Marriott Timeshares - Their History in the Timeshare Market

Today, Marriott is considered the industry leader in the Timeshare market. Their ongoing commitment to quality and excellence has allowed them to set the bar in the Timeshare arena. With a well established and respected core lodging business already in place, Marriott began to offer vacation ownership known as Timeshare in 1984. This is their story.

Marriott valued the concept of timeshare, and understood the potential the timeshare market had. Through extensive research of the timeshare industry, Marriott came to many realizations. Timesharing had a negative perception due to low quality resorts, and a serious lack of focus on customer care and innovation. With the highest standards of service and resort offerings, Marriott established Marriott Ownership Resorts, Inc. in 1984. Being the first major hospitality company to enter the timeshare market, Marriott instantly provided timeshare with the credibility it had lacked in the past. Not only did Marriott offer the highest quality resorts in the industry, but they also introduced major innovations in the timeshare market. In the past, timeshare was based primarily on a fixed week basis. Marriott introduced the floating unit and time concept, something that had not been seen in the timeshare market. Owners, for the first time were given the flexibility to trade their weeks for points that were redeemable throughout Marriotts worldwide timeshare offerings.

Marriott continued to set the standard in the timeshare market by opening Marriotts Sabal Palms in Orlando, Florida in 1986. This timeshare resort was the first of its kind. Built from the ground up adjacent to a full service hotel, this timeshare became the model for future timeshare resorts. With instant success, Marriott gave the green light to production on their second timeshare resort, the Marriotts Royal Palms. Marriott continued to enjoy national success as the industry leader in the timeshare market throughout the 80s.

In the late 80s and early 90s, Marriott had their plan focused on expanding into the international timeshare market. In 1990, Marriott opened Paradise Island Beach Club in Nassau, Bahamas. Leading the timeshare industry, Marriott continued to push forward providing its owners with a luxurious accommodations and a memorable timeshare experience. During this time, Marriott partnered with Interval International. This partnership allowed timeshare owners to trade weeks at their timeshare with other timeshare resorts throughout the world.

By 1993 Marriott boasted over 50,000 timeshare owners. Their timeshare offerings had expanded to three countries and over 19 timeshare resorts. 1994 saw Marriott open up a series of mountain ownership timeshares in both Utah and Colorado, as well as a historic themed timeshare in Williamsburg, Virginia. Sticking with their strategy to innovate the timeshare market. Sales of Marriott timeshares continued at Marriott's Grande Ocean on Hilton Head Island in 1995 when they introduced the concept of "floating check-ins", the first ever of the Marriott timeshare industry. Also in 1995, Marriott (MORI) begins sales of their timeshares under the name of Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI). This moves solidifies Marriott's main focus; the customer, and their overall vacation experience.

In 1996, Marriott Vacation Club International's timeshare sales begin at Marriott's Marbella Beach Resort in Spain, marking MCVI's first European timeshare resort. In that same year, Marriott teamed up with PGA Champion Nick Faldo to launched Marriott's first personalized and professional golf instruction based timeshare offering located at Marriott's Grande Vista in Orlando Florida. 1997 marked a milestone for Marriott Vacation Club International as they welcomed the sale of their 100,000 timeshare owner. Boston's 150 year old landmark, the Custom House was also sold to Marriott and underwent a multimillion dollar overhaul. Marriott's Custom House and its historical clock was now the first ever branded metropolitan timeshare ownership of its kind.

Sales of Marriott timeshares continue throughout the close of the millennium. Their focus on innovation and customer focused service continue to make them the timeshare sales industry leader. Introducing luxury timeshare offerings at the Ritz Carlton Club in Aspen Highlands, Colorado, as well as St. Thomas are just of the few timeshare segments that Marriott offers to close out 1999. At the turn of the century, Marriott offers timeshare sales at Marriott's Newport Coast Villas in California, and Marriott's Barony Beach in Hilton Heads Island, SC. These timeshare ownerships offer full spa services on each coast of the United States.

2001 sees MCVI welcome its 200,000 timeshare owner, as well as over 4 billion dollars in Marriott timeshare sales. Also announced that same year is Marriott's Phunket Beach Club in Thailand, Marriott' first ever Asian timeshare offering. On the top of their game, in 2002, MCVI becomes a large player in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Timeshare owners at the Marriott's Mountainside in Park City enjoy up close and personal viewer ship of many of the Salt Lake City Olympic Games. Within that same year, Marriott continues to evolve its European timeshare sales in both Paris and London.

In 2003, MCVI receives the prestigious honor of being named the countrys Best Sales Organization at the American Business Awards. Marriott was now clearly the timeshare sales industry leader. Two new resorts in Hawaii open up, bringing Marriott's timeshare offerings to four islands. As Marriott's 20th year in the timeshare ownership industry approaches, Marriott continues to expand throughout Europe. MCVI continues to offer new sales of timeshare ownership in Arizona, South Carolina, as well as a second timeshare resort in Aruba.

After seeing record growth in Marriott timeshare sales, MCVI breaks ground on its 46th timeshare resort. Marriott's Frenchman's Cove is the first ever timeshare offered in the U.S Virgin Islands in 2005. In 2006 MCVI is once again named "Best Sales Ownership" by the American Business Award. Being recognized by its timeshare sales excellence, Marriott continues to press forward in the timeshare industry. Today Marriott hosts over 330,000 timeshare owners and over 10 billion in timeshare sales since 1994. They have changed their core timeshare brand name to Marriott Vacation Club as early as 2007. With the same customer focused innovation driving their core strategy, Marriott Vacation Club seems poised to continue to lead the timeshare market. Offering nothing but the highest quality of timeshare offerings, without sacrificing any of the customer focused innovation they have always prided themselves on.

TIMESHARE HOT DEALS

Marriott Timeshares For Sale and/or Rent

Marriott's Beach Place Towers Ad #: 46386 Asking: $16500 Make offer From its prime oceanfront location, Marriott's BeachPlace Towers commands spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Guests will enjoy studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom villa accommodations and amenities including an owners' lounge, pool, spa/hot tub, exercise room, and video game room. Beneath the Towers, a three-story complex of shops and restaurants adds choice and convenience.

Marriott's Newport Coast Villas Ad #: 37269 Asking: $14500 Negotiable Edging California's Newport Coast beaches, these well-appointed villas overlook the Pacific Ocean and offer unlimited opportunities for swimming and golf, including two championship 18-hole golf courses at the nearby Pelican Hill Golf Club. Guests will also enjoy other recreational enticements such as the fitness center with sauna and steam room, three outdoor pools, two outdoor whirlpool spas, walking and biking trails, and barbecue and picnic areas. A restaurant, a convenience store, and retail venues will be located on-site. Resort amenities are under construction, so some that are listed may not be available.

Marriott's Barony Beach Club Ad #: 27305 Asking: $32000 Negotiable Timeshare Marriott's Barony Beach Club is located on Port Royal Plantation, a few minutes' drive from all that the island has to offer. The beach is across from the entrance of a neighboring resort, and is within easy walking distance from the villas. Each spacious, two-bedroom villa includes a private balcony, whirlpool, fully equipped kitchen, utility room with washer/dryer, and living and dining areas. Guests will enjoy six private pools, five whirlpool spas, putting green, shuffleboard courts, barbecue grills, a world-class spa, convenience store, and deli.