONG. Payments doesn't get you going. You have to wait until they can get an e-mail out to you through their backlog que and you can return it to them before your points post. Best guess - about 48 hours. The "specialist" then said she would place my requested unit on "hold" for 48 hours until the paperwork could be completed. I got a "courtesy" call the next morning they were cancelling the hold. Having still not received the e-mail they agreed to resend it. The next day having not received it I called MVC who noticed the wrong e-mail was on the account. I have had the same e-mail since my first purchase in the early 90's. So now I am waiting another 48 hours to have it sent to the correct address and a supervisory indicates the "Destinations" program has no responsibility for information delivered by the MVCI staff or for mistakes their employees make. Definitely not the Marriott I joined up with years ago. Very disappointed. Make sure you know what you are buying with your $700 - misinformation and much frustration. J Johnson, owner maui ocean club, ko'olina

Anthony Angotti (2/18/2010) I'm glad there are so many favorable comments on this club.
I wish I could feel the same. Every trip to a popular destination is always booked.
And I find the whole process confusing and frustrating. I even called to put it up for sale at a substantial loss and Marriot wants 40% for listing it, which by the way is fully booked, but you can get on a waiting list. Isn't that special.

I just wanted to pass on my sincere appreciation to you for your OKC Courtyard Marriott Staff. I was originally scheduled to stay here 26-28 Jan 10 but was extended several times due to the extreme weather associated with the winter storm. Throuought my stay, Patrick the manager provided the utmost hospitality for all the guests and his staff during this time. He went over and above to ensure that guests were comfortable and that guests and staff alike had food to consume during the incliment weather, so that they would not need to leave the property, thus jepordizing their own safety. There are several hotels in the area and had discussions with friends staying in the other hotels and my friends were not as fortunate as I...they were left to fend for themselves for meals other than breakfast. Granted my stay was not my best stay (due to the circumstances associated with the storm) Patrick did everything within his powers to ensure our(guests) stay was as best as possible. Patrick's efforts and those of his staff did not go unnoticed and truly made a dfiference in my stay during this winter storm.

I think its a scam. The WHOLE state of Washington is booked for the year 2010. Likewise, Florida, except Orlando was full for 2010, by Jan 09. RIPPP-OFFFF.

Dear Mr. Marriott
My family and I are proud owners, four times over! I am also a Platinum Elite member for the three consecutive years.
I wanted to share, what I believe to be an inconstancy with earning Marriott Rewards. I recently stayed at my home resort, Grand Chateau, for fourteen consecutive nights, and while it is true that nights stayed at a Vacation property do count towards Elite status; promotions such as the Visa Mega Bonus, do not accrue if stayed as an owner. Why is that? As a result of this policy, I am being denied the ability to receive 35,000 Reward points for my loyal patronage. I find this policy very upsetting, and urge you to strongly consider changing it promptly.
I would appreciate a response.

Our family absolutely LOVES belonging to Marriott Vacation Club. Our two young boys are spoiled rotten by our timeshare experiences.
I must say that my wife and I honeymooned at the Marriott Kaui Hotel twelve years ago. We went on a timeshare presentation. When the associate found out we flew to Hawaii for free on points and we were staying free on points, she was super nice and said honestly, you don't need a timeshare right now, but I'll show you around quickly so you can enjoy your vacation time. It was because of her attitute that we said to ourselves that we would buy Marriott if we ever decided to buy a timeshare. ...and that's what we eventually did. Because of that initial interaction.

Dear Bill,
Stick with me for just a minute please while I put in a ringing endorsement for the Residence Inn, Charleston WV. I've been your customer since the Hot Shoppe in Cherrydale and the Key Bridge Marriott where 3 generations have gone for wedding dinners, prom nights and after church. It was the place we gathered when one of us would come home from a war or to celebrate a graduation.
I met your dad there once. He shook my hand as he walked through the lobby of the Key Bridge property. We never spoke. I was 15 and so impressed by him. You could just tell he really cared about his hotel and his employees as he carefully looked at everything and smiled.
Recently out of retirement I returned to business travel and to Marriott. Over the years I thought I'd seen it all. Then I dropped in to the Residence Inn in Charleston, WV. The property is immaculate and the staff sets the standard for excellence. Apparently they did not get the memo explaining they are not a 5 star hotel. I have watched them go above and beyond so many times and in so many ways it would be difficult to recount in a simple letter.
The family who lost their home to fire and is currently spending 3 months as your guest told me with tears in their eyes how kind and caring your staff are. Apparently they are as compassionate as they are efficient. The young desk clerk told me how much her job meant to her and because of what she was learning there, college would be on her calendar next fall. Another missed the morning "huddle" to get me to the airport and let me know how "lucky" he was to work at the Residence Inn. Yes, daily huddle to share, plan and improve. Amazing.
It just may be that the best Marriot staff of all is found on a hillside in Charleston, WV. I might be wrong, but I'll bet if your Dad were there he would have checked everything and I'm sure he would have smiled. I thought you would want to know.
Sincerely,
Frank Lee

Dear Mr. Marriott,
Congratulations on the 25th of anniversary of Marriott Vacation Club International. Wish you many happy returns. I hope the following text is not too lengthy to print on your blog but your story of the little girl that got saved by Mr. Abri reminded me of a something that happened with my family in 1990 while we resided in Kuwait. Obviously an angel from the heavens was guarding that girl. I just can't find another explanation. Sometimes forces more powerful than ourselves move us to accomplish certain things in our lives. The incident happened during the unfortunate Iraqi invasion to Kuwait. The sudden entrance of the Iraqi military to Kuwait sparked a mass immigration of the populations that resided in the small peaceful country. The Jordanians fled to Jordan by car using the travel route that passed through Baghdad. There were twelve hours of driving from Kuwait to Baghdad, and another twelve hours lied from Baghdad to Amman. The hear say of the dry rough roads and the burdens of the long travel weren't assuring with many stories telling of how sometimes infants died during travel. We prayed a lot as my youngest brother was only three years old back then but at the same time reality forced itself on us. There was no alternative way of travel open to the masses with the airport in Kuwait closed down. However the good point was that my uncle owned a house in Baghdad whereby providing us with a comfortable break point during our twenty four hour voyage to Jordan. The house was rarely used and was without any telephone services as his trips to Iraq were once or twice a year only. Upon our arrival to Baghdad we were supposed to contact any of three people that my uncle forwarded to us to guide us to his house that lied in the huge neighborhood of Al-Masbah. Suddenly something happened that up till today my parent's and I marvel at. If my memory serves me correctly it was the thirtieth of July. My uncle was two days travel ahead of us due to circumstances beyond our control. Despite the fact that our luggage wasn't ready on that warm summer dawn my mother, whom was spending most of her time in prayer during those hard moments, felt a certain intuition inside her telling her that we had to travel instantly. Although my father saw otherwise, he finally agreed convinced of my mother's feelings. Within two hours our luggage was packed and we were on the move as the warm sunlight began lighting the heavens above us. The hours passed easily during our route to the Kuwaiti borders with Iraq. But it seemed that the spacious roads dispersed the traveling cars disguising the huge multitude of vehicles that were driving simultaneously with us. The big picture focused when we reached the borders. Unbelievable thousands of cars rested on the waiting for clearance; the mind blowing masses that were waiting to cross totally resembled a modern version of the Bible exodus accounts of the Jewish population crossing over to their promised lands. A long hour during which we had to turn down the AC and withstand the scorching summer heat passed eventually and we were on the roads again heading towards Baghdad. A good eight hours elapsed I believe destroying our patience and will before we reached the busy streets of Baghdad. Gradually we entered into Al-Masbah region and my father parked in front of a supermarket to use the phone. To our disappointed none of the numbers given to my father answered. We patiently waited for another hour and tried again but nobody answered our calls. Our second option was exhausting to our pockets and included an overnight stay in a hotel as we were six family members in need of a minimum of two rooms. Earlier in Kuwait we were denied full access to our bank accounts due to the chaos rendering us with very limited amounts of cash for our travel. My mother and father stood in the middle of the road panic stricken and in full despair. However a huge miracle happened after ten minutes. My uncle passed by coincidence in the same street that we were at and recognized the car. My parents hailed and welcomed him as the Romans literally welcomed a returning triumphant Caesar from Battle. We were guided to his house and had a very good meal, an overnight rest and the next way we were up early traveling to Amman Jordan. Had my uncle not met us back then God only knows what would have happened to us and my young sibling from exhaustion. Somehow the powerful hand of the Lord interferes and makes the thick clouds break with some sunlight to warm his beloved during a storm. Best Wishes Mr. Marriott.

Hi, I stayed with my family at the Marriott in Stamford CT this past weekend.

Congratulations on the 25th anniversary of Marriott Vacation Clubs! My husband and I own at the Marriott Ocean Club in Maui - it is fantastic! Last year my parents accompanied us to Maui. I cannot say enough about how accommodating your staff was. My parents had the vacation of their dreams... I requested a high floor with a view since my parents would be spending a lot of time in the room - due to their lack of mobility. Not only did I get a high floor with a great view, they also recommended a local company where I could rent a scooter. When we arrived the scooter was there and ready for my mother - who has a bad knee. She made full use of the scooter - actually, gave new meaning to the phrase hell on wheels. She was able to get around really well on the property. Also, again your staff was very kind to her -- always helping her in and out of our car. And, when she did not feel like walking over to one of the restaurants on property - they delivered her food to the room. Thank you for taking such good care of us and for keeping all of your vacation properties clean and up to date. Last year I also stayed at Cypress Harbour in Orlando - again with the parents... We found it to be a great property and really enjoyed all of the golf courses in the immediate area. Again, Congratulations on this significant milestone. My husband and I hope to go to Maui this year for two weeks - utilizing the lock-off feature - alone!

Mr. Marriott, I have been reading your blog since I became an intern last summer at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, VA. I love keeping up with all of the Marriott news and reading about how you are living and teaching the companies values through the blog. I am lucky enough to be joining MVCI as an intern, after I graduate from Virginia Tech, at MVCI's SurfWatch this summer. Hearing this story has really made me excited about working for Marriott again, and hopefully I will be able to join the company in a full-time capacity soon! Thank you for inspiring so many associates to take care of customers every day!

congradulations..... i have stayed at the marriot recently and i thought it was a very nice hotel. However, i was shocked at the price of the bottled water in the room. Also that the hotel ran out of cots. If that could change in the future it would be very appreciated
Thank You

Congratulations on the MCVI 25 years!!Though I have not had the pleasure of being an owner I have spent plenty of time and experience with other Marriott hotels. Always have I been wonderfully satisfied! Again Congratulations on your 25 years and may God continue to Bless you for your commitment to integrity & excellence.
Strength & Wisdom
Jason

Happy Anniversary MVCI! We've been very pleased with our Marriott timeshare property at Horizons in Orlando. Our boys love the pirate ship in the middle of the pool (so do I actually). We have so much fun at the resort that we have only spent one day at Disney and the rest of the week at Horizons. I imagine that will change as our kids get older and they'll want to go to Universal Studios and other places, but for now we're rather enjoying the pirate ship. In 2005 we traded our Horizons week in to go to the Marriott Surf Club in Aruba and had a blast down there, too. Keep up the good work, MVCI!