We are a family of four and Marriott Vacation owners at Grande Vista - Orlando, FL., That is why we interchange very often with other Marriott properties. In this case, I was disappointed because the property does not have tennis courts or even a better pool. (By the way, the week of 12/11/11, when we arrived, the pool was closed). The JW is very close but you need to walk or drive. I rather like to have all these in the same place. It's a shame.

This Marriott vacation villa has a deal with the JW Marriott on the same property. Guests here can use the amenities over THERE. That's the problem. It's over THERE. The towels have the same color so you don't feel like a lowly cousin. However, we had to carry all our stuff over THERE and cut the stay short to come back and get lunch. THEY have the lazy river and the slide. We have a couple of small pools and according to my son, the largest jacuzzi with a waterfall that he's ever seen. The two properties combined is quite nice. But it is a trek to get to the lazy river.

This was my 3rd visit to the Marriott Canyon Villas near Desert Ridge, staying each time as time-share exchangers or on a promotional package.

Overall, I like the facility, although some amenities and service issues could be better.
Main pool area is nice and has a variety of sitting areas, although depending on where you stay in the resort getting there means either you have to cross multiple parking lots or simply walk along paths, which of course is more preferrable.

A nice "quiet pool" lies on the far edge of the property; it's a smaller area and is more of an expanded, free-form spa than a pool; no deep end, not enough room to swim but larger than the typical round hot tub. It was much more relaxing there than at the main pool where it can tend to get crowded and noisy.

Regarding technology, their WiFi AND guest computer terminals in the lobby were down for 3 days; I deliberately like to travel light and therefore if a reputable hotel and resort has its own business center or computers, I'm going to take a chance and leave my own equipment at home or in the office. I'll use theirs instead of taking my laptop or have to rely on my smart-phone. Lesson learned: even in a good facility such as this tech problems can occur, which they did. Note to self - and others: bring your own so you're not without that medium of communication if you were depending on it.

Inside my guestroom, the functionality of the TV remote was a joke. Buttons were sticky, many simply didn't even transmit a signal. I should've asked for a better working one, but by the 3rd I was so frustrated with that and their computers being down I just gave up.

Another issue had to do with service. Being a timeshare owner (not in the Marriott family0 I successfully exchanged into the Canyon Villas. My stay was in the middle of October, not exactly peak season like Jan-March, or through Spring Break, which to us Northern Mid-Westerners, goes into the 2nd week of April. I called the Canyon Villas directly a week ahead of my stay and asked about the possibility of obtaining a larger 1-BR instead of the smaller one I had exchanged into. I received a very curt response of "No, we're absolutely full."

OK, I can buy that. I can also completely accept the limitations of my exchange. The only problem I had was that once I got there, the place was half-empty. If the hostess answering the phone the day I called would've taken the time to simply explain their policy of limiting exchangers only into smaller units, I could've accepted that as an honest, professional response.

I remember thinking once I was there: if this facility is full, it means alot of people must've walked here or taken cabs from the airport, because some buildings on the grounds had NO cars in their dedicated parking lots.

But to get there and find that her response was just one of convenience and untrue, it did leave alot to be desired as to Marriott's integrity.

In thinking about it, whether or not I was in the large or small unit, it's arguably the same maintenance costs on their end: I'm going to use the same amount of linens, towels and soap regardless of which size unit I'm going to stay in.

The units themslves are nice enough, although Marriott could take a page or two from Westin, Hilton or others when it comes to updating room decor. Interesting to note that as a Marriott member (hotels, not the timeshare division) I've stayed in newer Marriott Residence Inns which had nicer interiors than at the Canyon Villas.

I still like the Canyon Villas, especially for its north central Phoenix location and the JW Desert Ridge, which is right "next door". It's worth it to walk over there for "happy hour" and to tour their beautifult property as well.

For many years, my husband and two children have vacationed around the US during the holiday season. Canyon Villas is THE FIRST to offer the lighting of Hanukaah candles, for those of us who don't celebrate Christmas. We are so appreciative of this! Thanks, Marriott Canyon Villas, for helping us celebrate our holiday traditions away from home.
We also greatly enjoyed the beauty of the grounds, proximity to JW Marriott, lovely units and view, and quiet and peaceful atmosphere. We've had a great week!