We just got back from 6 nights in Orlando -- 3 at Portofino Bay Hotel and 3 at our home, BWV. The Portofino hotel is lovely and we enjoyed our time there (the parks were a different story). While we loved the hotel, but we found we really missed our "home". By most hotel standards, our room was roomy - but can't compare to a 1 bedroom villa. We'd forgotten what a challenge daily maid service can be. Seemed housekeeping was always there when we were, and were not there when we were gone. We returned to the room one day at 4 to find the room had not been cleaned.
We checked in at BW on Sunday morning around 9:30, knowing we would have to store our bags. In prior visits, we've found the BW staff to be a bit distant - they always got the job done, but always a bit removed and sometimes frazzeled. We seldom heard "welcome home" (that part was never a big deal to us) Things have changed.
We were greeted by the guard with welcome home -- twice. Both valets and bell hops welcomed us home and offered directions on where to store our bags if the room wasn't ready.
The CM at the front desk greeted us with a warm smile and a hearty welcome home. Our room requests were for a standard room, non smoking (medical) and top floor. No way did we expect our room to be ready. CM was tapping away at the keyboard, looks up and says "I see we've upgraded you to preferred view at no additional points... and your room is ready". Off we went to our room, 2102.
We were a bit surprised when we entered the room and found someone steam cleaning the carpeting - and he was certainly surprised to see us!! He started apologizing, but we said no problem, just let us leave our luggage in the kitchen, we'll be off and you can finish. We returned a few hours later to check out the room. We were a bit nervous because of the carpet cleaning, but the room was in excellent condition and very clean - overlooked community hall. Not sure why a standard room wasn't availble, but maybe it was changed to meet our non smoking medical request.
Throughout the four days, everyone was wonderful. Parks were very busy, but all cm's there were very helpful.
So after all is said and done .... there's no place like "home"
We checked in at BW on Sunday morning around 9:30, knowing we would have to store our bags. In prior visits, we've found the BW staff to be a bit distant - they always got the job done, but always a bit removed and sometimes frazzeled. We seldom heard "welcome home" (that part was never a big deal to us) Things have changed.
We were greeted by the guard with welcome home -- twice. Both valets and bell hops welcomed us home and offered directions on where to store our bags if the room wasn't ready.
The CM at the front desk greeted us with a warm smile and a hearty welcome home. Our room requests were for a standard room, non smoking (medical) and top floor. No way did we expect our room to be ready. CM was tapping away at the keyboard, looks up and says "I see we've upgraded you to preferred view at no additional points... and your room is ready". Off we went to our room, 2102.
We were a bit surprised when we entered the room and found someone steam cleaning the carpeting - and he was certainly surprised to see us!! He started apologizing, but we said no problem, just let us leave our luggage in the kitchen, we'll be off and you can finish. We returned a few hours later to check out the room. We were a bit nervous because of the carpet cleaning, but the room was in excellent condition and very clean - overlooked community hall. Not sure why a standard room wasn't availble, but maybe it was changed to meet our non smoking medical request.
Throughout the four days, everyone was wonderful. Parks were very busy, but all cm's there were very helpful.
So after all is said and done .... there's no place like "home"
