Just back from CBR & Poly!

[PrincessV]

I don’t normally report back on my hotel stays, but I had two such lovely experiences, I had to share!

I had ressies for the Poly last weekend (9/1 – 9/3), but decided the day before to head over Fri. night and made a ressie at POFQ. When I tried to print out my confirmation the morning of arrival day, it said my POFQ res was canceled I called and they weren’t able to get me into POFQ, but did find a room at CBR. I’d not heard great things about CBR lately, but figured it was only for one night, what the heck…

CBR was terrific! We were in Trinidad North, on the second floor. The view wasn’t great, but the room was clean and smelled nice and fresh. My DS5 and I enjoyed a pleasant, short walk to Old Port Royale for dinner that night and breakfast the next morning. Nothing was crowded and the grounds were kept up beautifully. Here are some pics:
Trinidad North

Our room

The view

From our morning walk

On 9/1, we checked into the Poly. I’d requested Tokelau or Raratonga, and repeated my request at check-in, but had a new CM and he put us in Aoetora. I asked again if we could possibly be put in Tokelau or Raratonga as we had a baby joining us and wanted to be further away from the Luau noise – he called over another CM who looked and said he could put us in Raratonga, but no balcony. No problem! We’re Floridians – we won’t be hanging out on the hot balcony this time of year anyway. Our room wasn’t ready yet, but we expected as much and were ready to hit the pool for most of the day. Overall, the CM’s at check-in were very nice, efficient and accommodating.

We just LOVED the volcano pool! The zero-depth entry was perfect for both the 5 and 1 year olds. I had no trouble finding a shaded table and chairs at 10am and we were right next to the shallow part of the pool… as well as the pool bar. While the swimmers increased throughout the day, it certainly never reached a point of uncomfortably crowded – there was plenty of room to swim.

We enjoyed lunch at Capt. Cook’s – the Grown-Up Grilled Cheese was recommended to me and it did not disappoint! This, too, was not crowded at lunch time and we had no problem ordering, paying and finding a table outside.

It began raining around 1:30 and I called to see if, by chance, our room was ready… and it was! We were in 2829, on the second floor of Raratonga, the room directly in front of the elevator. It was perfect! We heard practically no noise from the hallway and were so-conveniently located right across from the GCH. Sure, we had yet another parking lot view, but I’ve come to expect that when I use an AP discount. The room was immaculate, beds were super comfy and we had plenty of space for 2 adults and 2 kids. I just loved the décor – they did a fantastic job with the refurb. Poly pics:
Our room

(Sorry – I didn’t get many here!)

In all, it was a wonderful Labor Day weekend, and I’d gladly visit CBR and/or the Poly again!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm glad to hear that you had two great experiences. Here lately, it seems like both the CBR and the Poly have gotten bad raps. Don't you wish you had more time to spend at the CBR? We loved both of our 10 day stays there.

 

[barrysprot36]

We returned last week from staying 14 nights at CBR and 2 nights at the Poly. We loved both resorts and had a fantastic time. I think our rooms were below yours in Trinidad North looking at your photo 3229 and 3230.

Caron

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Thanks for the report. Just wondering about your comment about expecting a bad view room if you use the ap discount. I did notice the last time I used the ap discount at the poly that we didnt have a good view room either. It was samoa, 3rd floor, balcony but last room at the end, farthest from the elevator. We also checked in late like 11 pm and I swear the cm said, well you are getting a good discount on the room etc. Just wondering what other room views you have gotten with your discount and your comments etc. TIA.

 

[PrincessV]

Don't you wish you had more time to spend at the CBR? We loved both of our 10 day stays there.

Kind of - I had my first DVC stay the weekend before and nothing else compares now! But CBR really was terrific and I'll defiinitely stay there again when I need a non-DVC ressie.

I think our rooms were below yours in Trinidad North looking at your photo 3229 and 3230.

Close - we were in building 33 - I think 3347(?)

Thanks for the report. Just wondering about your comment about expecting a bad view room if you use the ap discount. I did notice the last time I used the ap discount at the poly that we didnt have a good view room either. It was samoa, 3rd floor, balcony but last room at the end, farthest from the elevator. We also checked in late like 11 pm and I swear the cm said, well you are getting a good discount on the room etc. Just wondering what other room views you have gotten with your discount and your comments etc. TIA.

Oh lord, did you open a can of worms! Let's see...

POR last weekend: last room of the last wing in Parterre Place - damp,mildewy and a view of the street

CSR May 07: paid extra for a waterview, but still AP rate - 1st room smelled horribly (of what, I don't know! ), 2nd room had a view of the bushes

BWI Dec 06: 1st room had a view of roofs, stunk of mold and the outside wall was so wet, it was crumbling apart; 2nd room reeked of smoke; 3rd room overlooked the luggage carts. Also received several comments from the CM's about trying to find a non-smelly room in my "room category". After 2 unacceptabel rooms, they never even considered just moving us to a decent room regardless of view.

POR Dec 06: got lucky - view of an inner courtyard

POFQ Sept. 06: parking lot view and room that clearly hadn't been aired out in a while

CR Sept. 06: parking lot view

And it goes on... and on... It's a wonder I keep going back, right?! But that's the rub - I'm convinced they've got me in the computers as a "sure thing". No need to give me a great room and I'll surely come back anyway. Buying into DVC was the best decision I've made.