Swan/Dolphin...which one?

[tbuot]

Which hotel do you all prefer? I also would like to know which one or if both have/are going through renovations? I have a friend that stayed at the Swan in Dec. and said the room was not very nice that it looked worn, wallpaper peeling. Their parents stayed there also and they had no hot water and A/C didn't work?! I know many of you love these hotels and I would like to know if you think this was an unfortunate fluke? Thanks...really considering booking there next summer.

 

[CarolA]

I just stayed in the Swan and would recommend it over the Dolphin just for the heavenly beds! The description is apt!

 

[ArcticWildMan]

We stayed at the Swan a few years ago and I wouldn't stay there again if you paid me!!

The room had holes in the wall (the second room they gave us...the first stunk so bad of mold/mildew I insisted on a new room), the hallway carpet was all bunched up, we had a cnventioner next door actually call our room at 9pm one night and said my daughters were too noisy and that she needed to sleep for a big presentation the next day . Another thing I didn't like was the long walk to Tubbies in the AM for coffee/breakfast and again in the evening if we wanted a snack. The pool was also a hike since it was on the Dolphin side of the resort as well.

I'd stay at the Dolphin next time. Everything is situated right there.

 

[holidaybarb]

I was at the Swan last week of June and liked it just fine. The rooms have all been redone and the heavenly beds are pretty great. Elevators were fast, pools nice, staff quite accommodating. It is smaller than the Dolphin which appeals to me, too. Location is great and the price was right!

 

[NHAnn]

The Swan room renovations are finished, the Dolphin's are underway. We like the Dolphin, have not tried the Swan. The reasons we prefer the Dolphin are....it's bigger, hence more rooms, hence more balcony rooms which we like ...I like the Dolphin lobby better, and as another poster mentioned Tubbi's is in the Dolphin which is very convenient. Some prefer the Swan for its smaller more intimate atmosphere, and it's "Heavenly beds" (though I have to tell you, the bed I slept in at the Dolphin last month had a "heavenly bed" tag on the mattress, and this was in a not-yet-renovated room!).
The Grotto pool is situated closer to the west end of the Dolphin than to the west end of the Swan. But, if you are in the far east wing of the Dolphin, it probably takes longer to get to the Grotto than it would from the Swan. We're talking a difference of a few minutes either way though. The Swan does have a smaller pool right outside the back too.

Check out glo's S/D FAQ thread at the top of the page for lots of info...
I wouldn't hesitate to give either one a try next summer!

 

[las3888]

We were just at the Swan in May. I believe all rooms are now renovated there, and they are working on the Dolphin. Rooms are to be finished I believe sometime in 2004. If you notice, Dreams Unlimited (this page's sponsor) shows Dolphin at $129/night (best case) and Swan at $144/night, this is because they are taking into consideration that the Swan has been renovated wheras the Dolphin is still underway.

We prefer Swan (have stayed at both). It does have a more intimate lobby and we really enjoy the nice happy hour there in the evening. The Dolphin is a bit busy for us, but they are both really great. I think the Swan is a bit easier to walk to the Boardwalk and MGM from, and it's a wash for the walk to EPCOT from the Swan of Dolphin.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[BlindmanMike]

We stayed at the Swan June 2002. We didn’t have the luxury of getting a newer room, so our room was quite worn and was in major need of an update. That said I love both of these hotels. I’ve never stayed at the dolphin, but I do like the décor and the over all atmosphere of the dolphin. Tubbies is quite a bit away from the Swan but the walk is under five minutes. The walk to the pool is further from the swan then the dolphin, but still only by a minute or two.

The major reason I love the Swan and the Dolphin is for its location. You’re just a boat ride away from EPCOT and MGM. A quick walk across the bridge and your on the boardwalk. The staff was very friendly and the pool is fabulous. I would recommend either hotel at this point. My next visit after this year was going to be the Dolphin, but now that the Swan if fully redone, I might make our next trip there.

 

[swilphil]

I would recommend staying at the Dolphin in the West Wing (close to pool) and in a renovated room. We just stayed on the East wing, older room. It was fine, but worn and a longer walk to the pool. Also make sure you're not too close to the construction if someone in your group is going to be napping in the afternoon.

I like the Dolphin for its lobby and the amenities like Tubbi's, laundry, arcade. Plus you save a little money.