Best Western or Grosvenor?

[ttbells]

My family just decided to plan a spur of the moment trip to orlando 8/23-27 due to some really good air rates ( $106 roundtrip from Syracuse NY). As this was not planned or budgeted for, I am looking for a very reasonable hotel, preferrably in the downtown disney area. I have a res. at Grosvenor but have read some really horrible reviews, the Best Western is not much more and I haven't seen too many bad reviews - Help! what would you do?

 

[SimonV]

ttbells, if you have got a good rate for the Grosvenor, I'd definitely go there. Despite what people may say, it is a good step up in quality from the Best Western and in a much better position for DD. I rate the BW the best of the value hotels in this area but, in all honesty, the Grosvenor is better - and it comes with the Extra Magic Hour bonus too. So, if there is no real difference in price, I'd opt for the Grosvenor.

 

[ttbells]

Thanks Simon. I think I got a great rate thru hotelkingdom.com.
4 nights at Grosvenor with tax was $199.00 for my family of 4. I guess I will keep the reservation. I was panicking reading the reviews on some other websites.

 

[esmerelda51]

I have stayed at both and I would take The BW over the Grovesnor any day. Get a room with a park view IMHO there is no better view in all of WDW. Except one that you would pay alot to have ie POLY lagoon view. There is a lake between the hotel and the Magic Kingdom and it is quite a distance. But you can watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The Grovenor room that I had did not have a balcony. I don't think any of the tower rooms do. I am an early riser and to go out on the balcony with a cup of coffee at 5:30 or 6 an look out over the lake and watch the birds is very magical. To me the view was very serene. In fact, because of the view and no codes for Sept I cancelled POLY and booked here again for this very reason. You do pay a little extra for a park view I think 10.00 a night, but it is definitely worth every penny, especially if you get a good discount to begin with. I stayed at the Grovesnor in about 1995 and it was in dire need of refurbishment then. I have not seen anywhere that they have remodeled since then. I would check and see when they last remodeled. Then make your decision.

 

[Dee & Greg]

We stayed in a tower room for $39/night right after 9/11 and the Grosvenor was just fine. Clean and quiet, and the price was right. We had always stayed on-site and figured we would save money for once. We wouldn't do this again as we missed the theming and even the bus transportation on site. But it was fine for our budget at the time. I believe it had been newly refurbished. Staff was friendly and efficient. Of course, it was soon after 9/11 so the place was pretty deserted.

 

[disneyfan551]

Does anyone know if the Grosvenor has a resort fee? Also, do you still have to pay to park in the parks if you stay there?

Thanks for any help...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have to agree with esmerelda51. I have stayed at both & I liked the BW much better. When staying at any of the hotels on Hotel Plaza Blvd, you must pay to park at the theme parks (unless you are a pass holder). They aren't owned or operated by Disney. They are simply on their land. Last time that I had stayed at the Grosvenor, they didn't have a resort fee (but neither did the BW and now it does).

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Another vote for BW having tried both. But honestly, at the rate you received, why quibble? The location is dynamite, and both are old but clean motels. And during the time period your visiting, you'll have a blast. If, per chance, the resort gets you down, DTD is a ten minute walk and is open early in the AM to late at night.

 

[ttbells]

I have to admit, I chickened out of staying at the Grosvenor, even for my bargain basement rate. I think I have read every review on the internet about the place and most were not good. I tried priceline today for a "resort" level hotel and happily ended up with the Hilton in Downtown Disney for $56/night. Not bad! Overall, the hotel fee is $60 more for the 4 nights there, but I feel more comfortable with this place, I haven't seen anything bad about it (yet?) Biddingfortravel.com is really helpful when using priceline - a great service!

 

[Shugardrawers]

Have stayed there a couple of times and always been happy. It's not a disney resort but it's the next best thing. We are going 9/2 to 9/8 and got a rate there through hotelkingdom.com for $37 a night.

 

[jaclark]

I'm not too concerned since we are staying at the Grovesnor for only one night but what exactly are the complaints??

Just curious...

Annette