??? Hilton's Grand Vacation Club

[JohnTigger'sMom]

Does anyone know about this place? I believe it's close to Seaworld. If any of you have stayed here I'd love to here about it. Thanks!

 

[ivanova]

We are actually "owners" in HGVC at Sea World International Center. Honestly, we bought into Florida (versus Las Vegas) because the property prices were cheaper (same condo package in LV was couple thousand dollars more). At that point we hadn't really thought about vacationing in Florida, going to WDW, etc.

After buying in we decided to stay at our "home" property in April 2000. We stayed in a one bedroom condo (king size bed in the bedroom, queen size sofa sleeper in the living room where our daughter slept) for two weeks.

It was conveniently located to Sea World (and now Discovery Cove), and within a reasonable drive to Universal and WDW.

The complex itself was more than I had expected. The unit was great (full size kitchen in 1 bedroom or bigger units; mini kitchen in studio units). It was nicely furnished & decorated, comfortable, you couldn't hear any of the neighbors and we had a nice view overlooking the pool area.

The complex also offered organized recreational activities ... including supervised activities for the kids ... we were able to leave our (then) 10 year old daughter playing with other kids her age, supervised by counselors, so we could go out for a much needed "adults only" dinner.

This year we'll be going back to Orlando in April, but this time we aren't staying at our "home" property (which I may already be regretting). We'll be staying at Cypress Pointe Grande Villas, just "up the street" from Downtown Disney. The only reason we decided to go this route is because we needed a 3 bedroom unit this time for two weeks, and it took less points at Cypress Pointe than at HGVC.

If you aren't familiar with points based timeshares, send me an email and I can go into more detail for you.

Hope this helps.

 

[jeff968]

My family and I will be visiting the HGVC in two weeks. I will be sure and do a trip report of our experiences. We stayed at the Vistana Resort last year so it will be interesting to compare the two. From what I have read and heard, the HGVC is very nice. We will be there for 11 nights in a two bedroom unit.

 

[ivanova]

Are you an HGVC "owner" or did you trade in from RCI or elsewhere?

I think you'll really like the HGVC property. The 2 bedroom units are basically a combination of the 1 bedroom and studio units. You'll probably have two exterior entrances and a connecting door between the 2 units. It'll have a full kitchen and mini kitchen (in the studio 1/2), washer and dryer (if you're so inclined you can pack less clothes and do laundry), dishwasher, microwave, etc. And the jacuzzi tub (in the 1 bed unit bathroom) is to die for!!

There's a small convenience store on site. It's convenient, but not cheap. Before we stayed there 2 years ago I had my husband scout local grocery stores on one of his business trips. We ate breakfast in the condo every day and 2-3 dinners a week, to cut down on our food expenses.

The swimming pools were more than adequate for our needs -- since you're going in February I'm not sure how swimming-friendly the weather will be, and I'm not sure if the pools are heated.

Please let me know what organized recreational activities are offered when you go, even if you don't actually use them. We really enjoyed those 2 years ago, and that's what I'm already missing about where we're staying in April (non HGVC property; they apparently scrapped their organized activities program about 6 months ago, of course AFTER we'd booked our reservations).

 

[jeff968]

We are not owners. I got the weeks (we actually have 2, at almost the same time) from an RCI owner (friend) who traded for them. We usually travel in February and have always enjoyed nice weather. It does cool down at night but we saw 80-something every day last year we were there so we'll be in the pools. I understand that they are both heated. One of our units is a straight 2 bedroom and the other is a two bedroom lockout which means there is a single bedroom unit next to it which can be used to turn it into a three bedroom suite. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Ahrizel]

We stayed there in December. You can search for the posting I did on it after we got back, but I'll give you the short version here. We loved the place! Had a 3 bedroom unit, full kitchen , washer/dryer. Beautiful place, lovely rooms, lots of space. Would stay there again in a heartbeat-and hopefully we will in June. Not owners by the way.

 

[robsmom]

It was a really great place. The main pool area looked fabulous (unfortunately it rained so we never got there). The room was modern, very clean and had nice amenities. The location is great for universal or sea world. It is a bit longer to Disney, but not too bad. I think you will really like it.

We don't own, just booked this as part of a Universal package.

 

[allicat]

Has anyone ever stayed in a studio here? Just wondering if it was very small!

 

[Jackie824]

We will be spending one week at the Hilton Grand Vacation CLub in March. My parents own the timeshare condo in Las Vegas but switched it this yr for us. I was At the HGVC 4 yrs with my parents in Orlando and we all stayed inthe 2 bedroom room which was wonderful. This yr though, we are only getting the one bedroom one since myparents wont be with us this time. I remember the grounds are wonderful. I think its alot nicer there then the Vistana Resort. At HGVC, they have 2 pools. One pool is heated and one is not heated. Now it has been 4 yrs since Ive been there and I know they have done more adding to it. Im anxious to see what it looks like now.

 

[robsmom]

It wasn't huge but it was a nice size and comfortable for the 3 of us. When you a walk in you are in a little hallway type area with the closet, bathroom and a small kitchennette. the kitchen area has a sink, small refigerator, microwave, coffee pot, dishes, and cabinet space. no cooking ability. It then opens into the main area. We had a queen size bed and a small dining table with 2 chairs. There was plenty of room for the crib also. The room was new and clean.

 

[spiceycat]

We stayed there last year - the construction was interesting - there is a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa - a coffee table in front of the sofa - but what I loved is the TV - it had alot of channels more than 100 and a VCR!!!! plus the tv was big.

I belong to DVC and their studios do not have large tv or VCR. plus on WDW property all the TV channels are the same -

one thing I did not like was the parking - they did not have enough parking lots for their guests - so don't be surprise if you have to park a long ways from your room. I hope they have improved that - since it was a big complaint last year.

 

[ivanova]

Jeff968,

Have you returned? What did you think? Which building were you in?

 

[andychris14]

Does anyone have the website for this resort? I would love to check it out for our trip in Aug/Sept. Thanks

 

[jeff968]

Andy, check out:
http://www.hgvc.com/
Follow it to the Orlando/Seaworld location.
Jeff