Caribe Royale or Sheraton Safari?

[Planogirl]

After asking lots of questions (thank you!), I've finally narrowed down my choices to these two. I keep mulling over which one to pick and any input would be appreciated.

I need a room for 3 nights for me, DH and 11 year old DS. We'll be visiting WDW during this time and we will have a rental car. DH will only go with us to WDW part of the time and wants to be able to hang out at a nice resort. I like the idea of a mini-suite but the Sheraton looks so nice!

I haven't had any luck finding good discounts for our dates (early August) and both resorts cost about the same.

Any opinions out there? I also have a question. Is Caribe Royale a time share? Just curious.

 

[snoopy]

No first hand experience with either of these resorts but I know Caribe Royale is NOT a timeshare.

 

[Lewisc]

I stayed in Caribe Royale a few years ago. They got rid of the free breakfast buffet.

Positives: Great location, pool is excellent, mini-kitchen and the living room is seaparate from the bedroom (full wall and door).

Negative: Price Even if you go through mousesavers or quickbook.com the hotel will cost over $100 (probably $125). For that price you could probably get a resort through PL.

Two of the towers have the mini-kitchen, the third tower (which they normally give to business travelers) have a mini-bar. Ask and they'll assign you one of the other towers or will at least empty the mini-bar for you.

The living room isn't big, some people say the sofa bed isn't that comfortable. They say the rooms have 2 Q beds. They lie, most of the rooms have 2 double (full) sized beds. Not very many K rooms.

You'll have a car but the shuttle schedule is limited.

I like the property and the 2 rooms suite may very well what you need. I'd try PL for a resort if the reservation was going to be for 2 people.

 

[DBC]

We stayed in one of the suites at the Sheraton (for free using Starwood points) for one night last year.

It was pretty nice, but really nothing special. Room was big, but kind of dark. Everything seemed a little dated to me for some reason.

The pool was nice and we liked the place okay, but it really didn't have a "resort" feel to it. BTW, I thought it looked nicer on the web than it was in person.

When I think "resort" I think one of the deluxe hotels at Disney or The Hard Rock or Portofino at Universal. Last year we spent 4 nights at the HRH and liked it infinitely more than the Sheraton.

We're using points at the Swan this year even though it costs about 3 times as many points per night as the Sheraton, then we'll move to the Wilderness Lodge for a couple nights when the points run out.

I don't feel compelled to rush back to the Sheraton, but I wouldn't hesitate to do it. It's really a pretty nice place, just not really special.

Check out some of the reviews at tripadvisor.com to get some other opinions on each place.

 

[Planogirl]

Thanks for the details. This is definitely making me lean towards Caribe Royale just for the mini-kitchen. I can get it for an even $100/night. I would prefer Doubletree for the location but it's more unfortunately.

Oh well, back to mulling it over.

 

[Lewisc]

The "mini-kitchen" is basically a sink, small refrig, microwave and coffee pot. I don't remember if it had a toaster. $100 is an excellent price for the property. Very easy drive to the parks.

 

[ZuZugal]

Have stayed at the Caribe many times and like it....but haven't stayed since they got rid of free breakfast. That was always a big plus.

Also, the Caribe Royale is not a timeshare, BUT they do book "tours" of the Vistana Resort, which is a timeshare. They have a separate desk in the lobby and on the ground floor of each tower if you are interested and have the time. We did a tour a few years ago. It was high pressure, but we handled it with a direct and firm "NO" and got out w/i the 90 minutes. That got us 2 tickets to Universal and some cash also.

I do recommend the Caribe; kids loved the pool and it is close to everything.

 

[snoopy]

Planogirl, have you considered one of the timeshare resorts, like Cypress Point or Vistana Resort? You can get a 2 bedroom at CP for considerably less than $100/night on hotelkingdom.com - they are very spacious w/a full kitchen and washer and dryer. They are also very convenient to WDW - we were there last summer and it took us 15 minutes door to door, tops. You might also think to try skyauction.com, where the deals can be even better -- we booked our next vacation on skyauction -- we're staying in a 2 bedroom at the Orange Lake Country Club, a timeshare resort, for less than $50/night. When you book through skyauction or hotelkingdom.com, you are NOT required to do a timeshare presentation either, so if that is a concern, don't let it be.

Just wanted to throw out other options. I'm sure both of the resorts you mentioned are nice as well.

 

[Planogirl]

snoopy, I have looked into skyauction but it seems like at least most of the offerings are for a full week which wouldn't work for us this year. However, I am interested in this for the future because some of the properties look so nice! You're getting one for less than $50 a night? Wow!!!

Hotelkingdom? I need to check them. Cypress Point and Vistana both look great and if no timeshare nonsense is required... DH would kill me if he had to sit through a timeshare presentation so I ought to arrange one. You know, staying offsite is a lot more complicated than onsite!

 

[snoopy]

Planogirl, my husband is the EXACT same way. Which is why I didn't tell him when I agreed to the Cypress Pointe time share tour until the day we needed to be there. I couldn't help myself -- they offered me $75 in Disney dollars, I couldn't say no! Anyway, he went a little out of his mind and refused to go, but then I told him about the $75 and how we could go to 'Ohana later and he could have all the meat he could eat (appealing to the Caveman in him......) and he agreed. It really was a painless way to earn $75. But definately NOT required. Check out hotelkingdom for Cypress Point Grand Villas rates (I'd recommend the GV over Phase I). I don't think you would be disappointed.

 

[Planogirl]

"appealing to the Caveman in him......"


I've booked a meal at one of Emeril's restaurants for DH and maybe I can use that if a tour is offered.

Thanks for the tips. I will check this out once I fully wake up.

 

[snoopy]

Oops, sorry, Linda, Disney dollars won't get you far at Emerils.

 

[Planogirl]

Oops!

OK, we're also going to Boma. D'oh!!!