Good morning lizards!
I'm going to sneak in a little Dis-time this morning - the laundry is done and the kids seem back on their schedules. At 13 and 11, it's a much easier "re-entry" period! I'll probably include various reports here and there so sorry if this is repetitious.
The BWI lobby was beautifully decorated for Christmas and the place was bustling on Friday afternoon. CL check-in is in the regular check-in line - and there was a line - but it moved pretty quickly. Our suite was not ready (it was 3:30) so they sent us to the lounge to wait. We found our way through the infamous BWI hallways and we were greeted at the concierge desk by Robin who said our suite was in fact ready! SO we checked out the lounge and grabbed a couple of Diet Cokes. Robin directed us to our suite via a back stairway that must be used by maintenance (very industrial and unappealing but a quick trip to our suite!)
We arrived at 1206 and were so excited to finally be there - but we couldn't get in. Keys would not open the door. Now the garden suites are a fair distance from the lobby - which is why I chose them (quiet, romantic, etc.), but now the lobby seemed miles away. Ah! The cell phone! Called the front desk and told them we couldn't get in - they would send someone. ABout 10 minutes later, a CM came to our rescue but his key cards didn't work either so he used a master hard key and opened our door. We were greeted by a beautiful tray that held a plate with the white chocolate Mickey and 5 tuxedo strawberries - and a Happy Anniversary note! A great greeting - thanks, BWI IPO!
The garden suites are spacious and we liked the lay-out with the bedroom upstairs. We did get a balcony room - which we requested - and the balcony was huge! Our view was of the rose gardens and quiet pool and when we looked hard to the left, we could see Illuminations. A great location!
What we didn't like: this suite needs updating - lots of staining on the carpets and the tile needs regrouting or something. All in all, the place did not seem well-kept. The bathrooms have a really annoying fan system. The fan in the whirlpool and vanity area goes on whenever you turn on the light - we wish this was switched separately since the bed is just on the other side of the shutters that separate the vanity area from the bedroom. DH, who is a night owl, brushed his teeth and cleaned up in the dark so as not to wake me with the fan noise! And the toilet/shower room has one light that must be 40 watts - which would account for the moldy tile on the floor near the shower. I'm sure housekeeping can barely see it! The fan in this room makes absolutely no sense! There is a "sensor" above the toilet that starts the fan when someone enters the room - it runs for 10 seconds (DH timed it), then stops. Unless you start moving, then it goes on for 10 seconds. Imagine us using the toilet every morning - doing the hustle - so as to keep the fan on! LOL Then you'd get in the shower and the stupid fan would turn off! We can't imagine who designed this one.
Anyway, despite our disappointment in the condition of the suite, we were celebrating our 15th anniversary and we were not going to let that bother us. I'll include our dining reports on that board - we had some great meals!
The BWI lounge is warm and inviting and the CMs were very friendly (except one who was a pill) - I can see why some of you love the CMs - they seemed to really know a lot of the guests. The morning offerings were great - cereal, yogurt, fruit, bagels, croissants and a variety of sweet rolls along with juices and coffee. We did see the afternoon offerings our first day and it looked like mixed nuts, chips and cookies with sodas. We only stopped in one evening and there were 3 types of wine, a couple brands of beer, veggies and dip, cheese platter and a couple of hot appetizers. We went up once at 8:45 p.m. and found only 5 mini cupcakes and 3 types of liqueres. I only have the RPC to compare with, but the GF lounge far surpasses BWI in what they provide at each offering.
On our second night (it was actually very early in the morning) we were both jarred awake by 5 or 6 large bangs - like someone hitting a metal trash can with a hammer. We couldn't determine where the noise came from but just chalked it up to hotel noise. During our 3rd night, I was awakened again at 12:45 by the same type of banging and clanging - only it went on for 45 minutes before I called the front desk. The CM said she'd report it to the manager. The noise continued for another 30 minutes, then stopped for 20. When it started again, I called and asked to speak to the manager who had not gotten my first message. He said he'd look into it and call us back - I told him I'd call him instead. The noise continued and when I called him at 3, he said they were power-washing the vents at Spoodles but were told to stop. He offered to move us but we said we'd wait till morning. By now, DH was really wishing we had gone with our first instinct and stayed at the GF. So at 7, I called the manager and asked to be moved there. She called the GF and said she could get us into GF Sugar Lodge - that's all that was available. I said sure but when we hung up, I called CRO and checked their availability. All room types available and an AP rate for RPC! I booked it and called the manager again to update her on our new ressie. They were very nice about it all - very apologetic - and even transferred us and our luggage in a BWI courtesy van.
DH had meetings all day (he decided to get a little business done while we were there!) so a BWI driver delivered me and our luggage to the GF by 10. I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to be "home". Everything went so smoothly here and we were upgraded to a deluxe concierge room on the 4th floor! Beautiful and very spacious. The room was in perfect condition and just so luxurious (and $100 cheaper!) WE love the GF and DH said he really doesn't want to go anywhere else. The CL CMs were warm, yet very professional and the RPC lounge is fabulous.
I guess the bottom line for us is that when we want to go luxury, we will always go with the GF. I'm glad I tried BWI but I probably wouldn't go back. The area is great (we've stayed at YC, BC and BCV) so it does have that going for it, but honestly, we enjoyed our stay at BCV more than BWI.
We also decided we have a definite traveler "style". We love great service and professionalism but don't really need the personal interaction all the time. Sometimes, we just don't want to chat with the staff. Other times, we do. We have found the CMs at GF to be friendly, courteous and professional which could be interpreted as aloof or whatever. But when we engage them in conversation (by our choice), they are as warm as can be. Sorry this went so long - I guess I had a lot to say!
To those of you leaving, have a great time!!! I miss it already!!!
. You are in my thoughts...
...
! Hope you'll be all better ASAP! I'm off to enjoy your report 
room wave 
He is an absolute lover. . .but you can't convince our Precious cat of that one! She's not as enamored of him as the rest of the family. Poor older cat--he even stole her sleeping spot in our bed! She got a reprieve last night though and curled up at my feet just like "old times". 
We are looking forward to our first GF stay... the kids are hoping to get in at least one swim before the weather turns "colder" this weekend (though after the two days of snow, sleet and ice we've had, "cold is a relative thing!)
