Any off-site luxury hotel bargains?

[Miffy]

Keeping in mind that "luxury" and "bargain" don't really go together, I'd love to know if anyone has any suggestions for an off-site hotel that meets the following (admittedly picky!) criteria:

1) Beautiful and comfortable rooms and lovely surroundings
2) Close to WDW [no more than 15 min. drive]
3) Quiet (esp. w/regard to room-to-room noise)
4) Significantly cheaper than on-site luxury accommodations

It may be that there isn't a hotel like this, but I thought I'd ask.

We're going in December and we usually stay on-site and don't rent a car, but I thought if we could stay at a really gorgeous, luxurious, fantastic place off-site, we'd rent a car if the $$$ added up to less than on-site.

FYI, the most expensive room we've ever stayed in on-site cost $170/night, which is a lot of $$ to us, but the cheapest ($55/night) was not to our liking at all and the savings weren't worth it.

Thanks for all your insights.
--miffyskates--

 

[Lewisc]

You can get Portofino (on Universal property) for about $150 with an Entertainment rate. It rates with GF but is probably at least a half hour drive to Disney.

If you're willing to use PL you can get a resort for under $100/night. Hotels include Hilton (DTD), Mariott World, Wyndaym (DTD), Swan/Dolphin, Gaylord Palms. The hotel are great value but I think they fall a little short of what you're looking for.

Someone posted a $129 link for labor day weekend for Gaylord Palms. This property best meets your criteria.

Look at biddingfortravel for some ideas. DON'T USE PL UNITL YOUR PLANS ARE SET IN CONCRETE. VERY INFLEXIBLE.

 

[gyver65]

I received an email from expedia about some hotel specials for the following hotels for up to 30% off.

Universal's Hard Rock
Universal's Portofino Bay
Universal's Royal Pacific
The Peabody Orlando
Wyndham Orlando Resort
Best Western in WDW Resort

I have never stayed at any of the hotels so I don't know anything about any of them. I have resevations at the Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa near downtown Disney in August but the rate is $169/night for a 1 bedroom suite.

I checked on expedia for the Wyndham Orlando Resort using the same dates as my current reservations at the Wyndham Palace and found a regular room for $80/night and a suite with 2 double beds and 2 twin beds for $110/night.

I haven't changed my reservations from the Wyndham Palace. Any suggestions of whether $169/night is too much to pay for this hotel?

Here is the link:

http://www.expedia.com/daily/promos/FloridaSummerSale/default.asp?rfrr=-22575&CCheck=1

Good Luck,
Bobby

 

[JANNYANS]

Look into renting a home .Should fullfill your requirements

 

[cinamin27]

try hotelkingdom.com for the Wyndham Palms Golf & Country Club. you can get a 2 bedroom villa (over 1500 sq ft) for $88.90 per night. This place is georgeous & everything is practically brand new. living room offers a large leather sectional couch & 55" big screen tv, master bedroom has a king bed, master bathroom has a jacuzzi tub, 2nd bedroom has 2 queens & there is also a 2nd bathroom. kitchen & dining room.

 

[Lewisc]

Keep in mind conds and vacation homes may not include daily maid service.

OP is asking about luxury hotels.

 

[CarolA]

I have a few recommendations that have worked for me if you don't want Priceline (which would be my first choice for what you want)

1. If the Swan/Dolphin will work check out the Dreams Unlimited rates. They generally have good rates. I got the Swan for $129 for July 4th weekend and the best I could do for YC/BC was around $200.

2. Go to the hotel websites and mointor them. Both the Marriott World Center and the Gaylord Palms have had some AWESOME rates in the past. (Gaylord has something around $129 for Labor Day) These are both within your 15 minute drive time request and they meet all the other requests.

I love staying on property, but when I can get these level hotels for sometimes up to half what WDW wants for the YC/BC it is hard to justify the rates.

 

[robinb]

<center>
Priceline!
</center>

Check out www.biddingfortravel.com (BFT) for information on how to bid on Priceline. You can get some really great values. Some of the hotels that have come up recently in the Resort* category are: Swan/Dolphin, Marriott Orlando World Center, Downtown Disney Hilton, Wyndham Palace & the Gaylord Palms. Prices start at about $60 per night ... that usually gets the Hilton. I think that all of those hotels fit the bill. Be aware that you cannot pick your hotel, but just the category and the area. Check out the hotel's websites which are available on the Hotels List on BFT and make sure that you would be happy with any of them before you bid.

I have personally stayed at the Wyndham Palace, the MOWC and the Swan using Priceline. I have also stayed at the Hilton on business.

 

[cinamin27]

Lewisc,
you are correct that the hotelkingdom.com rate of $88.90 does not include daily maid service but for only $35 per request, you can receive maid service anytime you want at the Wyndham Palms Resort & CC. adding the $35 per night would still beat the price of basically ANY Disney "luxury" hotel room.
I would consider the Wyndham Palms Resort & CC luxury as they are a 5 star resort. My personal opinion on accomodations is why get a cramped hotel room when you can get a 5 star luxury 1500+ sq ft villa for a "bargain" price? @ only $123.90 per night the OP can get a villa with *daily* maid service & have the all 4 of the requirements mentioned in the post

& yes, houses usually do not offer daily maid service + they usually charge a departure cleaning fee of $60-$100

 

[debbie655]

Well I think luxury and bargain can go together in the same sentence. I'm staying at the Gaylord Palms Resort for $129 a night next month. I've never been in the rooms, but it sure looks luxurious to me, it's a spectacular property. Very close to Disney too. Then there's the RPR where I got an Entertainment rate of $125 a night, again, gorgeous hotel, beautiful grounds, etc. The only thing is I'm not sure if it's within 15 min. to Disney. It's not a bad drive though, on I-4 and off, I don't like driving but this didn't bother me in the least. I've also stayed at some townhomes, Vistana Villages, Marriott Horizons, that were really beautiful and reasonably priced as well. I think you just have to do your homework and since you're not going until December you have plenty of time. Just keep checking these boards, there's so much great advice here.

 

[MaMudduck]

I recently won my bid at www.skyauctions.com for the Rosen Centre Hotel for $67.00 p/n (incl. all their taxes& service charges). NOW I've never stayed there, but it is listed as a 4Star hotel, and I didn't find any negative comments on this board about it, so I really don't know if it mets all your requirements. I'm pleased with it. It's worth looking at some of the other stuff listed there too.

 

[Lewisc]

I agree places like you suggest may meet OP's objective. I also agree even after paying for daily maid service it's a good deal.

I certainly wouldn't call it a luxury hotel or a 5* resort. AAA only rates it 3 diamonds. Limited room service, no high end restaurant, no spa... Sounds like a great value, great place to stay may even be what OP is looking for BUT certainly not a luxury hotel.

Originally posted by cinamin27
Lewisc,

I would consider the Wyndham Palms Resort & CC luxury as they are a 5 star resort. My personal opinion on accomodations is why get a cramped hotel room when you can get a 5 star luxury 1500+ sq ft villa for a "bargain" price? @ only $123.90 per night the OP can get a villa with *daily* maid service & have the all 4 of

 

[MiniMissMinnie]

Hi !!
I don't know, when your going, but the Ritz-Carlton is opening July first, and there might be some pretty good introduction rates.....and if it's luxury you want, I don't think it can get much better than this !!

Marie