I'm so excited - we've booked the Reunion Grande!

[UKDEB]

For months I've been "talking" to a guy who closed on a unit (it's a condo hotel) in May. He's confirmed our booking, but his emails have been one-liners and, whilst he's clearly not a con-man - he hasn't asked for any money - I suspect that his unit isn't quite ready for occupation (he keeps promising photos, but they haven't been forthcoming), but he's still hoping it will be.

We have friends out in Orlando - the ones who first introduced us to Reunion (we've stayed in Estate Homes on Homestead a couple of times and will be doing so again in January) and who owned a couple of villas on Formosa Gardens which we stayed in a few years ago - and they have managed to get us a 2-bed condo at the Grande for $199 a night. This is a truly unbelievable price. I know most here won't have a clue about Reunion, so you'll just have to trust me . With taxes and gratuities, it's £245.10 a night, which is incredible. The two bed condos have a kitchen and lounge (so way more than just a hotel room) and this is the premier resort in the area. Reunion is a cashless, tipless resort, so we're all paid up. No tipping valet, concierge, housekeeping - it's all in!

Reunion isn't even advertising the Grande for booking yet, so we'll be amongst the first to experience it. I just can't wait!

 

[*disgal*]

Ok, that sounds so totally cool!! (I sound like a teenager)

Promise to show pictures then, ok?

 

[UKDEB]

Deal!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Sounds like a luxury place. When are you off??

 

[UKDEB]

5 nights from 25th August . We're flying out on 16th (into MIA) and will be staying at the PGA National at West Palm Beach for the first night, arriving in Orlando the next day and checking in to SSR (our first time "home" ) for eight nights. Even though we're DVC owners, there's nothing to beat Reunion, IMHO and, whilst we'd normally be staying in a private pool home there, I'm mega excited about staying at the Grande.

 

[jdybnsn]

Oh please tell us everything when you return !

We are really looking forward to our visit next February, in a fabulous private villa - reports/reviews are hard to come by, so any further information you have on this place would be great !

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Sounds like a lovely holiday - I'd never heard of reunion until I came onto these boards. It does sound fab

 

[isla bonita]

I am not sure I understand your post?

Have you now seen pics? Is it for sure ready for your vaca?

I read once on here there was a hotel that was taking guests but was still in construction phase and things were not as great for them as they had expected. Does this make you leary at all?

 

[Sunresortvillas]

Debbie, did you mean the total cost was £145 per night (not £245 per night) with everything included? If you have secured a 2 bed condo and it is actually at the Grande for $199 it really is an amazing rate! How many nights are you staying there for?

We are also staying at the Grande in November and have booked a two bed condo. I am a member at Reunion and get a discount but the cheapest quote I got was $364 per night including taxes etc.

I've seen the rooms and they are totally FAB, fully equipped kitchen, lovely sitting area, balcony views over the golf course.

 

[UKDEB]

Deb - construction of the Reunion Grande is definitely complete, but there aren't that many units available at the moment. It's a condo hotel, so the units are individually owned. Maybe some of them are still being worked on - that would explain why Reunion isn't currently advertising the Grande and why I've found it difficult to get a reservation. It doesn't bother me in the least, though - I can't wait to stay there.

Karen - apologies, I meant $245.10 per night. I can't believe this rate for a 2 bed. Maybe it's because we've booked so close to our dates . We'll be there for 5 nights.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Wow that sounds great. When I was looking I could not find any info on the hotel itself. We wound up booking a 3 b/r condo for Nov and a 5 b/r house for May. While they both look beautiful, I would have preferred the hotel at least for November. You must post pics.

I have to say that I am more excited about staying at Ginn then I have been anywhere in a long time. The thought of a private villa with resort amenities really appeals to me.

 

[UKDEB]

Wow that sounds great. When I was looking I could not find any info on the hotel itself. We wound up booking a 3 b/r condo for Nov and a 5 b/r house for May. While they both look beautiful, I would have preferred the hotel at least for November. You must post pics.

I will . I'm very tenacious and, once I set my mind on something, I won't give up . My husband's extremely tolerant, but he was starting to get a bit twitchy (we leave the UK in less than a week), so I'm really pleased I got what I wanted.

I have to say that I am more excited about staying at Ginn then I have been anywhere in a long time. The thought of a private villa with resort amenities really appeals to me.

We've stayed at some fabulous villas in the Orlando area over the years, but Reunion takes the whole experience up several notches. We absolutely love it there and I'm sure you will too - there's absolutely nothing not to love! Ordinarily we would book a villa, but we need accommodation for just 5 nights following an 8 night stay at SSR, so it seemed like the ideal opportunity to try the Grande. I love staying at hotels when they're brand new - we stayed at AKL, HRH, Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes and Rosen Shingle Creek all within a couple of months of their opening dates .

 

[Sunresortvillas]

Thanks for the clarity regarding the rates Debbie.

Don't forget to try the Forte restaurant (it's FAB!). The Eleven (on the 11th Floor!) also has an excellent reputation for food although I haven't personally tried it but I would be happy to just go for the view, it is amazing!

Enjoy enjoy!

Karen

 

[UKDEB]

We're fully intending to try both, Karen - well, it would be churlish not to!