goofyforlife
Sit down if you're not a Grown-Up Princess
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2004
We got a postcard offer in the mail to stay at Carribe Royal for 4 nights in a
1-bed for $169 with $100 back when we arrived.
I called the # and the weekend i wanted (aug 22-26) was not available. I thanked the CSR and hung up because i really didn't want any other dates.
Then about a week later we got a call that we could stay on-site for the same amount. The CSR said that we would be staying at the Vistana Resort. (Reviews are kinda iffy there but i figured hey it's cheap). He even offered us a 2-bedroom at no additional charge.
When we got our confirmation it said our resort was Vistana Villages. (ok much better reviews). i called and verified that letter was correct and it was.
Our trip
We arrived around 10:30pm on the 22nd. Check-in was a breeze. I had called a little earlier in the day asking if we could be central to the main pool because my DD has a stress fracture (and walking boot). We were assigned Building 4 - 4403. That section of the resort is the Bella Phase.
The room was really nice. It is one of the mid-sized 2 bedrooms. It is set up like the one in this link although the decor is slightly different. http://www.starwoodhotels.com/shera...ail.html?propertyID=5607&roomClassId=83100004
I loved the whirlpool in the master bedroom. (really deep; nice and relaxing.)
One thing i noticed though is that they have the hot water set pretty low. We could run straight hot for the tub and it still wasn't scalding or anything. It was like that in the showers too.
Building 4 was centrally located to the resort (equal distances between the Key West pool and rec center and the main pool area) A small grocery shop is going in across the parking area from that building but probably a month or so away from opening. Didn't look much bigger than say a 7-11 food mart type selection.
One thing i noticed about the decor... While they did spend money on TV's, glass table, etc.... They put in the cheapest crappiest shower and closet doors i've come across. (and i used to work in a home improvement store so i know crappy)
Anyway, we went the next day to get our $100. It was given to us cheerfully, No pressure, by Joe. Joe also offered us the opportunity to make another $100 by attending a breakfest to find out more about the Starwood Resorts (ok timeshare presentation.) I first thought No but thought what the hey.
If your going for the free food, you'll be disappointed. The cereals were off-brand, the bagels individual packaged (ie not fresh), donuts were krispy creme though i think. Fruit (apples/bananas) looked ok. The juice was yucky/ coffee was worse than Disney's on-site brand if that's at all possible.
After we had breakfest we were paired with George (salesman). He treated us ok and had us fill out a questionaire where i promptly indicated we already owned DVC. He gave us a short schpiel of what Starwood program was about and honestly, if i did have extra money floating around i probably would have bought there. After indicating that we weren't interested we were passed off to a guy who asked us a few questions and offered us the opportunity to come back for a package at $2,500. Anyway said no to that too (since EB Repo come first for us and $2,500 isn't a really good deal.)
Got our voucher in cash. A cool $100 for only an hour's time. Woohoo
I liked the main pool although they didn't have a lifeguard on duty. (i'm weird about safety issues like that. Probably why i like to stay on-site at Disney usually) One morning there was a guy at the pool with scuba gear (Scuba Steve was the name of the company). They were offering intro to diving classes for only $20. (additional $5 for a couple underwater pics)
Here's me at the bottom of the pool.
I was really pleased with our stay here.
1-bed for $169 with $100 back when we arrived.
I called the # and the weekend i wanted (aug 22-26) was not available. I thanked the CSR and hung up because i really didn't want any other dates.
Then about a week later we got a call that we could stay on-site for the same amount. The CSR said that we would be staying at the Vistana Resort. (Reviews are kinda iffy there but i figured hey it's cheap). He even offered us a 2-bedroom at no additional charge.
When we got our confirmation it said our resort was Vistana Villages. (ok much better reviews). i called and verified that letter was correct and it was.
Our trip
We arrived around 10:30pm on the 22nd. Check-in was a breeze. I had called a little earlier in the day asking if we could be central to the main pool because my DD has a stress fracture (and walking boot). We were assigned Building 4 - 4403. That section of the resort is the Bella Phase.
The room was really nice. It is one of the mid-sized 2 bedrooms. It is set up like the one in this link although the decor is slightly different. http://www.starwoodhotels.com/shera...ail.html?propertyID=5607&roomClassId=83100004
I loved the whirlpool in the master bedroom. (really deep; nice and relaxing.)
One thing i noticed though is that they have the hot water set pretty low. We could run straight hot for the tub and it still wasn't scalding or anything. It was like that in the showers too.
Building 4 was centrally located to the resort (equal distances between the Key West pool and rec center and the main pool area) A small grocery shop is going in across the parking area from that building but probably a month or so away from opening. Didn't look much bigger than say a 7-11 food mart type selection.
One thing i noticed about the decor... While they did spend money on TV's, glass table, etc.... They put in the cheapest crappiest shower and closet doors i've come across. (and i used to work in a home improvement store so i know crappy)
Anyway, we went the next day to get our $100. It was given to us cheerfully, No pressure, by Joe. Joe also offered us the opportunity to make another $100 by attending a breakfest to find out more about the Starwood Resorts (ok timeshare presentation.) I first thought No but thought what the hey.
If your going for the free food, you'll be disappointed. The cereals were off-brand, the bagels individual packaged (ie not fresh), donuts were krispy creme though i think. Fruit (apples/bananas) looked ok. The juice was yucky/ coffee was worse than Disney's on-site brand if that's at all possible.
After we had breakfest we were paired with George (salesman). He treated us ok and had us fill out a questionaire where i promptly indicated we already owned DVC. He gave us a short schpiel of what Starwood program was about and honestly, if i did have extra money floating around i probably would have bought there. After indicating that we weren't interested we were passed off to a guy who asked us a few questions and offered us the opportunity to come back for a package at $2,500. Anyway said no to that too (since EB Repo come first for us and $2,500 isn't a really good deal.)
Got our voucher in cash. A cool $100 for only an hour's time. Woohoo
I liked the main pool although they didn't have a lifeguard on duty. (i'm weird about safety issues like that. Probably why i like to stay on-site at Disney usually) One morning there was a guy at the pool with scuba gear (Scuba Steve was the name of the company). They were offering intro to diving classes for only $20. (additional $5 for a couple underwater pics)
Here's me at the bottom of the pool.
I was really pleased with our stay here.