Swan/Dolphin refurb news..FYI

[Dan Murphy]

If you don't stop by the DIS News section often, here is an item from earlier this week......

Graves Digs Disney Hotels

(Orlando Business Journal) -- A big chunk of the $75 million upgrade at the Walt Disney World Dolphin and Swan hotels is being spent where guests will appreciate it most: the hotel's 2,267 rooms. Architect Michael Graves has been commissioned by the hotel's owners to redo the room designs with more of an emphasis on comfort and functionality than the original decor, which the designers called whimsical — but many guests simply labeled ugly. The two hotels always have been Disney's red-headed stepchildren. Located in the middle of the Epcot Resort area, the pair of properties appear to be part of the Disney family to the casual eye. Their colorful designs include giant namesake cartoon-like figures atop the buildings. But these are not Disney hotels. They are operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. under the Sheraton (Dolphin) and Westin (Swan) brands. They are not owned by Disney, either. The owners include a partnership between MetLife Inc. and the Tishman Hotel & Realty Corp., a subsidiary of Tishman Realty & Construction Inc., the business that managed the original Epcot construction project. The three-month-long, sequential renovation of 758 rooms at the Swan will be completed in early 2003 and both hotels by the end of 2003. This time around, whimsy is taking a back seat to comfort. Graves calls it "an intriguing transformation from whimsical to modern luxury ... accented by a contemporary approach." Or as we might put it: Say so-long to monkey chandeliers, pineapple lamps and sandy beach carpet. They are being replaced by sleek maple bureaus, frosted-glass accents and a slate foyer. Look for the hotels to adopt one of Westin's success stories: the "heavenly bed," a trademark ultra-comfy fixture with high thread-count cotton sheets, down comforters and duvet. The bed, to be installed in both hotels, is actually the focus of the room redesign, which uses softer tones of blue and beige than the original peach and teal combination. Also being added are high-speed Internet connections and a larger, 27-inch TV.

 

[Beauty]

I still think it would be so cool if the monorail ran through them. We talked about that on our Illuminations Cruise!

So, where can I buy mementos of the old "whimsy" Swan/Dolphin decor? I would love to have a piece of that carpet and one of the lamps.

 

[Blondie]

You know, when the Swan/Dolphin was on HG TV in the beginning of the week, they showed a room with a maple wood armoir and I was thinking, where is THAT room? The room decor was totally different....now I know why!

I guess that is what the rooms are going to look like when they are done.

Say so-long to monkey chandeliers, pineapple lamps and sandy beach carpet.

I like that theme! It was cute! I guess the "business" clientele didn't think so.

I'll miss the carpeting in the hallway too.

 

[LisaTx]

I'll miss the theming, but I sure am looking forward to the "heavenly" bed! We stayed at a Westin that had them and they were fabulous. DH almost had to drag me out of there when our stay was over.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by LisaTx
...but I sure am looking forward to the "heavenly" bed! We stayed at a Westin that had them and they were fabulous. DH almost had to drag me out of there when our stay was over.

I recall your story of the bed at the Swan, Lisa, LOL. Funny story. I too, had a 'heavenly bed' in a Sheraton in Atlanta, and it is a great night's sleep!!!!!!!!


http://www.starwood.com/westin/service/reservations_service.html

 

[LisaTx]

 

[snoopy]

I sort of liked the whimsical theme!

Oh well, love the Swan and Dolphin hotels, so I'm sure I'll get a chance to sleep in one of those beds.

 

[CookieGVB]

I love the carpeting in the Dolphin!

Heavenly beds are great - we stayed at a Westin in CT a few weeks ago - wow! (they also had a card with prices of obtaining the treatment for your own bedroom - WOW!!!! $$$$$$$$$)

 

[PandyPaws]

There is one room in the Dolphin that's done, sort of as a model I guess...although the public doesn't get to see. However, if you go over to the shipping desk, there is a photograph of the finished room hanging on the wall in there

 

[jfulcer]

When I was in Minneapolis, I stayed in a Westin for a week and had a heavenly bed.

It was heavenly, that's for sure. DW would have loved the pillows.

 

[Wheelsie]

Ok where's my reservation???

 

[catsrule]

Thanks for the info, Dan.

 

[DocRafiki]

OK what CM is going to keep an eye out for a cast-off TV and bed for me?

 

[shep]

Thanks Dan..

 

[RoqueC]

Originally posted by Beauty
I still think it would be so cool if the monorail ran through them.

Damn, that'd be one long monorail.

 

[AlisonY2K]

So..Donna...how much of the original decor have you *accidentally* brought home with you?

 

[pumba]

we had one of the new mattresses and it was "heavenly".....and we have had a water bed at home for 22 years now....so to say this bed was that great......believe me it was....

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

We too, had one of those new mattresses in a Swan studio last April...it truely was heavenly.....good name for them!!

I liked the old decor but I look forward to seeing the new

 

[AlisonY2K]

the hallway carpet in the Dolphin was cute, but that color scheme in the rooms left something to be desired.
We still love the place, tho, regardless.