Cypress Palms? Star Island? Anyone?

[WhispyPixie]

Has anyone stayed at:

Cypress Palms? or Star Island?

We are looking at a 2 bedroom lock-in or a 2 bedroom at either of the resorts....travels with 2 other families...and....tons of kids...any recommendations?

Which would be better? ANy bad things about these resorts? Any good things? How far from disney? Thanks!!!

 

[maciec]

I too am looking for information on Star Island. I am also in search of information about Marriotts Horizons Resort. These are my alternatives if we can't get into Grande Vista.

 

[DianeV]

We stayed at Fairfield Cypress Palms if you are talking about the same place. The 2 bedroom setup was really nice and the units were really nice too. The resort is not large and only has I believe 1 or 2 basic pools and a small building for activities etc. The young people working it when we were there were really nice to our kids.

They have free popcorn you can pick up there and take with you too and it was pretty good! We would definitely stay there again.

This resort is located on 192 and is not too far from Disney, maybe 10-15 minutes max.

I believe Star Island is in the same general vicinity.

 

[Lisa P.]

If you are talking about the two Fairfield properties, remember that guests at one may use the guest facilities at both.

FF at Cypress Palms has larger 2BRs than most of the 2BRs at FF Star Island. Also, the 2BR lockoffs at FCP offer a great layout, more similar to a 3BR than a 2BR (2 MBRs, LR, full kitchen and den w/mini-kitchen). FCP is quieter, with more basic pools, though the pools do overlook a small lake and everything is very pretty (from what we could see on a drive-thru look, as well as resort reviews).

FF Star Island is a larger property with more resort amenities, including a more elaborate main pool area, more tennis courts, a bigger fitness center, an indoor lounge/bar and live poolside entertainment a couple nights a week in high season. They also have a limited number of boat rentals on their lake.

They are located about a mile apart in Kissimmee. Both resorts are set back from the main road enough that there's no noise and no tacky view from the resort itself. Sometimes FF owners who've stayed at both will say they prefer the rooms a bit more at FF Cypress Palms but they enjoy the greater variety and number of resort amenities at FF Star Island. So whichever matters more to you, I'd choose the resort that offers it. HTH!

 

[Big V]

My DW and I have stayed at Star Island and we liked it very much.They had some activities for the kids, but I don't remember what they were. The pool is very nice! It's about a quick 15 minutes to WDW straight down 192. No problem at all getting there. And there's a Krispy Kreme donut shop just down the road!

 

[Ecdubfan]

We own at Fairfield Cypress Palms. We had originally toured Star Island but felt that Cypress Palms fits our Orlando interests best - which are the theme parks. We find that we regret missing out on resort activities but can never fit them in.

Star Island is a bit fancier and has more activities (as previously mentioned). Cypress Palms seems newer and the rooms are a bit bigger. Both are convenient to Disney, just a mile or so apart on 192. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

 

[Ecdubfan]

Originally posted by Big V
And there's a Krispy Kreme donut shop just down the road!

The Krispy Kreme is right in front of Cypress Palms. That is how close the 2 resorts are.

 

[cinamin27]

stayed at Cypress Palms at the beginning of November (2002). I could NOT get clean sheets for anything at this resort. I had to send several times for new sets of sheets and EVERY set they sent were stained. it looked like dirt or makeup but could have been bad washing machines maybe staining the sheets but in any case it was pretty gross. I finally found a flat sheet that I layed across the bed that only had a stain on the bottom & I only found 1 pillow case without the dirt/makeup stain. yucky!

 

[Lisa P.]

Cinny, were you at the Fairfield Inn & Suites on Vineland (suite hotel - operated by Marriott Corporation) or at the Fairfield Cypress Palms Resort (timeshare - smallest units are 1BR suites w/kitchens) or have you stayed at both of these places in the last few months? Where did this problem with the sheets happen?

The problem you described has never happened to us at any Fairfield timeshare resort. As a Fairfield owner (elsewhere), I'd appreciate the feedback. Thanks.

 

[cinamin27]

Lisa P., we stayed at the Cypress Palms, the Fairfield timeshare resort off of HWY 192 (across from Poincenna). We were in a 2 bedroom where there were 2 double beds in 1 room & a king size in the master with a garden tub & separate shower + 2nd bathroom. besides not being able to get clean sheets, it also did not look like it had been "spruced" up before we checked in, such as a couple dead mosquitos & a dead spider in the garden tub causing me to not want to use it. There was also October information left in the room & we checked in on the 8th of Novemver so this also caused me to think no one came to make sure everything was clean before we checked into the unit. When I moved the make up/shaving mirror that was extendable that was connected to the wall, it fell off into my hands. There was maybe 10 cars total near the cluster of buildings we were located in so I dont think too many people were staying there when we were there. When I mentioned this when I went to the timeshare presnetation the next day after they asked me how my unit was, their only comment to me was "We just took over this resort so we are still going through growing pains."

I will comment that this presentation was the lowest pressure time share I've ever been to, it lasted 40 minutes tops & when I said, sorry, I dont have the money right now, its too close to Christmas, they didnt even push, it was ended there, then I walked out with my $50 in disney gift certificates.

I also stayed at the Fairfield Inn & Suites over by Universal on Vineland Road (by the Walgreens & Burger King off of Kirkman) at the beginning of this month (January 2003) & had a wonderful stay.

 

[Lisa P.]

Cinny, thanks for the feedback. I'm sorry to read that you had a poor experience there. That's the first time I've read a negative review of this resort. Glad you had a better stay at the other hotel later.

 

[DianeV]

For the record when we stayed there it was very clean and we had no housekeeping issues. We would stay there again