Ocean Watch @ Grand Dunes observations

[suenmike32]

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.

[dougp26364]

Thanks for your comments. I look forward to reading a full review in the review section if you have time when you get home.

I have been toying with the idea of exchanging into either Grand Ocean or Barony Beach in Hilton Head one year and Ocean Watch another year. We also own at Ocean Pointe so your comparison to that resort helps us some.

At this point, I think I'll wait until the developement of Ocean Watch is a little further along before trying to exchange in.

[vacationlover2]

I'm heading to OceanWatch in September. It will be only the second timeshare I've ever stayed in. The first was the Marriott Manor club. I'm sure I'll be wowed by OceanWatch. It sounds incredible. I hope they have the Wi Fi fixed by then.

[davemy]

I will be checking in april 6th for our spring vacation. CAN'T WAIT! We have 2 rooms reserved. Got them with 2 of my 1 bedroom beachplace towers. Should we request the new tower, can you see the construction from the new tower?

[suenmike32]

If it were me, I don't think I would request the new "starfish" building. You would need an ocean front unit to view the ocean and pools. We were just as happy with the two side buildings "conch" and "scallop". The rear of the new building faces the construction.

Originally Posted by davemy

I will be checking in april 6th for our spring vacation. CAN'T WAIT! We have 2 rooms reserved. Got them with 2 of my 1 bedroom beachplace towers. Should we request the new tower, can you see the construction from the new tower?

[Avery]

Heck, we were happy in a hotel room next door... that is one nice hotel, and a great stretch of beach

[davemy]

Youre right we stayed in the hotel 3 years ago. It was perfect!!! We stayed on points witch made it even better.

[suenmike32]

Having toured the "Marriott hotel" property next door at O.W. I find it hard to even think of it as "a hotel room"...this place is gorgeous! The whole Grande Dunes experience is one of class in a great location. I almost hate to leave...but alas..the great northeast beckons this Sunday.

Originally Posted by Avery

Heck, we were happy in a hotel room next door... that is one nice hotel, and a great stretch of beach

[Big Matt]

Can you give us some sort of run down on the restaurants and shopping in the area. I understand that it is in an upscale community. How far of a drive/walk is it to the main destinations?

[davemy]

At oceanwatch You will need a car. Your'e right at the end of myrtle beach proper, Almost at the start of north myrtle beach. Youre in a very quiet section of myrtle beach. The beach is not elbow to elbow even in the summertime. Kinda like surfwatch in hilton head. You are 5 to 6 miles away from broadway at the beach, and barefoot landings too very popular places to go for shopping and eating.South 20 to 30 minutes is surfside beach and murrells inlet where there is probably 10 great seafood resturants. And Golf is everywhere. I have been to myrtle beach 5 times in the last 19 years and never get tired of it. My parents took me when i was a kid at least another 5 times. It has really changed over the years.

[suenmike32]

davemy is correct, you do need a car. However, Business 17, (the main drag) is within 5 minutes drive. When hitting that highway (6 lane divided), you go north or south and find virtually anything you want from chain places like Carrabas, Applebees, Bonefish's) to local joints. Your halfway between Nor & Myrtle Beach proper.

Originally Posted by Big Matt

Can you give us some sort of run down on the restaurants and shopping in the area. I understand that it is in an upscale community. How far of a drive/walk is it to the main destinations?

[jwq387]

Originally Posted by Big Matt

Can you give us some sort of run down on the restaurants and shopping in the area. I understand that it is in an upscale community. How far of a drive/walk is it to the main destinations?

It is a 5 minute drive to Barefoot Landing, location of numerous shops and restaurants. It take about 20 minutes to drive to Broadway at The Beach, and even larger congregation of shops and restaurants. Walking to anything from Ocean Watch is a stretch. I would say you are at least a mile from any significant shopping and dining establishments. There is an outlet mall about 10 minute north on HWy 17, where Route 22 intersects.

The "condos" next door, if you want to call them that, go for 1.5-2.5million.
Grande Dunes is upscale with a capital "U", for sure. Homes in the Castillo Del MAr neighborhood next to the hotel start at about 950K to 1.5M.

[disneydor]

If you want a good local restaurant take a left out of OW on the mainstrip towards the Pavillion and go to Thornys. Good ribs and steaks. They have a website you can check out.