HIFS vs Cypress Pointe

[diane@wpg.mb]

We will be going to Disney from Dec 17 - 30/02. I have currently booked with HIFS, two bedroom classic suite, for a rate of $99.00 per night.

After reading these threads, I am a little concerned about staying at the HIFS. I have seen really mixed reviews on the hotel and am thinking that the hotel may be a little to child oriented for my 16 and 14 yo.

Soooooo, I read these threads some more (gosh I love this place) and heard of a place called hotelkingdom.com and found a two bedroom suite with a full kitchen for $93.90 per night. Then I did I search on Sunterra Cypress Pointe and got some really good reviews. (Also went to their web site and liked what I saw)

My questions are as follows:

1) Is hotelkingdom.com ok to book thru?
2) I have read that they sometimes change your reservation to another hotel - T or F. If so did the change work out ok?
3) If I book at Cypress Pointe am I in for a really big hassle with time share presentations.
4) Has anyone stayed there? Any comments on the hotel?

I'm not concerned about losing the "free breakfast" that HIFS offers. We will also have a rental vehicle.

It's a real dilemma.

Your opinions (input) is really, really, really appreciated.

Thanks.

Diane

 

[sammi]

Good morning Diane! If you've done some searching here on the DIS boards then you'll certainly have read some of my opinions on Cypress Pointe. We usually visit yearly there with family who are owners, and have enjoyed ourselves each and every year! The staff are great and the 2 bedroom villas are really large and gorgeous.

They have just finished refurbishing the older section and the newer section (The Grande Villas) are stunning! There are 3 large pools with hot tubs and a lovely mini golf section if you like to take a "day off" from the parks to spend a day at the resort.

As far as timeshare pitches are concerned........ when you book your resort it should tell you if this is a timeshare special or not.

I'm sorry I don't know anything re: hotelkingdom.com is concerned but maybe someone else will be able to help you out there.

I hope this helps you and please feel free to PM me or email me with any other questions.

 

[akarts]

Just wanted to let you know that I booked Cypress Pointe through hotelkingdom.com in August for my family of six for 95/night. When you book it should say if the time share presentation is required (I made sure I booked it so that there was no presentation needed) I stayed in the Grande Villas and enjoyed it tremendously! It is big, clean, and beautiful! Just be warned, when I checked in everything went great...on my way out of the lobby a man approached me from a little stand on the side. He handed me a folder and told me to call the number to make my time share presentation appointment. I told him I didn't need to take one to get the rate I did and he insisted I did. So I called hotelkingdom and spoke to a supervisor. She told me not to worry that I did indeed purchase a NO TIME SHARE presentation room and that the guy was just trying to get us to take one(by the way if you wanted to do it they give you 100 dollars, or at least that is what I was offered). But we were extremely close to the main gate and had a wonderful time...sorry so long winded!

 

[JKJK]

Im just curious. Did you happen to request the Grande Villas section of this resort or did you just get lucky enough to be put in the newer section?

I am really leaning on staying at this resort next year for a 14 day visit. The thought of a standard hotel room for that long leaves me feeling quite cramped! I think we have to have some sort of 2 bedroom condo at a resort. Im interested in Vistana Villages and Sunterra Cypress Resort. VV is more expensive so I am REALLY looking into Sunterra. It looks like a really nice place to spend some time!!!

Im glad you enjoyed your stay and thanks for your input!

 

[sammi]

LOL !!!Diane I just noticed you're a fellow "Canuck" too!

A BIG welcome to the DIS boards.............I'm betting you'll have a ball here!

Also welcome to you too akarts! Just noticed that this was your very first post on the DIS! Hope we see tons more!

 

[minnieluvzmickey]

We were there in July and booked through hotelkingdom.com and we didn't have to do a timeshare presentation....they did call and left us a message but we never called back and we were not called back. We were in the grande villas and did not request this....I guess it was just luck of the draw.

 

[diane@wpg.mb]

Hi All - I called Hotelkingdom today at their 800 number and spoke to real nice young lady. She said that she stayed at the resort for weekend a couple of months ago and that it was really nice. I was concerned about staying in "phase 1" and she said that they stayed there and it was great. I also asked if I was booking a time share and she stated no and that I wouldn't or shouldn't be approached about a time share. I can also request the grand villas when I am making the reservation.

Sammi - my fellow canuk - lol - Any info you can give me on Cypress Pointe would be greatly appreciated - you can pm me or email if you want. Would like to know how far from grocery store, downtown disney and good places to eat. Oh yeah, is there anything I should bring from home that isn't included in the villa?

Thanks for all the input everyone and anything else you can add is very welcome.

Diane

 

[DianeV]

They have recently refurbished Phase 1 and we stayed there this summer. It looked great.

Its in a great location on 535 which has the entrance to Downtown Disney and the parks. Lots of restaurants nearby and close to the freeway too..

I think you will like it there..

 

[CPM]

I'll be staying at CP tomorrow! I'll let you know how it is.

 

[sammi]

Diane I've just sent you a PM.

 

[CPM]

I'm here at CP. I think it's a great place to stay. I'm in phase two Grand Villas. I have a 1 bedroom villa. It is small for a one bedroom suite. I think it's great for two people or a family of four with one or two small children. It has a queen bed in the bedroom and a pull-out sofa in the liv/kit area. Full kitchen, and huge bathroom. There isn't a lot of storage, two drawers and a closet for clothes. Small screened in balconey. I gota great deal on Skyauction and I'm traveling alone so this is great for me. Very convenient to Disney and even Universal if you are going up for a day. There is a new Winn Dixie very close and many restaurants and store within walking distance. I looked at a two bedroom & it's huge and very nice. The three bedroom would be a combination of the two bedroom & what I have, the one bedroom.
There are three pools, the main one is in Phase one, club Sunterra. I haven't used any yet but they look very nice. Any questions let me know!

 

[diane@wpg.mb]

Hi Cheryl, Hope you are having a great time. Thanks so much for posting a report so soon ( I was going to wait until you got back and posted before I booked - now I don't have to wait - lol). Just a few quick questions. Did you see any of the rooms from Phase 1? If so, how are they? Also are you driving to the parks? How long does it take from your location?

Thanks Cheryl. Yours and Cindy's info has been great!


Diane

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by diane@wpg.mb
Did you see any of the rooms from Phase 1? If so, how are they? Also are you driving to the parks? How long does it take from your location?
Thanks Cheryl. Yours and Cindy's info has been great!
Diane

I haven't seen any of the rooms from phase one. I am driving. It doesn't take long to get to the parks at all. AK is the furthest, and I took 535 to I-4 to Oseola pkwy which takes you right there, MGM & Epcot also. About 15 minutes, tops. MK I went the back way, 535 past the campground then a right at the end. Easy!! I went by the main pool today, although it's geared towards kids, the pools in phase 2 are larger and nicer.Phase 2 pool has a huge hot tub!
Cindy, didn't forget about the Fort Myers info! Just had to get through this trip.
Off to Jiko! Bye all.

 

[sammi]

Thanks Cheryl! Hope you're having a great time at Cypress Pointe!

Diane phase one villas are really just as nice as the Grande Villas are! I have no doubt that you're going to love CP!

 

[JKJK]

CPM,

Thank you very much for the info on Cypress Pointe! Im happy you have confirmed the large size of the 2 bedroom villa. Enjoy your stay and have a wonderful time!

Kerry

 

[Robinrs]

Hi, Cheryl!

Glad you're having a ball and that the CP is a nice place because it's on the top of my choices for my next trip!

--Robinrs

 

[sammi]

Robin I'm really sure that you'll enjoy Cypress Pointe!Only 19 weeks more until we're there! LOL!

 

[MaryJo56]

Sammi-
Could you please tell me what price & who you booked Cypress Pointe with?
thank you

 

[sammi]

I'm sorry MaryJo but we stay at Cypress Pointe with my cousins from the UK who are owners at the resort.Therefore we don't have to pay for our accomodations.

Hotelkingdom.com seems to be a popular place to book through! Good luck!

 

[MaryJo56]

cindy,
Thank you.