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Review of Marriott Grand Chateau May 2013 during Memorial Day weekend.

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  • Review of Marriott Grand Chateau May 2013 during Memorial Day weekend.

    We stayed in units 711 & 712. A 3 Bedroom lock out.

    This was a flexchange thru II and we were happy to get it on such short notice and such a big unit.
    We were assigned a lower floor 3 bedroom lock out. We could hear the strip noise from our unit in all areas.
    The strip was quite noisy the weekend we were there due to it being Memorial day weekend.
    Our unit consisted of a 2 bedroom 2 bath unit with a king and two full sized beds with a sofabed in the living room.
    Full kitchen and full dining set that seats 8.
    The living room was quite small and a bit uncomfortable but we were only 3 in the 2 bedroom side so it wasn't an issue.
    I can't imagine having the maximum number of occupants in this cramped unit.
    Although it says that this unit is 2000 sq. ft. it didn't seem like it.
    The bedrooms are large and so are the baths and there is a foyer so maybe that is where the square footage is.
    Would have been nicer to have a bigger living space.

    The lock off was a full 1 bedroom with a kitchen. Living area seemed adquate for the 1 bedroom although would be
    cramped with max occupancy. We only had 2 people in the lock off so it was adequate.
    Had a king bed and sofa bed.

    Both units had a stackable washer and dryer made by some Swedish company named Asko.
    It's one of those high efficiency yet quite inefficient units that takes 3 hours to do one load from wash to dry.
    Not sure why they didn't just put in a regular Whirlpool stackable which is much more efficient and faster.
    Not to mention easier to purchase and maintain than these Asko units.

    The rooftop pool was adequate most days til the holiday weekend arrived, then it was packed.
    We were always able to get chairs but it's definitely too small for the size of resort.
    Rooftop view of the strip was great day or night..
    They are putting in a new tower and pool which is sorely needed but also may just complicate the situation with more people.
    The pool bar was great with nice friendly bartenders making good strong drinks.
    They had daily specials and happy hour a few days.
    They also play Bingo everyday which makes if feel like a cruise ship atmosphere.
    The pool bar has a limited bar menu with $5 sandwiches, $1 chips.
    Nothing special but at least it's something to eat in a pinch.
    The marketplace store in the lobby also had a few fast options.
    Prices were not outrageous. $6 salads, $5 sandwiches.

    Location is great. A short walk to Bellagio/ NY/NY etc. Planet Hollywood/Elara is right across the street.
    Many restaurant options at reasonable prices across the street at the Miracle Mile. Try Pampas for lunch.
    An Argentenian rodizio for $19.95 with unlimited meats & salad bar. Great find for a late lunch.
    They have the special til 4pm.

    The concierge at this resort was less than helpful which is unusual for a Marriott.
    Ignored me twice while she was on the phone.
    I ended up walking away from her twice and just using the Amex phone concierge service.
    Pretty sad. Needless to say we never did the TS tour.

    Valet parking is free and efficient with nice attendants. Just tip a buck or two each time.
    Actually parking is free valet almost everywhere we went in Vegas. A nice perk.
    They were quite efficient despite the busy packed resort.
    Always helpful and welcoming you back.

    Wi-fi was free and worked most days. One day it wasn't working but that was when the house was packed.
    Even 3G was slow all weekend once everyone packed into Vegas. It was very crowded all weekend.
    The lobby has 4 computers that you can use for 20 minute intervals and print a few pages.
    It has a 20 minute timer on it so will log you off after 20 minutes.

    The front desk staff is very friendly.
    They faxed three faxes for me while there.
    We ended up adding one night to our reservation at the last minute.
    The front desk was helpful but had to send us to the 1-800 reservation line in order to do the reservation which didn't make sense to me.
    Surprisingly this is something that the front desk cannot do directly.
    They can modify an existing reservation but cannot book a direct reservation.

    The resort was pretty rowdy while we were there and security was lacking on the weekend at times with people wandering
    drunk into the elevators and then complaining that the elevator wouldn't move.
    Well duh, you need a room key to move the elevator. I found this unacceptable.
    There were many rooms with rowdy parties going on.
    We met a few bachelor parties at the pool with 8 plus in a room.
    Lots of prostitutes in and out of the hotel at all hours day or night.
    I guess this is the norm for Vegas and nobody seemed phased.
    We saw a few families with small children.
    I'm not sure this resort is suitable for traveling with small children given the party atmosphere.
    Maybe an off strip location would have been better.

    I'd go back to this resort but probably not during a holiday weekend.
    It was fine during the week but once the party weekend started it was just too crowded to really enjoy.
    The rooms are nice and comfortable with nice amenities and finishes typical of Marriott.

  • #2
    Originally posted by chriskre View Post

    The resort was pretty rowdy while we were there and security was lacking on the weekend at times with people wandering
    drunk into the elevators and then complaining that the elevator wouldn't move.
    Well duh, you need a room key to move the elevator. I found this unacceptable.
    There were many rooms with rowdy parties going on.
    We met a few bachelor parties at the pool with 8 plus in a room.
    Lots of prostitutes in and out of the hotel at all hours day or night.
    I guess this is the norm for Vegas and nobody seemed phased.
    That's what I can't stand about Vegas. I stayed once at The Mirage the first year it was open and once at The Aladdin (RIP). Both times there were always drunk weirdos in the halls/elevators. And for some reason, they like to put their stinky, drunk faces in my kids faces. Blech.

    I have to go to Vegas this August and am staying at the Flamingo, but I keep wondering if I should switch to somewhere else. I'll have at least one teenage with me and he might bring a few more with him. I've read that HGVC has a different entrance and we can bypass the casino altogether, but some of the reviews of the overall property sound extremely unappropriate for traveling with teenage boys.

    Sounds like the Marriott could be nice during a slow week. We'll be there for a weekend. So, that's out for us.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by chriskre View Post
      Although it says that this unit is 2000 sq. ft. it didn't seem like it.
      The bedrooms are large and so are the baths and there is a foyer so maybe that is where the square footage is.
      DVC units seem smaller to me than their square footage would indicate, and I think it's the fact that so many of them have foyers and big, compartmentalized bathrooms. Although none of the ones I've seen were anywhere near to 2000 square feet! But foyers and fiddly bits take up more square feet than we realize, I think.

      I'd like to see Las Vegas sometime again (we were last there when I was a kid), and have been thinking an off-strip location is likely the way to go; your post just confirms that suspicion! Glad you were there for more than the weekend, at least.

      Comment


      • #4
        Here are a few pictures of the unit:

        Living room in 2 bedroom portion:


        Dining room in 2 bedroom portion:


        Kitchen in 2 bedroom portion:


        Master bedroom in 2 bedroom:


        Master bath in 2 bedroom:


        Master bath in 2 bedroom:

        Comment


        • #5
          Pictures of the 2nd bedroom & bath:






          View from the room:



          Comment


          • #6
            View from rooftop:



            Comment


            • #7
              The 1 bedroom lockoff portion:








              Comment


              • #8
                Thanks for the pictures and the review.

                I was there in April arriving on a Friday and staying until Wednesday. I have to agree that it is VERY busy on the strip on Friday/Saturday night. We did not have the noise factor you had as our units were on the 18th and 20th floors (request a HIGH floor).
                I agree that the living area of your unit does not seem large, in fact the "regular" 2BR lock-off and the 1BR units have bigger living/dining/kitchen areas compared to yours.
                The lock-off (studio) was actually quite nice with the kitchenette and dining table for two over in front of the floor to ceiling window.

                I liked the roof top pool and bar area - from my unit I overlooked the new pool area which will be on top of the parking garage and will also add a bar & restaurant to the resort - agree with Chris that they REALLY need the additional space.

                There was a security guard who prevented anyone without a key to enter the elevator and as you mentioned, the elevator would not leave the ground floor after 6:30 pm without a key inserted - this is standard at most resort in Vegas.

                Prostitutes?? Can not say I saw any but I was not really looking We were in and out of the resort at all hours as well

                I agree that this is not a location for a family visit because of the proximity to the strip - staying at a resort a few blocks or mile off the strip would be more appropriate ... but for adults looking for a strip location with TS amenity, it is great.

                We did not have a car by choice. We took the free shuttle to the Walmart and bought snacks and liquor.

                Looking forward to a return trip next year...
                GrayFal
                Silver Contributor and supermoderator
                Last edited by GrayFal; 05-28-2013, 04:56 PM. Reason: typos
                Pat
                *** My Website ***

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Presley View Post
                  That's what I can't stand about Vegas. I stayed once at The Mirage the first year it was open and once at The Aladdin (RIP). Both times there were always drunk weirdos in the halls/elevators. And for some reason, they like to put their stinky, drunk faces in my kids faces. Blech.

                  I have to go to Vegas this August and am staying at the Flamingo, but I keep wondering if I should switch to somewhere else. I'll have at least one teenage with me and he might bring a few more with him. I've read that HGVC has a different entrance and we can bypass the casino altogether, but some of the reviews of the overall property sound extremely unappropriate for traveling with teenage boys.

                  Sounds like the Marriott could be nice during a slow week. We'll be there for a weekend. So, that's out for us.
                  Oh I think the teenage boys will love it just fine.
                  Maybe Mom not so much.

                  Actually you really can't miss the prosties, they are not hiding ANYTHING.
                  Of course since I was with two guys, they felt the need to keep pointing out to me all the prosties as if they had experience.
                  As if I could't see for myself.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Hobbitess View Post
                    DVC units seem smaller to me than their square footage would indicate, and I think it's the fact that so many of them have foyers and big, compartmentalized bathrooms. Although none of the ones I've seen were anywhere near to 2000 square feet! But foyers and fiddly bits take up more square feet than we realize, I think.

                    I'd like to see Las Vegas sometime again (we were last there when I was a kid), and have been thinking an off-strip location is likely the way to go; your post just confirms that suspicion! Glad you were there for more than the weekend, at least.
                    I'd go back but I'm not sure if it is always like this on weekends or just because it was a holiday weekend being Memorial day.
                    The resort itself is nice enough except for the tiny pool.
                    I dunno, maybe I'm getting old.
                    I looked out the window at any hour of the night and the streets were packed from end to end with partiers drunk & being arrested. 2,3,4 am, it didn't matter. It looked like NYC.
                    We witnessed several arrests while there just on the corner including one guy fighting with the cops and demanding his badge number as if he was really going to remember it in the morning.

                    By accident we happened to wander down by Tahiti Village and it actually looked quite nice. We ate at the Denny's before flying off.
                    Seemed to be a nicer ambiance for families. I wish I had time to check out the rest of the resort.
                    It's next to the airport in a more suburban area but not far from the action.
                    Might be a better choice for families.
                    And I always love Hawaiian theming.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by GrayFal View Post
                      Thanks for the pictures and the review.

                      I was there in April arriving on a Friday and staying until Wednesday. I have to agree that it is VERY busy on the strip on Friday/Saturday night. We did not have the noise factor you had as our units were on the 18th and 20th floors (request a HIGH floor).
                      I agree that the living area of your unit does not seem large, in fact the "regular" 2BR lock-off and the 1BR units have bigger living/dining/kitchen areas compared to yours.
                      The lock-off (studio) was actually quite nice with the kitchenette and dining table for two over in front of the floor to ceiling window.

                      I liked the roof top pool and bar area - from my unit I overlooked the new pool area which will be on top of the parking garage and will also add a bar & restaurant to the resort - agree with Chris that they REALLY need the additional space.

                      There was a security guard who prevented anyone without a key to enter the elevator and as you mentioned, the elevator would not leave the ground floor after 6:30 pm without a key inserted - this is standard at most resort in Vegas.

                      Prostitutes?? Can not say I saw any but I was not really looking We were in and out of the resort at all hours as well

                      I agree that this is not a location for a family visit because of the proximity to the strip - staying at a resort a few blocks or mile off the strip would be more appropriate ... but for adults looking for a strip location with TS amenity, it is great.

                      We did not have a car by choice. We took the free shuttle to the Walmart and bought snacks and liquor.

                      Looking forward to a return trip next year...
                      You really don't need a car if you stay here, between the shuttle & the taxi stand right there and of course everything you need within walking distance including Walgreens.
                      Walgreens in Vegas sell Tequila & other hard spirits in the regular store, not in the liquor store like here in Florida.

                      So it's busy EVERY weekend? I thought it was just because it's a holiday weekend.
                      The rates in all the hotels do shoot up on Thursday thru Sunday.
                      Most of the strip wanted $300 plus for the one night that Marriott gave us for $200.
                      It was nice not having to move rooms on check out date with the added day.

                      And I'm not sure what was going on with Security the weekend cause they were there in the day time but not
                      in the early evenings when people were literally wandering in off the street.
                      Maybe they were guests of a guest but they didn't belong there cause they had no elevator key.
                      Some of them threw up so they were way on their way to partyland.
                      I didn't even want to get into the elevator with them for fear of what might happen.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Well, I wasn't going to bother with this thread since I'm not interested in Las Vegas, but I'm glad I decided to peruse it anyway

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Glitter Brunello View Post
                          Well, I wasn't going to bother with this thread since I'm not interested in Las Vegas, but I'm glad I decided to peruse it anyway
                          Glad we were entertaining.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by chriskre View Post
                            Glad we were entertaining.
                            Learning how to spot hookers if very useful information
                            Pat
                            *** My Website ***

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by GrayFal View Post
                              Learning how to spot hookers if very useful information
                              Yes it is.

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