Timeshare Trends Blog

While highlighting its significant market opportunities and competitive advantages, Marriott International has informed security analysts and institutional investors in New York, that its earnings per share of stock could hit well above the highest earnings achieved during Marriott’s most recent peak earnings year of 2007. The company expects to add at least 80,000 to 90,000 hotel rooms to its portfolio from 2011 through 2013 with additional opportunities for 22,000 rooms to open in Europe and Asia during that same period. Marriott has plans to adapt and expand current brands, such as Courtyard and Fairfield, to meet the growing needs of customers in markets worldwide. The company will also be expanding its new brands outside of the United States, including Edition, which just opened its first hotel on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. Marriott is also successful in the high-end timeshare market.

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Marriott’s Grande Vista is open. The first phase of Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve at Grande Vista has officially opened. The timeshare resort is the first to be on the same campus as a Ritz-Carlton hotel and a JW Marriott. It is also the first time that Marriott Vacation Club has built two-story town home-style units in North America. Marriott broke ground on the Mediterranean -style development nearly two years ago. The first phase includes 85 villas out of a proposed 340. Marriott’s Lake Shore Reserve is Marriott’s seventh timeshare resort in the Orlando area.

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Marriott Vacation Club introduces new vacation ownership program. Marriott Vacation Club, the timeshare brand of Marriott International, recently announced the launch of the points-based Marriott Vacation Club Destinations program in North America and the Caribbean, rather than the once usual week at a designated resort. The points system is designed to accommodate new trends in travel and increase flexibility for timeshare owners, allowing them to book multiple, shorter stays rather than a full week. Current owners of Marriott timeshares will maintain their full rights and privileges, but will also have the option to enroll in the new program.

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The Oceana Palms of the Palm Beaches has recently opened as Marriott Vacation Club’s 50th resort. The Marriott Vacation Club, the premiere timeshare brand of Marriott International, officially welcomed owners and guests in January. Perfectly situated in the heart of Palm Beach County and on the tip of Florida’s “Gold Coast,” the first phase is completed with a 19-story tower offering spectacular ocean views from 75 two-bedroom villas (169 proposed villas upon build-out).

Located just steps from the water, owners and guests will enjoy spending the day on the beach or relaxing by the pools while the kids play in the zero-entry pool featuring “The Splash Zone” and waterslide. The “Reflections” pool bar and grill is also on site. Each villa has more than 1,100 square feet of living space and a blend of traditional furnishings and fresh, contemporary pieces.

Villas feature a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and GE stainless steel appliances, generous living and dining areas, multiple LG flat-panel televisions with DVD players, an oversized shower with multiple shower heads in the master suite, and washer/dryer. Each villa accommodates up to 8 guests.

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Marriott International is cutting back on the high-demand home development business and is cutting prices at some of its fractional ownership resorts. Marriott is also planning to halt its timeshare development in Europe. However, according to a recent Orlando Sentinel story, Marriott officials report that their timeshare business run by Orlando based Marriott Vacation Club International is doing better than its high-end counterpart.

According to Marriott’s president and chief operating officer, Arne Sorenson, the significant decline in demand for luxury residential real estate is reflective of today’s economy. It also reflects the relative strength and deeper market of the traditional timeshare business, which while impacted by the weaker economy has proved to be more resilient.

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Three Marriott Vacation Club International resorts have received Florida Green Lodging Program designation from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Marriott recently revealed that the designation was given to its Grande Vista and Cypress Harbour facilities, along with the Crystal Shores resort on Marco Island. The One Palm label was given to the resorts after they met all of the requirements to officially become part of the environmentally friendly association.

Troy Asche, regional vice-president of operations for the Florida-Caribbean region of Marriott Vacation Club, said that environmental stewardship is a vital part of providing memorable holiday experiences for owners and guests. He added that group efforts of the timeshare organization can make a significant contribution to the preservation of the Florida environment by making resort operations greener. Marriott recently received positive news earlier this month as Marriott Vacation Club International was named as one of the best places to work by the Utah Department of Workforce Services’ Work/Life Awards.

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