So what is wrong with Cypress Pointe and Star Island???

[Hemlock]

I am planning 2 vacations. One for my family and another for friends who are traveling to Orlando at the same time. Their budget is a little tighter than ours, so they are looking for a clean updated place with a fun pool for a good price. They have been looking on ebay and their seems to be some really cheap rates for Cypress Pointe and Star Island. So, what is wrong with these places??? Why are they so cheap? The photos don't look bad, but the prices seem too good to be true? Thoughts?

 

[webprinter]

We have never been to Cypress Pointe but were at Star Island last year. I thought Star Island was very nice. We were there a few years ago and it was updated since then. The rooms were nice and clean. They had a lot of activities and a nice pool area. I would go again in a heartbeat. I loved it.

 

[Ksquared]

I've never been to Star Island but I stayed at Cypress Pointe a few years ago. I enjoyed our time there. We were in a two bedroom and it was quite roomy. I also believe they were rennovated since our visit. I would definitely stay there again.

 

[Detailor]

There are two related Cypress Pointe resorts - Cypress Pointe Resort (aka Phase I) and Cypress Pointe Grand Villas (aka Phase II). We've stayed at both and thought that they were nice. Cypress Pointe Resort has recently been refurbished and the pictures I've seen of those units look really nice. CP Grand Villas are either being refurbished or about to be. We were in a CPGV two-bedroom villa a couple of summers ago and, while it showed its age it, was clean and worked well for us. So if you're thinking about staying at the nicer of the two resorts you should be looking for Cypress Pointe Resort rather than the Grand Villas.

You'll find CPR and CPGV on several websites that are offered resort-owned villas (it's better for the resort owners to realize some income over the course of the year through relatively low-cost rentals than to let any 'unowned' timeshare villas sit unused and producing no maintenance fees).

It's location is a big plus as it's close to Downtown Disney and convenient to the Palm Parkway/Turkey Lake Road route to Universal (also convenient to SeaWorld via Palm Parkway and then onto Central Florida Parkway).

While, in my opinion, they're not in the class of quality of the Orlando Marriotts or Hiltons the Cypress Pointe resorts are quite nice. Not our first choice in Orlando but an entirely suitable and well-run resort.

Dick Taylor

 

[JennCa]

I've stayed at Cypress Pointe and Cypress Grandvillas and they are not the best down there, but they are still quite nice and I would say about average from what we have seen. Pros are the location, it's pretty close to Disney and Downtown Disney. Good pools and jacuzzi area and I liked the screened balcony area. My issue was cleanliness, when I walked on the floors my feet turned black every night, really gross! I found that to be true all 3 times we stayed there,(twice at Grandvillas and once at Cypress regular) I did like it enough to go back since the price was right as you can tell. I just have a toddler again so I prefer other places.

I liked the layout of the Grandvillas and the newness of it better than Cypress Pointe, but I liked the pool of Cypress Pointe better. Both were fine.

Just my 2 cents,
Jenn

 

[greenclan67]

This will be our 2nd stay at Cypress Pointe, this year on the GV side, last year on the CPR side! We loved it, yes maybe not the "best", as far as other resorts go, or upscale as some! We stayed at Bonnet Creek in 2008 and loved it there as well, but actually liked the location of CP far better! Like that you can walk to restaurants, and such. Also the price can't be beat, and the rooms are fairly large. The room we had last year at CPR had it's drawbacks, but not even close enough to not make us come back! The nice thing is the resort is small, so all 3 pools are easy to get back and forth from, they are very warm, and open late, which we really enjoy! You won't make a mistake staying here!

 

[TotoToo]

I wonder what area(s) one of the posts above feels makes CPR "less" than Marriott quality? As owners there since 1993 we bought because it was virtually Marriott quality at that time (52" big screen tv, upscale furnishings & appliances - everything the Marriotts had and with a vastly superior location). The location remains one of the best in Orlando - especially for the ability to walk to so many things - and the planned community it sits within means there are no jarring thins like a gas station next door. It all fits and "works" as a planned development should.

Since 1993 they have gone through 4 renovations in the units as well as tremendous improvements to the already well equipped grounds. It is a smaller resort and that appeals to us. The most recent unit renovations have given them all new tile floors, all new high end built-in cabinets in the kitchen & baths, granite counter tops & shower/bath areas, a total redo of the smaller bed room from a trundle/twin to a queen sized bed & other built ins - and, for those who stayed in the past, there are now DOORS on the toilet areas (a pet peeve of the original design that used walls not doors for limited privacy).

With those changes the brick and mortar of the units have been updated for the next 20 years. In 2012 there will be the finishing touches of all new carpets (although those there now are only 5 years old & we've never had an issue with the cleanliness of those), new furnishings, soft goods and more flat screen tv's throughout the units (currently only in the 2nd bedroom). Even without those the units are meticulously maintained and clean - easily at Marriott levels throughout. Add in the upgraded cafe, game room, gift shop, pools, recreation area and much more and this is a resort that can compete with the newest out there but with a much better location than most.

While Cypress Pointe Grande Villas are technically newer buildings the actual resort, operated by a separate HOA from Cypress Pointe Resort, isn't as updated. They currently are starting a renovation of the 2 bedroom side, the 1 bedroom lock off was already done, so while now it is older but well maintained it is a completely different unit layout & quality from CPR.

Prices at both for rental can be found at the low to mid-range. Far more CPGV are available than CPR. The low prices are due to a very aggressive push to get income from all available time and can mean a great deal for a good (CPGV) and great (CPR) resort. It won't last forever but while the deals are there someone can get a great value. All common areas - pools, Clubhouse, recreation areas, etc are shared for all guests but the units are independently operated. You have to choose between CPR or CPGV as they are not interchangeable at check in despite the shared check in area. In our many stays they are two different experiences that are due to the different approaches to operation, maintenance & upgrades at the two resorts. Having all the common areas available to all guests is a plus. We prefer the CPR side as everything is closer, the units more up to date than CPGV while both are good choices especially for the low rentals we've seen recently.

 

[Detailor]

I wonder what area(s) one of the posts above feels makes CPR "less" than Marriott quality? As owners there since 1993 we bought because it was virtually Marriott quality at that time (52" big screen tv, upscale furnishings & appliances - everything the Marriotts had and with a vastly superior location). The location remains one of the best in Orlando - especially for the ability to walk to so many things - and the planned community it sits within means there are no jarring thins like a gas station next door. It all fits and "works" as a planned development should.

As I didn't see anybody else who referred to Marriott quality - I actually mentioned Marriott and Hilton quality as being greater, in my opinion, than at the Cypress Pointes - I'll respond. Just remember that I couched that comment as being my opinion and an opinion does not rely on a factual breakdown matching up every element of the resorts.

Based on my stays at both Cypress Pointe resorts and a few Orlando Marriotts I think that the villa interiors at Marriotts (excepting Harbour Lake which I think is at a lower class of villa quality than at Cypress Pointe) are superior. I think that the beds are more comfortable, the villa layouts are a bit better and the somewhat less public nature of the lanai locations are more to my liking. Based on my last Cypress Pointe visit I thought that the staff was good but not great at Cypress Pointe compared with some of the Marriotts - the staffs at both Marriott's Sabal Palms and Cypress Harbour are, in my opinion, right at the top that we've experienced in timesharing, though the staff at Marriott's Grande Vista always seems much more on par with that at Cypress Pointe (business-like and generally efficient but not doing anything that I'd classify as going the extra yard - doesn't mean bad, just my observation that I've seen better). I love the Cypress Pointe location - great for my early morning walk to Downtown Disney or beyond - and have recommended it consistently both at this forum and at TUG. But the uncontrolled, open nature of the resorts leave me with a feeling of being less secure than the security gate controlled entry/exit at the Marriotts and some other timeshare resorts. [Certainly not to indicate that I think that the Cypress Pointes are unsafe resorts - I never felt that way - or that the Marriott security necessarily makes those resorts safer from people walking onto the property from one of the golf courses. But that's another discussion for another time.]

What it comes down to, for me, is a combination of preferences. For me, most of the Marriotts meet more of my personal preferences for quality of a resort and quality of a stay. But everybody has their own preferences and I don't attempt to impose mine on anyone. I happen to like the Cypress Pointe resorts but I like most Marriotts better.

You have every right to be proud of Cypress Pointe as, in my opinion, it's a very good resort with a lot to offer guests and the recent improvements have made CP even better. Depending on what's available at any given time, we wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

Dick Taylor

 

[NJtoATL]

Nothing!!!! I have stayed a CP years ago and it was fine. I own at Star Island and I go twice a year. They just renovated all of the rooms. Star Island is 10 minutes from the parks and 5 minutes away. They do not offer a shuttle to the parks.

 

[Brian Noble]

Nothing is wrong with either. They don't have the "brand names", and maybe not all the bells, whistles, and upscale furnishings of those better known resorts. But both get consistently solid reviews from the people who stay there. Between the two, I'd personally lean to the Cypress Pointes for location, but Star Island is fine too. You wouldn't go wrong with either.

 

[act1980]

Does anyone have pics of the updated units?

 

[Detailor]

Does anyone have pics of the updated units?

Check out the pictures of the renovation from the cypressppointe.net website at http://www.cypresspointe.net/Graphics/042310/042310.htm

Most of the villa pictures start on the second page.

Dick Taylor

 

[act1980]

Check out the pictures of the renovation from the cypressppointe.net website at http://www.cypresspointe.net/Graphics/042310/042310.htm

Most of the villa pictures start on the second page.

Dick Taylor

Thanks!

 

[iluvflorida]

I have stayed at both and are quite nice. I would stay again if I could not get some of the better resorts (nicer grounds and more activities for kids). If it is just pools then both are nice. I prefer Vistana (am currently there) but if the price is better for these you will not be disappointed unless you are looking for a lot of organized kid activities

 

[loveysbydesign]

I've stayed at Cypress Pointe and Cypress Grandvillas and they are not the best down there, but they are still quite nice and I would say about average from what we have seen. Pros are the location, it's pretty close to Disney and Downtown Disney. Good pools and jacuzzi area and I liked the screened balcony area. My issue was cleanliness, when I walked on the floors my feet turned black every night, really gross! I found that to be true all 3 times we stayed there,(twice at Grandvillas and once at Cypress regular) I did like it enough to go back since the price was right as you can tell. I just have a toddler again so I prefer other places.

I liked the layout of the Grandvillas and the newness of it better than Cypress Pointe, but I liked the pool of Cypress Pointe better. Both were fine.

Just my 2 cents,
Jenn

When we stayed there we got black feet too..it was so gross! Windsor Hills is so much better!

 

[TotoToo]

When we stayed there we got black feet too..it was so gross! Windsor Hills is so much better!

CPGV or CPR? I have never had an issue with the carpets at CPR since the 2004 renovation - prior to that I did have one unit that did give a mild case of black on white socks once (under different management back then) but have seen/heard of many saying that about Grnade Villas even recently. No surprise as their carpet is much older. CPR is getting new tile floors and carpet in the current renovation so that is the fourth carpet replacement I know of there (average new every 5 years or less). Plus they clean them religiously.

 

[kathy884]

I've stayed at Cypress Pointe twice and Cypress Pointe Grandvillas once. We really like this resort. The three bedrooms there are super roomy and great for a stay with extended family. They are similar to the many great timeshare resorts in Orlando with a nice kichen LR/DR layout, laundry, and screened in balcony. Units are quite nice. Pools are very warm which my family loves. They just have two tennis courts, but don't seem to have many tennis players, so we could use these any time we wanted. The location is wonderful, right by Downtown Disney with resturant choices close by.

I've also had four stays at the Sheraton Vistana Resort mentioned above. Just to give you a comparison, there are mostly two bedrooms here (the CP resorts are the way to go if you want three bedrooms), this resort is larger, has more organized activities, and onsite resturants and bars. The units after the expensive rehab are a little more upscale than CP (granite counter tops, etc.) and sort of a Carribean theme in furnishings (quite tasteful). We don't really care that much about any of these things, though. The main thing that I do prefer about the Vistana is the landscaping and views. They have lots of little lakes, so from your balcony you always get a water view. The landscaping is superior too, more palm treess and green space. At Cypress Pointe or CPGV views are typically pool or parking lot. CP has the better location (so close to DD Disney). Sheraton Vistana is in Lake Buena Vista too, but at least a mile away from DD Disney.

All in all, if you are looking for a great value on a really nice resort, I think you'd be very happy with CP or CPGV. I'd stay at either of these again in a heartbeat.