Explore Your Holiday Opportunities for 2016
If you haven't already planned a 2016 holiday, now's the time! Reservation windows at most Club Connections locations, as well as cruises and guided group tours have been extended through the end of next year, so you can reserve a city stay or beach getaway in Asia, Europe or the United States.
Here's a look at a few highlights of the Club Connections programme:
Australia
Surfers Paradise Marriott® Resort & Spa* – Member Special!
Escape to the Gold Coast! The epitome of elegance, this resort combines casual Queensland charm with superior international style to create a unique unrivaled experience. Unwind surrounded by beautiful gardens, shimmering lagoons and stunning beaches. Additionally, in celebration of our 15 year anniversary in Asia Pacific and our recent purchase of Surfers Paradise Marriott® Resort & Spa, we will be offering Members 20% off the normal Club Point rate of 3,500 per night for check ins beginning 1 March 2016 with check outs until 1 July 2016. With the discount, you will only pay 2,800 Club Points per night (in a standard room).
United Arab Emirates
JW Marriott® Hotel Dubai • Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Enjoy a stay at one of Dubai's most luxurious hotels, featuring elegant and spacious accommodations, 10 on-site restaurants and bars and a refreshing rooftop pool. Located in the city's bustling business district, this cosmopolitan retreat provides convenient access to the area's diverse gold and spice markets.
United States
Waikiki Beach Marriott® Resort & Spa • Oahu, Hawaii
Indulge in an exotic getaway at this tranquil island resort, just steps away from the famous Waikiki Beach and the brilliant blue surf of the Pacific Ocean. From here, you can experience an authentic Hawaii holiday – learn how to surf, visit historic Pearl Harbor, hike Diamond Head Crater and immerse yourself in the Aloha spirit!
Vietnam
Renaissance® Riverside Hotel Saigon
Immerse yourself in the culture and history of Ho Chi Minh City during a stay at this sophisticated riverside hotel, nestled in the heart of the shopping and entertainment district. You'll be within walking distance of a number of landmarks and bustling markets. The hotel also features diverse on-site dining, a relaxing spa and a rooftop pool overlooking the Mekong River.
Cruises
When you embark on a cruise, the fun comes to you! Relax as you explore the world by sea–and enjoy enticing onboard amenities** along the way. Explore your options here, and if you don’t see your preferred cruise, remember that we have many other options available!
Guided Group Tours
As a Member, you can use Club Points toward guided group tours in popular destinations around the world! We’ve added departure dates for our 2016 guided group tours, which are offered in conjunction with Collette Travel. Discover tour availability and itineraries.
View Club Connections locations here.To reserve your stay, contact Member Services. For more information about why these Club Point level changes have taken place, click here, or contact Member Services.
*Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa is available for check-outs through 1 July 2016.
**The rate for your cruise includes accommodations, most meals, activities and entertainment while onboard the ship. Some items such as beverages and optional specialty dining may not be included dependent upon the cruise line you have selected.
Terms and Conditions
Booking Windows and Cancellation Rules are in accordance with the Third Amended & Restated Disclosure Document & Club Guidelines (as may be further amended). The number of rooms available in each hotel and resort under the Club Connections programme or as a Member Special is limited. Accommodations are subject to availability, and blackout dates apply. The Express Breaks option is not available in these locations. These locations and their Club Point levels are subject to change regularly and without notice. These hotels and resorts are not part of Marriott Vacation Club, Asia-Pacific, and are not Club Resort Properties. Availability of any particular Club Connections or Member Special location is subject to the terms of the agreement which the Club Manager was able to enter into with the operator of that location.
Discover the Unique Treasures of Taipei
The first Marriott® hotel in Taiwan is also one of the latest additions to the Club Connections programme! Now you can use Club Points to stay at the Taipei Marriott®, a new urban resort that opened in July 2015. Reserve a standard room for 10,000 Club Points per night, with check-ins beginning 1 October 2015 and check-outs through 2016.
From your convenient location along the Keelung River, you'll be surrounded by panoramic views of the city and botanical gardens. Savor a meal at one of the hotel's four restaurants serving Cantonese cuisine, Teppenyaki and more. Unwind with a cocktail at the on-site bar and lounge, or relax in the heated rooftop swimming pool. Plus, the hotel is a few minutes' walk to JianNan MRT station and only two stops from SongShan Airport, which makes it easy to explore the area.
Here are a few great ways to enjoy your stay in Taipei:
Explore the outdoors.
For an unparalleled view of Taipei, ascend the steps of the Nangang District Hiking Trail to the top of Elephant Mountain, where you can admire the skyline from a viewing platform. Another way to view the city landscape is boarding the Maokong Gondola and riding in a glass-bottomed cabin to Maokong, where you'll find hiking trails, tea shops, restaurants and plantations.
If you can't get enough active exploration, embark on the hiking trails in Yangmingshan National Park, known for its cherry blossoms and hot springs. It's also the home of Taiwan's tallest dormant volcano, Seven Star Mountain. Or immerse yourself in the heart of Taipei with a walking or cycling sightseeing tour.
Enjoy local shopping and dining.
First, you'll want to taste the local specialty, beef noodle soup, served at countless restaurants throughout the city. You'll also find plenty of interesting foods at the expansive and popular ShiLin Night Market, including oyster omelets and savory Xiao Long Bao dumplings. If you're a morning person, check out Shuanglian Market, which boasts early hours and an extensive collection of food stalls.
For a more upscale experience, visit the Taipei 101 tower, which stands 509 meters high and was once the world's tallest building. Here you can explore luxury shopping or stop by the food court, and then ascend to observation decks on the 88th or 89th floor for a stunning view of the city. You can also immerse yourself in the city's culinary tradition by partaking in a cooking class or food tour.
Experience the region's fascinating culture.
Taipei's rich spiritual heritage is evident in its abundance of temples. Longshan Temple is dedicated to the Buddhist goddess of mercy and showcases classic Taiwanese architecture, while Taipei Confucius Temple offers several educational displays and movies about Confucian culture. The ornate Guandu Temple is home to carved dragon pillars, stone lions and wall sculptures.
Delve further into history when you browse one of the world's largest collections of ancient Chinese imperial artifacts and art at the National Palace Museum. Or visit Liberty Square, where you can observe the changing of the guards outside
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and then cross the square to enjoy a ballet, opera or classical music performance at the National Theater or National Concert Hall.
Check out our Taipei travel tips, or reserve your Taipei holiday by contacting Member Services.
Terms and Conditions
Booking Windows and Cancellation Rules are in accordance with the Third Amended & Restated Disclosure Document & Club Guidelines (as may be further amended). The number of rooms available in each hotel and resort under the Club Connections programme or as a Member Special is limited. Accommodations are subject to availability, and blackout dates apply. The Express Breaks option is not available in these locations. These locations and their Club Point levels are subject to change regularly and without notice. These hotels and resorts are not part of Marriott Vacation Club, Asia-Pacific, and are not Club Resort Properties. Availability of any particular Club Connections or Member Special location is subject to the terms of the agreement which the Club Manager was able to enter into with the operator of that location.
Choose from 5 New South Pacific Tours
There's never been a better time to explore Australia and New Zealand! Now you can use Club Points to enjoy several new guided group tour options in the South Pacific offered by Collette Vacations:
Premier Plus Exclusive: A Down Under Adventure
21 Days • From 315,000 Club Points
Journey from New Zealand's picturesque North Island to Australia's energetic and modern city of Sydney. Along the way, you'll explore the Great Barrier Reef, cruise Milford Sound, travel to the Outback and visit Australia's famous wine region, the Barossa Valley. Plus, marvel at the beauty of Uluru (Ayers Rock), gaze up at Mount Cook and set sail across Sydney Harbour. You'll also delve into the local culture during a home-stay on a working farm, embark on a “Gourmet Icons” tour of Sydney, savor dinner on the Colonial Tramcar restaurant in Melbourne and visit Rotorua, the Maori capital of New Zealand.
A Taste of the South Pacific
21 Days • From 112,000 Club Points
Set out on an adventure across Australia, culminating in a visit to the tropical paradise of Fiji. You'll explore the Great Barrier Reef, visit Hartley's Croc Farm, meet a few koalas and delve into the native heritage at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Get to know Sydney during your city tour, harbour dinner cruise and guided tour of Sydney Opera House. You'll also have a full day to explore the city on your own. Finally, complete your trip with 3 nights in beautiful Fiji, where you’ll discover Nadi's scenic hinterland and visit the Garden of the Sleeping Giant.
South Pacific Wonders
14 Days • From 141,000 Club Points
From the tropical splendor of the Great Barrier Reef on Australia's northeast coast to the ethereal beauty of glacial fjords on New Zealand's South Island, this 2-week journey brings you the best of both countries at an enjoyable pace. Cruise Sydney Harbour, meet Australia's wildlife up-close, and discover the wonders of Aboriginal culture. In New Zealand, sail across the Milford Sound and then experience Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to indulge in regional flavors at a wine tasting.
Exploring Australia
17 Days • From 178,000 Club Points
Embark on a 3-day adventure in the rugged Outback, where you'll learn about Aboriginal life and culture at Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers Rock). Delve into the colorful world of the Great Barrier Reef and explore the Barossa Valley, a premier wine-making region. Encounter Australia's wildlife up-close with a chance to see crocodiles, koalas, kangaroos and more. Take a ride through the rainforest canopy in tropical Queensland, and enjoy a guided tour of the famous Sydney Opera House. You'll also explore the vibrant cosmopolitan city of Melbourne and relax with 4-night stays in Sydney and Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef!
The Complete South Pacific
26 Days • From 290,000 Club Points
Meet a koala, enjoy a bush dinner in the Outback, cruise the pristine waters of Milford Sound – do it all during this amazing journey through Australia and New Zealand. Toast Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunset with champagne. Spend 2 nights on the Australian island state of Tasmania and visit the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Center. See the penguins of Phillip Island travel home. Explore the waters of Kakadu National Park, home of the fearsome saltwater crocodile. Discover the colorful world of the Great Barrier Reef. Then travel to New Zealand's majestic fjord, Milford Sound, and spend 2 nights in Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland. Plus, enjoy a home-stay and dinner with a New Zealand family. Throughout your adventure, you’ll explore Aboriginal and Maori traditions.
Before or after your tour, you may even want to use your membership to extend your time in Australia when you stay at a Club Connections location in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Gold Coast.
For full itineraries or to explore other guided group options, please visit MVCIAsiaPacific.ColletteVacations.com. To reserve your South Pacific guided group tour, contact Member Services.
Terms and Conditions
Various departure dates available. US$119 administration fee applies. You can book these guided group tours using a combination of Club Points and cash. Airfare and expenses not identified are not included in the above pricing and must be paid separately by tour participants. Club Point requirements are based on double occupancy. Actual number of Club Points required may vary depending on the departure date. Contact Member Services for single pricing and full details.
NOTE:
Professional tour guide services are available only in English.
Tours are available through and reservations will be made directly with Collette Travel Services Inc. ("Collette Travel"). Access to tour opportunities is subject to the terms and conditions of Collette Travel and those of the Club Governing Documents including the Third Amended and Restated Disclosure Document & Club Guidelines (as may be further amended) and may not be available in the future or may require enrollment in an alternative exchange programme. Actual experiences will be provided via contractual arrangements with third-party providers and may require the payment of additional fees. The experiences described herein are examples of potential vacation opportunities and are subject to change.
Marriott International Inc., Marriott Vacation Club International and their respective affiliates and subsidiaries make no warranty, express or implied, as to the condition, capacity, performance or any other aspect of the activities, events or service providers listed herein. No inquiry has been made into the activities or events, or the qualifications or the quality of services offered by the providers. Do not consider this an endorsement of or recommendation for any of the activities, events or providers. Features, furnishings and amenities may be proposed and are subject to change.
Member is responsible to meet all relevant international travel requirements, including possession of a valid passport and visa, where necessary.
Celebrate with Mooncakes!
The Mid-Autumn Festival begins September 27, which means you'll soon have the chance to savor those sweet treats that are so popular this time of year – mooncakes!The celebration dates back to the Shang Dynasty (16th – 10th century B.C.), when the Chinese gave thanks for the harvest during the autumn full moon. In modern festivities, the moon is still celebrated as a symbol of harmony and unity, and families share mooncakes as traditional snacks that symbolize family unity.
The round pastries are often eaten with Chinese tea and are typically filled with red bean or lotus seed paste, with one or more egg yolks in the center to represent the full moon. The filling is surrounded by a thin crust that is often imprinted with Chinese characters and decorative imagery.
While you can purchase mooncakes in many places during the Mid-Autumn Festival, you can also make this delectable delicacy at home! Here's a great recipe provided by one of our Club Connections, the Singapore Marriott® Tang Plaza Hotel:
(Ingredients for 10 pieces)
Chicken Bak-Kwah 130g
Melon seeds 130g
Walnuts 130g
Pine nuts 60g
Macadamia nuts 60g
Almond 60g
Peeled Mandarin orange 40g
Sesame seeds 30g
Peanut oil 60g
White lotus seed paste 1kg
Salt 7g
Lemon leaves 2g
(Traditional baked skin)
Sugar syrup 110g
Peanut oil 70g
Flour 170g
- Mix the sugar syrup and peanut oil into a dough mixer for 5 minutes. Add flour and continue to mix until it becomes dough for the mooncake skin.
- Put the assorted nuts, chicken bak-kwah, lemon leaves, peeled mandarin orange, salt, and peanut oil into a bowl, together with the white lotus seed paste and mix well.
- Roll the paste into individual balls, each weighing 170g.
- Use 35g of the mooncake skin to wrap around individual balls.
- Place the mooncake skin and the paste into a mold. The mold would have to be compressed nicely to ensure that the imprints or logo of the mooncake is visible.
- Once this is completed, place the mooncake into the oven for 15 minutes. Take the tray out of the oven, brush some egg yolk on the top of the mooncake to achieve the glaze, and bake it for another 10 minutes.
- Once the mooncakes are baked to golden brown, rest the mooncakes for a week to ensure that the flavors are thoroughly soaked.
To reserve your holiday during the Mid-Autumn Festival next year, contact Member Services.
Member Services Contact Information
Email: MemberServicesAP@VacationClub.com
Website: VacationClubAP.com*
Singapore and all other countries not listed on this page
Tel: +65 6877 6088
Premier Plus Members: +65 6877 6199
Fax: +65 6877 6089
Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (GMT +8)
Australia
Tel: 1 800 736 115
Premier Plus Members: 1 800 739 045
Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (GMT +8)
China
Tel: 400 120 6176
Premier Plus Members: 400 120 6177
Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (GMT +8)
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3071 4886
Premier Plus Members: 800 965 654
Fax: +852 3071 4880
Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (GMT +8)
Japan
Tel**: 0120 924 658 / 00531-650574 or +800 8855 6677 (Toll-free†)
Premier Plus Members**: 0120 924 659 / 00531-650575
Fax: +65 6877 6089
Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (GMT +9)
Malaysia
Tel: 1 800 80 6619
Premier Plus Members: 1 800 80 6620
Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (GMT +8)
Philippines & Thailand
Tel: +800 8855 6677 / 00 800 8855 6677 (Toll-free†)
Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (GMT +8)
U.S., Canada & Caribbean
Tel: 801 468 4173
Toll-Free: 800 919 8066
Premier Plus Members: 800 414 7418
Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (EST)
Email: MemberServicesAP.USA@VacationClub.com
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Tel: +800 8855 6655 (UK & Germany)
Tel: +353 21 730 4484 (Other Countries)
Premier Plus Members: +800 8855 6666 (UK & Germany)
Premier Plus Members: +353 21 730 4494 (Other countries)
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Irish Standard Time)
Email: MemberServicesAP.Europe@VacationClub.com
*Please note that our website does not support Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6.0 or lower. Specifically, if you try to access VacationClubAP.com using Internet Explorer version 6 or lower, a Webpage Cannot be Displayed error will appear. Our website is best viewed using Internet Explorer 7 or 8 or Firefox 3+. To view our website, please upgrade to a newer version of Internet Explorer or use another browser application.
**These numbers may not be accessible from all mobile or IP phones. Please contact your service provider for additional information.
†Please dial your country's international access code before the number. No international charges will be incurred.