Caribe Royale or Sheraton Vistana Resort/Villages?

[Goldie]

My family and I have bookings for a two-bedroom villa at the Caribe Royale November 12 - 19 but after doing a lot of research Sheraton Vistana Villages seems to be rated higher as does the Sheraton Vistana Resort (but maybe that's because people haven't actually stayed in the villas but only the suites).

We have stayed at Caribe before for a dance convention and the pool and grounds were wonderful. The villas are also quite beautiful and the hotel has several restaurants and a great poolbar.

It sounds like the Resort has a lot of amenities on the grounds but I want to be comfortable with the kids going off by themselves sometimes too if we old folks decide to stay back in the villa to rest up!

Also, I have seen a lot of negative comments about different sections being too old and not well kept and the hotel won't guarantee a newer section.

And then, on the other hand Vistana Villages is supposed to be newer but would we enjoy it as much as the villa at Caribe which also has all the hotel perks such as maid service?

Children are (girl) 14 and (boy) 12. We are renting a car with the plan to spend the better part of our week at Disney but with the ability to head back to the hotel to also enjoy some pool time and perhaps dinner offsite while returning back to DW in the evenings for fireworks, etc.

Can you help us decide? I have been weighing the pros and cons and keep going around in circles!!

 

[spiceycat]

Sheraton Vistana Village is all new - just a couple of years old.

Sheraton Vistana Resort however, has so much more stuff for your children to do - that I think they would love it.

I got an older section - Springs and I still loved it.

the carpet needed replacings, so do some of the furniture in the livingroom.

but it was much bigger than the newer ones.

I like my space!!!

the backyard porch (balcony) - was dark - but it was pretty clean.

You are going to have insects and reptiles (not snakes just lizards) in Florida.

some people don't understand this and get very upset and blame the resort.

sorry it is a Florida thing not any participate resort/hotel/motel/campground.

 

[webprinter]

We stayed at Vistana Villages about 1 1/2 years ago and it was one of the nicest resorts we have seen. The units were immaculate and large. Our unit overlooked the middle courtyard and had a nice screened balcony with a walkout from the master bedroom as well as the living room. We felt there were a lot of activities. The staff seemed very friendly and went out of their way to say hello to us. The grounds are well kept up and beautiful. I highly recommend it. This resort is definately on our must stay again list. Debby

 

[momof2inPA]

I've stayed at both Caribe and Vistana Villages. I vote for Villages.

 

[ttfn3]

I would vote for the Vistana Resort - if you will spending time at the resort - and the weather is nice. Lots of great activities - your kids will have a ball meeting other kids. They have teen specific events, so they will meet other kids.

We have stayed at the Vistana Villages - very nice accomodations but not much in terms of activities.

We have visited the Caribe Royal. I prefer the pools at the VV and the VR - plus you can't beat a 2 br unit with separate bathrooms/tvs with kids your age. - And a washer/dryer plus full kitchen. It will spoil you.

 

[ZuZugal]

We have stayed at the Caribe many times and stayed at the Vistana Villages last fall. I thought the rooms were much smaller at the villages. They both have great pools. My vote is for the Caribe (we'll be staying there at the end of our Disney stay in November.)