Staying offsite at Marriott villas

[mrsp1030]

We are considering a January trip to Orlando and have always stayed on property but we are considering staying at either Harbour Lakes or Cypress Lakes this time because of our ability to use points and also the spaciousness. We will have 3 kids all boys ages 6, 4, and 5 months. Just curious for those that have stayed on and off property if you ever regretted it. Also, are the pools heated in January?

 

[spiceycat]

pools should be heated - w/marriott when you check in ask which is the warmest pool. hoping they can tell you. there is generally one pool that is definitely warmer than the others - and mostly it is not the main pool.

January is not a really busy months - unless you are talking NY or MLKB.

otherwise you will be fine.

 

[jlevis]

We own at Marriott's Grande Vista and, of course, stay there when in Orlando. We have never regretted it and with the announced price hikes at Disney properties are glad we made the choice when we did. We've always found the pools there to be comfortable regardless of the time of year.

 

[Detailor]

The pools are heated all around the calendar. The pools will be comfortable to swim in in January. But, the January air can be pretty cool and you might not want to come out of the pool. Brrrrrrrr!

Dick Taylor

 

[happymommy]

If it's between Harbour Lake and Cypress Harbor, I'd go with Harbour Lake for your family. In the 2 bedroom villa, your second bedroom will have two beds instead of one and a sofa sleeper.

I love Harbour Lake! It's a nice size resort, and I loved having the space of the villa (which was nice and clean! and very comfortable beds!).

The weather can be nice and pleasant or it can be downright freezing, you never know. IIRC there was a hot tub? I don't remember using it though. But the pools should be heated. I have no idea how my kids do it, but they'll go down waterslides when it's 60 degrees out! Brrrrr! And I'll be sitting by the pool in jeans and a sweater!

Hope you have a great trip!