Embassy Grand Beach Resort ?

[LisaMM]

I made a call today to try to get a deal on a 2 bdrm Cypress Pointe Grande Villa and wound up (after many many calls) talking to a guy who didn't have any more CPGVs but did have a 2 bdrm at Embassy Grand Beach Resort for the same price. I know nothing about this place. He, of course since he was trying to sell it, said it was nicer and newer. He also claims that they have a new pool with slides and the works opening at the end of this week. (I'm going June 5-12, and yes, I still don't have a resort pinned down!) Average price will be about $80 a night, including tax.

Anyone ever stay here. Is it nice? Family friendly for my 4 and 7 year olds? Clean? Good pools? Any info is much appreciated. If you can compare it to Cypress Pointe GV or the Sheraton Vistanas (where we are also considering), that would be a even bigger help.

Thanks!
--Lisa

 

[Melynny]

I have stayed at Embassy Grand Beach, in a 3 bedroom. The 2 bedrooms are all in a newer section which also include a small 1 bedroom lock off as part of it to make a 3 bedroom. I loved the resort. We were traveling as 3 couples and It was great. They had not started construction on the new pool yet ( last year) but the older, smaller pool was awesome. The unit we stayed in was very nice, clean and well maintained. Parking was an issue for our building, but the Sunterra section seemed like there were more available. We traded a week into Cypress Pointe Grande villas for my dh x wife and his dd and gdaughter. I did not stay there, but at check in, I was not that impressed with Cypress pointe, I do know that they have been doing extensive remodeling and upgrading. Major differences is that Cypress pointe is closer to WDW, Embassy is on a lake which was very relaxing. If it were me, from what I have seen at Cypress point, and experienced at Embassy, I'd choose Embassy. Now if Embassy was not available and Cypress pointe was the only one I could get, I'd not give up a trip and not stay there. it would be adequate.

 

[LisaMM]

Thanks so much for the reply! I see that you didn't actually stay at CP, but it sounds like you got a general feel for it. Did either resort strike you as more "kid-friendly"? Did you see the pools at CP? Was there one particular thing that impressed you about Embassy Grand Beach over CP?

Thanks so much!

--Lisa

 

[LisaMM]

Oh, I also meant to ask if anyone has pictures of Embassy Grand Beach. Has it been remodeled lately or are they building new buildings?

Thanks!
--Lisa

 

[Melynny]

Hi Lisa, I did not sleep at CP, Dh just checked in for his X wife and daughter ( we paid for it though). I looked in the condo. It was dated, but as I noted before, the resort it's self is in the process of remodeling the rooms and from the photos, it looks very nice.

One thing that has left an imprint on me was the condition of the pool bathroom. This bathroom was filthy. I am not sure if If I caught it on a bad day, but it was around 3;30 and it smelled, the floor was dirty and it apeared to have dried dirt in the corners(like they just "swished" a mop around and missed the details. Again, I must say that this was in 2001 and there may have been improvement since then. When I checked out the pool, it was packed... with kids.

As for the interior of the unit, it was clean and in good repair, just dated. They were not that friendly at the front desk either. X wife and daughter had some issues with the AC filters and getting them changed due to allergies... not sure if they were being unreasonable but, they seemed to really b*** about it. ( I was thinking "hey, you are not paying for it so whaterver" If someone gave me a week somewhere.. ANYWHERE for free, I'd make the best of it and not complain at all, but Oh well! ).

Last year, when we stayed at Embassy, Each day they had some kind of activity for kids. They made embellished hats and t shirts on aother day. We were kidless that trip so I did not spend much time, but the Hat thing made me want to go participate! they were paper folded things that they decorated and unfolded! wonderful! They also had an ice cream sundae making deal on Sunday. It was very tasty. All was located near the smaller ( older) Pool. All of the 2 br units are located in newer buildings. The ( but still luxuious) 3 bedroom units are older. There is more flexibility in the 2 bedroom lock off styles than the 3 bedrooms. There is also a lake at Embassy, and 2 docks and a couple of small ponds. I think you can fish and you can also schedule waterski ing and wake boarding there too, There was a smaller playground, I am not sure if they upgraded it since they have built the new pool. again, If it were me, I'd choose Embassy quickly over CP. It just had a more luxurious feel, newer and cleaner! BUT... I 'd also stay at CP if Embassy was not available.

 

[LisaMM]

Melynny,

Thank you so much for all of your great help! I did wind up booking this last night, but only for 6 nights; I'm hoping to get a 7th. I called Embassy directly and the new pool is finished but they are still doing inspections. It's supposed to be open May 28, one week before I get there. Hopefully all inspections will be completed!

I also searched for other posts on Embassy. The ones I found confirmed what you had said; it's probably a nicer, cleaner place than Cypress Pointe.

Thanks again!
--Lisa