Carousel Inn or Desert Inn?

[esc38372]

We are planning a last-minute trip to DLR for our family of four at the end of June/beginning of July. Our priorities are clean, comfortable beds, and quiet (if that's possible ).

Which would you choose (both quotes are for standard rooms w/2 queen beds)?

Desert Inn -- $99 + $8/day parking or
Carousel Inn -- $119 + free valet parking (MiceChat rate)

We can upgrade to concierge at Carousel Inn for $131. The concierge rooms are slightly bigger, and I think they may be more quiet and have reserved self-parking, but I'm not sure.

The bedding seems nicer at Carousel Inn, but the tripadvisor reviews are so-so. Neither seems to have a great pool, which is too bad for our kids, but we can swim at home. I guess we don't have to swim when we're at DLR!

Thanks for your help! We stayed at the HoJo on our previous DLR visit (3 years ago!) and liked it, but it's not available for our stay. (For reference, Park Vue Inn is $166/day, Tropicana is $129 + $9/day parking, Ramada Maingate is $142/day, and HoJo and BWPPI do not have rooms available.)

 

[saradela]

I am going on july 10 for 7 nites , and Desert inn is 135 per nite, plus tax, If you don't mind telling me where did you get that quote of 99 per nite?

 

[esc38372]

I am going on july 10 for 7 nites , and Desert inn is 135 per nite, plus tax, If you don't mind telling me where did you get that quote of 99 per nite?

It was just the quote from the Desert Inn website. I just checked again, and the rate changes during my stay from $99 to $109--the average rate for my stay is $102.33.

 

[silence]

It was just the quote from the Desert Inn website. I just checked again, and the rate changes during my stay from $99 to $109--the average rate for my stay is $102.33.

Curious, is this just for their regular/standard room or one of the suites rooms?

(keep in mind, it's been a while since we stayed here...but) We don't care for the standard rooms personally at Desert Inn, they are located in the very back. The pool was really only good during winter months, since it is indoor and your eyes burn due to the chlorine smell just sitting in the room. If you didn't arrive early, or right at check in, You might get stuck with a really bad parking space. I had to have DH park the van a couple of times as there was no way I was squeezing into some of those spots. I never found the beds very comfy. We love the location though, so close, and the suites came in handy when the kiddos were younger and we wanted to stay up and watch TV or something.

I have not stayed at Carousel, but my mom has and enjoyed her stay there.

Good luck!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I would pick Carousel Inn--it isn't that much more money per night, but is a better hotel overall.

 

[esc38372]

Curious, is this just for their regular/standard room or one of the suites rooms?

This is a quote for the standard (deluxe) room with 2 queen beds.

Thanks so much for your feedback. It's very helpful to know that the Desert Inn standard rooms are at the back--DH and I were just looking at the Google map and saying that we'd rather not get stuck in the way back of the hotel.

I think we are probably going to try the Carousel Inn and hope for rooms closer to the front of the hotel. I am tempted by the Park Vue Inn since it's right at the crosswalk and has the free breakfast, light dinner, snacks, etc. but for $50/day extra, I guess I can buy my own snacks!

I just realized that BWPPI has some availability after all--$149/night + $8/day parking for a king room w/sofabed. Hmm....

 

[esc38372]

I would pick Carousel Inn--it isn't that much more money per night, but is a better hotel overall.

Thanks for your vote, Lisa!

 

[saradela]

It was just the quote from the Desert Inn website. I just checked again, and the rate changes during my stay from $99 to $109--the average rate for my stay is $102.33.

Thanks for the input! I am going to check the MiceChat rate also......

 

[starshine514]

We stay at the Desert Inn a lot; however, we normally get a suite (sometimes one of the bigger suites - that sleeps 8) for the price you are describing (I usually book 8 months in advance). There is also at $4/day resort fee that you are forgetting (and both parking and resort fee are taxable by 17%).

I've never stayed at Carousel, it's always been more expensive than other motels I consider acceptable. With that close of a price, I would probably go with Carousel, just because my perception is that it is a nicer motel

 

[disneychrista]

I find the beds at DI&S to be very uncomfrontable. I would pick Carousel Inn.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I have stayed at both, both are fine- I would lean toward favoring the Carousel. It is just a little nicer. Slightly nicer bedding and decor. The noise level will be the same at each...just depends on if you are near a noisy family!

Have fun!

 

[esc38372]

The Carousel Inn it is--thanks, everyone, for helping me to make my hotel decision !

The beds look super-comfy--any recommendations for room requests? We would prefer to be closer to Harbor so that we can be closer to DLR!

 

[esc38372]

Thanks for the input! I am going to check the MiceChat rate also......

Hope you are able to get the MiceChat rate at the Carousel Inn--it can be as low as $89/night with free valet parking

 

[saradela]

Hope you are able to get the MiceChat rate at the Carousel Inn--it can be as low as $89/night with free valet parking

GOT IT GOT IT !!!!!! I am soooooooooo happy!!!!!! Carousel at 121 for July 10. Thanks a million.......

 

[esc38372]

GOT IT GOT IT !!!!!! I am soooooooooo happy!!!!!! Carousel at 121 for July 10. Thanks a million.......

Hooray! Was your $121 rate for the standard room or the concierge room? Hope we both have great stays at the Carousel Inn!

 

[Lomky]

We scored a wicked good deal for the concierge room at Carousel for our trip in August. Am I hearing you right that this may include free parking? That would be awesome. Our first trip last year we stayed at the super 8 which fit our budget fine, and we didn't mind it. We didn't spend any time at the hotel though. We are hoping that the carousel is a step up, and really with the deal we got not much more money!

 

[saradela]

Hooray! Was your $121 rate for the standard room or the concierge room? Hope we both have great stays at the Carousel Inn!

It was a standard room with parking. They were out of the concierge rooms.

The Divine Sleep Experience beds look so confy..........

 

[esc38372]

We scored a wicked good deal for the concierge room at Carousel for our trip in August. Am I hearing you right that this may include free parking? That would be awesome. Our first trip last year we stayed at the super 8 which fit our budget fine, and we didn't mind it. We didn't spend any time at the hotel though. We are hoping that the carousel is a step up, and really with the deal we got not much more money!

If you asked for the MiceChat rate, it includes free valet parking. I think if you just booked a normal concierge room without asking for the MiceChat rate, you will still need to pay for parking. Not sure though...this will be our first time staying there.