This is a review of the Palms hotel and villas on Parkway Blvd., Kissimmee, formerly Homewood suites.
We stayed here Dec. 3 to 10, along with my sister and her family.
We arrived and were given one room had to remind them to look for the second room. I had requested that neither room be near the highway, when given the rooms (in two different buildings) I specifically asked if either was near the highway and was reassured they were not. My sister's suite was in building 6 across from the office, no noise so great for them. Our room was in building 3, on the outside overlooking the highway. We lived with it, just so tired at night the noise was not a factor.
When checking in we noticed a difference in our reservation rate and their forms. When asked about this they stated they are now a resort and charge a resort fee of about $5. DH and I stated that we made reservations when it was a Homewood and I had called after the change and had been told the ressies would be honored, no mention of extra charges. Night manager said to talk to Day manager next day, DH did and she stated resort charges would be taken off bill. I asked again at check out if it was taken off and assured it was. Reviewed credit card on arrival at home - charged resort fee. So I had to call and speak to manager again - finally it was credited to CC.
Breakfast was pancakes, waffles, cereal, instant oatmeal, toast, bagels, sweet rolls, english muffins and biscuits and gravy. Nothing elaborate but fine, especially if you eat cereal or oatmeal at home most mornings. First morning it was so busy I took waffles, bread and pancakes back to the room and use the toaster and microwave to prepare.
The pool was very nice and heated we swam every night even when it was in the low 60's, once in the water you did not want to get out.
The lobby is very nice. Lobby or pool side is the only good access to the wireless internet they have. However, DH was unable to access the secure server for his company.
The suites were adequate, we had Kings with fold out couch. The rooms were a little worn but they get lots of use. It was nice having a freezer to freeze water bottles for days at the parks.
Speaking of the parks ---VERY CONVIENENT LOCATION, go out Parkway - watch out for the speedbumps- turn right, go over the overpass and the signs/exits to Disney are right there, 5 minutes to the parks.
Housekeeping generally did a good job on our room, sister's room had problem with housekeeping not giving more coffee, etc. Laundry facilities were okay, 4 washers and 4 dryers ($2.00 per load) bring lots of quarters.
Grounds were well kept, there was a basketball court and game room. If I were to stay here again I would demand to not be in building 7 - right next to the highway, or outside of building 3, I would want to be poolside or in a building away from the highway.
Julie
We stayed here Dec. 3 to 10, along with my sister and her family.
We arrived and were given one room had to remind them to look for the second room. I had requested that neither room be near the highway, when given the rooms (in two different buildings) I specifically asked if either was near the highway and was reassured they were not. My sister's suite was in building 6 across from the office, no noise so great for them. Our room was in building 3, on the outside overlooking the highway. We lived with it, just so tired at night the noise was not a factor.
When checking in we noticed a difference in our reservation rate and their forms. When asked about this they stated they are now a resort and charge a resort fee of about $5. DH and I stated that we made reservations when it was a Homewood and I had called after the change and had been told the ressies would be honored, no mention of extra charges. Night manager said to talk to Day manager next day, DH did and she stated resort charges would be taken off bill. I asked again at check out if it was taken off and assured it was. Reviewed credit card on arrival at home - charged resort fee. So I had to call and speak to manager again - finally it was credited to CC.
Breakfast was pancakes, waffles, cereal, instant oatmeal, toast, bagels, sweet rolls, english muffins and biscuits and gravy. Nothing elaborate but fine, especially if you eat cereal or oatmeal at home most mornings. First morning it was so busy I took waffles, bread and pancakes back to the room and use the toaster and microwave to prepare.
The pool was very nice and heated we swam every night even when it was in the low 60's, once in the water you did not want to get out.
The lobby is very nice. Lobby or pool side is the only good access to the wireless internet they have. However, DH was unable to access the secure server for his company.
The suites were adequate, we had Kings with fold out couch. The rooms were a little worn but they get lots of use. It was nice having a freezer to freeze water bottles for days at the parks.
Speaking of the parks ---VERY CONVIENENT LOCATION, go out Parkway - watch out for the speedbumps- turn right, go over the overpass and the signs/exits to Disney are right there, 5 minutes to the parks.
Housekeeping generally did a good job on our room, sister's room had problem with housekeeping not giving more coffee, etc. Laundry facilities were okay, 4 washers and 4 dryers ($2.00 per load) bring lots of quarters.
Grounds were well kept, there was a basketball court and game room. If I were to stay here again I would demand to not be in building 7 - right next to the highway, or outside of building 3, I would want to be poolside or in a building away from the highway.
Julie
