mikelan6
World Traveler, Usually Optimistic
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2000
- Messages
- 4,233
I stayed at the Sheraton Vistana Resort Lake Buena Vista for two nights in early June as part of a Sheraton promotion to see their "million dollar renovation project". I reserved a one bedroom villa and requested to be in one of the renovated rooms. When I checked in at the Welcome Center, the friendly agent checked me in, but advised me that I could not get the room key until around 4:00 PM as the villa was not yet ready, which I understood. I asked her if it would be one of the renovated rooms and she said it was - in the Cascades section. She also took my cell phone number down and advised me that she'd call if the villa was ready earlier, which she did.
I went to the DHS for the afternoon and returned to get my room key around 7:00 PM. After waiting a bit to get my key, I was given directions to the villa and then asked if I wanted to get a "welcome packet" from the other people at the desk. I figured they'd try to sell me on the time share aspect of the resort, which I was not interested in, so I declined and just headed to my room. The resort is huge and a bit confusing, but I found the building alright. I was not too happy to see that my room was NOT recently renovated, but had a very dated 1980's feel. There were scratches on some of the furnishings, but it was mostly clean, so I just stayed there. When I realized that there was no shampoo in the room, I called the front desk, who told me that they DO NOT supply shampoo. I found this surprising as the villa is otherwise fully stocked with dish washing soap and paper towels, and much more ... but they don't supply shampoo ?!?!?! I did not try any of the resort's amenities or restaurants. I had trouble getting to sleep that evening as some crickets outside were quite loud, but that's one of the downsides in being around all those nice gardens. My final disappointment with the resort was when I checked out. I guess I am spoiled with other hotels that have express check out where the bill is usually left under the door on the last night, but here, I had to return to the welcome center to check out. I was then surprised when the agent mentioned that amount I was being (over) charged. She printed the bill for me and besides there being bogus pool bar charges, which I did not make, she was also over charging me for the room by $40.00. The room rate was not verified with me when I checked in. It took her a while to find the pool bar receipt slips but did take them off my bill. Don't they verify the guest information when charging to the room? For the room rate overage though, I had to PROVE my rate to her, which luckily I had saved in an email. It took her a while to get approval to credit me the amount being over charged. I was not very happy with the resort, and although it was "okay," I can find better elsewhere. I will not be returning to the Vistana Resort.
I went to the DHS for the afternoon and returned to get my room key around 7:00 PM. After waiting a bit to get my key, I was given directions to the villa and then asked if I wanted to get a "welcome packet" from the other people at the desk. I figured they'd try to sell me on the time share aspect of the resort, which I was not interested in, so I declined and just headed to my room. The resort is huge and a bit confusing, but I found the building alright. I was not too happy to see that my room was NOT recently renovated, but had a very dated 1980's feel. There were scratches on some of the furnishings, but it was mostly clean, so I just stayed there. When I realized that there was no shampoo in the room, I called the front desk, who told me that they DO NOT supply shampoo. I found this surprising as the villa is otherwise fully stocked with dish washing soap and paper towels, and much more ... but they don't supply shampoo ?!?!?! I did not try any of the resort's amenities or restaurants. I had trouble getting to sleep that evening as some crickets outside were quite loud, but that's one of the downsides in being around all those nice gardens. My final disappointment with the resort was when I checked out. I guess I am spoiled with other hotels that have express check out where the bill is usually left under the door on the last night, but here, I had to return to the welcome center to check out. I was then surprised when the agent mentioned that amount I was being (over) charged. She printed the bill for me and besides there being bogus pool bar charges, which I did not make, she was also over charging me for the room by $40.00. The room rate was not verified with me when I checked in. It took her a while to find the pool bar receipt slips but did take them off my bill. Don't they verify the guest information when charging to the room? For the room rate overage though, I had to PROVE my rate to her, which luckily I had saved in an email. It took her a while to get approval to credit me the amount being over charged. I was not very happy with the resort, and although it was "okay," I can find better elsewhere. I will not be returning to the Vistana Resort.
