Just back from Doubletree

[kevgret]

Good Morning:


I just got back from 5 days at the Double Tree Hotel located at the entrance to Universal Studios. My wife and I were there from Thursday 9/21 to Monday 9/25.

Overall we did not really enjoy the hotel. We were made to feel like we were not wanted on the property. The hotel seems geared more to the business traveler than the vacationer. Here are some examples why:

1) The hotel advertises a Starbucks on premises but while we were they it closed early every day. We asked why starbucks would close early and we were told “we were slow so we decided to close.” It must be nice to just close whenever you want. Sometimes after walking back from the park it’s nice to have a starbucks iced tea. Too bad we never had that option.

2) One of the nights we went down to the pool at 10:00pm. The pool’s hours were until 11pm. When we got down to the pool area we found that there were no clean towels. We asked someone for towels and we were told “the pool is going to close so there’s no towels. Bring your own next time.” I then went to the front desk and asked for the manager who apologized to me and made sure we had some towels out by the pool.


3) We did not get our room cleaned till about 4:00-5:00pm everyday. After walking through the parks all day all we wanted to do was come back and take a nice bath and relax but we couldn’t because we had no clean towels, etc etc. We called down to the front desk and asked why it takes so long to clean our room everyday but we didn’t really get an answer.

4) There is a concierge desk in the main lobby. Every time we wanted to get directions or help from this desk we were sold a Hilton timeshare. After the third time being asked “How long are you here for” “did you get your free gift yet?
It made us very angry. Even on our last day as we were leaving someone ran up to us and told us to come downstairs for our free gift. Why do they label the desk as a concierge desk if it’s really disguised as a timeshare desk? I did get my questions everytime I asked, but I had to cut them off after and tell them I don’t want to buy a timeshare.

Don’t get me wrong, the hotel is close to the parks, it has a nice big pool (no Jacuzzi- it is being renovated from the ground up) and the price was right ($59 a night). But if I had to do it again, I probably would not stay there again.

Any other thoughts?

Kevin

 

[Operamom]

You must have been the grumpy one in the lobby, I was the smiling one. I was at the Doubletree with my family, Sept 21-25.

I would highly recommend the Doubletree, but it depends what your priorities are. I didn't expect a resort atmosphere. It was obvious not everyone was there for the parks. There was a wedding there that weekend as well.

I don't drink coffee so Starbucks closing down early didn't bother me. Come to think of it, I hardly saw anyone in there in the morning.

We went down to the pool late at night and there were always fresh towels. Unfortunately patrons would throw the wet ones in the clean bin and the dry ones would get a little buried.

I was worried that since I booked through Travelocity I would get a crummy room. ( I had learned that can happen through these boards ). Not the case, in fact we were upgraded to a larger corner room. There was plenty of space. The bathroom had a large marble counter and shelves to store things. There was a large mirrored closet in the room, a couch and a nice size desk. And most importantly it was clean. The coffee maker needed a little attention but I find thats always the case. ( My husband drinks coffee and I made oatmeal with the hot water.)

I'd like to mention that we arrived at 10:30 AM and were able to get in our room right away. I also asked the front desk if we could check out at 1:00 instead of 11:00. There was no problem. They also give you warm chocolate chip cookies upon arrival. We asked the front desk for more a couple days later and were happily obliged. By the way, through Travelocity I got my room for $40 a night.

The walk to the park was very easy and pleasant. It took 15-20 minutes with our 5 and 8 year olds. We didn't go through the parking garage though. We took a really nice path with lots of plants and flowers and those little lizards. We ended up at the valet parking area. Took the escalators up and voila! Citywalk. Once we even took the boat back to PBH and walked from there. It seems that hardly anyone took this path, very quiet and private.

I can't comment on the time the room was cleaned because we never got back before 5:00. The room was always ready for us.

Never did I feel the need to go to the Concierge desk. If we needed directions, we asked the Bellman.

The Shuttle times were very limited, we only used them to Wet'n Wild. You don't need them for the parks though. My kids never complained about the walk, which I thought was unusual. Must have been the entertaining lizards.

Yes I would stay there again. But I came during the off season when there were short lines in the park.

I'm from Chicago and I used to work at the Fairmont Hotel. No it is not of that calliber but I found everyone that I dealt with to be pleasant and helpful. Sometimes it's just how you approach a situation.