We own at the Marriott Newport Coast Villas. Marriott is the crem de la crem of TS (along with Westin and a couple of others). This means you have great trading power on Interval Intarnational.

I like our Marriott. We have exchanged it for England, Scotland, France, Hawaii, etc. We have used the exchange for points to stay in places where a time share is not available. New York City, for instance. We stayed at the Residence Inn near Times Sqwuare for zero cash, using (a whole lot of) points.

The downside is that they are expensive. Also the yearly maintenance fees are expensive, but that's how they keep that high rating.

Even though I like our Marriott, would not buy Marriott again. There are other Time shares which are just as nice, and which have good trading power. I also wish Marriott would go to an internal exchange program like Starwood, Wyndham, and Sunterra have.

cliff

We have exchanged into Marriott properties in Desert Springs California and Phuket Thailand.Both were wonderful experiences for us.The Phuket one has just the best pools and grounds ever.

We purchased a Marriott VC in Aruba two years ago and love it. We don't plan on visiting Aruba every year, bought that location for trading power. Marriott is one of the best. Also, if you plan on purchasing a Marriott you should also get their credit card which you can accumulate points with to use for vacations. You may be able to pay your monthly fee through the credit card which will really help rack up the points. We had enough points after two years to get what they call a world class vacation, which means the hotel and airfare was free for my husband and myself to Japan. By 2009 we'll have enough points for another world class vacation. Can't beat it.

Hello Langetan

Marriots are good, one of the best, but at a cost !

People that I know have Marriot TS, have made me quite jealous of the resorts they had been to.

But, I'm very glad I was'nt the one paying for it.

I would apply caution though, because you have already used the phrase "Budget restraint".

No point in owning something you cannot afford to use.

Look for a couple of "good trading" European resorts, on resale.

Dont spend more than you can afford to "Kiss Goodbye" to though. They will get you to most places at reasonable cost.

If you want any further help,Glad to, drop me a line.

T-W-I-N-E