Former HIFS Guest Looking for Similar!

[dfr1966]

Hi everyone. I haven't been to Disney in a few years, and the last few times we went were at Holiday Inn Family Suites (now Nick Hotel). Unfortunately, Nick Hotel has priced itself out of our budget, so we're looking for hotels (or other accommodations) that would be similar (our other option is getting 2 rooms at a less expensive hotel). We're a family of 4, and my 2 daughters are now 9 and 12. We liked the fact that HIFS had 2 bedroom suites as well as a living area, and is relatively close to Disney (we'll have a car). We're considering a trip either early July or late August. I've seen other hotels advertised as suites, but would be interested in recommendations from this board as to other places they've stayed and if they would recommend them. It looks like Windsor Hills has gotten positive reviews--are there any others?

Thanks in advance for everyone's help!

 

[5mins2disney]

I would look into a 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom condo at Windsor Hills or Windsor Palms ...best value, by FAR less expensive and 10x nicer than any hotel run place you're going to find. You can rent directly from the owners and cut out all of the company / management "overhead" you're going to pay elsewhere.

Check..
www.windsorhillsrent.com
www.vrbo.com

 

[Brian Noble]

We happen to primarily rent privately owned townhomes, such as those at Windsor Hills. We love them, and there is a lot to recommend them, but it's not going to be very similar to the HIFS experience; much less "resorty" and quieter. Generally, they have little or no on-site food service, no daily maid service, etc. Great experience, but very different from the full-service hotel/resort experience you are used to.

The Staybridges look great, but I can never seem to get a good price on them. I've always had good luck with Residence Inns, too, but I have't tried any in Orlando yet. The place on my list that I would fall back to if I needed a suite in a conventional hotel near WDW would probably be the Buena Vista Suites. Not everyone is overwhelmed by them, but they seem more than adequate, and often have good rates. It's a little bit spartan (particularly the pool.) The Caribe Royale would be a step up in quality, price, and amenities.

Sort of halfway in-between the private pool home and a full-service hotel would be renting something in a timeshare resort, either privately or through some more traditional outlet. Cypress Pointe, in particular, seems like a good combination of quality and value---I came very close to buying a timeshare unit there, and may still someday.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Hilton Grand Vacation Club
Sheraton Vistana (2 locations one on 535 and the other about a mile away on International very close to the Hilton Grand Vacation Club)

All of these are great choices.

 

[Sandra22]

On our first trip to WDW we stayed at HIFS for a great price. But on our next trip a few years ago, we thought it was a little pricey.
We ended up booking at Cypress Pointe Resort through Hotelkingdom, which was way cheaper and we actually enjoyed our stay here much better. Bigger rooms, excellent location;in fact we are heading back to this resort in a few days.

If you get a chance, check out tripadvisor.com they offer additional feedback regarding accomodations, which we have found very helpful whenever we are planning a trip.

Good Luck!

 

[spiceycat]

www.hotelkingdom.com

agreed with Cypress Pointe. the pool is quite as nice as Nick - but it has a slide.