should i pay for a preffered room?

[laurafaith]

hi all! last time we were down was feb last year....we did POR in a preferred room.
this trip I think im going to book CBR for late oct (fingers crossed for free dining) - because I think POR will be excluded....and im very nervous because I heard CBR is sooo big. but for the number of nights we ill be there it will cost almost $500 to do a preferred.....do u think that's worth it? I don't want to have a LONG walk to go up to get drinks or to get to a bus stop etc...plus we will have 3 little boys with us 12,8,4...I think I spoiled us by getting the preferred last time -- don't know if I can live without it!
I guess I could request a room -- how often do u actually get your request?

thanks!

 

[Marionnette]

hi all! last time we were down was feb last year....we did POR in a preferred room.
this trip I think im going to book CBR for late oct (fingers crossed for free dining) - because I think POR will be excluded....and im very nervous because I heard CBR is sooo big. but for the number of nights we ill be there it will cost almost $500 to do a preferred.....do u think that's worth it? I don't want to have a LONG walk to go up to get drinks or to get to a bus stop etc...plus we will have 3 little boys with us 12,8,4...I think I spoiled us by getting the preferred last time -- don't know if I can live without it!
I guess I could request a room -- how often do u actually get your request?

thanks!

If being close to OPR is important to you, then a preferred building is a must. If being close to a bus stop is your main concern, then you don't need to be in a preferred building. In that case, you would want to be less specific about which building you ask for and just say that you would like to be close to a bus stop. It will be a lot easier for a room assigner to give you what you want if you make that request instead of, let's say, Aruba building #56.

 

[RookieLady]

I just came back from a preferred room at CBR, and I wish I hadn't paid for it. There are multiple bus stops, so I don't think anything is far from a bus stop. I ran the resort and using my garmin guessed the farthest building from OPR was a little less than half a mile. The grounds are lovely so it's a nice walk. I wouldn't pay for a preferred again, but if you don't like the walk, worse case scenario, you may be about a 5-10 minute leisurely walk from OPR.

 

[laurafaith]

thanks rookie! if I do request a room at CBR -- any suggestions?

 

[laurafaith]

and we are a family of 5 -- so does anyone know where the 5 people rooms are? hopefully not all in the back -- LOL

 

[RookieLady]

Martinique, Aruba and parts of Jamaica appeared the closest. I believe the 5 people rooms are scattered throughout the property. Barbados and parts of Jamaica seemed to be the outlying villages. I stayed in the Trinidad north preferred area, in the last preferred building. I thought my walk was about the same as the closest non preferred in Martinique and Aruba and Jamaica. But, you don't necessarily get the building you request, so it might be further.

 

[DebbieB]

and we are a family of 5 -- so does anyone know where the 5 people rooms are? hopefully not all in the back -- LOL

Actually the rooms farthest away are the Pirate rooms and those are for 4 people.

 

[dansdad]

thanks rookie! if I do request a room at CBR -- any suggestions?

Our favorite location is Jamaica 45 followed up by Aruba 51. Both locations are a 4 minute stroll across the bridge to OPR and the main pool.

I have to agree that paying extra $$ for preferred is not needed, at least in our opinion. We have stayed in every village except Trinidad South where the Pirate rooms are located and have never felt like we were far from anything.

We get the refillable mugs and use them every day, multiple times a day. In the mornings, I run to OPR and grab food for all of us and it's a breeze.

and we are a family of 5 -- so does anyone know where the 5 people rooms are? hopefully not all in the back -- LOL

They are sprinkled all over except for the Pirate Themed rooms.

 

[lustergirl]

I would book a preferred room at CBR.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would definitely book a preferred room at CBR. I wouldn't stay there again in a standard room, no way. For me, even the "short" walk from Jamaica 44 to the front was too much of a hassle. Especially after a long day in the parks. I was on the dining plan, but my refillable mug was a waste. By the time I would walk up front, fill it, and walk back to my room the mug would be empty again. At night when I was tired I ended up buying pop from the vending machine instead of trudging up front.

Preferred is the only way I would stay at CBR again.

 

[lustergirl]

I would definitely book a preferred room at CBR. I wouldn't stay there again in a standard room, no way. For me, even the "short" walk from Jamaica 44 to the front was too much of a hassle. Especially after a long day in the parks. I was on the dining plan, but my refillable mug was a waste. By the time I would walk up front, fill it, and walk back to my room the mug would be empty again. At night when I was tired I ended up buying pop from the vending machine instead of trudging up front.

Preferred is the only way I would stay at CBR again.

CBR, CSR, or even PO would be a definite preferred room for me.

 

[JennyDrake]

IF you plan to use the food court/refillable mug often, then YES definitely pay for a preferred room!!! If not, then no it isn't worth it as all rooms are close to a bus stop.

 

[bsbrady]

If you are willing to pay an additional $500, try and price AKL or WL. It might only be slightly higher(with discounts) Just an alternative. But I would not pay $500 for a preferred room

 

[cerph1]

We've stayed at CBR 3 times. The first two times we were "assigned" to second floor rooms in Jamaica... which involved a long walk to Old Port Royale each time we wanted to eat at the resort. Last month we went on line and requested a first floor room in Martinique. Since there is no guarantee you will get what you ask for, we were pleasantly surprised that our request was accepted. We got a room on the first floor of Martinique building #22 which was literally right beside the pool, a very short walk to the bus stop, and less than a 5 minute walk to the food court. We paid nothing extra since it was not a "preferred" room, yet it exceeded our expectations for location and convenience.

 

[Babsy]

I would book preferred if I wanted to reduce walking time around the resort. Definitely more convenient to be close to everything.

 

[dmband]

I was on the dining plan, but my refillable mug was a waste. By the time I would walk up front, fill it, and walk back to my room the mug would be empty again

I have this problem too, even short walks. Maybe I drink to fast but the cups are to small inside unless you are sitting to drink at the food court.
My wife thinks I nuts thought so who knows

 

[laurafaith]

ok I think I have decided I would like to use that 500 dollars for something else! soooo my new question is which one should I request - I know its not a for sure -- but im going to try -- from looking at the map im thinking either Martinique 22 because it looks close to a bus stop and the food court or Jamaica 45 which looks very close to food court but pretty far from a bus stop...what do u think?

 

[maxiesmom]

ok I think I have decided I would like to use that 500 dollars for something else! soooo my new question is which one should I request - I know its not a for sure -- but im going to try -- from looking at the map im thinking either Martinique 22 because it looks close to a bus stop and the food court or Jamaica 45 which looks very close to food court but pretty far from a bus stop...what do u think?

The walk to the bus stop from Jamaica 45 is not far at all. Just keep in mind that while you can request a location, it is not guaranteed you will get it. So unless you will be happy with any non preferred location, you really should book preferred.

 

[dansdad]

ok I think I have decided I would like to use that 500 dollars for something else! soooo my new question is which one should I request - I know its not a for sure -- but im going to try -- from looking at the map im thinking either Martinique 22 because it looks close to a bus stop and the food court or Jamaica 45 which looks very close to food court but pretty far from a bus stop...what do u think?

Excellent choice!!! Jamaica 45 is our favorite location. Under 5 minutes to OPR and the main pool and about 2 minutes to the bus stop. Aruba 51 is our next favorite! Although we have enjoyed all the standard location we have had. Hope you have a blast at our favorite moderate.

 

[RedOne3781]

I've stayed at CBR many many times. Preferred and regular. The last few trips, I was in Jamacia building 44, first floor. And it was a really short (and quite pretty) walk to OPR and the main pool. I was also only a short walk to the quiet pool in Jamacia. IMO, it was the perfect location and one I plan on requesting when I stay there for Thanksgiving this year.