HIFS vs. Marriott Grande Vista

Flyersfan

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jan 31, 2002
Messages
24
Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on the pros and cons of each of these hotels.

I was able to get HIFS for Entertainment rates - but also debating the Marriott timeshare (with 90 minute presentation).

We are family have 5. DD is 11, DS, 9 and 6.

Thanks.
 
Okay, not literally. It's actually pretty quiet there - ha. We LOVED Grande Vista, though. I cannot remember the number of our building, but we were central to everything, ie.: big pool, deli shop thing, etc. We also did the timeshare presentation, and if I could remember our guys' name, I would recommend him, because he was a no-pressure guy. We took the tour (with both kids, 6 and 3) we did the golf-cart thing, and we were out in 90 minutes or maybe a little less. We got the $70 a night rate for 4 nights for doing the presentation in Oct 2002. We got this by being recommended by my husband's sister who owns with Marriott....all in all, I cannot say enough good things about this place. It was luxurious -- conversely, we stayed in the Grande Ocean at Hilton Head in April, and it was very nice, but not nearly the Grande Vista! I know people also looove HIFS, but I had to plug Grande Vista....
 
HIFS offers free breakfast and food discounts at other times. It's a little closer to the Disney parks. It has more of a hotel feel, if you like that. And as a large hotel with many floors and a kid-friendly marketing design, most people report it to be bustling at breakfast and around the pools.

With MGV, if you planned to squeeze the 5 of you into a studio (which I'm not sure they even allow), take the HIFS instead, since it's got separate sleeping space for the kids. But if you'll have at least a 1BR (preferably a 2BR) at MGV, then this is a much more desirable choice!!! You'd have fullsized rooms with complete separation/doors between all rooms. 1BRs and larger offer a well-stocked, fullsize kitchen and dining table to seat 6+, a large MBR w/master bath, including double jacuzzi, an inroom washer/dryer and a nice screen balcony. A 2BR is considerably larger than a suite at any suite hotel. The 2nd BR and bath are spacious with full furnishings, plenty of closet space.

MGV is really a deluxe resort. The main, freeform pool area is really beautiful, with fountain waterplay area, hot tub, separate lap pool and kiddie pool, all overlooking a small lake with boat rentals and a sandy playground and beach volleyball. There is also onsite golf (most rooms overlook the course). There's an onsite (golf) restaurant, a deli-mart, fitness center, indoor playroom with ballpit. The whole feel of the place is quite lovely. It's family-friendly without being noisy.

If the cost is similar, this is a hands-down choice in favor of MGV, IMHO. Timeshare tours offered by Marriott tend to be fairly low pressure compared with the rest of the industry. Plan to spend the alloted time at the tour but it's not bad. If cost is a factor, then you need to do what's best for your family. HTH.
 
Thanks, Lisa. Good stuff. Both hotels have lots of perks. With 5 of us, I think my 3 kids are small enough where they could fit into a king bed at a 1BR MGV; DW and I would take the sofa bed. The room sounds really nice. The price would increase a bit since the special rate was for studio room.

On the other hand, you can't beat the free breakfast and park proximty you get with HIFS.

Now it's decision time for us. Thanks.
 

Actually, MGV has a room cap of 4 in a 1 bedroom. With rates currently available, MGV 2 bdrm units are $137.00 per night. With all of the space, you won't want to stay in a regular room again. We are a family of five with DS-12,DD-7,DD-5. The Studio unit with 2 beds and tv,bath,etc.,gives the kids space.While the studio doesn't have the garden tub, the master bath on the other side of the unit does. You will also benefit from the screened balcony and the open air balcony. The table in the dining room is very large, and the added benefit of the w/d is too hard to pass up.
 














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