Off-site resort recommendations pls

[Booknut]

Hi all

After much coercing and a very helpful DIS meet at Tony Roma's a few weeks ago DH finally realises how much we NEED to go to Florida next year However this will be a mega budget trip so no staying onsite

We are going with some friends of ours and are hoping to get a 4-6 bedroom villa. However my friends want to stay in a villa that is part of a resort, so something with a gate/security, community pool/hot tub, tennis, clubhouse etc. Both villas DH and I have stayed in before have not been in resorts so i'm not quite sure where to start.

Would love to get some recommendations from you on any resorts you've stayed in that you loved and also hear about ones you weren't so keen on. So far we have Windsor Hills and Emerald Island on the list although Windsor Hills is quite pricey. Our budget is around £1400 for the 2 weeks (low season - September).

Thanks in advance

 

[Booknut]

Just realised biGGy's post has quite a few answers I was looking for so sorry if this thread sounds repetitive but would still love to hear any recommendations you have

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi,

Firstly I agree about the resort feel of a villa development, for years we have stayed at villas but this year we stayed at a gated resort at 'Terre Verde' down Poinciana Boulevard in Kissimmee - to be honest I don't think we could stay at a villa now unless the resort was gated.

It's very secure and safe, there is a zero depth communal pool, fitness club, internet cafe, pool tiki-bar, DVD rental and more.
The homes are nice too and like I say it is gated, location is good as it's one of the closest to the 192 junction.
You don't necessarily have to use the facilities but it's nice to know they are there.

My only let down was partly due to my false expectations of the pool bar, which is essentially a bar where people just sat with their swimwear on (hardly a complex issue as the pool after all is right by the bar!) but I guess/hoped the attire to be a bit more formal, I looked a shade out of place and slightly over-dressed therefore
It isn't always open either, most evenings it was either closed or deserted.
The pool wasn't as big as we thought it would be and was generally very quiet even at Easter - I think from what I have seen the pools certainly at Windsor Palms & Hills are better, though Joshua prefers the villa pool anyway so it's hardly a problem for us.
However, overall TV is very nice, though we would probably look for somewhere else next time for a change etc
* Please pm me if you want the details of the villa we stayed in, south facing pool, very secluded as it was in a cul-de-sac, owners based in UK and nice people too, it is a 4 bedroomed but I know they have another larger villa - sure you would get a good price if you mention my name*

As for the others Windsor Palms, Emerald Island and Windsor Hills are all one's we have looked at and are all based at the slightly better location of Formosa Gardens.
You will probably find all of these are slightly more expensive than TV.
Any of these are a good choice, WH is probably the best villa development in Kissimmee, and would be the most expensive too.

I guess ultimately it comes down to how much you want to pay, some of the 4 bedroomed WH homes are over £700 per week , Terre Verde for example prices would be around £500....though naturally different owners ask for different prices You only need to look at some of the Windsor Hills homes inside to see the furnishings are of a very high standard.
Naturally you will also find the bigger the home the possibility it could cost more, though if you are sharing in can help a lot. I would imagine a 6 bedroomed home at Windsor Hills could prove very expensive.
With a £1400 budget you should be able to fine a nice villa though at most of the developments we have mentioned.

Overall any of the above 4 are a good choice, the rest comes down to your personal preferences/cost etc, whether you want internet access, games room, number of bedrooms, south facing pool....we even look for villas that have a leather suite (but then our searches are a bit 'involved') My 'own personal opinion' is that these 4 are the best developments within the Formosa and Poinciana area, but I would suggest that Windsor Hills is probably the best.

Please let me know if I can help more.

 

[Booknut]

Thanks so much for all your helpful advice

We've had a look at Windsor Palms and it looks beautiful and is within budget. Seems to have the same stuff as Windsor Hills, similar location, hopefully less crowded!

I will definitely have a look at the place you stayed at, will PM you now

Anyone have any villa recommendations at Windsor Palms?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi,

No problem, me again

Virginia Greene has a nice 4 bedroomed at Windsor Palms, it was one we had booked before we cancelled a holiday for last year and wasn't available for our April 2009 holiday.

It is south facing, close to the clubhouse and she is a very nice lady to deal with.

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/Fl...e-Area/holiday-villa-Windsor-Palms/p17804.htm

May as well post the Terre Verde one's too

http://www.sheardale-villas.com/

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Booknut]

thanks again

 

[Verity Chambers]

Can't help, but very excited for you!!!!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

thanks again

Thanks for the PM and the very kind words about Joshua, appreciate it.

 

[Booknut]

Thanks again, after consulting my fellow vacationeers in Canada I think Windsor Palms is the winner

Now to find the perfect home...I love planning trips to WDW waaaaaaaaaaay too much