Source: Marriott.com and hospitality industry, November 2010

Frequent travelers give Marriott Rewards top honors at the first annual Frequent Travel Awards, sponsored by the Frequent Travel Educational Association.  Ed French, senior vice president for Marriott Rewards was quoted as saying, “Marriott Rewards is designed for our guests so there is no bigger honor than to be recognized by our members as the best in the business…we are constantly striving for ways to make our program better for our members.  This year we have added new brands where members can earn and redeem points, elite night rollover and instant redemptions allowing members to redeem points for virtually anything on their folio at any point during their hotel stay.”

Marriott Rewards won 11 of the 15 hotel loyalty program awards, including Program of the Year for the America, Europe and African guest hotel/resorts.  Frequent guests point to Marriott Reward exciting features such as:

> Program of the year – Americas
> Program of the year – Europe/Africa
> Best Redemption Promotion – Americas
> Best Redemption Promotion – Europe/Africa
> Best Redemption Promotion – Middle East/Asia
> Best Redemption Ability – Americas
> Best Redemption Ability – Europe/Africa
> Best Redemption Ability – Middle East /Asia
> Best Earning Promotion – Americas
> Best Earning Promotion – Europe/Africa
> Best Earning Promotion – Middle East/Asia

The Frequent Traveler Awards represent excellence in frequent travel programs worldwide, rating the best frequent flyer and frequent guest programs by evaluating select programs in one of three global regions; Americas, Europe/Africa, and the Middle East/Asia and Oceania, and consider airline and hotel programs in relation to the Hotel or Resort destination.

Source: earthtimes.com, May 29, 2010

Travel season is upon us, and if you are a Marriott Vacation Club member you may find the perfect destination for family fun and San Antonio, TX vacation packages at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa.  The beauty of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is that it is 100% designed for family and younger guests.  For younger guests, you can arrange in-room childcare services through accredited professionals in the area.  Range Riders Kids Club (ages 4-12) is a full-service, fully accredited children’s recreation program at the resort hotel which features fun-filled days of interactive games and activities that exercise the mind and the body of the kids.  While the kids are playing parents can take advantage of abundant spa treatments at Lantana Spa or get a couple of rounds in at either of the resorts area golf courses; AT&T Oaks at TPC San Antonio and AT&T Canyons at TPC San Antonio.  

The Resort & Spa has a 1,100 foot lazy river on the premise and offers breathtaking views as the water winds through lush landscaping of native trees and brilliant flowers.  Of course the Resort couldn’t design such an awesome feature without making it interactive; so for fun take a ride down the thrilling rapids ride…a fast moving 650 foot river ride that carries you into the lazy river…or hop down another 315 foot slidein order to enter the spectacular lazy river.

While there are endless ways to enjoy the abundant recreation and amenities at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, locals and past visitors will tell you that a visit to San Antonio is not complete without a stroll along the famous River Walk.  The River Walk is noted for its three miles of stone path that lines the San Antonio River.  In addition to the River Walk, there are many popular family attractions in San Antonio that make this Texas City and the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa a great timeshare destination.  Noted attractions include; Sea World, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, the historic Alamo and the three-time NBA champions, San Antonio Spurs.

source: marketwire.com, May 20, 2010

“Suzhou is an ancient city with a 2500 year history and it is unmatched for the fantastic features and classic Chinese lifestyle. This hotel’s location, right in the heart of the downtown area, allows guests traveling for both business and leisure to discover and experience everything this city has to offer”; said Jerry Miao, General Manager of the Suzhou Marriott Hotel during Marriott International’s t announcement of the grand opening of its’ newly opened Hotel/Resort located in SUZHOU, JIANGSU PROVINCE, CHINA.  Effectively the property is owned by Suzhou New Development Investment Co, Ltd. and managed by Marriott International, Inc.  The 302-room, 50-story building is indicative of classic Chinese culture in the sense of combining business with pleasure.  Guests from all parts of the world will appreciate the part hotel, part International Office Building and part Executive Apartment concept distinguished in local heritage. The guest rooms are located from 29th to 48th floors, and feature a stunning view of the bustling city below and are nearby to the Suzhou National New & High-Tech Development Zone.  Emboldened by the classic gardens of Suzhou, the ancient city gates and Suzhou Museum; Marriott International’s recent announcement epitomizes the continuing emergence of Eastern and Western cultures.  

For dining and entertainment, the hotel features the restaurant, Asia Bistro, which is an open kitchen concept with four major kitchens.  The first open kitchen features Asian sections for local specialties and the second plays host to an authentic tandoor and grill for Indian, Malay, and Singaporean specialties.  The third kitchen offers a cold counter for seafood, salads, and Japanese specialties.  And lastly there is a dessert counter with a built in oven for baked goods, plus ice cream and cake specialties.   

Additional options for Suzhou dining at the hotel include Man Ho Chinese Restaurant where, once guests enter the restaurant through the Tea Lounge, they will find a variety of teas served for tasting and relaxing.  Another fabulous option is Alto Vino offering diners a chance to experience Italian country fare in a family friendly environment.  The Lounge, located in the heart of the hotel, is ideal for small meetings, entertainment, a quick lunch, or a quiet coffee or glass of wine.  Lastly, Java+, a five star bakery and pastry shop is a grab and go coffee outlet offering international and local fares with emphasis on orders-to-go.

Source: MarketWatch, May 4, 2010

Marriott Vacation Club, the premier timeshare brand of Marriott International, Inc. has made the official announcement for the final phase opening of Marriott’s OceanWatch Villas at Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach, S.C.  The new phase features 75 additional two-bedroom, two-bathroom villas and brings the popular vacation ownership resort’s total villa count to 361; each with approximately 1,100 square feet of living space, and accommodating up to eight guests.

Nestled in the prestigious 2,200-acre Grande Dunes community and adjacent to the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes, Marriott’s OceanWatch Villas welcomes guests with a taste of southern living as it was meant to be.  Each luxurious villa includes a fully-equipped kitchen with granite countertops, spacious living and dining areas, multiple televisions and DVD player, washer/dryer and a private balcony with inspiring panoramic ocean and garden views.

Some featured resort amenities guests can enjoy and not limited to are:

1. Three outdoor pools, a children’s pool, a slide pool and four whirlpool spas
2. One indoor pool, children’s indoor pool and indoor whirlpool spa
3. Men’s and women’s locker rooms, sauna and steam rooms inside the 2,500 square-foot fitness center, which features Life Fitness equipment
4. Sand Dollar Pool Bar and Woodsy Grill & Pool Bar (both seasonal)
5.  The MarketPlace convenience store and grille
6.  Bocce ball and shuffle board courts

Additional activities and services include excursions to distinct Myrtle Beach attractions and access to restaurants and the full-service Hibiscus Spa at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

According to Michael Reilly, General Manager of Marriott’s OceanWatch Villas at Grande Dunes, “We are excited to open the final phase of villas at this fabulous resort, offering more luxurious accommodations for more families to enjoy in beautiful Myrtle Beach”.

As one of the best known and most respected timeshare developer companies, Marriott Vacation Club Timeshares are a spectacular choice for vacation ownership. Marriott has provided nearly 400,000 owners with amazing annual vacations for over twenty-five years. With over fifty resorts in seven countries, owners will enjoy a home resort in exciting destinations focusing generally on beach, ski, urban, golf, or theme park locations.

Marriott Vacation Club entered the timeshare industry in 1984, bringing their reputable name in hospitality to the world of vacation ownership. With their service-oriented, consumer-friendly innovations, its no wonder that Marriott Vacation Club owners are ranked among the most satisfied in the timeshare industry! Buying a Marriott Timeshare Resale allows you to lock in today’s vacationing costs, while guaranteeing your family an annual vacation to some of the most elite and amazing destination resorts in the world!