Need opinion on best romantic hotel for couple...

[Big Al]

Hi all-My wife & I will be celebrating birthdays OCt.26-28 and are looking at the following resorts-but first some info:we are mid 50's,no kids...need king bed,good A/C (not too noisy like I hear the Polynesian is..),nice pool,hot tub,bars/pubs....we prefer to be closer to Epcot or MK...so here they are:

1)Beach & Yacht Club-been there when opened in'90-was $85!! Wife never been...kinda 1st choice..
2) Grand Floridian-never stayed,just visited..some say too $$,not worth it...yes,$375-425 is alot to pay....but it is beautiful..
3) Dolphin-never stayed,but have a 50% coupon from Starwood..any good this place?
4) Widerness Lodge Villas-stayed in hotel in '95..love the hotel,rooms a bit small....

Any other ideas,we welcome...BTW,we were lloking at the Polynesian because we love that style (tahiti) hotel,but we read alot of reviews on Tripadvisor that A/C units are very loud..please give opinions if you've stayed there...Thanks!

Big Al

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I would have to vote YC. It is our favorite and it has such a great location and feel to it. We thought it was quite romantic as well as fun.
LOVE the location and the service . I could go on and on.

 

[marc1477]

What about Caribbean Beach. Its very nice and can be quiet and relaxing too.

Where ever you decide to stay, have a great time.

 

[safetymom]

The Poly doesn't have a hot tub.

 

[Big Al]

What about Caribbean Beach. Its very nice and can be quiet and relaxing too.

Where ever you decide to stay, have a great time.

I've never stayed but I hear it is a moderate hotel and we are looking for something "special"..also I heard it is mostly kids & families,and we are looking more for couples,singles. But maybe next time..we go 2-3 times a year.....Thanks..

Big Al

 

[antmaril]

Well, you don't have it listed, but I would vote for the BWI. Love it!

 

[Big Al]

Well, you don't have it listed, but I would vote for the BWI. Love it!

If you mean the Boardwalk,we've been..also loved it,but want something we've not done,or can get an upgraded room from before when we stayed ..

Big Al

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I just got back from the Polynesian in June, and I can tell you, that our A/C was not loud at all. I've heard spotty reviews about it too, but we never experienced it. We were in Samoa.

It's a shame to knock that hotel out of the running for something that may not even happen to you. Other than there not being a hot-tub, I would rate the Polynesian tops when it comes to romance.

Tiki torches lit at night, soft music playing outdoors, live music at night in the Tambu Lounge, Kona, with its romantic lighting, the beach at night watching wishes, the lush landscaping...

Sheesh, now I've got myself second-guessing my adults-only trip and my resort choice!

 

[swilphil]

I do think the Poly is the most romantic, if you can resolve the noise issue (never heard about that).

The Dolphin isn't exactly romantic on the outside, but the rooms are very nice--they have King Corner rooms, I think that's what they are called. There are also some great restaurants there -- Blue Zoo, Shula's and Fresh. Plus a Japanese steakhouse place. A 50 percent discount for the Dolphin is awesome! You could probably get it to apply to the Swan as well, and that's even a little quieter.

 

[hmp2z]

We did not mind the noise level of the A/C units in the Poly. If your first choice is the BC or YC, I'd suggest the YC for two adults. It's quieter, whereas the BC is much louder and more child-centered. The BWI also has those lovely garden suites. Rack rate is $595 for value season, but if you're looking for a memorable experience, they would probably fit the bill. The loft version of those is 915 sq. feet, and the non-loft version is 1100 sq. feet. HUGE!

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[helenabear]

My first choice is always the Polynesian. I never remember hearing loud a/c units in our room (Tahiti).

I think the YC or BC would be great as well... wonderful location!!!!
I definitely prefer them over BW area (too loud IMO)

I agree that the Swan is also very quiet and very lovely to stay in. The beds are absolutely heavenly!

I say go with waht you love best, but for a truly romantic feeling, you can't beat the Polynesian IMO!

 

[Praise2Him]

For our 20th anniversary we did a split stay at the YC (1st time) and AKL (DH's favorite). They were both very romantic.

I think you can't go wrong with the YC - we loved it!

(I also love the GF, though!)

 

[Laxmom]

It isn't on your list but DH and I are staying at The Celebration Hotel in Celebration in Sept for our 25th. DH has been there before and says it is really special. There is a really good rate on Mousesavers.com. He thought
Celebration was really nice (of course it is, it is Disney planned community,right?)and the hotel only has 115 or so rooms so it is more like an inn. Just a though....

 

[Lowillian]

I've stayed at the Polynesian 10 times and I've never had an issue with the a/c units. We love the Poly! We are in our 40s with no kids.

 

[sherry8253]

If a king size bed is important & you want the Epcot area you can't go wrong with the Swan or Dolphin. I don't believe the YC allows you to book a king size bed but I think the Swan & Dolphin do (at least they did when we stayed there 2 years ago). Beds are heavenly & a short boat ride to Epcot. The Swan is smaller and more quiet. The Dolphin larger, seems like there are more kids but they have more restaurants (a burger place, Fresh, a quick foods place, Shula's, etc). I have stayed at both & prefer the Dolphin. Many couples seem to like the Swan better. But I wouldn't hesitate to stay at either one.

 

[ElizabethB]

We always book a one-bedroom DVC villa when we want a romantic stay. That way, we are guaranteed to have a king bed and a jacuzzi tub.

 

[Big Al]

We always book a one-bedroom DVC villa when we want a romantic stay. That way, we are guaranteed to have a king bed and a jacuzzi tub.

Thanks all of you for sharing your comments/opinions......Elizabeth-How much do the DVC villas go for? Can you just call Disney resorts and make a reservation or must it be done thru the vacation club?

Big Al

 

[ElizabethB]

Depending on location and season, a one-bedroom villa is around $400 per night, but you can often get them cheaper using one of the discounts available -- public codes, annual passholder rates, Florida resident, etc.

You can book one by calling Disney reservations. You just need to pick which resort you want to stay at. We love the Boardwalk Villas, but there are one-bedroom villas at Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. They will be coming soon to Animal Kingdom Lodge and shortly thereafter to the Contemporary Resort.

You can also rent points from a Disney Vacation Club member, which may be cheaper (there is a board for those wanting to rent points on the Dis Forums).

We prefer to book through Disney reservations, however. With a Disney reservation you get daily maid service and nightly turndown service, which we enjoy. Plus, you're not doing a transaction with a complete stranger like you are if you rent points.

 

[livinthedisneydream]

We've stayed at all the deluxes and love each one for different reasons. We also almost always do a split stay but since you're there 2 nights I would vote to stay put. We love the poly but no hot tub and no king beds unless you book the honeymoon room over in Tonga which since it's a suite, is not discounted and runs about $650 plus tax (I have it reserved in Nov!).

The GF is beautiful and the honeymoon turret rooms are fantastic. They can be had with a discount but they are still pricey. However, being in the main building with the orchestra playing and enjoying an adult bevvie in the lounge is terribly romantic.

If you are looking at the Epcot area, especially since you'd be so close for the Food and Wine Festival, I would definitely recommend the BWI and a Garden Suites. I know you said you stayed there before, but trust me, it's a whole new ballgame with the garden suites. I would definitely look up pix of them. They are so secluded and romantic and right outside your door is the quiet pool and hot tub. We've stayed in both types and when I stayed just w/DH we had the loft version with the little yard and picket fence. In July, we had our kids so we opted for the version w/no yard and more closed off inside. These are like having your own condo and they have wonderful bathtubs and lots of space. They can also be had with a AAA discount!! Personally, with the discount they are one of the best deals for a room that size. Check allearsnet.com and ourlaughingplace.com for pix or I can see if I can locate mine. We love them so much we are staying in one for the third time in 18 months in Jan----value season w/ AAA discount---our rate is $583.31 including tax.

The honeymoon rooms at the Wilderness Lodge also sound nice. I have one on hold for Nov too! Of course, easy there for MK but busses elsewhere.

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time since they are all excellent choices!

Have fun!
Lisa

 

[applechips]

Any other ideas,we welcome...BTW,we were lloking at the Polynesian because we love that style (tahiti) hotel,but we read alot of reviews on Tripadvisor that A/C units are very loud..please give opinions if you've stayed there...Thanks!

Big Al

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Poly... I think its so romantic, *especially* if you like the tropical theme. I didn't notice the ac being loud at all.