Been asked, so here it is: Hotel v. Pool Home

[crjack]

challada, in most of the community resorts like WP, WH & EI, the condos are closet to the pool, clubhouse, etc. They obviously don't have pools of their own. When we were in WP several years ago I don't remember any townhomes but I really wasn't looking for them. Now I see them on vrbo in many developments and they have small pools with each unit. The pool homes can vary in terms of their distance to the main pool and ammenities and also how far in they are in the development.

Some homes promote their privacy factor if they are located in an area that isn't surrounded by other homes on each side. For us, we really didn't notice it too much...we had a house on one side of us but we had shrubs and landscaping and I don't remember us being home too often at the same time. I probably didn't notice much though since the kids were so busy swimming in the house pool. Inside the house, with t.v's, central air, etc. you couldn't hear a thing going on outside.

On many of the rental home websites you can see the general area of homes around you by touring the pool area. Some home tours we viewed online for Windsor Hills had views of the front of the home so by scrolling around you could see how developed it was. I wasn't so concerned about other homes nearby but since WH isnt fully completed yet I wanted to make sure we werent right in the middle of any new construction going on.

I can't imagine not finding a nice home for your timeframe. I know spring is busy but there are a lot of homes out there so try the various websites to get what you want. Every family has different preferences for home features but there is no shortage of choices.

Good luck. We loved Windsor Palms.

 

[challada]

Thanks for the confirmation! We are going w/the Windsor house! I am very excited!!!

The house does bill that it is very close to the ammenities of the community (says you can walk out the back pool area to the community center area) so I'm sure part of that parking lot is for that.

I don't mind the houses next door...we had that when we rented last time but were all situated around a lake. I'm not even sure there were people in the next door houses as we never were on the same schedule or saw anyone. It was lovely to look at the lake, but w/as small as it was, we could see the houses across the lake and into their pool areas so I can't imagine this would be too different (except that it's concrete we are viewing).

The gameroom feature was the selling point for this house....even though it's close to the community center, I wanted somewhere for all the boys to play even while I'm making breakfast or whatever. Close to the Community Center just means the teenager will be able to go swim w/out the little kids or play pool w/some older kids if he wants.

THANKS
Chris

 

[Ahrizel]

Some more suggestions for rental homes, as we've done that option twice now. Radio/alarm clocks at least in the master bedrooms, fancier stereos are fun, but the alarms are a necessity. At least in the bedrooms intended for adults. Ceiling fans! I know most houses have them, but our last didn't. The thermostats are set at a certain temp to avoid freezeup(understandable) but the fans keep the air circulating.
I second the suggestions for more then one king bedroom if there is more then 1 master bedroom. We're contemplating a family trip in June and I really want one with 2 kings, and there hard to find. TV's in all the rooms, dvd players also real nice. Some home have had a selection of movies/video games/board games for guests, really nice. I too love the games rooms, with several school age/adolescents with us the pool tables were a hit. Please though, many of the games rooms are in the garage, fine. But most aren't airconditioned and in the summer it's pretty bad. A/C if possible, or at least some fans make them more useable.
We truely love the pool homes, especially for multiple family members traveling together. The kids live for the pool, especially on summer trips. The adults love having the kitchen and washer/dryer. And the jacuzzi, we worship the jacuzzi

 

[BevS97]

Interesting thread, and while I can see your points and understand why you choose the pool home, I have no desire to stay in a pool home again.
We have done all 3 options, offsite hotel, 2 homes (with community pools), and 3 times onsite. Given the money I would choose onsite, but this trip is a budget trip and we are looking for an offsite hotel.
Why?
When we have stayed in the homes, we have felt less like we were on vacation, and more like 'normal' life. I don't want to cook dinner in the evenings, I don't want to do laundry, or tidy up and make beds - I know you don't have too, but that's what ended up happening, it was like each morning we went out on vacation, and each evening we came home. I'm not even that bothered about watching tv on vacation, sitting round in the living room watching tv while the kids are sleeping is just everyday life for me, and not the stuff vacations are made off.
We like to spend all day out and about doing things, yes we have to pay for meals, but we don't eat fancy meals and even eating onsite we don't spend that much on food. If we need a nap, then we go back to the room and we all nap (pretty rare), and when we get back in the evening we are all pretty much ready for bed anyway, so we all just go to sleep. I love that we are all together for those 2 weeks, it's a really nice family time for us all.
I will admit that this year I am considering the suite hotels which will give us a bit of extra space and flexibility, but I have discounted condos completely even though they would probably be the best price for us - just not our cup of tea.

This is not meant as a critiscim of those who like pool homes, but just to offer some support to those who prefer to stay in a hotel.

 

[JANNYANS]

Regarding a/c in the garages that are being used as games area -unless the specifically ask for the sysytem to be extended before the house is built it is generally a non starter as the system is designed to work on the suare footage of the living space.Most HOA won't allow free standing units to be installed as it would mean altering the outside appearance of the home .What most owners provide are free standing fans to cool it down and this is usually enough.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

A private villa is our choice.

We have an Autistic son, he is a lovely bonny playful lad but just cannot talk, having a villa gives us that extra room and privacy ,we can relax at times too.

We take some US format video tapes and DVDs with us for Joshua (takes up a lot of room in the suitcases!!) and he loves to be able to play in the pool - when he is not running around playing elsewhere!
A private - fully fenced pool is just brilliant to have.

Cooking facilities is also a major plus for us.

We have nothing against hotels, and have stayed in some great one's over the years in Florida - our trip next year we are looking at spending some time in Fort Lauderdale as well as 2 weeks in a villa in Kissimmee.

The only disadvantage(s) with a villa is you have to drive everywhere, often I like to go out in the evening but Josh is usually tired by then and just wants to stay in and play - hence I sometimes end up going out on my own, it can be a bit difficult sometimes.

There is no wrong or right way - it is just a matter of what suits you best, as long as you have a wonderful vacation , that's the main thing.

 

[UKDEB]

We like the best of both worlds, although if I was forced to choose, it would be a pool home every time for all the reasons already mentioned. However, we also enjoy being able to dress for dinner and stroll down to the hotel bar without our clothes getting all creased up by sitting in a car or taxi and not having to worry about driving home afterwards!

I actually prefer upscale offsite hotels to those onsite, but onsite usually wins for convenience. Nothing like being able to stroll back to one of the Epcot resorts after 'Drinks around the World', or to one of the Universal resorts after a session at CityWalk.

The ideal vacation for us is two or three weeks in a pool home with a couple of nights onsite mid-trip. We just pack an overnight bag and it's a vaction within a vacation.

I have to go one stage further on the 'two king beds' thing. I spend hours trawling the internet before each trip searching for two (or more) almost identical master suites - there aren't many of them out there!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We like the best of both worlds, although if I was forced to choose, it would be a pool home every time for all the reasons already mentioned. However, we also enjoy being able to dress for dinner and stroll down to the hotel bar without our clothes getting all creased up by sitting in a car or taxi and not having to worry about driving home afterwards!

Hi Deb

I actually smiled when I read you post - mainly because on the evenings when I go out, I take a silk shirt with me and change into it in the car.
Otherwise it would be very very creased by the time I got out, sad but true.

 

[aquaticmom]

Does anyone know of an owner who rents his/her home themselves or of a company that they have used before with minimal problems? Thanks in advance.

We recently rented a home in Windsor Hills directly from the owner, their mangagement comapany was Oasis Homes. They were the BEST management company we have ever encountered. We had trouble with the pool over the weekend ( the jets on the hot tub would not work) We called and they came in just a short amount of time. Then on Monday the day Wilma visited the area the hot tub quit working again and we called they were there in less than 10 minutes and fixed the problem that time. Then they stopped back the next day just to make sure everything was working properly. We also had a problem with red fire ants and called them and they immediatly came out and took care of the problem. So if you find a homeowner who uses Oasis Homes management company feel confident that they will take care of any problems that arise in a timely manner.

 

[UKDEB]

Hi Deb

I actually smiled when I read you post - mainly because on the evenings when I go out, I take a silk shirt with me and change into it in the car.
Otherwise it would be very very creased by the time I got out, sad but true.

Now, there's a thought. Although I guess the taxi driver might have something to say about it if we all get into the cab topless!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Now, there's a thought. Although I guess the taxi driver might have something to say about it if we all get into the cab topless!

Well there is that - having to drive everywhere means it's just the 1 drink I am afraid.

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

jdm
I have pm'd you with a wealth of information. It is the greatest thing we have ever done. I can not say enough about it. We love it. So do our families and friends. LOL

Would you mind sending me that information as well. I am also interested after a awesome stay just last week.

As far as feedback to any owners out there. 2 Words. Quality Bedding. The home we stayed in had King Beds, but they were the $299 Unclaimed Freight kind and were very uncomfortable. With better beds, I would be a yearly customer for life.