Homewood Suites WDW Area?

[juliegirl]

I have reserved this hotel for our stay 4/25-4/29. Has anyone stayed there previously and have any feedback?

Flying into Sanford, so I rented a car, and with a rental, I didn't really feel the need to stay on Disney. Now that it's too late to change any reservations, I am questioning if I made the right choice.

Short trip, just myself and DD9, more vacation than 'Disney trip'. We are only planning 2 park days, MK and MGM.

My intent was to save some $$ so we can put it towards a 'Disney trip' next year with DH.

Please reassure me!

 

[swilshire]

I've stayed at the Homewood Suites on International Dr, but never the one closer. Overall, Homewood Suites is my favorite chain. Some are better than others, but you can always count on clean, comfortable rooms with most of a kitchen and free breakfast.

Some do not have ovens as we learned when we arrived with our frozen lasagna all ready to cook it for dinner. Fortunately, the person who runs the hospitality area was kind enough to bake it for us in her oven.

It sounds like a fun trip. Enjoy.

Sheila

 

[pjlla]

I have stayed at the Homewood Suites in Kissimmee (Parkway blvd) twice.... January 2002 and again January 2004. I have written rather extensively about it on the Orlando Hotels/Resorts board so look over there for details. In short, we really liked it. Not fancy, but clean and CHEAP and a short drive to the parks. Let me know if you have any specific questions I can answer, or if you cannot find where I posted previously, I will write you a "report"!.....................P

 

[duchy]

We stayed there for the first few days of a trip a few years back.
I was really pleased with it. Very close to Disney (get the desk to explain the "back way" to you). The free breakfast was fine and it was nice to have a seperate bedroom to put my son to sleep in and be able to relax and watch tv in the lounge without worrying about disturbing him (there's a second tv in the bedroom too).
There was a card in the room for a resturant delivery service which was useful when we were too exhausted to go out to eat after a busy day in the parks but wanted "proper food" rather than just pizza. Kitchen was full size and I believe all the suites on the Palm parkway unit have full ovens now.
I don't usually drive in Orlando (driving on the wrong side of the road is NOT my idea of relaxation but if staying off site with a driver was in the trip plan I'd definitely consider returning to Homewood Suites.
Don't worry-you've made a good choice !

 

[3divastarz]

Please tell me that you did NOT make reservations at the Homewood Suites at 8745 International Drive, Orlando.!!!!

I just returned home from our vacation yesterday so this information is up-to-date!!! This hotel is DIRTY!!! Not to mention the air quality is terrible!!! I had made reservations back in December for a 2 bedroom suite for $169.00 for April 10-14. We arrived Saturday night at midnight, checked in and went up to the room. The carpets in lobby and walk to room needs to be cleaned, if not replaced. We stayed in Suite 431. The Kitchen floor was sticky and dirty, the linens were not changed and had foot prints on 2 of the sheets, the wall in the bathroom had bloody mucous on it. I saved the best for last, my daughter fell asleep on one of the beds and I pulled down the sheet to put her to bed and there was VOMIT ON THE MATTRESS!!!!!!!

I went to the front desk and told the employee and he said he would get the manager who was on property for the night. He made a phone call and told me that he could move me into another room, but I would have to take 2 rooms/1-bedroom suites at an extra expense of $169.00. I told him no way and to find the manager. He called the manager back on the phone and had me talk to him. The Manager, Scott T, had the nerve to yell at me that it was 2am in the morning and this discussion could wait for the morning. Morning came and he was nowhere to be found, everyone that came to see was "supervisor" for the day. Finally when I threatened I was dragging the mattress down to the lobby he showed up and made it known that he was missing his Easter Mass. Well I'm sorry, but it was also my Easter and vacation.

I called the hilton 800 # and they found a 2 bedroom suite at the Hilton Grand Vacation Homes which was beautiful. Hilton Reservations also informed me that some Homewood Suites are actually independently owned and use the Hilton name and be aware of the signs when checking in.

I am calling the health department and BBB and will be sending pictures to Hilton for them to see how this hotel is being managed.

 

[pjlla]

YIKES!!!!!! BAD NEWS!! Sorry to hear you had such a terrible experience. I would definitely go over to the Orlando area Hotels/ Resorts board and post this information. YOu could help save someone's vacation!! That said, the Homewood Suites we have been discussing is actually the one on Kissimmee. But it would be easy to get confused between the two..... thinking you were staying in one versus the other.... they are both right there in the Disney/Orlando area. Thanks for the heads up!...........................P

 

[juliegirl]

I am glad it is not the Orlando and it definitely is the one on Parkway Blvd. Just double checked.

I am glad we are arriving earlier in the day, so if there is a problem, at least I will have a couple of hours to work it out.

I am sorry you had that experience, I hope the other hotel was much better for the rest of your trip!

 

[swilshire]

Either the I drive Homewood Suites has had a management change or you got very unlucky. I spent several weeks there about three years ago and found it to be very clean and the staff very accomodating.

My only complaint was that the afternoon social hour was very minimal. The snacks were nothing like the practically full meals I've received at other Homewood Suites. Charlotte NC and Fort Myers are two of the ones that come to mind as having the most wonderful food.

Sheila

 

[3divastarz]

The information that I received from Hilton assistance department is that Homewood Suites on International Drive is independently owned and is managed by an outside mangement company not Hilton. They also told me that the hotel is less than 5 years old. You were very lucky and stayed when the facility was fairly new.
The Manager was young, and not accomodating until I mentioned that I was dragging the mattress down to the lobby myself.

We have stayed at Homewood Suites before and had all great experiences. That is why I made a reservation for this property. Next time I will check the room before I have a hold on my credit card.

Homewood Suites in New Orleans is SPOTLESS and the staff is great!!! Also, the Managers special on Monday-Thursday nights is actually dinner.

 

[gopherit]

I have stayed in the one on I-drive, along with 2 other colleagues -- we didn't have any problems, other than the fact that my floor (1 st floor) they had put in new carpet in the hallways and I HATE that smell. I wonder sometimes if Florida resorts just get really abused sometimes -- more than the average city. Spring breakers, maybe? Your room sounded really trashed!

If you stay in a non-Hilton Homewood -- do you get HHonors points? I can't fiure out how they are able to keep the name if they aren't "part" of Hilton. Wouldn't they need to at least change the spelling or something, LOL? (Homewould? Homwood? Homewud?)

As for comparing the food layout, I had to laugh -- yes, sadly, all Homewoods are NOT created equally! I always try to stay at this resort on business and when on the road with family -- I LOVE the one up in Wilmington DE! ANd my Orlando exp. wasn't bad, nor any of the others I've stayed in. I like having the extra space, I like having the manager's reception, I like the b'fast in the a.m. -- what's not to love? Usually I am quite pleased with this resort.

SO imagine my surprise when I book at the one in Chattanooga TN and the manager's reception consists of what the clerk called "Veggie Medley" and "Meatballs". Those who have stayed at Homewoods know that the Manager's Reception is, at the least of resorts, a good place for some pick-up food, snack fare, etc. And in better Homewoods, this can be quite a little feast! I recall even the Orlando I-drive one having chicken wings, raw veggies and dip, and the usual chips / pretzels, etc. But as for this Homewood -- the reception consisted of 2 chafing dishes set out on the counter, and the beer on tap. So I went to take a peek. In one chafing dish was the infamous "Veggie Medley" -- in short, some cans of veg-all, dumped in! Next to it, spaghetti and meatballs. Ok, I thought, the veggies look vile, but the spaghetti isn't the WORST thing I've ever seen -- maybe it's an off-night. No chips, no pretzels -- nothing like that. Just beer, soda, spaghetti and veg all! So then the next night -- hmmm, now what do we have here? WHy, it's our Old Friend, VEGGIE MEDLEY again! Lookin a day worse than the day before, and people, that's NOT good! And to his left, we now have Chicken and Dumplings. Or so it was labeled. I assure you, it was something else from a can, and not a good can, that was certain. It was "glop" and it looked gnarly. Oh yes, do give me a big plate of white GLOP with my beer and Veg-All! Yum! My room was not exactly clean, either, and the main floor had an odor that could only be compared to a forgotten trash can that holds a long-overdue diaper. Uck. I have to go back to Chatt. on business this month -- I think I'll be checking into somewhere else, thanks!
I'm pretty sure Hilton is still responsible for this one -- they gave me my HHonors pts for the stay and Hilton sent me an email asking for any opinions on my stay (and you can bet your sweet veg-all bippee I gave 'em one!)

Well, hopefully the WDW- located Homewood will have tasty fare and NO Veggie Medley! Best of luck!

 

[lochbox1]

We have made reservations for the one on 8200 Palm Parkway for April 24th and I think it has good reviews. There is one review on tripadvisor.com for that hotel that things need to be replaced but I called the hotel and it is only three years old and they said everything is in good shape.

I have heard bad reports on the Homewood for Parkway Blvd. Dirty, out of date etc. However, Expedia is selling a one bedroom at that location for only $59 per night. Could be worth the risk.

I was able to get a $79 per night at the Palm Parkway hotel and since it is only one night and the beginning of our vacation, I thought I would pay a little more.

Goodluck!

 

[swilshire]

Re: Chattanooga

It's been a few years, but I stayed several times in the Country Inn and Suites at Swallowford Rd. They don't do anything in the afternoon that I recall, but they had a nice breakfast, were very clean, and the rooms were spacious.

Sheila