Caribbean Beach Resort?

[Mymatisse]

We have the chance to stay at the Swan for a really great rate or the Caribbean Beach resort for about 20.00 cheaper.(My husband is in the travel industry so we are getting these rooms at drastically reduced prices)

So we have decided to stay at the Swan, but I am now rethinking our decision. We haven't stayed at either hotel in the past, but I like the Swan's location. The Caribbean Beach Resort will be cheaper however. Is there are really compelling reason, other than price, to stay at the CBR?

Fans of CBR why do you like it?

TIA!

 

[shafke]

If you have a rental car you don't have to pay to park at CBR. I have read that Swan/Dolphin charge about $8/day for parking.

 

[Mymatisse]

Thanks Shafke!

I've taken that into consideration in the cost difference. We will have a rental car, but including parking the CBR will still be about 20.00 cheaper.

 

[safetymom]

It all depends on what you are doing on your vacation. If you plan on spending a lot of time at Epcot and MGM then stay at the Swan.

CBR is a beautiful resort with lots to do. It is our favorite resort. You might want to read the FAQ's listed below and look at the other links for pictures and info on CBR.

 

[catbertdave99]

So much of a vacation to Disney World is ATMOSPHERE -- and CBR is loaded with that! My DS's (14 & 11) and I spent a week at CBR in april and loved it. In fact, they can't wait to go back and are insisting that our next visit to the World be at CBR again! If you just want a hotel, it's not a big deal which resort you're at -- but if you want to feel like you've escaped to the islands, CBR is great.

 

[Mymatisse]

Did the size of the resort pose a problem for anyone? How far away are the parking lots and did it seem too spread out?

 

[jaysmom4285]

We were at CBR in December, and size wasn't an issue for us. Yes it is large and spread out, but the resort is arranged in villages ( see info on safetymom's site), and there is a parking lot and bus stop behind every village, so that's really not an issue. If you stay in Jamaica, you'll be right across the footbridge from Old Port Royale (food and shops) and the main pool, just a few minutes' walk, without having to pay extra for a preferred room in the two villages on either side of OPR. We didn't find the size to be an issue at all. There are internal buses that make continuous circuits around the resort, if you need them. The bus service in general was excellent - we hardly ever waited more than ten minutes. And the atmosphere and theming are beautiful. We also found the resort to be very quiet. I think that's at least partly a function of having outside entrances and walkways. Interior hallways have a way of echoing and amplifying every sound and conversation. We only heard people if they were having a conversation just as they walked by our room.

 

[catbertdave99]

The resort size never bothered us, but that is probably because we were in Martinique 25, which was a great location. It was a 3-4 minute walk for us to get to the Martinique bus stop, but that was fine. Although we didn't have a car, the parking lot would have been about 1-2 minutes. I took the opportunity to take walks on some mornings around the resort -- very picturesque -- but if we'd stayed out in Trinidad South I think it would have been way too far from the food court, pool, etc. WHEN (not if) we go back, we'll be requesting Maritnique 25 again, although any of them, or Trinidad North, would be fine.

 

[safetymom]

Parking lots are behind all the buildings so it never is a far walk to your car.

 

[Mymatisse]

Thanks for all the wonderful info! It was very helpful, although I think we will be saving CBR for another time.

Thanks again guys!