Marriott Grande Vista THE BEST

[mtmbyck]

Just back from March break. Spent 2 nights at BCV in a 2 bedroom (I rented points from an owner for $300/nt) and then 8 nights at Marriott Grande vista. I have to tell you BCV was a disappointment. Room was dated and there were so many issues with the room I had to make a list to call down to report them. Amenities in the room were old and worn. Internet is available by plugging in an Ethernet - no wireless. We got a great deal on this room that would have been more like $700 per night. Service was very good and location is great but room was very tired looking.

Then we moved over to Marriott Grande Vista. We've stayed at Sheraton Vistana Villages, Floridays, and numerous rental homes but this resort exceeded any other property. Our 2 bedroom was luxurious and HUGE! View was beautiful and activities were plentiful. Everything from seminars from Gatorland staff, to a Polynesian night, karaoke night, campfires and dive-in movies, all kinds of daytime activities by the pools..........seemed like there was something to do every hour. Free wireless Internet even around the pool. The amenities in our unit were like new. Boat rentals, beach volleyball, ice cream shop.......and best of all $100/nt less than what I paid at BCV.

If you are looking for spacious accommodations and want to be close to everything (right across the road from Seaworld and 10 minutes from WDW and Universal) don't hesitate booking this property. We're not even going to look anymore.

Also, I secured this reservation online, I am not a Marriott club member, and did not receive one call to do their presentations.

 

[Disneyx6]

Couldn't agree more! We stayed here 2 yrs. ago and loved it. We are breaking up our trip in Sept. between here and Disney property. We had a 2 bedroom villa w/full kitchen, laundry etc. for only $217.00 a night!! We booked the same room again w/an increase of only $5.00 a night. The kids loved all of the activities too.

 

[Detailor]

We prefer Marriott's Cypress Harbour but I agree that Marriott's Grande Vista is a great resort.

Dick Taylor

 

[jeff968]

I agree with Dick, Marriott Cypress harbor is our favorite but you can't go wrong with any of the MVCs.

 

[Taratink]

We will be staying at the Grande Vista in 11 days. We are not planning to go to the parks more than twice. I am so happy to hear that you loved it. How do I get a copy of the activities so I can plan around them? I have a 9 and 11 year old. Where is ther best pool to use?

 

[happymommy]

We have stayed there as well, plus Harbour Lake twice now.

I agree - in December we had Harbour Lake (2 bedroom) for a couple of nights then 7 nights at the Boardwalk Villas. The BWV was in sad shape, the living room and kitchen were tiny, balcony was tiny, it wasn't as clean at all. The shower had tons of icky mold in it too. Other than the location (and we had gotten a great deal of $200 a night renting from an owner even during Christmas week when it was $750 a night through Disney), we really didn't think much of it (it was just a one bedroom). That was the last time we'll do a Disney hotel over a Marriott condo!

I do prefer Harbour Lake over Grand Vista, but we liked how it was nice and compact, like a little town. I'd take either over Disney any day now!

 

[Disneyx6]

We will be staying at the Grande Vista in 11 days. We are not planning to go to the parks more than twice. I am so happy to hear that you loved it. How do I get a copy of the activities so I can plan around them? I have a 9 and 11 year old. Where is ther best pool to use?

They couldn't give me a schedule yet for September, but I would imagine since you are less than 2 weeks out they must know which nights they are having which activities. I would call the hotel directly because I don't see anything on their website. My kids enjoyed the campfire w/smores, the dive-in-movie, and game night by the pool. We pool hopped depending on what they had going on and how crowded they were. During the day they offered pool games and stuff for the kids so we tended to go to which ever pool had things planned. Hopefully they will offer some fun stuff while you are visiting and again for us in September Have fun

 

[jmontori]

We also stayed pretty frequently at the grande vista before making the jump to vacation homes. Really found it very nice and liked the location, just had to make sure to get a new or newly renovated unit.

 

[Danibelle]

We prefer Marriott's Cypress Harbour but I agree that Marriott's Grande Vista is a great resort.

Dick Taylor

I agree!

 

[marvel]

How did it compare to Sheraton Vistana? I was just about to book when I saw your thread and now I am totall rethinking.

Also, would love the others that posted about Cypress harbour, would like to know how these compare.

 

[Detailor]

How did it compare to Sheraton Vistana? I was just about to book when I saw your thread and now I am totall rethinking.

Also, would love the others that posted about Cypress harbour, would like to know how these compare.

I think that Grande Vista is a nicer resort than the Sheraton Vistana Resort or Vistana Villages. And I think that the Vistanas are very nice themselves. They're similar in that both brands are attached to and run by hotel chains, they both offer a lot of resort amenities - multiple pools, resort stores, long lists of activities, tennis courts, basketball courts, onsite food options, gate and resort security, etc. - and both do a good job of attending positively to the condition of their villas and resorts (though I think that the Marriotts are updated more frequently). Grande Vista is somewhat unique in that the resort features an on-site traditional sit-down restaurant that is decidedly untimeshare-like. Grande Vista and Vistana Resort are both quite large timeshare resorts. I prefer Marriotts over Sheraton in general because I think that the Marriott villas are better appointed, a little larger on average and just more comfortable. My experiences with personnel at Grande Vista has also been more positive than with personnel at Vistana Resort.

While Cypress Harbour is smaller and a little older than Grande Vista I find both of those distinctions to be very positive attributes. The landscaping at Cypress Harbour is mature and gives me a comfortable, old-Florida feel to the resort - very laid-back while still having strong resort feel to the place. Cypress Harbour has the amenities and activities program that are found at the other area Marriott resorts. Cypress Harbour is also a more compact resort than Grande Vista (or the even larger Sheraton Vistana Resort, for that matter) which makes getting to the pool areas or the bar & grille/resort store area relatively easy. For Cypress Harbour the thing that makes this an outstanding resort for me is the customer service. I'm sure that all of the Orlando-area Marriott personnel are trained the same way but the management at Cypress Harbour must continually impress the concept of quality customer service on their people. I've had great customer service experiences with individuals at other resorts but the folks at Cypress Harbour seem to be more consistently helpful and pleasant than at other resorts. That might not make a big difference to some but I find that it makes the resort experience more positive.

Dick Taylor

 

[liznboys]

I'd love the OP's or anyone's thoughts on this:

I looked at the price for Marriott Grande Vista and it seems to be in the low to mid $200's. Right now I could book Sheraton Vistana Village for $119 through the Dreams Unlimited deal. So for that much of a price difference, which would you choose?

 

[lilkim76]

We will be staying at the Grande Vista in 11 days. We are not planning to go to the parks more than twice. I am so happy to hear that you loved it. How do I get a copy of the activities so I can plan around them? I have a 9 and 11 year old. Where is ther best pool to use?

We are going to be there next Sunday and I called and they sent me a copy of the activity schedule. Just call and ask for the activities ext. and they can email you a copy. They were so friendly and the schedule looks awesome! They offer tons for the little ones and I'm happy I get to do my Zumba while on vacation too!

 

[marvel]

Thanks for the info. Along with liznboys, the marriot is also nearly $100 per night more expensive and more expensive than bonnett creek.

I am not sure whether an extra $700 will be worth it to us. Love to hear other opinions.

 

[lilkim76]

We will be there this Sunday and so excited!

Can anyone help me out, wondering what is included at Grande Vista? Dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, cleaning stuff(like windex,etc). If they do supply this and you need extra, can you just ask for more for free or have to pay for additional? Also, is there usually an abundance of towels and wash cloths? Should we bring extra for a family of 5? Do they offer plenty of towels for the pool?

Thanks so much, any info on what I should bring would be great!

 

[Detailor]

We will be there this Sunday and so excited!

Can anyone help me out, wondering what is included at Grande Vista? Dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, cleaning stuff(like windex,etc). If they do supply this and you need extra, can you just ask for more for free or have to pay for additional? Also, is there usually an abundance of towels and wash cloths? Should we bring extra for a family of 5? Do they offer plenty of towels for the pool?

Thanks so much, any info on what I should bring would be great!

They supply...

Liquid dishwashing soap
Dishwasher detergent
Dish towel(s)
Laundry detergent
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Facial tissues
Bathroom soaps
Trash can liners
A few coffee machine papers
I think that they supply the small hotel size shampoos/conditioners/lotions in the bathrooms, too.

I don't recall that they supply cleaners, such as Windex.

If you're in a two bedroom villa they'll have bathroom towels/wash cloths and pools towels for eight. And, of course, there's a washer and dryer if you need clean towels.

Dick Taylor

 

[lilkim76]

Thanks, Dick. You are the best source for it all! Appreciate it!

 

[Danibelle]

We will be there this Sunday and so excited!

Can anyone help me out, wondering what is included at Grande Vista? Dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, cleaning stuff(like windex,etc). If they do supply this and you need extra, can you just ask for more for free or have to pay for additional? Also, is there usually an abundance of towels and wash cloths? Should we bring extra for a family of 5? Do they offer plenty of towels for the pool?

Thanks so much, any info on what I should bring would be great!

Dish soap, dishwasher detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, will be replenished but you will have to ask. You can get fresh towels for your room if you ask. Pool towels are at each pool. I don't remember what cleaning product is provided; I bought some lysol wipes for counters, etc. If you are there as a renter, there will be cleaning; if you are on the vacation club, you will have to pay extra for daily cleaning. I would get some cleaner and/or wipes and laundry detergent since you only get one little box.

Have a great time!

 

[lilkim76]

Dish soap, dishwasher detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, will be replenished but you will have to ask. You can get fresh towels for your room if you ask. Pool towels are at each pool. I don't remember what cleaning product is provided; I bought some lysol wipes for counters, etc. If you are there as a renter, there will be cleaning; if you are on the vacation club, you will have to pay extra for daily cleaning. I would get some cleaner and/or wipes and laundry detergent since you only get one little box.

Have a great time!

Thanks for the info!

 

[Disneyx6]

We will be there this Sunday and so excited!

Can anyone help me out, wondering what is included at Grande Vista? Dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, cleaning stuff(like windex,etc). If they do supply this and you need extra, can you just ask for more for free or have to pay for additional? Also, is there usually an abundance of towels and wash cloths? Should we bring extra for a family of 5? Do they offer plenty of towels for the pool?

Thanks so much, any info on what I should bring would be great!

I was pleased with the amount of stuff they already had there for you.(Dish soap, paper towels etc.) We only stayed 4 nights and had plenty of everything. The only item we needed more of was laundry soap(I didn't want to come back to NY w/dirty clothes) I asked housekeeping and they left me another box no questions asked. We had 4 adults and 4 kids in our 2bedroom villa and we were fine w/all ammenities. Hope this helps and have a great trip