back from Cypress pointe grand villlas

[vmkids]

Well for those who have stayed at Vistana Village, the villas are not quite as nice but about the same in room. WE liked the openess of the rooms more though after a week there. We stayed in the Pelican Cay building and I would recommend trying to get the nwer area but was told that Hotel Kingdom people usually get older rooms. The pool is right there wheras the Vistana Village pool was a walk to get there. The villas pool was down right bath water by the end of the day but not crowed at all. We walked over to see the volcano pool and it was very crowed. We have decided we will always stay at the villas instead of the Cypress Pointe side. THink that side seems more packed and no elevators for the end of the day. The resort was quiet until around 8:30 in the morning when the yard people started using the weed eaters! It was okay though because Disney was waiting! They did take a deposit of $50 but said we woulkd get it back as soon as we checked out. (it was on debit so haven't checked if that happened yet) OH, you do have a list inside your hotel room on the kitchen counter CHECK IT! They give inventory of what is suppose to be there and if it is not taken back to check in they will assume all is there. OUrs was missing a toaster and some towels. They brought them right up but would have hated not checking it and getting it taken from my deposit. So worth the time checking the list!
WE really loved the closeness to the parks and for the price it was a real good deal. Thanks to everybody who had sent me pictures and got me secure in booking..... We had a good time and love this board for all the honesty in post!

 

[J&D]

We recently stayed at CPGV as well. Like vmkids mentioned, definitely take inventory. Our villa was missing A LOT of stuff on the list- 4 pots and pans, towels, etc. We also had several broken items, including one of the wicker chairs in the living room area.

We were in the Porpoise Cay building, which was near the pool. We were pleased with the property overall. However, we were somewhat disappointed with our villa. The furniture was very rundown. Like I mentioned earlier, one of the wicker chairs in the living room area was broken. The paint was peeling off of all the wicker chairs, and the cushions were very dingy. Honestly, the chairs looked like something you would find at a garage sale or left by the side of the road for the garbage men to pick up. The tub in the guest bathroom had a drainage problem, so it was very slippery. The washing machine sounded like it was about to explode every time we used it. The dryer took forever to dry (about 2 hours per load). These were minor problems that we were able to overlook, and we would probably stay there again if the price is right. If we had paid more than the $89 Hotel Kingdom rate, though, we probably would have looked into finding another place to stay.

IMHO, if you've stayed at the Wyndham Palms, the CPGV doesn't even begin to compare.

 

[BethR]

Thank you for posting this review vmkids, although I must admit it leaves me a bit concerned.

We have reserved a 3 bedroom unit at Cypress Pointe (not the Grand Villas), and if things are as run down as you say at the Grand Villas, then how bad can things be in Phase I?

We are paying something like $85 a night for Phase I, to get a 3 bedroom in the Grand Villas, it is $45 a night more - over $300 more for the week. But I am wondering if it would not be $300 well spent.

I requested a refurbished unit, if available. But we are arriving in the evening on a Thursday, AND we booked through HotelKingdom, so I suppose our chances of getting one are between slim and none.

I keep telling myself, it is only a room, it can't be that bad, we will be fine. But I can't help being somewhat doubtful...

 

[26555]

I can see your concern. I have stayed in CPGVs 3 times and it was always nice but I'm going to experiment with CPR next time. I'll be interested in your report when you get back! One of the things you have going for you is that 3 buildings have been remodeled. For $85/night I would guess they will NOT give you a remodeled unit. Summer is a busy season so those will go to timeshare owners. BUT, on the bright side, I would think they would remodel the worst first. (Hopefully the units that generated the worse reports are no longer there to be had.) If you get a room that smells moldy or seems unclean --- definately stick up for yourself and try to get another room. I would request a "quiet" area or at least a unit not facing the pool. If the furnishings are a little dated but the place is relatively clean, try to focus on wheter or not its better than staying in an also crowded and loud pool area in a studio at ALL star sports for 80 something a night. Don't worry but go ahead and downsize your expections and you are likely to have a great time!

 

[bearzabout]

According to CPGV's spring newsletter, they are sprucing up the resort in an attempt to regain their RCI Royal Crown Status during a review in August.

According to the newsletter:

"Living room furniture replacement is scheduled for
the summer of 2004 in all units except “Building G”,
the newest of the 7 buildings. We have contracted Granite State Design to refurnish the living rooms in the 2 bedroom villas. I
am hopeful that by the summer newsletter we will
have some color photos of the new look to show you."

"Carpet replacement has been ongoing for the past few years,
with forty-eight more units completed this year (a
combination of “A” and “B” units.) The housekeeping
team is presently working on deep cleans in buildings
E, F and G and has begun a preventative maintenance
program for those buildings as well."

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by 26555
I can see your concern...One of the things you have going for you is that 3 buildings have been remodeled. For $85/night I would guess they will NOT give you a remodeled unit. ...BUT, on the bright side, I would think they would remodel the worst first. (Hopefully the units that generated the worse reports are no longer there to be had.) If you get a room that smells moldy or seems unclean --- definately stick up for yourself and try to get another room.

Thanks for the words of reassurance AND common sense! And believe me, my husband is not one to put up with poor conditions and will be sure to take action on any problems.

If the furnishings are a little dated but the place is relatively clean, try to focus on wheter or not its better than staying in an also crowded and loud pool area in a studio at ALL star sports for 80 something a night. Don't worry but go ahead and downsize your expections and you are likely to have a great time!

You are absolutely correct! That same $85 a night would get us a 380 square foot room at the All Stars with two double beds, one bathroom, and no kitchen!

I'll be interested in your report when you get back!

I hope to only have good things to report!

 

[vmkids]

Didn't mean to scare you all about Cypress Pointe. I just was one of those that was trying to decide between it and the Grand villas and after being there was very glad I went with the Villas. Now bear in mind we didn't even ask to see the Cypress pointe phase one rooms so maybe they are the same in quality. I was just surprised about the furniture and such. Glad to hear they are replacing it. The floors were not bad at all and everything seemed to be clean except the back of the wicker chairs in the livingroom. It was really convienent how close the pool was and they have really nice and thick tools in the rooms and the pool towels. One of my main concernes was I liked the elevator better than the stairs after a big day at the parks. I am like others though.... think of the money saved and the room looks better and better.

 

[JohnnyOldBoy]

Last year during spring break we stayed in a 1 bdrm unit at Vacation Village on the Parkway (won thru Skyauction) and everyone loved it, so much better than just a hotel room. When the auctions didn't seem to be going our way this year I booked a 2 bdrm unit at Cypress Pointe thru hotelkingdom for $64 a nite. Kids were disappointed, DW thought I was crazy, I was hoping it wouldn't be too scuzzy or we would be sleeping in the van.
Immediately on arrival, the kids were impressed, DW couldn't believe this was the right place, and I was able to breathe a big sigh of relief and even pat myself on the back for finding this place. We felt like we hit the jackpot.
Now if you're expecting the Hyatt Grand Cypress or a suite at the Grand Floridian you may be disappointed. The furnishings were timeshare tacky and somewhat dated but in good condition and clean. The unit itself was very clean and spacious. The appliances seemed to be nearly new and ours was not a renovated unit.
If you haven't seen them yet, I have some pictures online at

photobucket

The pictures were taken between March 27 and April3, 2004. Interior pictures are of a 2 bdrm non-renovated unit - 3rd floor, building 7.

 

[cinamin27]

if anyone is worried about the furniture being worn, here is a tip. I do this with ANY place I stay that has a couch or chair, regardless of age of the unit, drape the extra sheets on the couch & make a make shift 'couch cover'. I dont care how worn it is, I do this because you never know who has been sitting on it & what they were (or were not) wearing. I even think about people sitting there in wet bathing suits & mildewing up the furniture BUT thats how it goes when you stay in hotels or condos (I did the same thing at the BRAND NEW Homewood Suites near Universal that had just opened a couple months prior to my stay).

Beth, I have stayed at Phase I 3 times since Easter of last year, believe me, I am picky of where I stay & would never have gone back if it was not clean. In fact, I think CP WAY cleaner than any of the units I have stayed at the All Stars Resort onsite. But I do agree with J&D, they could not compare to Wyhdham Palms as they are brand new & more upscale to me hence their higher prices to stay there.

 

[BethR]

Thank you for making me feel better JohnnyOldBoy and Melissa. Actually, it was from earlier posts by the both of you (and your pictures, JOB ) that made me make my decision on CP a few weeks ago.
Got to keep reminding myself - the price can't be beat, it won't be a dump, the space will be much appreciated, and the proximity to Disney AND stores and restaurants is great!



Oh, BTW, next time you see me posting about this, feel free to tell me "Quitch'yer whining and get back to doing something PRODUCTIVE!"

 

[dawgsgirl]

We stayed at CPR the end of May. We were really pleased with the condo. We are not high end people, but everything was clean and we really enjoyed the kitchen and washer/dryer. The price was awesome for what we got! We just planned a last minute trip for Labor Day weekend and CPR thru Hotelkingdom.com was booked. I got the 2-BR unit at the Grand Villas and we were actually disappointed! The 8 year old thought the Volcano pool was the best thing since sliced bread! Anyway, I will be able to compare the old and new resorts and will post when I return. Based on our experience, you can't go wrong with staying there. No place is perfect! A condo for this price sure beats the heck out of a motel room!

 

[hercamore]

good report, thanks.

Beth, my .02 is after trying to rent a condo in the Fla Panhandle for the past 3 summers, I really appreciate the wide variety of good and clean lodging available in Orlando.

Renting a condo on the beach...you pay origination fee, city tax or county tax, cleaning charge of $80., tax on cleaning charge, reservation fee of $50., security deposit of usually $200 (refundable).
Plus, you pay first night's deposit. Lose reservation fee and lst night's deposit if cancelled.

My last condo cost me an extra $170 in fees for 3 nights stay!

The condo was clean, but not fancy at all.


herc.

 

[maximom]

Originally posted by BethR
We have reserved a 3 bedroom unit at Cypress Pointe (not the Grand Villas), and if things are as run down as you say at the Grand Villas, then how bad can things be in Phase I?

I see that our trips are coinciding slightly. We are staying at CP too (thanks for the pics johnnyoldboy!) so maybe we'll run into each other!

By the way, I'm not that concerned about the place as there have been so many good reviews. I try to remember everyone has thier own opinions and expectations and I'm not expecting the Ritz. I mean that in no offense to OP either.