Dolphin Concierge Level

[G-gang]

O.K.- these boards have convinced me to vacation at the Dolphin. What can anybody tell me about the concierge level at the Dolphin? Is it worth an additional $70 per night (7 night stay, 2 adults, 3 kids)?

When you upgrade to concierge, are the rooms nicer/larger? What other service are included?

I would appreciate any input provided.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Stayed at Dolphin Concierge last June for two nights. Can't tell you about the rooms on the 12th floor as they were full when we were there. We stayed in a Jr. Suite in another part of the hotel, but had access to concierge.
They have a nice lounge, (but also stayed at AKL concierge right after Dolphin and it doesn't compare AKL is far superior) The Dolphin concierge was very much like concierge at a lot of business hotels - especially if you've stayed at any Sheraton or Westin's. The amenities are: (from their letter)
-" Deluxe continental breakfast Mon/Sat from 7-10am and Sunday 7-10:30am featuring an assortment of freshly baked pastries, yogurt, fresh fruit, juice and coffee.
- from 5-7pm for your enjoyment we are offering a selection of fruit, cheeses, crudites, hot hors d'oeuvres and assorted fresh baked cookies.
- from 5 - 9:30pm Beer, wine and champagne are available through our honor bar."
They also offered to assist with reservations at any restaurant at Swan/Dolphin, or away from the resort, with airline tickets, golf tee-times, floral orders, transportation, or any special requests you may have.
My opinions:
- not sure I'd call it "deluxe" continental - only what it says above. They also had bottled water, which we stocked up on to take to the parks for the day.
- the evening food wasn't very plentiful and you couldn't make a meal out of it (unlike AKL)
- they took everything away about 15 minutes prior to closing times, but you could ask for things from the kitchen and they were fairly accomodating.
- Honestly, I would not pay $70/day for this. That would be $490 for you entire stay, and you would just not get your money's worth on the food offerings. The offer to assist is nice, but we actually just used the desk downstairs for help and anyone can use that.
We got a complimentary upgrade to concierge as I am a Starwood Platinum member, so we didn't pay for it.
Hope this helps - enjoy your stay at the Dolphin.

 

[madcoco]

I really don't want this to sound bad because we like the Dolphin especially the pool area but..... We used to stay there a couple of times a year 1st in 92 last was a stay in 00.(anyone remember the BW hostage crisis?) For a few years they had 2 levels of concierge service somewhat like the GF The concierge desk used to be located right off the elevator on the 12th floor. They moved the desk and concierges to the main lobby area. A little more impersonal and inconvenient but still a phone call away. They used to keep the room open all day and leave some snacks out. Nice for just relaxing,reading the newspaper etc. Selection of food narrowed. The lounge was only open for short periods of time. At one time wine was comp but then you started having to pay. They also wern't checking room keys and non-concierge rooms were mixed on the floors so people who wern't paying for the services were getting freebies.(I think this may have changed now) It just seemed like concierge services eroded for how much extra we were paying. Hope it has changed in the last few years.

For Nostalgia buffs here is a shot from the room before the BW Resort was built. The road around the lake was the tram road that used to take you Epcot WS.
http://www.printroom.com/_vti_bin/ViewImage.dll?userid=MDM3&album_id=126340&image_id=0&courtesy=1