Swan and Dolphin Hotels

[faberj]

Has anyone stayed at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels??? My DH has a convention there at the end of March and I am going along with him. Just wondering how they are. I know they are not Disney resorts, but I hope they are still nice.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Stayed at the Dolphin several times in the early '90's - had a fantastic room with balcony and EPCOT view every time.

Staff was even more magical than Disney resorts!

Resorts are large and think the Dolphin is in the midst of a room refurb, so request a refurbished room.

Check out the Swan and Dolphin info thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1567343

Both are quite large, and lack the ambiance of Disney resorts, but still wonderful place to stay - walking distance to EPCOT and MGM.

Hope you have a great time!!

 

[MickeyNicki]

They are fantasic, we have stayed at both and prefer the Swan because it is quieter, not that many conventioners there. Great locations and the best beds ever.

 

[Eljay]

They are both very nice.

Both have a big selection of restaurants, plus, you are within a quick stroll to the Boardwalk area, the restaurants at the Yacht and Beach Clubs and, as BaciBecky mentioned, within walking distance to Epcot & MGM/Hollywood Studios.

The Heavenly Beds are awesome!

 

[CamColt]

We love both!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

They are awesome! Check out the pictures on this thread
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715731

 

[ms_mckenna]

Stayed at the Dolpin our first trip and adored it!

 

[*Dreamin'Dad*]

Our experiences with these were spectacular. We enjoyed our rooms (especially the beds ) and the location is one of the best IMO. You don't usually spend much time in the rooms, but when you do, the beds are important and you sleep really well. Walks at sunrise are spectacular as well as reviving. The concierge service is nice for breakfast, but not a must have.

Enjoy!

 

[Vivianne]

I've stayed 2x at the Swan and once at the Dolphin - Standard rooms. The beds were comfortable. The only thing was that I noticed someone had smoked in the room (Dolphin) when we first checked in, we got another room. The location is great for both hotels.

 

[Eljay]

I've stayed 2x at the Swan and once at the Dolphin - Standard rooms. The beds were comfortable. The only thing was that I noticed someone had smoked in the room (Dolphin) when we first checked in, we got another room. The location is great for both hotels.

Both hotels are completely non-smoking now, along with all of the WDW hotels.

Here is some info on the Boardwalk area, which is all easy to walk to. Also, the Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Epcot and Studios are all connected by a great boat service!

http://allearsnet.com/btp/brdwlk.htm

 

[Vivianne]

Both hotels are completely non-smoking now, along with all of the WDW hotels.

Here is some info on the Boardwalk area, which is all easy to walk to. Also, the Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Epcot and Studios are all connected by a great boat service!

http://allearsnet.com/btp/brdwlk.htm

I know they're supposed to be smoke-free. Some people don't follow the rules. Just ask for another room.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

We've stayed at the Swan many times, and love this resort!

For us, the non-Disney status of the Swan is barely noticable. It's almost a technicallity.

You can see the parks from your room - Epcot or MGM- depending on the the view! You can't say that about most WDW resorts! (Do have DH join their rewards program! Even if it's your first stay, you may get a room view upgrade. I think It's called Starpoints, or Starwood Preferred.) The resorts are really pretty, have better beds than WDW, share boats with the Epcot resorts, have MUCH better coffee that the WDW resorts.

The walk to Epcot from the Swan is really great. When I think of waking up at WDW, and starting my day, this is what I picture.

If you are at the Swan and want to grab a quick bite on the way to Epcot, consider the Boardwalk Bakery - it's on the way as opposed to the QS place in the Swan, unless you want eggs or a resort mug. At MGM, consider Starring Rolls for quick bite.


In the afternoon, the poolside eateries are nice. The one at the Dolphin has a wide array for frozen adult beverages too! Speaking of which, the pool is quite nice there. Maybe not quite as 'cute' as some of the WDW themed ones, but the hidden hot tub with the waterfall is a gem. Much nicer than many of the WDW resort hot tubs. I really like the waterfall on the main pool and the water volleyball court.

 

[qtzar]

Myself and my wife now have the exact opposite view of the Dolphin hotel. We have been going to a conference there every January for the past 5 years together and the quality of service has gone way downhill over the years.

Our last stay in January was the final straw, we have vowed never to stay there again, even for the conference. We were given a terrible room on the ground floor as far away from the elevators as possible. They would not change the room due to the conference booking out the entire hotel. The worst thing is we are BOTH platinum members in the starwoods member program. No automatic upgrade was awarded, they charged us for internet and bottled water ( which should not happen to platinum members ) and our email complaint to the starwoods platinum services has still not been answered over a month later.

The ONLY good things about these two hotels is that they sell Red Bull ( all disney hotels sell Coke products so no Red Bull ) and in the Dolphin the 24hr cafe called Peakaboo has the best pizza we have ever tasted.