ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott Vacation Club, a global leader in timeshare vacation ownership, announced today that it has finalized the purchase of the iconic Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa Gold Coast, Australia. The announcement further establishes its strategy of expanding in Asia Pacific and adding new destinations to its growing worldwide portfolio of over 55 Marriott Vacation Club resorts.

"Our Owners and guests have long shared with us how Australia is one of their top destinations that they want to experience on vacation, and we listened," said Stephen P. Weisz, president and chief executive officer of Marriott Vacations Worldwide. "For decades the legendary Surfers Paradise Marriott has provided unforgettable vacation memories for Australian families and families from around the world. We are truly excited to add this amazing destination to our portfolio and to welcome Owners and guests to this striking property where they will be surrounded by the beauty and hospitality of Australia."

Plans for this new Marriott Vacation Club resort location include converting eight dedicated floors into 88 timeshare vacation apartment villas in a combination of studio and one bedroom floorplans.

Guests will enjoy lush accommodations with outdoor balconies, scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and stunning hinterland views of the Nerang River and mountains. The resort offers a paradise within a paradise featuring sparkling lagoons, white sandy beaches, cascading waterfalls, quiet pool zones and unique aquatic experiences.

The resort is ideally situated in Queensland on Australia's Gold Coast, which enjoys temperate year-round weather and 300 days of sunshine per year. The Gold Coast is home to Queensland's most popular tourist destination and offers a diverse selection of retail shops, restaurants, internationally renowned surf beaches, national parks and entertainment districts. Additionally, the resort is just a short drive away from several major theme parks and attractions. For guests seeking to further explore the east coast of Australia, the Gold Coast is a perfect base with Brisbane a short drive away and Sydney, Melbourne and the Great Barrier Reef within a 1- to 2-hour flight.

Marriott Vacation Club plans to complete conversion of the initial phase of timeshare vacation apartment villas and to open a new sales gallery by March 2016. The remaining hotel portion of the resort will continue to be operated under the Marriott brand.

About Marriott Vacation Club
Marriott Vacation Club is a global leader in vacation ownership with a diverse portfolio of 56 resorts and more than 12,100 timeshare villas throughout the U.S., Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Marriott Vacation Club is an upscale vacation ownership program that provides Owners and their families with the flexibility to enjoy high-quality vacation experiences. For more information, please visit www.marriottvacationclub.com. For nightly rentals, visit www.marriott.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MarriottVacClub and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/marriottvacationclub.

Visit Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: VAC) for company information.

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SOURCE Marriott Vacation Club