How the Marriott Vacation Clubs Is Shaking Up the Traditional Timeshare Model

It gives timeshares a brand new look

Everyone is familiar with the timeshare pitch. You (or someone you know) have probably "won" a free hotel stay if you’re willing to sit through a presentation. Even I remember my parents sitting through a two-hour presentation so the family could get a free hotel stay at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

However, these days, one hotel group is completely re-envisioning what it means to be a timeshare. Marriott’s system lets members explore wherever, whenever. Gone are the days of being locked into the same location for the same week every year.

The Marriott Vacation Clubs gives members full flexibility. While the option to purchase a specific unit at a resort is still available, members now have the option to buy into the program and receive points. These points can be used to stay at any timeshare property in over 90 destinations around the world — and that number is quickly growing with the most recent Vacation Clubs property opening in Bali, Indonesia.

Marriott partnered with Interval International, which allows members to book stays in luxury international destinations like a beach getaway in Neuvo Vallarta or a ski trip in Japan's Yama Shizen. If for some reason the destination you have your heart set on isn’t covered yet, these points can be used to book stays at traditional Marriott properties as well.

Where The Marriott Vacation Clubs really shines is in giving members the option to use their points on experiences and not just hotel stays. Points can be used to book guided tours like a safari through Kenya or an exploring Machu Picchu in Peru. Cruise lovers can set sail on multiple partner cruise lines including a Viking Ocean Cruise around Greece or Princess Cruise through Alaska.

Points can roll over to the following year and can even be borrowed from one year into the future to save up for truly unique experiences. Think the likes of two grandstand tickets to the World Series with two nights of accommodation or a floor seat at the Emmys with three nights of accommodation. It's truly breaking the mold of “timeshare.”

The Marriott Vacation Clubs also makes it easier to visit popular areas. Members get access to the resorts in the most popular tourist destinations with the most prime real estate. Hawaii is a prime example: Luxury beachfront locations in Maui can cost up to $1,000 a night but Vacation Clubs members get access to these tourist hot spots for a fraction of the points.

The Hawaiian islands have also been the center of a lot of debate in recent years around tourism and how to travel sustainably. The Vacation Clubs resorts have made a conscious effort to support the community.

Marriott Maui Ocean Club has been operating for decades and has focused on renovation over expansion with a focus on community. Marriott Maui Ocean Club housed individuals and fed local workers during the pandemic. It also has a weekly meeting for the owners who have bought into their specific resort to hear their needs and concerns. The staff at the resort knows members by name and creates a family-like atmosphere creating visitors who come back year after year.

Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas is located on one of the most famous beaches in Maui for snorkeling and whale watching. With a location that draws visitors from all over the world, the resort has taken it upon itself to go the extra step of hiring a cultural specialist to make sure the resort is aligned with local culture and values. Guests are able to take an array of classes including Hawaiian language, ukulele, hula, and lei making. Every class is filled with Hawaiian history and culture and gives guests a more hands-on experience.

The Marriott Vacation Clubs not only re-invents what timeshare means, but it also gives guests villa-like accommodations, all the luxury of a hotel, and the confidence of knowing that you’re getting more than a beach vacation you’re getting a culturally driven experience. 

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