old Key west info please

[Giddy Kipper]

Has anyone stayed at a studio on the old key west resort....are they big enough for a family of four...and has anyone got any views on the resort as a whole...many thanks

 

[Pootle]

OKW studios are the largest 'rooms' on property and have 2 queen beds and a large bathroom so you should have no problems. There is a small table and 2 chairs inside. It will have a small patio with 2 white plastic chairs and small table outside. The studios are on the ends of the building, where the a/c units are located and so sitting outside on the patio may not be the peaceful experience you expect given the quiet nature of this resort

I've been going to OKW for 12 years and I love it. Even when it is full, unless you are at the main pool, you would never know it's so peaceful and very spread out. Parking is right outside your door and there are 4 bus stops around the property in addition to Hospitality House. There are free laundry facilities located by all the pools (there are 3 community pools in addition to the main feature pool).

The theme is laid back Key West unsurprisingly. It is charming rather than 'in your face' and the views tend to be golf course or water. The ground floor rooms tend to be dark because of all the lush vegetation around the buildings, which is quite high.

Each studio contains a kitchenette with fridge, sink, coffee maker, toaster and microwave. There is a full service restaurant, Olivia's, which I have only ever found to be so-so. There is a limited choice of food from Goods to Go and some food available in the General Store.

Anything specific you want to know, just ask

 

[jono77]

Pootle, Thanks for your informative info on the studios, i am looking at booking with disney direct as well for next aug, looking at the 1 bed villa, any info and photos would be highly appreciated.Am i right in thinking it is better to request nearer Hospiatelty house in save lots of walking!!!!
there are 2 adults and 2 teens going.
Many thanks Jono

 

[crabbie1]

Great info.Didn't know the studios were on the end.Does that mean you get more windows as the corner rooms do at moderates?
Going in 14 weeks there so hop it is as good as everyone says it is.

 

[heatherbelle]

We've just returned today from OKW. I really liked it. We were in building 3512, which was ground floor.

If I went back, I would ask for a room in building 41, 42 or 43, as these were next to the small pool at Turtle Pond.

The buildings near the HH, were more busier than ours. Each morning, I walked round to the HH and it took me no more than 20 mins there and 20 mins back. You can of course take the bus. There are loads of complaints from our American friends about the times the buses take to arrive, but I never waited more than 10 mins, as I could catch any bus going out resort to HH, and I had to catch the bus at the stop after HH for the return journey.

I like to use turtle pond to do our washing at, as the machines were busier at the main pool.

It was a lovely peaceful resort, very laid back. The main pool area was busy, but never over facing. We also liked the boat to downtown.

The rooms were big enough for 3 of us, and yes they would be big enough for 3.

The plates and cutlery are paper and plastic, so we bought some proper items from walmart.

You can buy a refil cup for around $13.00 and fill it up as much as you like.

We also visited all the other resorts and used some of the their pools. SSR have a nice pool, which was warmer than ours, and they have more choice of CS meals.

The burgers at OKW were amongst the best we tasted around the world.

Any more questions just ask.

 

[Pootle]

Pootle, Thanks for your informative info on the studios, i am looking at booking with disney direct as well for next aug, looking at the 1 bed villa, any info and photos would be highly appreciated.Am i right in thinking it is better to request nearer Hospiatelty house in save lots of walking!!!!
there are 2 adults and 2 teens going.
Many thanks Jono

The 1 bed villas are huge. When I visit with DH that's what we always have and when I visit with my friend, I have a studio so have had both of these units many times I am happy to say . As for photos, well, I have plenty but I've never posted one before. If I have time tomorrow, I may try to add some.

The 1 bed villas contain a laundry room with side-by-side washing machine and tumble dryer, in addition to ironing board etc. There is more cupboard and wardrobe space than I have in my home and the kitchen is well equipped with dishwasher, fridge freezer etc. It would be easy to sit 6 people around the dining table and the balcony is a good size with a white plastic table and 4 chairs.
Again, the views are mainly golf course or water, but for a better view consider requesting an upper floor. The villas are either 2 or 3 floors.

One thing to note about the one bedroom villas is the bathroom area. In the earlier built ones (I think buildings up to number 26) have only access to the bathroom via the master bedroom. So not ideal for privacy. The higher numbered buildings have dual access - via the bedroom and also via the laundry room. You can find the map here. Most of the villas close to HH will not have dual access (those in the 60's are the exception since they were built later).

Regarding location, well it depends what you want. Lots of people like, and request the Hospitality House area because it is close to feature pool, shop, boat to DD etc. Many, like Heatherbelle, like the Turtle Pond pool area - smaller pool, no slide but with music, nice surroundings and a place where you can get drinks and refills.

Hope this helps.

 

[Pootle]

Great info.Didn't know the studios were on the end.Does that mean you get more windows as the corner rooms do at moderates?
Going in 14 weeks there so hop it is as good as everyone says it is.

The OKW studios are not like the moderates in that there are always 2 windows - the glass doors out to the patio plus the window on the opposite wall. Both of these have wooden slatted blinds. Sometimes you can be bathed in light but sometimes (ground floor room especially) it can be a bit like being in a cave it's so dark! Depends on the location. This is my only niggle about OKW and it's very minor - the plus side is that all the planting and vegetation outside is very attractive. The moderates, OTOH are always dark in my experience because of the walkway outside and overhang. My friend had a corner room at POR last year and while it was nice, it didn't make a great deal of difference to the amount of light in the room.

I hope you enjoy it half as much as I do

 

[Hilary]

We have stayed in a studio with our two DDs who were then teenagers - there is more room in an OKW studio than in most standard hotel rooms so, if that's what you're comparing with, you'll be pleasantly surprised

for a better view consider requesting an upper floor

We like to request rooms on higher floors because we find them quieter, as well as having better views. However, it's worth mentioning that most of the OKW buildings don't have elevators (I think it's only the newer buildings that do) and it can be hot work getting the cases up to the room!

 

[Pootle]

However, it's worth mentioning that most of the OKW buildings don't have elevators (I think it's only the newer buildings that do) and it can be hot work getting the cases up to the room!

Ah yes Hilary - definitely worth mentioning . As I'm always on the ground floor (I have these knees ........ ) I forget this detail

 

[heatherbelle]

I would also request a higher floor rooms, there are only 3 floors. We found a frog in our room . The room was very dark, with all the planting, this was a ground floor room.

You need to think about the amount of time you will actually spend in your room, as the cost between the two if paying cash, is quite large. I booked ours with Virgin Holidays, as it was available when the free dining plan was on offer. The cost for next year for a studio has gone up over £1000.00 compared to this year's. total paid lat year for this years holiday for 2A 1 C was £3400.00.
Edit - look out for the otters swimming in the lake, we saw a family of 4 one morning.

 

[orangetiggs]

we are in disney at the moment and Im planning next years trip already!! we are looking at staying here with the free dining and booking through disney as it seems the same price and CSR.