To Get The Best View At The Dolphin??

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

We've got a lake view room booked May 29th to June 9th at the Dolphin for $169.. I've requested a king bed room with a view of Epcot. So when we go down on the 29th and I walk up the the front desk to check in.... what EXACTLY do I say to get the best view???

I'm also an SPG gold member with 12,000+ points so were hoping to upgrade to club level for the 11 nights.

Any ideas?
Andy

 

[poohbear7]

When you check in just tell them you would like to upgrade with points to club.
When we stayed at the Dolphin and asked to upgrade to club it was 1500 pts per night.

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi poobear7

Uh oh... it was my understanding that it was 1000 points per night to upgrade to club level at the Dolphin. Oh no... we were banking on that as we'll have 12,000 points when we travel to cover 11 nights of club level!

Andy

 

[Poohlovr]

From what I've figured out, it's one price if you upgrade using SPG before you get to the hotel and another if you upgrade at check-in.

So, actually, both point costs are correct.

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi Poohlovr

Wheeeeew!! That is a relief! So it sounds like you're saying if you upgrade at check in to CL it's 1500 points and if you upgrade before you arrive at the hotel it's 1000. Is that right?

I've sent an email to the Dolphin yesterday and I'm waiting for the response regarding this. I figured you guys would know the story for sure!!

Thanks
Andy

 

[mommykds]

Hi Andy,
Did they ever respond to your email? Is it 1000 points for advance upgrade & 1500 at check in?

 

[Lives4Disney]

I just wanted to bump this up. I haven't stayed at the Dolphin before, but I have a club level room reservation for August.

What would the view choices be on the club floor?? Does anyone know? The view is important to me!!! Are there any rooms on the club floor with balconies? Are the club rooms all on the same floor as the lounge?

I am also an spg member with lots of points, but I am taking advantage of the buy 4 nights get 6 deal. I will need to compare that price with the upgrade with points info.

Is it 1000 points to upgrade at check in or 1500?

Thanks for any additional info.

Lives4Disney

 

[MickeyMickey]

Bump!!

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi Lives4Disney

We just got back from a long awaited trip to the Dolphin (May 29th to June 9th). We also stayed club level and had a room with a fantastic view. We were right in the center section on floor 14. It was awesome. We could see fireworks from Epcot and MGM right from our room every night. Like you I'm very picky about the room I get. I know some people don't care but I like to come back to a room after a day at the parks where it's super nice with a really good view.

The first thing you want to do is call reservations at the Dolphin (1-800-227-1500) and not Starwood. Starwood is useless and you need to deal with the hotel directly. Ask the status of your reservation and tell them that you want to add the request to have a room with a view of Epcot. They'll say that they can't guarantee it. Fine... duly noted but you'll have the request in. What they do is type this into your room requests. When you get to the resort if there is one available you'll get it. I actually phoned the hotel 3 times to confirm that I had a request in for a room with a view of Epcot.

Unfortunately the rooms on club level don't have balconies. This I still don't understand but it's true. I asked the question... could I get a balcony room on a non club level floor and pay for club level priviledges. The answer was no an they don't allow that. Something to do with fire codes and a limit on the amount of people who can access the lounge.

The actual club lounge is on the 12th floor and they have the 12th floor and the 14th floor rooms designated as club level rooms. We didn't find it a big deal to take the elevator to the 12th floor.

Regarding the 1000 versus 1500 points. I'd phone the 1-800 number above and ask for the SPG desk at the hotel (there is a separate desk). I'm still not sure what it is. We were told 1000 regardless but don't quote me.

Hope this helps!

Andy

 

[Lives4Disney]

ANDY - THANKS so much for all the great information!! I am going to get on the phone today with that Dolphin number you gave me & get it taken care of!

I really appreciate it! We will be checking in about 10 pm on a Saturday night, so I want to make sure I am not calling down to the front desk asking to change rooms lol.

THANKS SO MUCH!! Glad you had a nice stay!

Lives4Disney