Hi Snuffy -
Here's the review I posted when I returned last December:
We just returned from a four nite stay at the Regal Sun Resort in DTD (formerly The Grovesnor).
I booked this as a mystery hotel through bookit.com so I didn't know which hotel it was until after I paid. I was immediately concerned after reading some very poor reviews about this hotel. Fortunately, our stay was mostly pleasant.
When I arrived to check in, I was informed that our room would be upgraded from the courtyard rooms to a tower room at no charge!!! I was very happy about that because I had read some bad reviews about the courtyard rooms.
Overall impressions
The Pros
*The room was nice. Typical hotel room. We had a view of the courtyard rooms.
*The hotel is located across the street from DTD Marketplace.
*Beautiful lobby
*Friendly and helpful staff
*Free transportation is provide to DTD and all four Disney parks
*Character Breakfast with Pluto and Goofy - The cost was $12.95 per person and the food was good.
The Cons
*Resort fee - The hotel charges a daily $10 resort fee ($11.25 after taxes). The fee covers self-parking, wireless internet access, an in room safe and free 800 and local calls. This seemed to be a waste of money to me. First of all, they should have stated that parking was not free. Their website advertises "free parking" which is clearly not the case. The wireless internet access didn't matter to me because I don't have a laptop. I didn't use the safe and I used my cell phone to make any calls I needed. So basically, I paid $11.25/day to park my car.
*Incidentals Charge - On top of the resort fee, the hotel charges a $40 per night fee for incidentals. When I called to ask if I could put this charge on my debit card, I was told it could be several days after check out before the hold could be released. I asked it if could put down a cash deposit and I was told that I could. During our stay, we had breakfast in the restaurant and used room service for one night. When I checked out, they had deducted these charges as well as the daily resort fee and refunded the difference in cash.
*Pool area - The hotel had one small pool and a jacuzzi. They are in the process of finishing their "new aquatic playground" which includes a second pool. It's not much of a playground from what we saw. Their website says they have two heated pools. The one pool that was open was not heated.
*Internet - The hotel had computers set up off the lobby but it costs 20 cents a minute to use them.
Overall, I think the use of the word "resort" is stretching it. To me a resort is a sprawling complex with lots of amenities throughout. That's not the case with Regal Sun Resort. I might call it a "resortette"
All in all, it was a pleasant stay but I don't think I would stay there again.
Just a note, my reservation thru Bookit was non-refundable so make sure you are comfortable staying at Regal Sun before you book in case your reservation would be non refundable too.
