We originally stayed at SOG when DH returned from deployment and I myself was VERY skeptical of staying at a military resort!! I am not a total hotel snob, but I know how bare bones the military facilities can be! When we drove up I was blown away. We entered the lobby and again I was blown away. We were placed in the older section of the hotel poolside and my son was elated we could open our patio door and be steps from the pool (now the newer rooms are a little walk to the pool, but still not a hike). We did eat at Mangino's (the Italian restaurant) and I feel the food is decent, better than Olive Garden. The Garden Gallery we did not try until my son and I stayed ourselves and we had breakfast each morning included with our room rate (it's a special they call Fun & Sun) -- and it is a good start to the day, typical breakfast buffet, but a good start if you ask me......lunch can be later since you filled up on a nice breakfast!
The rooms are BIG. We stayed at POFQ and AKL most recently and I gotta say the rooms at Shades are bigger than the savannah rooms at AKL. Two queen sized beds, a nightstand in between, a sleeper sofa, table with two chair (maybe three, I can't remember??), a dresser and a fridge (dorm sized, but good for water and a few leftovers). A safe is in the closet along with iron. The bathrooms are shower/toliet in one area and the sink/vanity in a separate area (good for different people getting ready -- you are not in each others ways). Now we have stayed in a handicap room and the bathroom is bigger and everything is in one "room" which I actually liked.
The bus is something I tried with my son one time last December when we were there and it was not for us.....we waited and waited and waited, everyone was looking at each other like what was the problem, and still everyone waited -- we left, got in the car and beat the bus to the park! So, I don't particularly like the bus myself -- so renting a car is something we do each time, no matter what. Plus renting a car gives you alot of freemdom of movement on and off property.
The golf cart shuttle, called the Shady Shuttle can handle I would say maybe four or five people maybe, I can't remember positively. Anyway, they run in the morning from I believe around 8 am until 6 pm to the end of the driveway. Getting back I have never done though, so I guess you could call the front desk and ask them to send the cart to pick you up?? We have always walked back or managed to grab a bus that was leaving the TTC.
I can say that when I take our son and go ourselves, I really like knowing I'm staying at Shades because I know where I'm going to be and how to get around easily. The rooms are way too large for just an adult and a child, but it's nice to have something that large if you are stuck for a few hours in the hotel (which we never have been, thankfully). My son likes to buy little hot wheels cars when he's there and he can run them from one end of the room to the other while I'm getting ready and that keeps him busy. He also enjoys watching the turkeys that come in the mornings (right up to your hands if you let them!). The place is REALLY and HONESTLY a nice relaxing hotel -- I have only once heard a couple of kids yelling and that was quashed pretty quickly by the parents. You don't have anyone wearing any uniforms so you really don't know who is who and everyone respects your space personally. You might get a "'mornin' maam or sir" and that is it unless you want to pursue a conversation and then it's pretty quick. The last time I was there I had a gentleman help me with my luggage when we were leaving -- he INSISTED on helping me after I said I could handle it; he said I didn't need to handle it alone, he would help and took the suitcase to the car with his wife and I in tow.
For the money, convenience, quietness and everything else, hands down I'll continue to stay at Shades for years to come!! I shudder to say though -- it feels comfortable.....something I would have never thought possible in a military hotel!!
