ORLANDO, Fla., July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott Vacation Club International, the vacation ownership division of Marriott International, Inc. , announced today the development of Marriott's Lakeshore Reserve at Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla. Located on the pristine grounds of Grande Lakes Orlando, the resort will be the first-ever Marriott Vacation Club property to be co-located with a JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton, offering a distinguished level of amenities.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080710/NETH025 )

The resort was formally introduced this morning with a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on the proposed 340 villas and townhomes with the first phase slated for occupancy by summer 2010. Sales will commence on July 12, 2008 with initial pricing ranging from $26,000 to $40,000 per week depending on season and floor plan selected.

"We are very pleased to join Grande Lakes and offer this ideal location for our Owners and guests," said Lee Cunningham, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Marriott Vacation Club for North America and the Caribbean. "Marriott's Lakeshore Reserve will be our seventh property in Central Florida, located in one of Orlando's most prestigious settings."

Marriott's Lakeshore Reserve at Grande Lakes will offer Orlando's finest vacation ownership resort set on a stunning 500-acre campus. Owners and guests will enjoy beautifully manicured gardens and walkways that invite leisurely strolls along the water and lead to numerous boutique shops, a wealth of dining options as well as The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club and The Ritz-Carlton Spa.

"We welcome Marriott Vacation Club and look forward to offering the finest dining, shopping, spa and golf amenities and services to their Owners and guests," said Steve Contos, vice president and managing director of Grande Lakes Orlando. "The addition of Marriott's Lakeshore Reserve is a perfect complement to Grande Lakes."

Tying in with the established Mediterranean architectural style unique to Grande Lakes, the resort will evoke the timeless beauty of the Mediterranean incorporated with a blend of Italian and tropical influences.

Villas will range from 1,185 to 1,655 square feet of living space, and for the first time in North America, Marriott Vacation Club will introduce two- story townhomes and two-bedroom, two-bath lock-off villas offering two master suites. The villa interiors will offer a blend of Mediterranean inspired and designed furnishings with fully-equipped kitchens with granite countertops and GE stainless steel appliances; generous living and dining areas; multiple LG flat-panel LCD televisions with DVD players; oversized shower; washer/dryer; and Wi-Fi Internet accessibility.

Proposed resort amenities upon build-out will include:

-- Main pool with zero-entry and two dueling waterslides; second elegant style pool; three whirlpool spas

-- Marriott's Activity Zone Experience (MAZE) -- Fitness center featuring Life Fitness Equipment -- Waterside promenade from the resort to the JW Marriott -- Outdoor grilling areas

Marriott Vacation Club is the recognized worldwide leader in vacation ownership and in 1984, became the first branded hospitality company to enter the timeshare industry. Today, more than 352,000 Owners around the globe own their vacations "the Marriott way," offering options to exchange weeks with priority within the MVC portfolio or within Interval International's global system of more than 2,300 resorts in over 75 countries, trade their week(s) for Marriott Rewards points, or rent their week(s).

For more information, visit http://www.marriottslakeshorereserve.com/.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, Inc. is a leading lodging company with more than 3,000 lodging properties in the United States and 66 other countries and territories. For more information, visit http://www.marriott.com/.

Web site: http://www.marriottslakeshorereserve.com/
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