Timeshare Information

Marriott's Grande Vista in Orlando, FL, and Marriott's Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert, CA (see photo right), are the first resorts to be designated as Green Resorts by Audubon International, an international conservation and environmental education organization.

The Green Resorts designation recognizes properties that have been eco-rated by Audubon International's Green Lodging Program and have achieved certification in at least one other Audubon International program, such as the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses.

Designation as a Green Resort is the culmination of Marriott Vacation Club's larger Green Initiative which began at its corporate headquarters with continued roll-out to its resorts worldwide. In addition to these most recent steps, each Marriott Vacation Club resort has established its own "green team" which manages its environmental efforts.

In 2009, the brand demonstrated its continued commitment to green operations by eliminating more waste from landfills through implementing recycled key cards, pens and Forest Stewardship Council certified paper for guest arrival packets worldwide and most recently announced a soap recycling partnership with Clean the World at its resorts in North America.

In 2011, Marriott Vacation Club committed to enroll all of its properties in Audubon International's Green Lodging Program and will achieve full enrollment of its North American properties by the end of this year. 

"We're pleased to welcome these two Marriott Vacation Club properties as the first Green Resorts," said Fredrik Realbuto, Director of the Audubon International Green Lodging Program.

"Building on our long standing cooperative agreement, we are excited to continue working together to better protect and sustain our land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources," said Realbuto.

"These two Green Resort designations affirm our long term commitment to green operations at our resorts and we're thrilled to be recognized as the first recipients," said Lee Cunningham, executive vice president and chief operating officer - North America and the Caribbean, Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation. 

Marriott's Grande Vista (see photo right) is a member of the Green Lodging Program, and the Faldo Golf Institute and Marriott's Grande Pines Golf Club are members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. Marriott's Shadow Ridge is a member of the Green Lodging Program and Marriott's Shadow Ridge Golf Club is a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program.

"As an extension of Marriott Golf's unwavering commitment to the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, we are very pleased that Marriott's Shadow Ridge and Marriott's Grande Vista resorts, under the leadership of the Marriott Vacation Club brand, have become the first members of the Green Resorts Program," said Bill Nault, vice president of golf operations, Marriott International/The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., LLC.

"Taking sustainability and wildlife preservation beyond the golf course and extending our eco-practices across the landscape of an entire resort facility further validates Marriott Vacation Club's dedication to environmental stewardship, and we hope this program becomes a model for all resorts worldwide," said Nault.

As British Open week begins, golf fans start dreaming of new courses to play. Maybe you’ve never considered it, but, you can plan a golf vacation. Many resorts offer reductions in fees for golf courses they are associated with and if you're a golfer at heart, the combination of golfing, vacationing and saving money can be too good to resist. Here’s just a few places that offer great golfing on or nearby the resort. In addition to the possibility of savings on green fees, you’ll also save money on the room itself, because renting from a timeshare owner can be the cheapest way to enjoy luxury accommodations at an affordable price. See Golf Timeshare Vacations.

• Orlando
  Orlando, Florida contains about 40 outstanding public, semi-private and resort golf courses. Stay at the Marriott's Grande Vista resort and take advantage of the Faldo Golf Institute. This one-of-a-kind golf instructional experience was designed to help golfers of every level improve their skills and enjoyment of golf. This institute is located at the neighboring nine-hole "Faldo" course at the Grande Vista Golf Club. Seasoned golfers can test their skill at the 18-hole Grande Pines Golf Club, named one of "America's Best Resort Courses" by Golfweek, designed by renowned golf course architect Steve Smyers.


• Hawaii
  Hawaii has 103 private and public golf courses to choose from. Play a round of golf at the the Kona Country Club and stay at the beautiful Kona Coast Resort I or Kona Coast Resort II, which offers a putting green to guests right on their property. Get ready for sunny skies and gentle ocean breezes at the Kona Country Club, located 6 miles away from downtown Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. The golf course features spectacular ocean and mountain views, excellent facilities and friendly service.


• San Diego
  With over 90 gold courses scattered throughout San Diego, California, consider your next golf vacation here. Where else can you find such a perfect year-round temperate climate and almost no rain? In the city of Carlsbad, on a hilltop amidst rolling valleys and a protected wildlife sanctuary, the Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara offers magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean, Batiquitos Lagoon, and Arnold Palmers championship golf course, The Aviara Golf Club (see photo above). Honored in 2008 as Condé Nast Traveler's number one golf resort in Southern California, Four Seasons Resort Aviara Golf Club course is sculpted around natural topography of the lagoon and offers guests superb facilities.