18 nites of magic? Resort Review's (3)

[mkymouse4ever]

Having never written a trip report, or even considering now to write one about 18 nites, will just do the resorts.

RESORTS: 1st 9 nites at Polynesian Concerige. 1st stay at the poly concerige, not the resort. Found several things fascinating! Most people or reviews we have read, give the greatest compliments to the poly lounge staff, and tend not to be as nice to the concerige office staff. However we did not find this true. Maryiln was truely friendly, outgoing and made us feel like we could ask her anything. Did talk with 2 other ladies but sadly did not get there names. The lounge staff, we had no c/o with, but felt they keep a very low profile, and never said hi, aloha, etc... If you asked they quickly helped but felt they were a bit more reserved than, the other staff. Housekeeping was fabulous, quickly did our room each day, no towel animals etc.. but nice and tidy. The poly did note my b-day with a cake and balloons, very nice. Our room 2525 middle of building to far end, garden view. 1st thought on no -- the dreaded 2nd floor. Well the room view was wonderful, perfect view of quiet pool, far away enough for noise and being so hot, we didn't miss the balcony. Smell: clean and fresh no molds here, highly allergic and would of know if any, only the floral smell. Overall a great stay. Would not do concerige again, because for us it is not worth it, we really didn't eat hardly anything, and drank only the water & coke. We did feel a bit out of place in the lounge a few times we went in there, the guest were not extremely or even vaguely friendly. Good reason to do concerige location of the building, excellent!

MOVING: Supposed to do next 9 nites at the SWAN. We were taking advantage of the nurses discount and had paid for the upgraded swan studio suite. That is not exactly what I would call it. Checked in early 9:30am, our room was ready, up we go all the way to 3rd floor, (wow). Our room with 4 different view's (has 4 windows with different positions, for view) Had this perfectly wonderful tree view, I could not of wished for! And then looking down, the kitchen staff having a coffee break! WOW! (ok, sorry for the sarcasm). Ok, I can live with this, buck up, its is a discount. Now for the room, very nice, large lots of lamps, live plants, and large 2 sink bathroom. Came with used soap in the soap dish in tub, and extra hair in tub, all free extras! WOW, now I'm really impressed. (remembering my discount), I travel down stairs to request a move, after several computer time no sorry, any other room category? Upgrade? Downgrade? Nope, "sorry maybe in a few days" But gave me a # to call daily to see if something opens up. Ok, I break down and clean tub, etc.. Next day still searching for magic (everyone said it is here) went to pool, and I could not get a chair, mostly business types smoking, hardly any kids, noise, magic? Sorry but felt like I was at the sheraton/westin chicago. Back to room, got out of reservation, and call W-DISNEY!

MOVING: Not a lot to pick from, all monorail hotels sold out, as many others, settle for Beach Club. Got ap rate for 8 nites! (thank you god). Lagoon view, paying 5.00 more than the swan discount. We got 3rd floor room 3549, sadly no large balcony, had the step out but what a view! Over looking quiet pool, and the lagoon, with boardwalk. Very near epcot. Back to the magic, clean, & comfortable. Now initially did not want BC cause of villa's worried they would pack SAB to much, but actually it was less crowded than usual! I guess the pool hopping privilage they had previously was really a favorite, cause the crowd's were not bad. In fact we cut through the villas to the self parking and it was very nice. We had an excellent stay at the BC and would do it again.

Any questions, feel free. I apologize about our swan review, I know the swan and dolphin have many friends and cheerleaders and I wished we good join in, I really wanted the s/d to work out for us, being a gold starwood member for a few years.

Mkymouse

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Glad you enjoyed the Beach Club!!! How was the condition of your room? And, did you have green or pink walls?

Thanks!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Yes, we were very comfortable at the BC. Our room was light green, condition good, carpets worn a little, but the drapes, and other furniture were fine. They have the green iron type beds, and the usual yc/bc bathroom. Only thing in the room that didn't work was the tv remote, and we did have to call twice but then they brought it. The desk staff was great, and everyone very friendly. MKY

 

[Kimkimba]

Thanks for the review! We're doing concierge for the first time at the Poly next month (yeah!) and I think with my 2 rugrats (DS4 and DD13) we'll get some use out of the lounge. We tend to "force" people to be friendly - DH, DD, and I are all on the quiet side but friendly; DS loves adults and will make friends with all of them. I can't wait for my little guy's (he'll be 5 in November) first trip to Disney. Thanks for sharing - I've read these boards so much that I've second guessed my choice of resorts four or five times. But I still think it's the right one.

 

[dandave]

mkymouse4ever, Hi! I think you did very, very, well on your first trip report!
You know, I really did not like the Poly when we stayed there. We also stayed in Tahiti. I still, however, may try their concierge for myself someday. I keep getting the feeling from reading these boards that "I must just be missing something...maybe it's just me..." If we ever do try it again, then it will be concierge.
As for your Swan review and apology, I kind of know what you mean. We came back from the Dolphin, and I posted about our very much less than satisfactory experience. I almost felt guilty!? Everywhere I turned I felt as if I were being accused of "lacking the Magic within myself".
Thanks for the great report!

 

[nisiemouse]

Sorry about the stay at the Swan but so happy you were able to get an AP discount at the BC at such short notice. We just got back from BCV and just love this area.Thanks for the great report.

 

[Debbie7452]

Dandave,

I felt exactly the same way as you when I had a bad Dolphin experience. I was actually afraid to tell about it on the S/D thread but I really couldn't bring myself to lie to everybody.

To mkymouse4ever...I finally wrote a letter detailing my problems and sent it to Starwood customer service by fax and GM at Dolphin by post. After a while I got a very nice response from the GM offering me a free stay. I did not ask for or expect anything like that but it really made me feel better that they cared about my problem. Also, just writing the letter helped me feel better. It was a little strange though that the GM seemed to have gotten my letter from Starwood. I don't think the one I mailed directly made it to him. So if you want to send one definitely include Starwood.

 

[firsttimemom]

This was sooo similar to our Swan experience last Nov. We had moved from AKL concierge and the lack of *magic*, as you put it, was very obvious. And our bathroom was less than clean, too. After one night here, we bailed and found rooms at WL where we basked in Disney Magic for the remaining days of our vacation.

We're trying poly concierge this fall. I'm going to jot down your room number to see if we can get something similar.

Thanks!

Liz

 

[Patio]

Great reviews!! Sorry to hear about your Swan experience, but happy you enjoyed the BC.

 

[Humphrey1227]