Personal Review of the
Marriott Custom House Resort

 © T. E. Marchessault, 1997, 1998, 2000           

SECTION 2
Background

SECTION 3
Living Units

SECTION 4
Common
Facilities

SECTION 5
Ownership
Arrangements

SECTION 6
Overall
Impression

My wife (Sally) and I visited the brand-new Marriott Custom House timeshare over the Thanksgiving, 1997 weekend. This page describes my impression of this resort along with information about the Marriott timeshare operation in Boston. (While I do have some written material, most of the information was taken orally. Please let me know if you find any mistakes.)

Entrance to the Marriott Custom House, Boston, MA

BACK

The Custom House is a former federal building in the heart of Boston. It is a 27 story (495 feet) building that opened in 1847.  For over a hundred years it was the prominent edifice on the Boston skyline.  It closed in 1986 and was sold to the City of Boston. 

The lighted clock tower on top was visible for miles inland and to ships approaching Boston Harbor. It is a pre-skyscraper building in that its support comes from the walls. Consequently, the walls at the base are incredibly thick (I am guessing they are about 15 feet thick) and the interior floor space is relatively small.

In 1996, Marriott purchased a 60-year lease on the landmark building.  In July, 1997 Marriott reopened the Custom House after remodeling the building into 84 timeshare units. The units are the high luxury characteristic of Marriott timeshares. The "feel" of the units are not typical of either other Marriott villas or a hotel room. Some have suggested they have the feel of a small, elegant European hotel. I can accept that. My impression was of a small, elegant apartment on Beacon Hill Boston or the Upper East Side New York.

All the units are one bedroom but just about every one is a little bit different. On the first few floors, you walk into the living room with a set of stairs leading to a loft bedroom (which is not closed off from the living room.) On the higher floors, the bedrooms are on the same level as the living area. When you buy a unit, they note whether you prefer the lower floor loft units or the regular units higher up in the building.

Each unit has a kitchenette with wet bar, small refrigerator, microwave oven, mixer, toaster, and cabinets. There is no stove or oven. The dining area has a glass dining room table. The living room has a sleep-sofa, a chairs and coffee table. There is a large stereo tv (with a very good cable selection)  hidden behind cabinet doors.

The bathroom is large with double sinks and a combination bath/shower. One disappointment is that there is not a Jacuzzi tub. The bedroom has a king-size beds with three pillows. There is a second television in the bedroom.

We had a corner unit on the 14^th floor. The view was fantastic.   The living room (hugs 6-8 feet windows) overlooked Quincy Market, the Central Artery, and (in the distance) the North End and Charlestown.

The bedroom overlooked several office buildings, City Hall, and Fanueil Hall.

BACK

On the second floor is an owners’ lounge with leather couches and chairs, large television, and a serving table with coffee and tea available. From Tuesday through Saturday, there is a cash bar open to owners and guests. On the 24^th floor, there is a medium-sized exercise facility, on another floor there is a game room. (The property is only two blocks from the Marriott Longwharf Hotel. Owners and guests staying at the Custom House are able to use the pool and certain other facilities at the hotel)

On the 26^th floor, there is access to the outside observation – the only outside building observatory in New England. The view is breath-taking!!

Unlike all other Marriott properties, there is not a washer and dryer in each unit. There are free washers and dryers on one of the top floors.

BACK

There are two seasons – peak from mid-May through mid-November and off-peak for the other 28 weeks. Our Marriott guide indicated that after there is some experience in use over the year, there is a chance that it may become all peak period.

Currently, as of the end of November, 1997 the price for a peak week is $20,900. They also allow you to buy half-shares, i.e. you have access every other year. (According to our guide, many of the people who bought half-shares have soon bought the other half share.)   Maintenance fees, reflecting its urban environment, are relatively high. In addition, parking is not included (there is valet service.) (When we stayed there for the sale presentation, we got free parking.)

[UPDATE COMING]

Owners can trade in their weeks every other year for Marriott Rewards.  Peak owners get 125,000 points and off-peak owners get 110,000.  As a point of reference, we can get 75,000 points every other year for our "value week" at Sunset Pointe, Hilton Head and our week at Barony Beach. (I have another web site on Marriott Rewards & Timesharing)

Unlike other Marriott properties, you can use the facility for any period from one night to seven nights at a time. (You can use it for Friday-Saturday one time, and then any other five nights over the year.)

Apparently, a large percentage of their owners are people from New England. A lot of them use for multiple short trips to Boston. Also, they anticipate that a lot of the owners are purchasing it to trade into other Marriott or Interval International properties. (While the Custom House has one-bedroom units, it will trade as if it were a two-bedroom.)

The Marriott Welcome Center across the street from the Custom House is Marriott’s first major foray into New England. As such, they are marketing all the Marriott properties – both new and used.

Sally and I were very impressed with this property. To be sure, this property is not for everyone. They are expensive but a good value.  It is not very suitable for a large family on a tight budget. The lack of a second bedroom, real cooking facilities, and in-room laundry might make it not the best place for a large family trying to save money on vacation.  It is really most suited for adult vacationers who are apt to eat out most of the time (like we do when we are on vacation), and wish to visit the city.

While we did not purchase a week, we were very impressed with this facility and believe it is a worthy addition to the Marriott timeshare collection.

If you would like further information on this resort or any other Marriott timeshare report, let me know.  If I don’t know the answer, I’ll refer your question to someone who does. 

If you would like me to refer you to an excellent, no-pressure Marriott sales agent, send me your name, address, phone (optional), and email address and I'll pass it along.

If you have any comments or corrections on the Marriott Custom House or this page, let me know, as well.