Saratoga or Old Key West?

[cvrapclark]

I have a reservation thru another DVC'r at OKW in May and I forgot to request HH. I hate to bug the owner again to get him to call back and request that. He thought he was going to be able to transfer the points but they couldn't be.

Anyway, in your opinion, what's the worst building for OKW? Then if not HH, what's the best location?

THANKS!!

 

[rpink58]

Just got back from staying at OKW and rooms are showing their age, I wish I had changed my res. to stay at SSR. They are currently rehabing OKW and I will not even considering staying there until the rehab I finish. ( I have been spoiled by staying at AKV,BLT, and all the other great resorts)

 

[rpink58]

If you have stay at OKW I would request to stay in the Turtle Pond Rd area. Its off the main rd and just hop any bus and ride it ti the front.

 

[AirGoofy]

Anyway, in your opinion, what's the worst building for OKW? Then if not HH, what's the best location?

Both are great resorts. We liked the Turtle Creek or Turtle Pond area as it had a private pool, shuffleboard, and poolside snack bar opened. Otherwise, it's a treck or bus ride to the main pool. But, the main pool has the great water slide, snacks, and great community room.

 

[BlakeNJ]

We love both. Advantages to both as you have read here. If I had to choose, I'd go with SSR. Newer resort.

Where do you really want to stay? Why not wait list your first choice. Hey, you never know!

AKV Kidani is high on our list after our recent stay. GREAT resort!!!! I think if you were to w/l there, you'd have a pretty good chance of getting in.

 

[BlakeNJ]

Just got back from staying at OKW and rooms are showing their age, I wish I had changed my res. to stay at SSR. They are currently rehabing OKW and I will not even considering staying there until the rehab I finish. ( I have been spoiled by staying at AKV,BLT, and all the other great resorts)

I agree 100%. I really love the atmosphere at OKW and the size of the rooms but the decor is showing it's age and the condition of the rooms certainly so. A rehab will bring new life into the resort and I am sure make it a top choice once again!

All you OKW Lovers out there, your secret isn't going to be safe for long!

 

[Bouncin-Tigger]

SSR is one of my home resorts but I have to vote for OKW, it is a much more laid back, slower paced resort that has larger rooms. Love SSR carraige house which is much better than OKW main building and outdoor CS is a problem for us but OKW has a much better bus transportation than SSR. Have stayed at SSR 16 times and OKW 9 and there is no doubt that they are huge resorts and can be a long way from certain amentities but OKW buses just run a lil smoother. I dont think staying at either one of these resorts would make your trip an worse than the other but if I had to pick OKW wins.

 

[dmoore22]

I agree 100%. I really love the atmosphere at OKW and the size of the rooms but the decor is showing it's age and the condition of the rooms certainly so. A rehab will bring new life into the resort and I am sure make it a top choice once again!

All you OKW Lovers out there, your secret isn't going to be safe for long!

We were there this past Christmas and will be there again in about a month. The rooms were clean & fresh. The mattress appeared to be relatively new. The decor seemed appropriate for that Conch Flats island feel. I'm somewhat confused by the comments of "the decor is showing it's age." Is that in reference to the theme and decorations or the wear and tear? We have no problem with the former and have not experienced the latter.

 

[SusieBea]

We were there this past Christmas and will be there again in about a month. The rooms were clean & fresh. The mattress appeared to be relatively new. The decor seemed appropriate for that Conch Flats island feel. I'm somewhat confused by the comments of "the decor is showing it's age." Is that in reference to the theme and decorations or the wear and tear? We have no problem with the former and have not experienced the latter.

Ditto! We were there in mid-December and in mid-March in two different buildings in two different areas of the resort. Neither unit had any issues.

 

[kehunc]

I prefer OKW too.

 

[Goofy DVC]

One other point is that from a value perspective OKW is the cheapest points.No matter what you can't go wrong. They both are great.

 

[castleri]

My first choice would be OKW for all the reasons stated - music at the pool, laid back feeling, large balcony where we usually start and end the day, options for a very quiet pool or a great themed one, the Turtle Krawl (sp?) drink at the Gurgling Suitcase, good bus service and the spacious rooms. It was our first home and although I thought I would really love BCV I found I still like OKW the best of all the DVC resorts.

 

[Tink6666]

We just came back from OKW, and did not care for it at all. We like SSR, it is a newer resort with a nicer layout in my opinion. The ability to have a nice breakfast at artists beats have a lesser breakfast at goods to go. The two breakfasts did not compare. We are usually on dining plan so it is very important for us. If you aren't on dining plan then it may not matter. Maybe we just had a bad experience with our stay, but the rooms we stayed in seemed run down and the beds were VERY uncomfortable. So, I vote for SSR.

 

[gwmom]

One concern with OKW was there are not a lot of sidewalks making trips to bus stop or Hospitality House a little scary with all our little ones (6 - ages 3 and under, fortunately we had 6 adults to hang on to them) but inconvenient.... SSR has very nice paved paths throughout the resort.

 

[ehaimann236]

Planning a last minute trip. Choice is between Saratoga and Old Key West. Any pros or cons with either resort?

so i know this probably is to late to help you but others maybe. im sorry if i repeat just giving my opinion.

Old Key West is by far my fav out of the two. A the rooms are much larger more spacious for familys. the design and feel of OKW is much more calming and relaxing then SS.

Transportation from both is not the best but as always manageable. SS does have the Spa which is good if you are relaxing and the pool there is nice for kids.

eric

 

[Tink6666]

Both resorts get reports of bad bus service, and both resorts are very spread out. I would probably not distinguish either from the other on this point. The exception: OKW has a booking category called "Hospitality House"---if you book this category, you are guaranteed one of the buildings closer to the resort's main buildings. At SSR, location is always a request.

Not always. We booked with this and did not end up there.

We prefer SSR over OKW. Rooms seem nicer at SSR and the bussing seems more consistent.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Don't even consider OKW, stay at SSR. Stay far, far away from OKW! (Then maybe I could get in at my home resort at the 4/5 month mark rather than always ending up at SSR!)

I'm sure w/ the low point structure and the new rehab, I'll have to book OKW at the 11 month mark just to get in! Can't wait till Nov!

 

[a742246]

Saratoga has DTD within walking distance.
OKW has cheaper points.

Other then that they are both great!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Any issues with the bus service at either place? Walking distance from your room to the main building?

Bus service is excellent at OKW, and pretty good at SSR as well. The only issue at SSR is sometimes folks sneaking over from the off site resorts and clogging the morning buses at SSR.

We find walking distance to be a lot easier at OKW than SSR. HOWEVER...At either, you can always take ANY bus, and the last stop is near the check in area. We thought the time on the bus was longer at SSR than at OKW though, and OKW is a lot easier to walk.

 

[TheGeddings]

We just stayed at OKW, our home resort is SSR. We liked OKW as others have stated, the rooms are far bigger. At the Community Center, it really feels as though you are at Key West.

Also, less points, so more for your money.