Update On The Residence Inn

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

I can't wait to hear from some people who stay there. I just booked a 2br, 2bath, suite w/kitchen, living room and 3 TVs with hot breakfats for $140 + tax for Feb. 2007.
Shirley thanks for all the information. How's the area near the hotel? Is there anything there, hard to navigate? About how far from there to food and the port? Thanks!!

 

[Timmbco]

Shirley- you say Four Points has a shuttle that leaves from Radisson. How do we get to the Radisson to pick it up? Are the two hotels close? I'm a little confused. And is Four Points as pretty as it looks in the drawing on their website? I know it's new and it has been very hard to find information. Everything I know so far has come from you!

 

[snelsonbrown]

ok - hope I can answer all the questions I have been asked and to those that I can't, I will get it for you by tomorrow - First ALL of the motels/hotels informed me that due to the expense of transportation, insurance, upkeep etc is the reason that they will not have a shuttle service - in all my time, I haven't seen or heard anything about one of the shuttles of the Radisson being in an accident or being sued - I of course stand by the Radisson for all the reasons I have listed before - I am waiting to see IF we get in harms way, if the residence will go the extra mile as the Radisson has done in the past. As for what is around the Residence and Country Inn and Suites NOTHING, NADA etc - you are maybe about a quarter of a mile from Zackery's which has good food, you are next door to Ractrac for gas, etc and then there is Traxx which is a place for kids to go to play games, ride go carts tho it is a little pricey, but has been worth it at times. As far as shopping goes, you have to go into Cocoa Beach or Merritt island for any serious shopping - We have a Publix which will be about 2 and a half miles South of the new places - as for the port, you are less than 2 miles - you won't be able to see the port due to the surrounding land, but I am sure before too long that will be gone.
4 Points, you know, I did find out once upon a time, how you got from there to the Radisson but I forgot so I will write Joe P (radisson's general manager) and get that information - 4 Points is built on a very small piece of land right on A1A and it doesn't have much yard or landscape, but I feel its very appealing and close to everything including Ron Jon's in fact this is why RJ's is moving everything to Cape Canaveral within 2 years - the city will be buying the RJ building to house their offices which in a way will be nice - You are NOT close to the beach once you are up toward the port, but you do have Manatee Bay which is located right behind the Radisson - its a nice park for the kids to be around and it does have manatees. Four Points does NOT have a shuttle, I remember now - you have to take a cab or drive to the Radisson for the shuttle. 4 Points and the Radisson are about maybe 3 miles apart which doesn't seem like much but traffic in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach has become a nightmare - it took Norm and I close to 1/2 hour to drive one mile from work to home tonight - maybe there was an accident, we couldn't tell since traffic was past from what we could see - As I said, I believe the Residence is a pretty place from the outside, I believe the Country Inn and Suites looks kinda "boring'' compared to the residence. I believe the Radisson is beautiful and convient, but then when you compare cost for a room, hey you do what you have to do in order to save monies.
Anyhow I hope I have answered some of your questions and as i find more, will post ok.
I am anxious for a report when someone stays there and gives the real details.
The only places that are close to the beach is when you start like Best Western, Days Inn, Holiday inn Express on down the line toward the South.
Anyhow take care and have a great weekend.
Always
Shirley
The Goodwill ambassador

 

[VAgal76]

Thank you, Shirley, for being our eyes and insider edition reporter.

 

[snelsonbrown]

good morning,
I finally got to go on the Residence property and take a good look this morning - The front still looks beautiful, but a lot of work has to be done if they are to open on March 20th - The landscaping, I would say, is about half completed - the entrance way to the office appears to be kinda of a tight squeeze but again the workers were there still going for the deadline - I got to drive around to the back where the pool was and its a nice size pool, but nothing that other hotels doesn't have - the only thing I saw wrong is that it is below rooms on that side and if there is a lot of folks at the pool, will it interfere with those in the rooms surrounding the pool? Now these are just MY OBSERVATIONS OK? they do have a nice basketball court in the back -
The back rooms overlook the VERY expensive condos built on the river - you will have a obscure look of the river - nope you do not see the port unless you stand close to the enclosed fence and have a high ladder. Me? I do like the layout and I believe by the time they are REALLY finished, it will be super nice - I saw NOTHING happening at the Country Inn and Suites - they still have a lot to go before they can open.
Anyhow thought I would give you an update as to what was going on ok.
Hope that helps
always
Shirley

 

[kaykels]

THANKS again for the update. I can't wait to try it out. I will miss the view from the Raddison. The kids were so excited that they could see the ship from the bedroom window. But their main concern is always the same.... THE POOL !!!

Keep us posted on the Country Inn when they get it up and going.
Thanks so much for being our eyes and ears.

xoxoxoxoxox

 

[Michelle2]

I cannot decide which one to do now....the Radisson or the Residence Inn. I have them both booked and will have to cancel one in the future. We have stayed at the Radisson and thought that it was nice, but since we will be driving (rental car), it will not matter to us about the shuttle. We were just excited to get a bigger room, less money and really new!

Is the distance from the Residence Inn too much farther from the port than the Radisson? Is there any reason to stay at one more than the other besides the shuttle??

Is it just me, because we stayed on the port side of the Radisson and could not see the ship or the port at all. Some really huge condo buiding stretching the whole length of the Radisson was blocking the view...also it looked like the Carnival Glory was blocking the way too.

 

[snelsonbrown]

Quote
"Is the distance from the Residence Inn too much farther from the port than the Radisson? Is there any reason to stay at one more than the other besides the shuttle??"

The Radisson and The Residence are only a block or so apart - they are really thisclose as far as that goes - they ONLY things between them is Racrtrac, Traxx (the place for kids) and Zackery's -that's it. You are closer to the port by those 3 places and as far reason to stay at one more than the other - that I am sure someone will answer for you - me I still stick by the Radisson, but that is my choice - until someone gets to stay there and post their experience, we just won't know too much.
Anyhow I am sure the answer will be posted soon.
Always
Shirley

 

[burma]

thanks of the info Shirley ... I booked for next Feb so Im sure they will have some of the kinks worked out .. I own 2 timeshares at the Marriott Vacation Club in Aruba and I would assume these suits will be just as nice ...

Only downside is no food ... I guess I will have to find your cell number and call your for some good southern cookin

Kids are still talking about the sand pails from a few weeks ago.... the princess wands are still being eaten ... I never thought they would last this long ...


David

 

[christinou]

Shirley, is the pool a regular rectangular pool. or more of a frreeform pool like the Radisson has. We will have a car, so a place to eat will not be an issue, and of course if you do the southern food thing, I am joining David at your place.....

 

[snelsonbrown]

FIRST AND FOREMOST let me when you will be here and Norm & I would be more than happy to cook a spanish meal for ya -
Now I just posted on another thread about the Residence Inn and I remarked how insulted I was about an article that was in our local newspaper today - it was A BIG article on how they are zoning in on catering to the business clientes that are here on business especially with NASA and this is why they had no ideas for offering a shuttle service and also mentioned and recommended that the Country Inn and Suites as "better suited" for cruisers.
Country Inn and Suites is due to open in May. Anyhow the article was very long and very detailed and tho I haven't had a chance to speak with the GM, I do intend to give her a call for I felt very insulted by some of the remarks - When the shuttle era shuts down, she must not be aware that NASA will have some serious problems for awhile. Anyhow I am not pleased with them at this time so if I come off irrated, I am.
Will let you know how the conversations with them goes.
Always
Shirley

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

As always, thanks Shirley!!

 

[mott]

Just in case anyone missed this other thread, there is a report on the new Residence Inn here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1075593&highlight=residence+inn

One post even has pictures (I think it's on page 2 or maybe page 3).

 

[Scotch]

Shirley,

A BIG thank you for all the helpful posts on this board I've read over the past couple of years. And at this point I really appreciate the updates on new hotels coming into the area. I just did some research into the Four Points as an option (and alternative to the Residence Inn) as the rate for a 1BR suite = almost exactly the same except the Residence Inn includes free breakfast. The only reason the free breakfast (plus closer location) does not seal the deal is because the Four Points (1) look so funky and fun from the photo I see on its website, (2) it has a Starbucks (for our morning breakfast and coffed for me) and an onsite restaurant with a 4000+ gallon aquarium (with small sharks) that DS (2 years old) will just love. But your comment about terrible traffic concerns me. I initially figured what is a few more miles of driving? But if it could take close to 1/2 hour to drive 1 mile -- eeks!!!!! How often does that happen? It would defeat the point of driving over to the Cape from MCO the night before. I'd also appreciate hearing any updates about the Four Points from you.

 

[Scotch]

I just read the Tripadvisor reviews of the Four Points. Eeks! Nevermind any updates -- I'm no longer interested in this hotel.

 

[snelsonbrown]

"I just read the Tripadvisor reviews of the Four Points. Eeks! Nevermind any updates -- I'm no longer interested in this hotel."

Scotch - what kind of review did Four Points have? What was so bad that you had that bad of a taste?
Anyhow traffic is super conjested early in the AM and late in the PM -you have new constructions of homes, condos, townhouses, you have workers going or coming to work, you have tourist and then you have folks coming over for special events and the roads are just not wide enough to commodate all the commuters - most of the time, it isn't bad - By the Grace of God, we do have very little of any kind of accidents on the road and for most part, folks are very patience.
Anyhow let me know about 4 Points ok so I can check the problem out - I have been invited to the official grand opening of the Country Inn and Suites this weekend and I believe I am going to go since "Gina" never called me back to answer all the questions I had.
chat with ya later
Always
Shirley

 

[Scotch]

You can read the Tripadvisor reviews here. The environment just doesn't sound like a good place for us, though teens would probably enjoy it.

 

[jeast]

Hi! Not trying to hijack the thread, but we are staying at the doubletree on the beach and haven't heard much about it. shirley, do you have an opinion on this hotel?

 

[mott]

Hi! Not trying to hijack the thread, but we are staying at the doubletree on the beach and haven't heard much about it. shirley, do you have an opinion on this hotel?

We stayed at the Doubletree last fall. It's right on the beach with a small pool. Had a nice lunch by the pool from the restaraunt. It's older but the rooms were clean. It's a long drive to the port from there (10 minutes) compaired to other hotels.

 

[jeast]

Mott, thanks. I'm not too worried about the drive as long as it is under 40 minutes or so. I just don't know anything about the hotel or what is around it. I got it through priceline, so I took it for the price.