Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas Timeshare Resort

I’m a platinum elite Marriott member. Stayed at this beautiful resort many times over the years with fantastic memories.

We are moving to CA and our home is not quite ready yet, so I thought staying at MNCV would be a fantastic option.

Booked last minute at a super high nightly rate. Ok. No big deal. Been a great place to stay in the past. I can get over that

We check in and the guy at the front desk could not seem more uninterested in welcoming us. He puts us in a room bordering the busy Newport Coast Rd and the parking structure.

We ask for a different room and were put in the 3700 building which is right next to the main building. Cool. Near the big pool.

No parking close by, so trekked across the property with all of our belongings. Get to the third floor and our room number is not written down anywhere. So we check a few rooms and finally get the right one. Walk in and notice that the balcony is level with the roof from below, no view of anything. And the entire buildings air conditioning units are outside the side window in the living room. The windows are dirty, floors uneven and doors are a off a bit.

We call to see if we can get another room and the lady tried to put it back on me that I didn’t select any room preferences. I did indeed and called her out on the lie.

Then she tells me the only other rooms available are next to construction or the parking structure.

I get transferred to the manager who was very terse and unaccommodating. Didn’t care at all that we paid a super high rate for one of the worst rooms or that I am a platinum member. Asked for a reduction in rate because of the room type to which she replied that she has no control on the rate because it’s a timeshare property??!!

Glad I’ve been so loyal to Marriott over the years, they really look out for their top members ?

As a Marriott Vacation Club owner for many years, I’ve enjoyed many great vacations. However, this resort was not one of them!

First, our villa in bldg 1900 had no view since there were just trees off the balcony. That gave minimal natural light and made villa dreary. We had to walk 2 high staircases to main pool which was a problem for my guest.

The worst part of our stay was the pool complex. It was chilly for me to go in the pool, so I just wanted to soak in the hot tub and chat with my cousin.

We could not do that because both hot tubs were mobbed with young kids all afternoon. I complained to Mgmt, but then found out from security that their rule allows any age child in the hot tub if they are accompanied by a parent.

How can it possibly be safe for young children to stay for extended times in 110+ degree water up to their chin? There are only 2 hot tubs on the main pool area and no facilities for young children. If they chose to have a family hot tub at a cooler temp and one for adults, that would make sense. Their rule is not equitable and kept me from enjoying my stay.

I’ve never seen this at any other MVC. I was told I could go to the other side of the resort where the hot tub is less used.

I have a better idea: how about I never come back. I pay way too much money in fees to have a mediocre stay at best!

I don’t recommend this resort!

To be fair this is only a 3 star property but it failed to impress.

To start I am a Marriott’s Platinum Elite customer!

Eventhough the property isn’t rated on the same level as Pelican Hill and RC Laguna Niquel I still expected more.

I requested an ocean view and received a room overlooking multiple homes under construction.

On 1-21-18, upon checkout I discovered the gentleman that checked me in forgot to give me a parking pass.

I woke up to a large orange sticker on the windshield of my brand new Mercedes Benz. Very disappointed!

This property needs more training in basic hotel and hospitality practices.

The resort is nice with many activities for kids. The access to beach isn’t ideal, although they do offer free shuttle service, which helps. The pools are nice. The bar/food area is average at best. Our room wasn’t renovated, but was in okay condition.

Everything went well until I left the resort with the key from the in room security box. I realized shortly after checking out that I had down this. I wasn’t too concerned because I assumed they had a backup key. Long story short, when they finally got into the safe that night, the cash that I had left in there was somehow missing. The opened an investigation, but found nothing. Clear gaps in security procedures. Fortunately I’m only out a few hundred dollars, but definitely a lesson learned. Don’t trust the cheap in-room safes with a physical key. They need to upgrade their equipment. Customer service was horrific!