Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes

[wdwluver]

Has anyone ever stayed at the grande lakes? I got a great rate as a Marriott rewards member because they didn't have any package rooms available at the Marriott section and I'm so excited, but wasn't sure if I should upgrade to a suite.

There are 5 of us, me, DH, 2 DD and 1 DS (all under 10). Our room rate includes two adult swim sessions at discovery cove for only $262 a night for 4 nights. ( at least I think that's a great rate) Anyway, I saw someone mention that they have kidsuites and wondered what they were like. My rate only offered a regular room or a executive suite for an extra $50 per night. I would like to jump at it if the suite includes a sleep sofa. Or would we be better off at a Disney property?

Any insight anyone can offer would be great.

Thanks.

Tina

 

[CarolA]

I stayed there recently and all I can say is WOW! This is a great resort. It shares space with the JW Marriott and they have a great lazy river pool.

The rooms were wonderful, the service was amoung the best I have EVER experienced. (And exceeded everything I have had a Disney including the GF).

I did not see the suites, I was in a regular room (King Bed) and it was very large.

Your rate is great. Mine was $239 a night on a conference with no extras!

I would stay there over Disney in a heartbeat and I really like being on property at Disney, but... this was just so nice!

 

[wdwluver]

Thanks, Carol.

Tina

 

[jersey shark]

After 12 years of being a very frequent business traveler, I can honestly say that when you stay at a Ritz Carlton, you're staying at the very best and it's always a special experience. Of course, you're paying for it but since it's not unusual for Ritz rates to be over $450/night, you seem to be getting a big bargain with this one in Orlando.

I would jump at the chance to get a RC suite for only $50 more, esp if a living room sofa bed is included.

Interesting to see your post when I did (we just returned from Orlando and had a chance to see the Grand Floridian for the first time...and though it was very nice, it wasn't in the same league as the Ritz Carlton)

Enjoy!

 

[CarolA]

Jersey Shark,
I have stayed at a few other Ritz's and this was the nicest I had been at, but my other stays were "city" as opposed to this one which is more resort.

You hit on my big problem with the GF. Disney markets it in the league of a top drawer hotel, but... it does not measure up. (My original post on the Ritz suggested that Disney send some managers to spend a few days! LOL!)

By the way, this hotel just opened this Summer so everything is very new.

 

[wdwluver]

I guess my rate was too good to be true, well sorta. I made the mistake of calling the hotel to enquire about the suite amenities, and the reservationists quoted me a completely different rate - $650 a night for the suite accomodations. I told here that they were offering a Discovery Cove suite room package online at their website for $1230 per stay for 4 nights, and she thought that it was unusual. Well I went back to the website and sure enough, the rate was still there for executive suite accomodations. I booked it immediately, and the online confirmation confirmed my suite accomodations for Discovery Cove 2 swim. Well, my e-mail confirmation said I had booked a deluxe room, not a suite and no package.

I checked the website again for my reservation, and it had been changed! Now it was for a deluxe room and SeaWorld Length of stay passes. The discovery cove suite accomodations package was now 1230 per NIGHT, not per stay.

I still have a great rate for the Ritz, because the package price is still $1230 and it includes breakfast and valet parking, but we already have SeaWorld annual passes, so that portion is of no use to me.

I guess I'll just sit on my ressies for now and see if any other packages come up. I look forward to staying there, nonetheless.

 

[spiceycat]

do you by any chance print out your confirmation reservations that included everything????

then Ritz has to stand by it - Florida has some pretty strict laws - and changing your confirmation reservations is something that is not allowed.

 

[wdwluver]

I did print out the online reservation confirmation. I'll check with them.

 

[wdwluver]

I spoke with someone in reservations who told me that I had reserved a SeaWorld Package, and went on to tell me what a great package I had. I told him again about the Discovery Cove Package, then he tried to tell me that I probably looked at it but reserved the SeaWorld package by mistake. The discovery cove package is now $923 per night!!!

I told him that I printed out my confirmation once I made the reservation and it said Discovery Cove (all the particulars) with a $1230 per stay rate. He couldn't imagine how I could have gotten such a rate and said I must be mistaken. I then read my confirmation to him verbatim and he told me that if that's what it said, they would have to honor it. This has me a little concerned still. He told me to fax it to him so he could show it to his supervisor for a final decision. I looked at my confirmation several times myself just to make sure I didn't make the mistake, but it does say per stay...

Now, the wait begins. I just have a strange feeling no one is going to call me.

 

[CarolA]

I bet someone calls you no matter what. They really seemed to be into Customer service.

 

[wdwluver]

They did it! I received a call this morning from the Ritz Carlton and they said they would honor my reservation request as it originally was. So I get my Discovery Cove package at the original rate. I'm so glad and relieved. George, the reservationist even apologized for not calling me back sooner.

My excitement is back about our upcomming trip!

 

[CarolA]

I think that is an example of the famous Ritz service. Hope you enjoy your stay!

 

[UKDEB]

Way to go wdwluver! We haven't got that lucky, but I'm happy with our $173 a night for a deluxe, and with the Ritz Carlton quality and service, I think we're in for a treat.