Affordable Luxury Via the Marriott Vacation Club

Guests who arrive at Marriott's Fairway Villas in Galloway, New Jersey -- a quaint "by the shore" community about ten miles from Atlantic City -- will immediately be struck by the resort's elegance. Pristine, tree-lined grounds -- every inch immaculate -- await visitors who come to the Fairway Villas to enjoy some time away from the hectic nine-to-five routine.



The numerous attractive features of the resort begin with the spacious 180 luxurious villas, each totaling 1,150 square feet. There are 90 more units scheduled to be built. Opting for an upscale feel, the resort decided against the traditional condo decor and instead installed granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, a gas log fireplace, washer and dryer, high definition televisions, Wi-Fi, and a deep soaking jetted tub in the master bedroom.

Especially inviting is the private screened-in balcony which is ideal for morning coffee or to watch the sun set. In fact, the entire villa offers a privacy that makes guests feel as though they have the resort all to themselves. Each unit houses up to eight guests. A friend remarked as she entered the villa, "I can really get used to this for a yearly vacation."



Summer time means family time at the Fairway Villas, and the resort ensures that families can spend some high quality time together. The resort goes to great lengths to see that kids are not bored throughout their vacation. Activities are carefully planned by an attentive staff throughout both the day and evening hours, and kids and their families can enjoy such games as poolside trivia (What does SPF in sunscreen stand for?), karaoke, kids coloring time, Sandy Candy, and everyone's favorite, an ice cream social. Even adults have their own themed activities including Yoga, Golden Rules of Skin Care, and Hair Flair. Begin your day by warming up your muscles at the resort's fitness club which houses a variety of exercise equipment.

The Villas continue to thrive with activity the remainder of the year as well by conducting special themes for couples. An Iron Chef competition is great fun as couples are given secret food ingredients at their condos and asked to create a gourmet meal. The meal is then judged by the resort's staff.

The resort conducts local tours to Atlantic City and other notable points of interest. The historic town of Smithville, home to more than 60 specialty shops and restaurants, is a short drive away, as is the historic Absecon Light House. The Renault Winery, the second oldest winery in the country, is also an easy drive and well worth the trip. A highlight of the
hour-long tour is the wine tasting as the sommelier guides everyone through a delectable selection of wines.

Like many other tourist sites and restaurants, the winery offers a special discount for guests of the Fairway Villas. Over the course of a week's time, this discount adds up to a substantial savings and is a great perk for guests.



Above all, the Fairway Villas -- as the name implies -- is a haven for the serious and novice golfer. Located adjacent to the Seaview Resort, a venerable golf resort which is home to the LPGA Shoprite Classic, guests of the Fairway Villas receive discounted rates at either of the Seaview's two fastidiously manicured courses. Want to hone your game? Private and group lessons are available. The Fairway Villas also have discounted agreements with several other golf courses in the area. In addition, there are several putting greens and a driving range at the Villas for practice prior to your tee time.

After a long day on the links, guests often retreat to the at the villas for a little pampering. Treat yourself to a relaxing, rejuvenating time at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa for facials, body scrubs, therapy baths, massages and more.

Marriott Vacation Club owners are the backbone of the resort, and management listens to their every concern. "Our customers dictate our success," says Matt Barker, general manager of the Fairway Villas. "We hold an owners' breakfast each Monday in order to hear what the owners have to say. We then base many of our decisions on that discussion."

In many respects, the Marriott Vacation Club has broken the mold of the time share industry by discarding the "whole week" concept in favor of a more flexible "points" system. As such, owners can split their vacations into days and can even roll over unused points to the next year. With over 50 luxurious resorts worldwide, owners can walk the Great Wall of China, share the thrill of an African safari, cruise the azure waters of the Caribbean or savor refined wine tastings in California's wine country. One couple at the Villas remarked that their points will take them to The Empire Place next year, a high-end condominium residence in Bangkok.



When you become a Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Owner, you purchase a deeded real-estate interest and own your vacations. In keeping with the theme of flexibility, points can also be exchanged for cruises, safaris and group tours around the world through Marriott Vacation Club's Explorer Collection, which provides a wide range of vacation experiences and is another important facet of owning your vacation. For those not quite ready to commit to vacation ownership, the Vacation Club also offers daily and weekly rates.

A one-time purchase of $17,820 will get you 1,500 points which are renewed annually to use as you wish. This qualifies owners for a week long vacation in Vail, Colorado at a one-bedroom villa, or a three-night Las Vegas stay in a two-bedroom villa. For $19,700 you receive one week in Aruba, Marco Island, Florida, or other destinations while $41,580 provides seven days in Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii or 14 days at a luxurious resort in the Palm Desert. An annual maintenance fee equals about four percent of the purchase price.

There are more than 400,000 families worldwide who currently own points with the Vacation Club. Each does so for different reasons, but they all ultimately enjoy a vacation experience that can be geared to meet their specific needs.

Visit website: Marriott's Fairway Villas