Published 03-08-10
Submitted by Marriott Vacation Club
Marriott Vacation Club, the premier timeshare brand of Marriott International, Inc., continues its commitment to green operations and practices with the addition of four more resorts achieving Florida Green Lodging Program designation. Marriott's Harbour Lake in Orlando, Marriott's BeachPlace Towers in Fort Lauderdale, Marriott's Ocean Pointe in Palm Beach Gardens, and Marriott's Oceana Palms on Singer Island represent the brand's latest resorts to achieve this certification from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
"We are excited to have four more Marriott Vacation Club resorts in Florida receive this important designation," said Troy Asche, regional vice president of operations for the Florida-Caribbean region of Marriott Vacation Club. "We know that making a consistent effort to care for the environment is a vital part of delivering unforgettable vacations for generations to come."
Amidst one of the most challenging years for the hospitality industry, these four Marriott Vacation Club resorts boasted average occupancy rates of 94 percent and collectively welcomed approximately 482,000 guests through their doors in 2009.
Marriott's Harbour Lake, Orlando
Located less than a mile from SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove and Aquatica by SeaWorld, Marriott's Harbour Lake will offer 900 spacious one- and two-bedroom villas (upon build-out) with all the comforts of home. Designed with families in mind, guests enjoy the 22,000 square-foot miniature golf course; on-site water playground; and pirate-themed pool complete with water slides and interactive water features.
Marriott's BeachPlace Towers, Fort Lauderdale
Nestled between the beaches of the Atlantic & Intracoastal Waterway, Marriott's BeachPlace Towers offers the ultimate Fort Lauderdale seaside retreat with 206 one- and two-bedroom villas situated atop three floors of retail shops and restaurants offering spectacular views. Guests can enjoy a host of nearby outdoor activities including fresh and salt water fishing, jet-ski rentals, parasailing, tennis and golf.
Marriott's Ocean Pointe, Palm Beach Gardens
Marriott's Ocean Pointe is located oceanfront on Singer Island in the quiet town of Palm Beach Shores and offers guests the perfect beach haven. A favorite of Marriott Vacation Club Owners, the resort boasts 333 two- and three-bedroom villas with four inviting pools, whirlpool spas and a picturesque pool bar.
Marriott's Oceana Palms "“ The Palm Beaches
Recently opened in January, Marriott's Oceana Palms "“ The Palm Beaches, also located on Singer Island, marks Marriott Vacation Club's 50th resort opening worldwide and represents the brand's latest in design and amenities. The resort currently boasts 75 two-bedroom villas (out of a proposed 169 villas upon build-out), with breathtaking views and spacious private balconies.
The voluntary Florida Green Lodging Program is a state initiative which provides the lodging industry with free technical assistance, encouraging hotels and resorts to adopt cost-saving "green" practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, resorts must implement a variety of green practices. These practices include, but are not limited to, water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction and recycling. As the industry's recognized worldwide leader and standard for quality, Marriott Vacation Club is focused on demonstrating how responsible development and resort management can be a positive force for the environment.
About the Florida Green Lodging Program
Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. In 2007 Governor Crist signed three executive orders initiating state energy-use policies, including one that requires state agencies and departments to hold meetings and conferences only at hotels with the Florida Green Lodging Program designation as of January 1, 2008, whenever possible. For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
About Marriott Vacation Club
Marriott Vacation Club is a worldwide leader in vacation ownership with a program highly regarded for its quality and unique flexibility. In 1984, Marriott became the first branded hospitality company by nearly a decade to enter the timeshare industry. Marriott Vacation Club continues to expand with a diverse portfolio of over 11,000 timeshare resort villas throughout the U.S., Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Today, more than 400,000 Owner families around the globe own their vacations "the Marriott way." For more information, please visit www.marriottvacationclub.com. For nightly rentals, please visit www.marriott.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter/MarriottVacClub.com.
Marriott Vacation Club's green initiatives are a key component to Marriott International's commitment to protecting the environment. The company's Spirit To Preserve environmental strategy calls for: Greening its $10 billion supply chain; further reducing fuel and water consumption by 25 percent per available room; creating green construction standards for hotel developers to achieve LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council; educating and inspiring employees and guests to support the environment; and helping protect the rainforest. Earlier this year, Marriott invited guests to add to the company's $2 million commitment to help save the rainforest in Brazil. More information is available at www.marriott.com/savetherainforest or www.marriott.com/green-brazilian-rainforest.mi.
Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) for company information.
Marriott Vacation Club is a worldwide leader in vacation ownership and the signature timeshare brand of Marriott International. In 1984, Marriott became the first branded hospitality company to enter the timeshare industry, adding its signature quality, service and hospitality expertise.
Marriott has a long history rooted in serving every community it has a presence in. The company's "Spirit to Serve" philosophy also carries over to the environment. Marriott Vacation Club's commitment to social responsibility and being "green" dates back to its inception with the first Marriott Vacation Club resorts on Hilton Head Island. Today, Marriott Vacation Club is more focused than ever on demonstrating how responsible development and resort management can be a positive force for the environment.
For more information, please visit www.marriottvacationclub.com/newsroom. For nightly Marriott villa rentals, please visit www.marriott.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MarriottVacClub.
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