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| - I can't believe I've waited FIVE YEARS to re-review and there have been MANY changes! The biggest change in the last five years was that tower three was completed as was our very nice pool deck and the addition of a bar, and an upgraded store & food counter.
I stay here at least twice per year, some years quite a bit more than that. I've had AMAZING experiences and I've had meh experiences. Also the experience can be a bit different if you are paying to stay here through the Marriott website or if you are staying here as a timeshare owner; an example being daily cleaning service is included when you pay to stay like a hotel vs an extra fee if you request tidy service as an owner.
The third tower is different than the first two. My experience with the third tower is while the rooms have a bit of an updated feel to them decor-wise, they don't feel quite as functional and I hate the new showers/master bath. Functionality that has changed is the shower is HORRIBLE if you are short - maybe not so bad if you're tall, but for me, its terrible - but I was told they are going to change them up when refurbs start at some point. Other functionality issues are the lighting is not good - the rooms, including bathrooms, are dark; the bedroom has an armoir instead of a regular closet and the space does not seem well planned out - the living area has weird open space between dining and living. I personally do not prefer rooms in the new tower. Another important room note, is while we love a high room with a strip view, the rooms on the 37th floor have tall skinny windows due to the building design. Those windows not only reduce the incoming light, but also the view AND there are BRIGHT lights on the outside of the building outside of these windows, so you cannot get the bedroom completely dark, if you prefer that for sleeping. I won't be staying on the 37th floor again.
The first two towers get refurbished regularly, but I love the size, the design and the layout of them so much more than the new tower, even if they are older. The shower is wonderful with dual shower heads, the lighting is much better overall, and we just enjoy the comfort in the older rooms to the new ones. One of my favorite things is that I can watch the TV in my bedroom while I'm lounging in the giant bathtub! That's something I can't do at home!
All rooms have kitchen features. If you stay in a hotel size room, its a kitchenette, but otherwise you have a full kitchen! I've made huge meals in one and we've spent a week without hitting up the grocery store at all, but its really nice to have the refrigerator and freezer! Also, having a washer and dryer in the room is super helpful.
In the three bedroom unit, you actually have TWO full kitchens and one of the 3 bedrooms has two twin beds instead of a King. Important for planning! Three bedroom rooms have a different layout, but you can view the floorplan online.
One of the biggest improvements was getting a pool deck and the pool deck is pretty nice. Of COURSE, I think I could have done it better, as there are some weird design things going on, but overall, I enjoy it. There is now a shallow pool, two hot tubs, a bar that serves food during the day, a faux grass area on one corner and a fire pit on the other corner. There are also areas that allow for shade and lots of lounge chairs. One nice feature in the pool is a large area of about 8" deep water for laying out. Of course, the pool is full off kiddos though! Its an interesting mix of partiers and children! My FAVORITE thing at the pool-They make DELICIOUS BLOODY MARYS & from 11-12, they are 2 for $14! The rooftop pool is still available and has been refurbished with nice lounge chairs, a shade system and some table seating. The Skybar is there, but I've had trouble figuring out when its open, sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't. This is also where you can smoke in the smoking section and also the best place to view the city. The Hilton timeshare across the street no longer bathes the rooftop with red light at night as it did when it was a Westgate timeshare, so that is nice at night!
The lobby has been completely expanded and includes a nice bar and a food counter where you can get sandwiches, bagels, fruit, gelato, etc. as well as coffee drinks and this is connected to the marketplace where you can pick up groceries and staples that you might have forgotten.
They have a great selection of in house activities for kids and adults who are sticking around on property, from afternoon wine and cheese socials, to trivia in the pool, to craft making.
As a timeshare, if you are staying as an owner, you are expected to clean up after yourself and put out your trash and recycling at the end of your stay, put your dishes in the dishwasher and leave the place relatively picked up, but I'm used to that and do not mind at all. If staying as a hotel, you aren't held to these restrictions.
Overall, I still love it!
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