suenmike32
TUG Member
We arrived Sunday 3/25 at Marriott’s Ocean Watch after an 11 hour drive from Ocean Pointe. The day, (unfortunately in the car), was absolutely gorgeous. Not a cloud in the sky and temperatures in the low 80’s.
First impressions of the resort, is that it is gigantic, but it really isn’t, (at least at this point). It sits adjacent to a full service Marriott Hotel. Three buildings of the planned 7 are complete. They are 8 & 13 stories high. A crane is quite obvious as is many construction workers but we haven’t heard any appreciable noise. The main building, (welcome center/lobby) is complete, and found it to be an easy check-in. No more trailers (which were used previously for check-in). The building is classy and found the view from the veranda overlooking 1 pool and the ocean, to be very impressing
We are on the 7th Floor in the Scallop building. These 2BR units are very nicely appointed but I get the feeling that they are slightly smaller than Ocean Pointe’s rooms. They have flat-screen TV’s and a DVD. The balcony is unbelievably large and on one side looks over the pool/property, on the other, a magnificent look at the beach. Just for the heck of it I was so impressed, (about its size), that I measured it. Its 8’ x 18’ (railing to railing). Enough for a large table with 4 chairs and several more people as well.
The beach is very substantial (150 yards wide at low tide), and has not suffered the damage that many of the southern Florida beaches have suffered from the ravishes of years of severe hurricanes. It is nice fine sand, but the water is murky, unlike southern Florida’s blue coral.
Listed below are a number of things that I thought were worth mentioning:
1. No WiFi in the rooms (they are trying to fix it), so you have to go to the lobby with your PC.
2. No cell service in the rooms. (Verizon, Cingular, Nextel….none!) Must go outside for service. The WiFi will eventually be fixed…but I doubt if the cell service will. (two bummers)
3. There is no Pizza-hut yet. It was supposed to be completed by now but it hasn’t happened yet.
4. There are 7 BBQ grilles near the pools, most work.
5. The pools are supposedly heated to 82-84 degrees, (I didn’t think so). However, hot hot-tubs!
6. Main pool is only 3’4” deep….feels kind of awkward. Lower pool is 4’6” deep…that’s better.
7. The pool-bar is nice…but opens only if warm out, (at least for now)
8. There are no ice machines in any of the buildings. You must buy any ice you need or make your own.
9. There is a full service Marriott next door and you can have cocktails, dinner and charge it to your room at Ocean Watch. Their pool facilities are limited to their guests only. Spa treatments must be purchased. In other words, there is nothing available to you unless you pay. I have to say the place is beautiful. Their grounds and pool area are outstanding!
10. The children’s activity room is huge, and there are a ton of activities for them. They evern have their own little courtyard.
11. Plenty of indoor parking, but depending on your room location, access is not always easy.
12. 3 buildings now complete, all are ocean-side. 4 more buildings to be done by 2010-11
13. Rooms nicely appointed. All 2 BR. Slightly smaller than Ocean Pointe.
14. Balconies are incredibly large 8’ x 18’ (they’re so big…. I had to measure)
15. Lightning fast elevators. (Get from pool to room & back in 3 min)
16. Live music at lower pool (closest to the ocean)
17. Lower pool as 55 mph water jet emulating from a wall creating a Niagra Falls effect. Fun!
18. Hotel manager very approachable, actually he’ll probably as you about your stay. Nice man.
We’re just stopping over on our way home after a 4 week stay at Ocean Pointe so we’re kind of spoiled and slightly biased. O.P. is a fine tuned and outstanding resort with twice (or more) the experience.
However, when complete, and with a few wrinkles ironed out, Ocean Watch is going to not only be gorgeous but a great spot to stay. We are truly enjoying ourselves and would certainly come back. Hope this helps.
First impressions of the resort, is that it is gigantic, but it really isn’t, (at least at this point). It sits adjacent to a full service Marriott Hotel. Three buildings of the planned 7 are complete. They are 8 & 13 stories high. A crane is quite obvious as is many construction workers but we haven’t heard any appreciable noise. The main building, (welcome center/lobby) is complete, and found it to be an easy check-in. No more trailers (which were used previously for check-in). The building is classy and found the view from the veranda overlooking 1 pool and the ocean, to be very impressing
We are on the 7th Floor in the Scallop building. These 2BR units are very nicely appointed but I get the feeling that they are slightly smaller than Ocean Pointe’s rooms. They have flat-screen TV’s and a DVD. The balcony is unbelievably large and on one side looks over the pool/property, on the other, a magnificent look at the beach. Just for the heck of it I was so impressed, (about its size), that I measured it. Its 8’ x 18’ (railing to railing). Enough for a large table with 4 chairs and several more people as well.
The beach is very substantial (150 yards wide at low tide), and has not suffered the damage that many of the southern Florida beaches have suffered from the ravishes of years of severe hurricanes. It is nice fine sand, but the water is murky, unlike southern Florida’s blue coral.
Listed below are a number of things that I thought were worth mentioning:
1. No WiFi in the rooms (they are trying to fix it), so you have to go to the lobby with your PC.
2. No cell service in the rooms. (Verizon, Cingular, Nextel….none!) Must go outside for service. The WiFi will eventually be fixed…but I doubt if the cell service will. (two bummers)
3. There is no Pizza-hut yet. It was supposed to be completed by now but it hasn’t happened yet.
4. There are 7 BBQ grilles near the pools, most work.
5. The pools are supposedly heated to 82-84 degrees, (I didn’t think so). However, hot hot-tubs!
6. Main pool is only 3’4” deep….feels kind of awkward. Lower pool is 4’6” deep…that’s better.
7. The pool-bar is nice…but opens only if warm out, (at least for now)
8. There are no ice machines in any of the buildings. You must buy any ice you need or make your own.
9. There is a full service Marriott next door and you can have cocktails, dinner and charge it to your room at Ocean Watch. Their pool facilities are limited to their guests only. Spa treatments must be purchased. In other words, there is nothing available to you unless you pay. I have to say the place is beautiful. Their grounds and pool area are outstanding!
10. The children’s activity room is huge, and there are a ton of activities for them. They evern have their own little courtyard.
11. Plenty of indoor parking, but depending on your room location, access is not always easy.
12. 3 buildings now complete, all are ocean-side. 4 more buildings to be done by 2010-11
13. Rooms nicely appointed. All 2 BR. Slightly smaller than Ocean Pointe.
14. Balconies are incredibly large 8’ x 18’ (they’re so big…. I had to measure)
15. Lightning fast elevators. (Get from pool to room & back in 3 min)
16. Live music at lower pool (closest to the ocean)
17. Lower pool as 55 mph water jet emulating from a wall creating a Niagra Falls effect. Fun!
18. Hotel manager very approachable, actually he’ll probably as you about your stay. Nice man.
We’re just stopping over on our way home after a 4 week stay at Ocean Pointe so we’re kind of spoiled and slightly biased. O.P. is a fine tuned and outstanding resort with twice (or more) the experience.
However, when complete, and with a few wrinkles ironed out, Ocean Watch is going to not only be gorgeous but a great spot to stay. We are truly enjoying ourselves and would certainly come back. Hope this helps.
