Villa vs. Suite (and Club Level suite)

[mastrolang]

Hello!
I'm planning a family vacation for my family of four and I know we'll be staying in a Deluxe hotel (once you go Deluxe you never go back!), but I'm having a difficult time decide whether to stay in a villa or in a suite and wondering what everyone's opinions are on the amenities vs. cost? What's the best bang for our buck? Also, what about Club Level suites?

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Hello!
I'm planning a family vacation for my family of four and I know we'll be staying in a Deluxe hotel (once you go Deluxe you never go back!), but I'm having a difficult time decide whether to stay in a villa or in a suite and wondering what everyone's opinions are on the amenities vs. cost? What's the best bang for our buck? Also, what about Club Level suites?

Very big difference actually. The suites come with club level access which gives you a ton of extra amenities and services. Come check out the club level thread for lots of info! The villa is nice too, if you book a 1 bedroom or larger you'll get a full kitchen with all the equipment you would need for cooking plus your own washer/dryer. To me the suite would be the lap of luxury and the villa is more "home away from home" conveniences. Both great choices, but a very different type of vacation.

 

[morethananyonex]

Hello!
I'm planning a family vacation for my family of four and I know we'll be staying in a Deluxe hotel (once you go Deluxe you never go back!), but I'm having a difficult time decide whether to stay in a villa or in a suite and wondering what everyone's opinions are on the amenities vs. cost? What's the best bang for our buck? Also, what about Club Level suites?

IMO the villas give the best bang for your buck.

Comparing villa vs suite in the same price range, villas have higher occupancy rates, for example a 2 bedroom villa will hold 8 or 9 while the suites in the same price range tend to max out at 6. You tend to get more space in the villas than the similarly priced suites, as well as a full kitchen & in room laundry. The suites will give you club level service, but for us personally we prefer the kitchen. We don't need the concierge for anything, and have our own snacks/breakfast foods.

As an example, a 2 bedroom villa (that sleeps 8) at BCV is $830 during value season, while a 2 bedroom club level suite (that sleeps 7) at BC is $1633-1686 at that same time. A 1 bedroom club level suite is priced more in line with the villa ($735-788), but can only hold 3 people. Some of the other deluxe resorts have deluxe rooms (sort of like suites) that are priced similarly to a 2 bedroom villa, less in some cases, but max out at 6 guests and are at best a living room with a single bedroom.

A true suite with a separate sleeping area is going to cost you a lot more than a 1 bedroom DVC villa. For a family of 4, I would stay in a regular club level room if we wanted club level, or a 1 bedroom villa if we wanted the space.

 

[mastrolang]

Maybe I should clarify by saying I'd be staying in a studio villa or suite most likely. Are all suites at deluxe resorts at club level?

 

[morethananyonex]

Maybe I should clarify by saying I'd be staying in a studio villa or suite most likely. Are all suites at deluxe resorts at club level?

The price difference will be even bigger then.

I think all the non villa suites are club level (except at AoA at CSR, which are not deluxe resorts). My thinking is kind of opposite from yours. If we wanted what is typically a suite in most hotels, we would go for a 1 bedroom villa instead of a huge upcharge for the club level suite. If we wanted club level, we would stay in a standard club level room, keeping the costs somewhat in line with the 1 bedroom villa option.

 

[LisaCM614]

Maybe I should clarify by saying I'd be staying in a studio villa or suite most likely. Are all suites at deluxe resorts at club level?

The variance between a deluxe club level room and a studio villa is smaller.
I actually like the BWI deluxe club level rooms better than the BWV studio villas - decor and at least perceived space. Villas are great if you are looking to order groceries. But I like the snacks and drinks in the concierge lounge!

 

[mastrolang]

Thanks for this advice, I never thought about doing a standard room on club level - actually I didn't realize all suites were on club level.