leebee
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Sep 14, 1999
- Messages
- 14,181
We just returned from six nites at Main Stay Suites, formerly Lake Cecile Suites. I booked this property thru HotelKingdom and think I got a pretty good deal for the money. With resort fee (3.95/nt), safe fee ($1/nite), and taxes, I ended up paying $38/night. The facility is located on 192 (W. Irlo Bronson) at mile marker 12, which makes it about a 15 min. drive into any of the WDW parking lots. There are multiple buildings at this all-suite facility. Our suite was very large, with a king sized bed, two night stands, bureau, double sleeper sofa, easy chair, coffee table, full kitchen with full sized appliances (stove/oven, fridge, microwave, dishwasher, service for six, 12 cup coffeemaker, pots 'n pans) and a dining bar (only 2 chairs at bar) separating kitchen from living room area. LR and dining bar/kitchen were at end of suite with the door, sleeping area at the opposite end of the LR. Two closets, one VERY large, one utility sized holding spare bedding, vacuum cleaner, iron and ironing board. Bathroom had separate toilet/tub/shower room from vanity area, which was good-sized with single sink and plenty of counter space. Total square footage was probably ~20'X25', which was more than ample for DD and myself. Two phones, but three hookups so you could move the phone to a more convenient location. Only one TV, poaitioned on the bureau between living/sleeping area, on a good swivel stand so you could turn it for viewing in any location. The outside of the buildings appears a bit worn, but inside was recently renovated (June 2003) so everything was very clean and in good shape and working order. Units all have sliding door to balcony or patio area. Majority of units seem to face either 192 or the lake. Ours faced 192 and while we could hear traffic noise, it wasn't annoying or interferring in any way. The area between the buildings and the lake is quite marshy and overgrown, which is too bad as it could be a very pretty location if there was some grass or a decent lake/beachfront area. The pool looked fine, althugh we did not use it, and there is a sports area with sand-court volleyball area and basketball nets. Continental b'fast and complimentary USA Today are also included. I have to say, b'fast was the downfall. Most Choice Hotels have a great, expanded continental b'fast, and this one is almost not quite up to par. Choices supposedly included fresh fruit, pre-wrapped muffins and danish, bagels, individual servings of cereal, bagels/cream cheese, bake-your-own waffles (which were yummy the ONE morning there was batter available), toast, milk, juice, coffee/tea. Unfortunately, we gave up trying to get breakfast, as by 9 am (b'fast served from 6-10) there was literally nothing left...only fruit I saw was green oranges...one morning I scored the last cereal and 2 of the 3 remaining bagels, only one cream cheese; another day there were only 3 servings of waffles left, one cereal, and no bread-type stuff. On Sunday morning at 9:15, there was nothing but a loaf of frozen bread! On no morning could they keep up with the demand for coffee. Actually, I'm contacting Choice Hotels and asking for a refund of the resort fee as there were never any newspapers available by 9am, either! I'm mostly annoyed at being charged the resort fee but having no b'fast available. I personally find it easier in the a.m. to have b'fast in our room; coffee's better, fresher, no waiting in line, eat what we like (bagels and neufchatel, yogurt, KrispyKremes), etc., but since I'm paying a resort fee and they are supposed to provide breakfast/paper, I think they should! The drive from the parks didn't bother us, and 192 is reasonably quiet this far out (almost to Sam's). All in all, I'd say I got a great deal for the price, the suite was very large and clean, housekeeping was reliable and good, and I would surely stay there again!
