The **New** Swan and Dolphin Resort thread ~ April 2012 ~ Please read post #1

[BCVNovember]

I've been reading the feedback on the Dolphin on the Sheraton website (instead of Trip Advisor - going to take everything I read there with less seriousness from now on) this morning and between that and all of the great information here, I am now officially excited again about the Dolphin. What is a "standard" view (my reservation says "limited view")? Since we'll be there during President's Day weekend, won't upgrades will be less likely to happen if at all?

 

[Mewissy]

Hi all! I have a trip coming up in Sept with 1 night where we will be looking to eat after Fantasmic at HS. I was thinking of Picabu on our way back to BCV where we are staying. I didn't want a very long dinner as the kids 6, 4, & 4 maybe worn out. What do you think? We're not on the dining plan so we would be paying OOP regardless of where we ate.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

Does Swan/Dolphin usually not participate in the double points promos? Got an email to sign-up yesterday but then found that neither Swan or Dolphin where participating. Really would have been nice to get the extra points since we have 2 stays there during the promo period.

 

[BCVNovember]

I am considering upgrading to either an Epcot view room or a deluxe alcove room. Can anyone tell me about or point me to a thread that describes the locations and views from the alcove rooms? Are the sofas in the alcove rooms sleep sofas?

Thanks so much!!

 

[ImprovGal]

Does Swan/Dolphin usually not participate in the double points promos? Got an email to sign-up yesterday but then found that neither Swan or Dolphin where participating. Really would have been nice to get the extra points since we have 2 stays there during the promo period.

Yes, unfortunately the Swan/Dolphin have a history of opting out of some of the Starwood promotions. I was particularly disappointed in this opt-out list because nearly all of my planned stays during that period were at opt-out properties (Swolphin, W Boston, and W New York Times Square). It's frustrating!

 

[The Pluto People]

Probably yes to all of the above but I would wait until you checkin to see what room you get first. I booked a standard and was upgraded for free to a deluxe alcove just last week. Didn't even have to ask

Thanks for the advice! I'll wait and see what I get. Still wondering if a room booked with points can be upgraded with more points? Anyone ever done that?

 

[melliej]

Thanks for the advice! I'll wait and see what I get. Still wondering if a room booked with points can be upgraded with more points? Anyone ever done that?

When we have stayed at the Swan on points, we wanted the balcony room and didn't want to see if we got any kind of upgrade (both stays taking place during spring break). We spent an extra 1,000 points/night for the balcony resort view room. Not sure if the Epcot/Boardwalk view rooms are available on points. If they are, I assume they would be even more.

 

[The Pluto People]

When we have stayed at the Swan on points, we wanted the balcony room and didn't want to see if we got any kind of upgrade (both stays taking place during spring break). We spent an extra 1,000 points/night for the balcony resort view room. Not sure if the Epcot/Boardwalk view rooms are available on points. If they are, I assume they would be even more.

Thanks for the information. Did you upgrade before you arrived, and if so, how did you do it (phone call?). Or did you upgrade at check in?

 

[drgnfly30]

Does Swan/Dolphin usually not participate in the double points promos? Got an email to sign-up yesterday but then found that neither Swan or Dolphin where participating. Really would have been nice to get the extra points since we have 2 stays there during the promo period.

I'm pretty sure I got double points last year; this year we booked a special rate that got me 500 extra.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Does Swan/Dolphin usually not participate in the double points promos? Got an email to sign-up yesterday but then found that neither Swan or Dolphin where participating. Really would have been nice to get the extra points since we have 2 stays there during the promo period.

No. This is a huge problem with the SPG program. They let their locations opt out. These two are never in the promos. .

 

[melliej]

Thanks for the information. Did you upgrade before you arrived, and if so, how did you do it (phone call?). Or did you upgrade at check in?

I called SPG to book to the balcony room. I believe we actually booked on cash first and then SPG cancelled the reservation and re-booked us on points. We knew pretty early in our planning that we wanted it.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Just returned from stay at swan. We did a split stay with beach club, moving to swan for second half of stay. I have to say I was pretty disappointed with the swan. We were on the 10th floor on a spg floor. The hallways smelled funny. Wall plaques were hanging off the wall. The elevator was run down with scuffed paint. The swan dining options were negligible. We had kids in the hallways at all hours. They shut the power off for a few hours to the whole hotel one night. We ate a picabu and the food was good but the place was dingy and strange. The staff was nice and the lobby looked good. Housekeeping was fine. The tv and phone and lamps were wired together with an extension cord that looked like it came from the dollar store and had no available outlets. There were no other outlets in the room so we had to unplug a lamp or charge items in the bathrooms. The shower was not great. I have to concur with the reports that it has gone downhill, at least when I compare my trip to a stay at swan 5 years ago. Maybe just a bad room/floor.

 

[bas71873]

Just returned from stay at swan. We did a split stay with beach club, moving to swan for second half of stay. I have to say I was pretty disappointed with the swan. We were on the 10th floor on a spg floor. The hallways smelled funny. Wall plaques were hanging off the wall. The elevator was run down with scuffed paint. The swan dining options were negligible. We had kids in the hallways at all hours. They shut the power off for a few hours to the whole hotel one night. We ate a picabu and the food was good but the place was dingy and strange. The staff was nice and the lobby looked good. Housekeeping was fine. The tv and phone and lamps were wired together with an extension cord that looked like it came from the dollar store and had no available outlets. There were no other outlets in the room so we had to unplug a lamp or charge items in the bathrooms. The shower was not great. I have to concur with the reports that it has gone downhill, at least when I compare my trip to a stay at swan 5 years ago. Maybe just a bad room/floor.

Eek. I'm sorry you had a bad experience and I sure hope it was just a fluke. We have our first stay coming up in December

 

[bakerworld]

Just returned from stay at swan. We did a split stay with beach club, moving to swan for second half of stay. I have to say I was pretty disappointed with the swan. We were on the 10th floor on a spg floor. The hallways smelled funny. Wall plaques were hanging off the wall. The elevator was run down with scuffed paint. The swan dining options were negligible. We had kids in the hallways at all hours. They shut the power off for a few hours to the whole hotel one night. We ate a picabu and the food was good but the place was dingy and strange. The staff was nice and the lobby looked good. Housekeeping was fine. The tv and phone and lamps were wired together with an extension cord that looked like it came from the dollar store and had no available outlets. There were no other outlets in the room so we had to unplug a lamp or charge items in the bathrooms. The shower was not great. I have to concur with the reports that it has gone downhill, at least when I compare my trip to a stay at swan 5 years ago. Maybe just a bad room/floor.

Curious why you picked the Swan vs the Dolphin?

 

[ryansstitch]

Just returned from stay at swan. We did a split stay with beach club, moving to swan for second half of stay. I have to say I was pretty disappointed with the swan. We were on the 10th floor on a spg floor. The hallways smelled funny. Wall plaques were hanging off the wall. The elevator was run down with scuffed paint. The swan dining options were negligible. We had kids in the hallways at all hours. They shut the power off for a few hours to the whole hotel one night. We ate a picabu and the food was good but the place was dingy and strange. The staff was nice and the lobby looked good. Housekeeping was fine. The tv and phone and lamps were wired together with an extension cord that looked like it came from the dollar store and had no available outlets. There were no other outlets in the room so we had to unplug a lamp or charge items in the bathrooms. The shower was not great. I have to concur with the reports that it has gone downhill, at least when I compare my trip to a stay at swan 5 years ago. Maybe just a bad room/floor.

Yikes! Did you speak with management? That is just an unacceptable experience. I'm guessing you might wish you had stayed at each club...

 

[ryansstitch]

Yikes! Did you speak with management? That is just an unacceptable experience. I'm guessing you might wish you had stayed at each club...

Beach club! Sorry for the iPad typo!

 

[NancyIL]

Just returned from stay at swan. We did a split stay with beach club, moving to swan for second half of stay. I have to say I was pretty disappointed with the swan. We were on the 10th floor on a spg floor. The hallways smelled funny. Wall plaques were hanging off the wall. The elevator was run down with scuffed paint. The swan dining options were negligible. We had kids in the hallways at all hours. They shut the power off for a few hours to the whole hotel one night. We ate a picabu and the food was good but the place was dingy and strange. The staff was nice and the lobby looked good. Housekeeping was fine. The tv and phone and lamps were wired together with an extension cord that looked like it came from the dollar store and had no available outlets. There were no other outlets in the room so we had to unplug a lamp or charge items in the bathrooms. The shower was not great. I have to concur with the reports that it has gone downhill, at least when I compare my trip to a stay at swan 5 years ago. Maybe just a bad room/floor.

I'm sorry your stay was disappointing. I usually stay at the Swan, most recently in April, and loved my room. Finding a free outlet in any hotel room can be a challenge! I charge my cellphone in the outlet that's part of the bedside lamp. I think the showers are even better since they added the "rainshower" shower head.

What kind of dining options were you looking for? The Swan has several nice locations for dinner (Il Mulino and Garden Grove), sushi and karaoke at Kimonos, and breakfast options at Garden Grove (buffet) or the Java Bar (quick service). The Dolphin does have more casual dining options. In addition to Picabu, I love the breakfast buffet at Fresh, and the Fountain has good sandwiches and ice cream treats.

As far as kids in the hallway late at night - did you call the front desk? Kids running around isn't the fault of the hotel, and could've happened as easily at the Beach Club. One reason I like staying at the Swan or Dolphin is that there are usually fewer families there with kids.

 

[OKW Lover]

For those who are in need of a picture to hold them until they actually get there...

 

[ryansstitch]

Hi All! I may have posted another question here in the past, but DH and I will be on our babymoon 10/3-10/7 and are staying at the dolphin. I will be 28 weeks pregnant at the time, and have recently discovered the joys of swollen numb feet. First question, have any of you had luck with requesting a room near to elevator or certain areas of the resort? Should I try that in advance or wait until we arrive? I am spg gold, but I have found that Starwood doesn't value gold as much as Hilton, so I'm not expecting much love from that. However, did that seem to give you any leverage in requesting a room?
Thanks!

 

[SingingMom]

Hi All! I may have posted another question here in the past, but DH and I will be on our babymoon 10/3-10/7 and are staying at the dolphin. I will be 28 weeks pregnant at the time, and have recently discovered the joys of swollen numb feet. First question, have any of you had luck with requesting a room near to elevator or certain areas of the resort? Should I try that in advance or wait until we arrive? I am spg gold, but I have found that Starwood doesn't value gold as much as Hilton, so I'm not expecting much love from that. However, did that seem to give you any leverage in requesting a room?
Thanks!

I would request a room ahead of time, explaining how you are suffering from swollen, numb feet. Then I would pleasantly remind them of the request when they are checking you in. A smile is worth so much when you are dealing with the public every day. If they can accommodate you, I am sure they will be happy to! Dolphin staff is terrific!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards