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Marriott Vacation Club continues to evolve and innovate (Part II)
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Part I introduced the impact Marriott's 1984 entry into timeshare had on the industry. In the conclusion, we take a closer look at Marriott's new designs.
What sets the new Marriott design apart, according to Ed Kinney, MCVI spokesman, is the degree to which the creative use of space creates a roomier feel, without necessarily increasing square footage.
I haven’t seen the floor plans yet, but the stories I’ve seen suggest both halves of the two bedroom unit being able to operate as full one bedroom condos. The reality, after speaking with Kinney, is a little less dramatic.
The master unit will still contain the master bedroom and bath, as well as the full kitchen with marble counters. The counters have been reconfigured to create a greater feeling of roominess, without sacrificing functionality.
This leads to the dining area and the living room, with dramatic glass entry to the outside deck. Use of various floor surfaces and carpeting, depending on the geography and climate of each property, also contribute to the sense of roominess.
Another factor behind the evolution in villa design is the benefits offered by flat screen televisions. Because they can be affixed to the walls, and are only a couple of inches thick, it eliminates the need for large armoire to hold traditional picture tube sets. And having to place that credenza in the right position for the bed, limited the options for bedroom layout. Those limitations are now diminished.
The stand alone guest suite will not be as full blown as the master suite when locked off, but still sounds pretty good.
Again, use of differing flooring surfaces combined with positioning of the fixtures and furniture, create a roomier feeling and distinct areas. Some guest suites will have two beds, some will have one king or queen, and all will have a sleeper sofa in the living room area.
The guest suite will contain a kitchenette, including a refrigerator and microwave. One feature that set’s these apart – a second deck for the smaller unit. It will not have the washer/drier or a dishwasher. Separate laundry facilities will be provided on each floor to accommodate the owners staying in the guest suites.
I’m no architect, and don’t pretend to understand some of the concepts, but I have always been impressed with the layouts and floor plans of the previous MCVI resorts I’ve visited. For instance, their entry level Horizon resorts are lower priced, and therefore the two bedroom units are smaller than others MCVI offer. But to stay in one, you feel no sense of compromise, or lack of roominess.
As Kinney points out, this is an evolution. Future changes will vary by region and resort, and owner feedback and input play a major role.
