One of the reasons you likely purchased a timeshare is that timeshare vacations are better than staying at a hotel. Timeshares offer larger accommodations along with in-room kitchens and laundry. A standard hotel room offers nothing close to what you can get at a timeshare resort.
However, hotels can offer a few amenities that timeshares don’t. Perhaps you like more restaurant options than your timeshare offers. Maybe you like poolside food and beverage service – something many timeshares don’t offer. It could also be said that the vibe at certain hotels is different – more lively, more entertainment, and more nightlife.
Good News!
You don’t have to miss the hotel-like experience just because you own and stay in timeshares. Several properties are co-located with Marriott, Westin, and Sheraton Vacation Club timeshare ownership with Marriott hotels or resorts. Being co-located often also means using hotel facilities while staying as a guest at one of these vacation ownership resorts.
Are you a Starbucks fan? Most of the Marriott hotel properties have full-service Starbucks outlets. This means you will be close to that coffee fix in the morning or at any time.
Another benefit of co-located timeshare and hotel properties? You can charge restaurant and shopping purchases at the hotel to your room at the Marriott or Westin Vacation Club property. This will allow you to earn additional Bonvoy points for your room charges!
Marriott’s Sabal, Royal, and Imperial Palms
Hotel You Can Access: Orlando World Center Marriott Hotel
What you have access to:
- Pools at the Orlando World Center Marriott.
- Waterslide tower at the Orlando World Center Marriott.
- The Fitness Center is more extensive than at Sabal and Royal Palms.
- Convenient access to 10 unique restaurants and dining experiences at the Orlando World Center Marriott.
- Resort shuttle between Sabal Palms, Royal Palms, and the Orlando World Center Marriott hotel. Shuttle for Imperial Palms is available at the Royal Palms lobby.
- The shortest walk to the Orlando World Center Marriott hotel is from Marriott’s Sabal Palms, which is further from Royal and Imperial Palms.
What you don’t have access to:
- River Falls Waterpark at Orlando World Center Marriott Hotel. Waterpark is available for a daily fee and can be booked online up to 30 days in advance for up to six guests.
- River Falls Waterpark fee is currently $25.
Photo: Orlando World Center Marriott Hotel
Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve
Hotels You Can Access: JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes & Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
What you have access to:
- Pools at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grand Lakes
- 13 restaurants, lounges, and bars at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
- 12 restaurants, lounges, and bars at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
What you don’t have access to:
- The pool, lazy river, and Grande Lakes Waterpark at the JW Marriott hotel. Before 2023, Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve guests had access to the pools and lazy river at the JW Marriott for no additional cost. In January 2023, the JW Marriott opened the new Grande Lakes waterpark. At the same time, they cut off access to Lakeshore Reserve guests. Lakeshore Reserve guests can still use the waterpark for a daily $50 amenity fee for up to four guests.
- No shuttle is provided, but a walking path between Lakeshore Reserve provides a leisurely stroll of 10 to 15 minutes between the three properties.
- The JW Marriott Orlando and Ritz-Carlton Orlando charge for parking. So keep that in mind if you are considering driving a vehicle to the hotel properties
Photo: JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
Marriott’s Canyon Villas
Hotel You Can Access: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
What you have access to:
- Access to eight unique restaurants and dining experiences at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
- Pools and lazy river at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
- Access to the AquaRidge WaterPark at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa – Unlike the previous two resorts, the waterpark has no additional fee.
Things to watch out for:
- The JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa has been known to impose significant blackout dates for Marriott’s Canyon Villas guests. Contact Marriott’s Canyon Villas before reserving if using hotel facilities is essential. Access may be blocked during your planned stay. Expect blackout dates to cover most holidays, long weekends, and the peak winter season of mid-February through the end of March. Other blackout dates can apply.
- The JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa requires guests to wear wristbands. To obtain wristbands, visit the front desk when visiting Marriott’s Canyon Villas.
- Shuttle service between Marriott’s Canyon Villas and the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa was discontinued in mid-2023. No shuttle is provided. The JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa charges for parking. There are sidewalks between the Canyon Villas and the hotel; plan for about a 10 to 15-minute walk. This can be significant if traveling during the summer. Also, consider ride share. The front desk quoted a $4-$5 ride, but check any fees with the ride share provider.
Photo: Tia Carmen Restaurant at JW Marriott Desert Ridge
Marriott Desert Springs Villas I
Hotel You Can Access: JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
What you have access to:
- Weekday Day passes to the Spa Desert Springs, providing more than just hotel access. Day passes for Saturday and Sunday are not available.
- Access to the day spa, treatment rooms, and spa suite, along with access to the adult-only pool. Spa services are an additional charge.
- Check in at the spa and provide your room number to receive day passes.
- Access to the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa pools.
- Convenient access to 10 restaurants and dining outlets at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa.
- A shuttle is provided between Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas I & II to the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa.
- The JW Marriott Resort & Spa doesn’t charge for parking, so you can drive over with your own vehicle.
Photo: JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Marriott Desert Springs Villas II
Hotel You Can Access: JW Marriotts Desert Springs Resort & Spa
What you have access to:
- While there doesn’t seem to be an official policy in place for Desert Springs Villas II guests to use the pools at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, it has been noted that some guests have been able to use the pools. Access may be at the staff’s discretion.
- Convenient access to 10 restaurants and dining outlets at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa.
- A shuttle is provided between Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas I & II to the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa.
- The JW Marriott Resort & Spa doesn’t charge for parking, so you can dive over in a vehicle.
What you don’t have access to:
- Unlike Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas I guests, there is no included access to the Spa Desert Springs at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. If you wish to utilize the spa, you must purchase day passes from the Spa Desert Springs
Photo: Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas II
The Westin Kierland Villas
Hotel You Can Access: The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
What you have access to:
- Convenient access to 10 unique restaurants and dining experiences at the Orlando World Center Marriott.
- Use the pools and lazy river at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.
- Many people like to go to The Westin Resort & Spa in the evenings for the nightly bagpipes at sunset. Check the schedule with the concierge at The Westin Kierland Villas.
- A shuttle is available to take guests of The Westin Kierland Villas to the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. The shuttle also provides transportation to Kierland Commons for additional dining and shopping options, and additional shuttle service is available to the Safeway and Fry’s grocery stores until 4:00pm daily.
- The hotel is also accessible within about a 10-minute walk.
Photo: The Westin Kierland Villas
Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove
Hotel You Can Access: The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef
- Before hurricanes Irma and Maria decimated the former Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Hotel, guests staying at Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove had access to the pools at Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Hotel. Following the hotel’s reopening as a Westin in September 2023, Marriott Frenchman’s Cove timeshare guests can no longer access the hotel pools and amenities. You can still dine at any of the nine restaurants at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa, Frenchman’s Reef, and Morningstar Bouy Haus resorts.
- A walking path is available between Marriott’s Frenchman’s Reef and The Westin Beach Resort & Spa, at Frenchman’s Reef.
Marriott’s St. Kitts Beach Club
Hotel You Can Access: St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino
- Marriott’s St. Kitts Beach Club hotel access is quite simple. This resort is integrated into the same property as the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, and guests staying at the hotel have the same access to resort amenities.
Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club and Aruba Ocean Club
Hotel You Can Access: Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino & The Ritz-Carlton Aruba
Important Information About Facilities and Amenities Access. This is the official policy, but the actual experience can differ:
- Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club guests can utilize the main pool at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
- Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club and Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club do not share amenities. If staying at the Ocean Club, you can’t use the pools or lazy river at the Surf Club. Likewise, Surf Club guests can’t utilize the pool at the Ocean Club. The Surf Club provides wristbands at check-in to police use of the Surf Club lazy river to only Surf Club guests.
- Guests at the Aruba Surf Club and Ocean Club can dine at any restaurant at the Surf Club, Ocean Club, Aruba Marriott Hotel, or the Ritz-Carlton Aruba resorts.
What you don’t have access to:
- Access to the adult-only pool at the Aruba Marriott Hotel & Stellaris Casino is reserved only for guests of the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.
Photo: Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Harborside Resort at Atlantis
Hotel You Can Access: Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas & Aquaventure Waterpark
What you have access to:
- Convenient access to up to 37 eateries at the Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas resort and Marina Village Marketplace.
- Full access to the Aquaventure waterpark, including waterslides and multiple pools at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas. Ride a waterslide through the shark tank!
What you don’t have access to:
- The Cove pool at the Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas resort is reserved for guests staying at The Cove at Atlantis.
Things to watch out for:
- Dining at Atlantis Resort and in Nassau can be costly. There are additional offsite dining options that can save you money. Watch this video to learn where and how to get to them.
- All restaurants and eateries add 15% gratuity and 10% VAT to all bills. This will automatically add 25% to all restaurant bills.
- Wristbands or your room key card are required to access the Royal Tower lobby at Atlantis and the Aquaventure and pool areas at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas resort. See one of the attendants at the towel hut at Harborside Resort or Atlantis Resort to obtain wristbands. Have your room key ready for them to scan.
- Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas sells many day passes to cruise ship passengers sailing into the port of Nassau. This can result in the pools and Aquaventure being very busy. The Mayan Temple Pool seems to be the busiest pool with cruise ship passengers. So, avoiding the Mayan Temple Pool may result in fewer crowds.
Photo: Mayan Temple Pool at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas Resort
Marriott Vacation Club at Los Sueños
Hotel You Can Access: Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
- Marriott Vacation Club at Los Sueños hotel access is quite simple. This resort is integrated into the same property, the Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort. Access to resort amenities is the same as any guest staying at the hotel.
To learn more about Marriott Vacation Club, including comparing deeded weeks to points, understanding booking windows, learning about membership benefit levels, understanding exchange options, and much more, read the definitive guide here: How Marriott Vacation Club Works: An In-Depth Overview.
