Vistana Resorts!! Beach towels?

[obnurse2003]

I know there are a lot of questions about the Vistana but I have one more. Does anyone know if they provide large towels for the swimming pool, or do you have to bring your own?

Most of the resorts I have ever stayed have provided these as a sort of rental near the pool but this resort has a lot of "strange sounding" factors. In a way, I am really dreading our stay here since I have heard a lot of negative things about this resort. I am just crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.

I'm not a princess, and don't expect to be treated like one, but I do hope our rooms are clean and don't reek of smoke!

Anyway, anyone know about the towels??

 

[Lisa P.]

Stop in at any of the recreation buildings located next to a pool at the resort. There, you may sign out pool towels with your room key. You return them there when you're done with them.

 

[Cyndiu]

Don't be worried about your stay at Vistana. Even if you encounter something about the resort you don't like, you can call for repair, etc. and they will take care of you.

I too, have read some of the negative reviews of Vistana and can only say, we have gone 5 times now and stayed in the Lakes, Cascades, Spas, Fountains and Fountains II sections and we have been happy each year. The one major problem we ever had was in year 1 in the Fountains section when we woke up to ants in the kitchen. We called and requested to be moved and were accomodated immediately.

I'm already planning next year's trip!

 

[Figaro]

Cyndiu, do you have any idea what would be the best section at the Vistana Resort for someone who needs a wheelchair? I use a wheelchair and the friends we are bringing with us will need at ECV for the husband, as he has serious heart disease and can't walk any significant distances.

My spouse has talked with them at the Vistana, but the people don't seem to understand about accessible bathrooms. Grab bars in the bathtub aren't going to do me a heck of a lot of good (smile), and that is all they have been able to tell us. Any ideas or suggestions would be MUCH appreciated!

 

[mcnuss]

Most of the resorts I have ever stayed have provided these as a sort of rental near the pool but this resort has a lot of "strange sounding" factors. In a way, I am really dreading our stay here since I have heard a lot of negative things about this resort. I am just crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.

Whenever I read those negative reviews of Vistana, I am amazed and wonder if it's the same resort that not only have we rented in several times, but bought in a few years ago. We have never had anything but great stays there! The place is beautiful! I am not sure what you think is strange sounding, if you'd like to pm your concerns, I'd be happy to answer them for you.

It's true that there is a wide variety of units. We've always been in Fountains II, with a lake and fountain outside our unit, ducks who walk up to us and eat from our hands, pools 30 yards away, etc... When we were there last, they had a girl doing hair braiding at the pool, and a guy making balloon animals. All the sevices you'd expect at a resort are available. Yes, there are towels. There are also rental floats and pool toys. There is a restaurant by the pool, and I think they come around with drinks but I cannot remember precisely. Our rooms have always been immaculate, never smelled a whiff of smoke and I am picky. They are also huge in Fountains -- we had 8 people in our 2 BR unit and we had ample space. I am a self-admitted princess about hotels and I love this place.

Take a look at these reviews, the majority are highly positive, and don't dread your trip!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re..._Resort_Lake_Buena_Vista-Orlando_Florida.html

 

[Cyndiu]

Figaro,

I am sorry, but I guess I never paid that much attention to the accessibility at Vistana. However, I've been thinking about it and doing google searches to gather some info and here's what I can tell you. The newer phases of the resort have elevators which are wheelchair accessible, the older ones only have stairs. It is possible that you can get into the ground floor units, but the management will have to put down a small ramp at those doors as they have a step up. The newer buldings seem to have just a threshold to go over. The bathrooms are large and you will probably have no trouble getting in them, however I think only the shower in the 2nd bedroom is low enough to transfer to a chair in the shower. There is definitely at least one pool that is zero entry, I think it is the Lakes pool.

My advice? Make a list of exactly the questions you need answered and call vistana at 1-800-vistana and ask very specific questions. If they don't know what "wheelchair accessible" means, they certainly should know if there are stairs or ramps, etc.

Good luck and have a really great vacation.

By the way, when you get back, maybe you could post what you found at the variety of places you visit for the next person that wants to plan a trip. You'd be a real hero to someone if you did!

 

[Figaro]

Thank you for the information, Cyndiu! It's the best information that I've gotten, at least so far. I really appreciate you taking the time to find out what you could! My spouse will try calling again and see if he can find someone who will tell us more than "every unit is completely accessible" (which is what they told him the last time he called)(smile).

Thanks again for your help!