Gaylord Palms vs. Caribe Royale???

[KayakDaddy]

We're a family of four (DS-9 & DD-5) planning a week long trip to Universal this summer. Since we will not be going to Disney, I've been shopping for off-site hotels.

We've found good discount rates on both the Caribe Royale and Gaylord Palms. I've stayed at both the Caribe & BVS on different occasions and enjoyed my stay at both. I loved the suite layout of these resorts and the pool & fitness center at the Caribe. I've driven by the Gaylord Palms and I'm intrigued.

Please compare and offer comments on Gaylord Palms vs. the Caribe Royale.

 

[dragitoff]

I've only stayed at the Gaylord Palms, so I can't really compare the two, but the Gaylord Palms was one of the nicest places I've ever stayed. It's themed great and has so much to do on property, you'll never be bored while at the hotel. Typically, I spend most of my time in the room and very little in the common areas. The hotel was so nice, I only slept and showered in the room. Every other moment, I was out enjoying all there was to see. Their complimentary shuttle services were very convenient as well.

I forget the name of it, but the restaurant over by the boat in the Key West themed area was very good. They had a juggler, live music, and a guy on stilts entertaining the diners the entire time we were there.

 

[AndyMcV]

We stayed at the Gaylord Palms last June and it was really nice. As the PP said it's themed great too. We stayed there with our 8 and 4 year old and had an atrium view room. The atrium is HUGE and is covered with a glass ceiling. Very nice on a sunny day. There is a nice zero entry pool for families with a slide and water sprayers. If I was staying off site I'd stay there again for sure. We ended up getting really low rates through the DIS which helped too.

The only thing I'd give it a negative comment about is the restaurant prices are very expensive. You can see the menus on the the GP website to see what you think.

Here is a shot out of our balcony room. The panorama gives it a weird/squished kind of look but gives you an idea of the size. The gardens were beautiful and they have an aligator pool as well. Neat.

Andy