Marriott announces new "city collection"

[TUGBrian]

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Bets on Big Cities With New Timeshare Collection

Marriott Vacations Worldwide, a timeshare operator, said it was creating a collection of timeshares in urban locations, starting in 7 cities.

skift.com

interesting... "Marriott Vacations Worldwide on Thursday launched its first collection of timeshares in cities, a sign of growing demand for timeshares beyond traditional resort locations."

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www.marriottvacationclubs.com

 

[dioxide45]

Well... It ain't new. They just rebranded their former Pulse locations into City Collection. This was previously discussed in the Waikiki thread.

 

[TUGBrian]

ah ha....that explains why a search didnt come up for me!

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Interesting. I wonder if they will follow the HGVC playbook to charge owners more who want better services and access to this collection similar to by HIlton Club or whether this is simply re-packaging.

Also wonder if they will offer owners lounges similar to the bHC Club Properties which regular HGVC owners cannot access unless you own there.

 

[dioxide45]

Interesting. I wonder if they will follow the HGVC playbook to charge owners more who want better services and access to this collection similar to by HIlton Club or whether this is simply re-packaging.

Also wonder if they will offer owners lounges similar to the bHC Club Properties which regular HGVC owners cannot access unless you own there.

The product already exists and is already available to owners who use points for reservations. So no new buyin for access. I don't believe there are owner lounges like at Hilton Club as there aren't actually owners of these properties as they are all part of the point system. In HC, owners buy into each individual property.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

HGVC and MAX club owners have access to bHC but with limited reservation windows to 60 - 90 days - so they get the leftovers. Owners at these properties get earlier reservation access (without competing against the entire system), lounges etc.

It would not be difficult for MVC to change the Abound rules to reduce the reservation window to City Collection for regular Abound owners. HGVC has changed their reservations windows over time. MVC seems to be struggling financially and "better access" especially with new properties which Abound owners do not have current access such as Waikiki, Savannah and Charleston may give them a reason to create another tier to generate fast cash with current owners who are aging and may want to see shows and dine out rather than sit on a beach..

(I hope this doesn't happen but we know that timeshare developers are always looking for money).

 

[bizaro86]

HGVC and MAX club owners have access to bHC but with limited reservation windows to 60 - 90 days - so they get the leftovers. Owners at these properties get earlier reservation access (without competing against the entire system), lounges etc.

It would not be difficult for MVC to change the Abound rules to reduce the reservation window to City Collection for regular Abound owners. HGVC has changed their reservations windows over time. MVC seems to be struggling financially and "better access" especially with new properties which Abound owners do not have current access such as Waikiki, Savannah and Charleston may give them a reason to create another tier to generate fast cash with current owners who are aging and may want to see shows and dine out rather than sit on a beach..

(I hope this doesn't happen but we know that timeshare developers are always looking for money).

Sounds like the core of another higher elite level to me.

 

[dioxide45]

Sounds like the core of another higher elite level to me.

Yeah, that would really be the only way they can limit it. It isn't like there are weeks based owners at these properties (except Custom House) like there is in Hilton Club. They could add some type of shorter reservation window based on Owner Benefit Level like they have for Ritz Carlton Residence Club properties. I don't really expect them to do that. They need people in these rooms in order to spread demand from the other core properties that already have availability issues in points.

 

[Fasttr]

The Marriott Vacation Clubs™ Announces Expanding City Collection With New Waikiki Resort Now Open for Booking

The collection offers Owners, Members and guests curated experiences in the heart of vibrant cities

news.marriott.com

 

[jwalk03]

Confirms that both Charleston & Savannah will be Westin locations.

The pulse name was stupid anyway so I would say this is an improvement.

 

[dioxide45]

Confirms that both Charleston & Savannah will be Westin locations.

The pulse name was stupid anyway so I would say this is an improvement.

I wonder if they will also use the "City Collection" moniker on the Westin properties? It doesn't seem like the term is part of the overall name of the properties like "Pulse" was.

 

[DRH90277]

I wonder if they will also use the "City Collection" moniker on the Westin properties? It doesn't seem like the term is part of the overall name of the properties like "Pulse" was.

Please fix ours too. The "City" designation sounds so much better than "Pulse" for great properties like Boston Custom House. Even an upgrade for Custom House to "Historic" would help.

 

[sponger76]

Confirms that both Charleston & Savannah will be Westin locations.

What remains unconfirmed is whether those resorts will be bookable within Vistana or only via Abound.

The pulse name was stupid anyway so I would say this is an improvement.

 

[sponger76]

Please fix ours too. The "City" designation sounds so much better than "Pulse" for great properties like Boston Custom House. Even an upgrade for Custom House to "Historic" would help.

They did. It now shows as Marriott Vacation Club at Custom House, Boston

 

[Fasttr]

I wonder if they will also use the "City Collection" moniker on the Westin properties? It doesn't seem like the term is part of the overall name of the properties like "Pulse" was.

Per the press release linked in post #9.....

The Marriott Vacation Clubs has also announced plans to add the first two Westin Vacation Club properties to its City Collection portfolio.

 

[dioxide45]

Please fix ours too. The "City" designation sounds so much better than "Pulse" for great properties like Boston Custom House. Even an upgrade for Custom House to "Historic" would help.

"Pulse" has been removed from all the City properties.

 

[JIMinNC]

What remains unconfirmed is whether those resorts will be bookable within Vistana or only via Abound.

I would certainly expect Abound-only, but you're right that hasn't been absolutely confirmed

In their quarterly earnings calls, they frequently talk about their progress transitioning the sales centers to selling only Abound. While they say they have now transitioned most to Abound-only, they do still have some sales offices selling leftover Vistana interests. Since it's their goal to shift all/most to just Abound, I can't imagine they would want to add these to the old Vistana trusts or sell them as Vistana weeks, thus perpetrating the need to sell two systems.

 

[Steve A]

As a footnote to nothing, I was able to get a seven night Custom House this August using a lock off room from an April 2024 Grand Chateau reservation.

 

[Fasttr]

As a footnote to nothing, I was able to get a seven night Custom House this August using a lock off room from an April 2024 Grand Chateau reservation.

Speaking of MGC… why is it not also part of the City Collection? It’s certainly in the City.

 

[vacation dreaming]

Speaking of MGC… why is it not also part of the City Collection? It’s certainly in the City.

Because it has full kitchens.

 

[dioxide45]

Speaking of MGC… why is it not also part of the City Collection? It’s certainly in the City.

Beachplace Towers too...

 

[dioxide45]

What remains unconfirmed is whether those resorts will be bookable within Vistana or only via Abound.

I would certainly expect Abound-only, but you're right that hasn't been absolutely confirmed

In their quarterly earnings calls, they frequently talk about their progress transitioning the sales centers to selling only Abound. While they say they have now transitioned most to Abound-only, they do still have some sales offices selling leftover Vistana interests. Since it's their goal to shift all/most to just Abound, I can't imagine they would want to add these to the old Vistana trusts or sell them as Vistana weeks, thus perpetrating the need to sell two systems.

Undoubtedly these will be added to the Abound trust, if they ever get around to doing that. They haven't added NYC yet and it has been available to book for years. Perhaps they find renting the inventory more lucrative or they are waiting on some regulatory approval or something else. Even if they are 100% trust, the key question is will they be bookable with StarOptions within VSN at eight months? I think they will be, but inventory will be limited and hard to book. They won't be part of Westin Flex, but it might be possible for HomeOption owners to book them at eight months. Sure they could use the ultimate carrot on the stick to force people to buy or convert to Abound Club points to book these, but just a hunch or perhaps a hope that limited inventory will be available in VSN.

 

[Fasttr]

Because it has full kitchens.

That may be it. Can anybody with knowledge of Marriott Vacation Club® at The Empire Place, Bangkok confirm or deny it has a full kitchen, as its listed as part of the City Collection.

Below is what it shows online for Kitchen amenities. From the pic online (pasted below), it looks like what they refer to as a stove, may just be an electric cook top with no oven, but can't tell for sure. It certainly appears to have a full fridge, has double sink, cabinets, etc.

KITCHEN AMENITIES​

• Electric cooking stove
• Refrigerator
• Microwave oven
• Toaster
• Pots, pans, serving dishes
• Silverware and Dishware

 

[dioxide45]

Because it has full kitchens.

Perhaps it has more to do with villa types available? Beachplace and Grand Chateau have full 2BR villas and MGC also has 3BR. Do any City Collections have 2BR or larger units?

 

[Fasttr]

Perhaps it has more to do with villa types available? Beachplace and Grand Chateau have full 2BR villas and MGC also has 3BR. Do any City Collections have 2BR or larger units?

Bangkok has 1, 2 and 3BRs.