However, $485 a night vs. $179 a night at ASM family suites....can it be justified with atmosphere and scenery?
Well, it probably can never really be justified when looking at $$$

- the family suites would always win based on that.
But on the other hand, I imagine with a family of 5 you would have to consider other "convenience factors" that come along with the CL, i.e. like help with planning, etc.
Also just having the lounge offerings free of charge (well, included in your room rate anyway!), though they really aren't meant to be used as meal substitutes, would have to be nice like being able to get your breakfast (continental) every morning, snacks and drinks throughout your stay, and desserts (beer, wine, cordials) each evening and would have to be very convenient with a larger group. Here's an example of what we had when we were there in December:
WL Old Faithful Club Hours:
Club Desk 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Coffee 6:30 AM - 7:00 AM
Continental Breakfast 7:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Refreshments 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wine and Cheese Selections 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cordials and Desserts 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
*Breakfasts offered different cereals, sliced fruits, danish, 2 kinds of muffins, croissants, bagels, etc. (toaster was there for toasting) whole fruit, yogurt, OJ/cranberry/apple juice, teas, milk, chocolate milk, coffee machines for cappucinos, lattes, mocha, etc. always available when lounge was open- Fruit was always out (bananas, apples, oranges etc)
*Refreshments included mixed nuts, goldfish crackers, gummy bears, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, etc. Ice tea/Lemonade, etc.
(Large bottle waters were always out by ice bucket for all services)
*Wine and cheese - good crackers, tray of cheese cubes (hot pepper/swiss/cheddar/wedge of blue cheese or similiar) veggie plate with dip, wonderful thick sliced bread (I think it was a sourdough, I usually had to have two slices with butter as I love homemade bread!) sometimes with a spread in a bowl next to the basket (one day tomato basil, the next babah ganoush), peanut butter and jelly uncrustables, and on the other side in two le Creuset casseroles/dutch ovens (warning - heavy lids! Kids shouldn't try to lift them) one day of our stay was Minestone (really exceptionally YUMMY!) and the other pan had pork and cabbage, the next day one pan had clam chowder, other pan had beef and bisquits, and the next day one pan had chicken broth with veggies, the other pan had paella. Wines were Merlot (14 Hands), White Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, sorry I don't remember all the beers but Bass Ale and Miller Lite were there in the cooler with Coke and Diet Coke, Sprite, juice boxes and other drinks
*Cordials and desserts - Kahlua, Grand Marnier, etc. Small dessert bites like brownies, magic bars, cookies
*****
Whether these services would be worth a additional $300+ per night? = probably not. You could add the
DDP to the family suites for much less $$$.
But it sure is fun to think about! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip in whatever you decide - hoping for pixie dust that a code will show up for both of your choices!
