Old Key West Stay

[Suellen]

Okay this is our first OKW stay. With each new resort we learn that you MUST make a request for a room or end up in the boondocks. SO what is the building of choice here?

We like to be near the main pool typically. We have a car so bus stops will likely not be a factor. Thanks in advance!

 

[com_op_2000]

The HH area (where the main pool is at) is a separate booking category. I consider all water view rooms to be great, the golf course view rooms to be next, and then everything else. I have never had a bad room even those next to the street, you can not hear the traffic from within the room.

 

[Suellen]

Really? I didn't think there were levels of booking at OKW other than size of room?

Is there a different point chart somewhere?

 

[bababear_50]

OKW Lover here

Hi Hon
You must put in your request for a HH room when booking the room with MS. There is no different point category for this. They do often book up at the 11th month mark though.
You could try calling to see if a HH room is available.



Hugs Mel

 

[JimMIA]

We've never had any trouble booking the Hospitality House category, even booking inside 7 months. Our favorite HH category buildings are actually the farthest away -- the 23-26 area. Less busy, better parking, and quieter than the buildings right across from HH.

The other spot that really looks great to me is 45-46, right on the waterway. We've never stayed there, but the views seem like they would be the best at OKW...although a bit farther away from the main pool.

 

[DVCconvert]

Really? I didn't think there were levels of booking at OKW other than size of room?

Is there a different point chart somewhere?

HH has been it's own booking cat at OKW for a few years now.
But honestly, if you have a car...IMHO...there is no 'backwoods' rooms...they're all lovely!

 

[JimMIA]

The other suggestion I would offer about requests is to keep them limited and simple.

We usually request the one or two things we are most interested in and no more. For example, on our last OKW stay we reserved HH category (which is guaranteed) and we requested only "not first floor." We got Bldg 26, 2nd floor...which was perfect.

If you put too many requests, you're likely to get something, but maybe not what's most important.

 

[Suellen]

Really we just like to be close to the pool and mug station for morning coffee. Hubby likes to walk down with the girls in the mornings so I get a Little extra rest!

I guess it isn't a big deal - but I hate a car ride to the pool!

 

[phorsenuf]

I learned (the hard way) that with some of the 1 bedrooms you can access the toilet area through the laundry room, in others you have to go through the master bedroom. So if that makes a difference to you keep that in mind.

 

[DebbieB]

I learned (the hard way) that with some of the 1 bedrooms you can access the toilet area through the laundry room, in others you have to go through the master bedroom. So if that makes a difference to you keep that in mind.

Buildings 30 and higher have the second entrance.

I prefer Turtle Pond Road, water view. I always have a rental car so distance isn't a factor.

 

[armone]

Okay this is our first OKW stay. With each new resort we learn that you MUST make a request for a room or end up in the boondocks. SO what is the building of choice here?

We like to be near the main pool typically. We have a car so bus stops will likely not be a factor. Thanks in advance!

Never have been able find comprehensive room and building lists for any of the resorts. Suggest you sign in on line and request room near check in and registration. Key West is a geat, relaxing, resort. Be sure to have breakfast at Olivia's... the banana bread french toast is to die for (or at the least and good reason to start a diet when you return home)

 

[saintstickets]

Maybe this will help. We stayed in building 62 during our last trip and really loved the location.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

We really do like Miller loop. It has a bus stop, it is close to the HH to walk in the morning. We can get off at the first bus stop in the evening and just walk down Miller loop.

We stay on the inside and just make sure we are not on the building where the bus turns around.

It has been our favorite location after years of stays.

 

[Chuck S]

Buildings 30 and higher have the second entrance.

I prefer Turtle Pond Road, water view. I always have a rental car so distance isn't a factor.

Turtle Pond is my favorite area, too. And South Point is a close second. For me, it is much more relaxing to be away from the Hospitality House area.

 

[sdlong329]

Really we just like to be close to the pool and mug station for morning coffee. Hubby likes to walk down with the girls in the mornings so I get a Little extra rest!

I guess it isn't a big deal - but I hate a car ride to the pool!

There is something to be said about NOT being at the main pool. It is much more quiet at the alternate pools. We've never had to drive to a pool (we've been members since 1994).

If you are staying in a studio, you have easier access to laundry facilities away from HH.

Regardless of the accommodations, you DO realize you have a coffee maker in each room ... right? So, why would you want to walk anywhere to get coffee. The whole idea behind DVC (especially OKW ... the 1st resort) ... is that it is your HOME ... not a hotel room.

 

[Pig Pen]

We were in Blg 27 a few years ago. We didn't have a car so I walked back and forth to HH a few times - and it was right on the edge of being TOO LONG. From our studio we had a nice view of the lighthouse, etc. - the golf course and a water feature were right outside our balcony.

OKW is my DH's least favorite resort for some reason even though the REAL Key West is one of his favorite vacation spots. He says the walls were too thin and the balcony furniture was stained. (Can you say "picky?").

 

[sdlong329]

We were in Blg 27 a few years ago. We didn't have a car so I walked back and forth to HH a few times - and it was right on the edge of being TOO LONG. From our studio we had a nice view of the lighthouse, etc. - the golf course and a water feature were right outside our balcony.

OKW is my DH's least favorite resort for some reason even though the REAL Key West is one of his favorite vacation spots. He says the walls were too thin and the balcony furniture was stained.

Are you aware there are INTERNAL buses to transport to HH, though they are not real frequent. Let's remember, the idea behind DVC (later, OKW), was that this was your home ... not a hotel room. If someone wants a hotel room, I tell them they will probably be happier elsewhere. If you have your own place, how often do you really need to get to HH? Is that walk much different than walking inside EPCOT or any other park?

As for stained furniture ... that all depends on when the unit was renovated, and if there was an incident with a past guest. Hopefully, nobody judges ANY resort (Disney or otherwise) on the furniture. Did DH contact guest Services about the furniture? Ultimately, it's up to the guests to help the cast members keep an eye open for areas which are in need of improvement.

 

[Suellen]

There is something to be said about NOT being at the main pool. It is much more quiet at the alternate pools. We've never had to drive to a pool (we've been members since 1994).

If you are staying in a studio, you have easier access to laundry facilities away from HH.

Regardless of the accommodations, you DO realize you have a coffee maker in each room ... right? So, why would you want to walk anywhere to get coffee. The whole idea behind DVC (especially OKW ... the 1st resort) ... is that it is your HOME ... not a hotel room.

Yes I realize there is a coffee maker. But as I said above my husband takes the kids for a little walk in the morning to get me coffee. It is a tradition of ours. This way I can get a little extra rest.

The first time we stayed at SSR we were in Carosuel and there was no walking to the pool. I also realize there are internal buses. So I guess what I mean is I don't want to take ANY transportation to the pool. Car or bus. I like to be able to walk down.

Oh well. Sorry I asked. I'll slide back into lurking mode.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yes I realize there is a coffee maker. But as I said above my husband takes the kids for a little walk in the morning to get me coffee. It is a tradition of ours. This way I can get a little extra rest.

The first time we stayed at SSR we were in Carosuel and there was no walking to the pool. I also realize there are internal buses. So I guess what I mean is I don't want to take ANY transportation to the pool. Car or bus. I like to be able to walk down.

Oh well. Sorry I asked. I'll slide back into lurking mode.

Does it have to be the feature pool? There are 4 pools at OKW and two have mug stations while all 4 have laundry facilities etc.

What size unit? If it's a 1 bedroom and you plan to have kids in the living room, you really don't want the HH booking category. That category only has the access to the bathroom THROUGH the master bedroom....no way around it. If I had to have people using the living room for sleeping, I'd never stay in HH category for that very reason. Frankly, I find it to be more waking when we stay HH category depending on the building we get. I prefer either South Point or Miller's Road. These are each a quick bus ride from HH and close to thier own pools. Plus, South Point will have the extra entrance to the bathroom.

I still can't figure out why they didn't correct that design flaw in the older OKW units when they did the renovations. It doesn't seem like that would have been too difficult to do.

 

[beccasmom]

We have stayed in all the different areas at OKW. Last month we stayed in a 2-bedroom unit at Old Turtle Pond that was very nice. The walk to the bus stop was a bit longer than we would have liked - my mom was with us - but it ultimately was okay. We have mostly stayed near the HH and that works the best for us. We can walk up to the store if needed or head up for a hamburger quickly to grab a bite. We normally don't rent a car, so the proximity to major services is great. But I think OKW has some great other locations; water views are wonderful too!