Which 2 bedroom villa resort for teens and best way to book?

[barefootMom]

Hi,

I would love opinions on the best 2 bedroom villa resort to book for a week over Thanksgiving week. We will probably be going to just Disney parks but will have a rental car so proximity does not matter too terribly much and our focus this time will not be just on being in the parks. Our 2 girls will be teenagers so we do not need the "young water park amenities" like we did when they were little (We loved Marriott Harbour Lake for that) but we would like warm pools and hot tubs and maybe resort type dining option if possible. We definitely want full kitchen since we will be there for thanksgiving. I'm not putting a budget on here for now only because I know whatever we choose will be less expensive than the stay we just had at the Polynesian!! Any thoughts on favorites?

It has been years since we have stayed off site (at least 10) and yet we have stayed at Sheraton Vistana (both Villages and Resort) and Marriott Harbour Lake and Cypress Harbour. I just don't remember much about any of them or know if there are nicer/better options for us now. Thanks!!

 

[bankr63]

The 4 you mention are great, as well as the Marriott Palms resorts at World Centre. The 3 Hilton Vacation Club resorts in the area are also very nice. Wyndham Bonnet Creek is also very popular with the crowd here.

We are Sheraton Vistana people personally, and I know my teens (well now 20's) have always enjoyed the pools there. At SVR, the Spas Super Pool seems to be the pool of choice for teens; there is no shallow end, so no small kids, and a volleyball net in the middle of the pool keeps the action hopping. There is a DJ spinning tunes for much of the day as well.

 

[barefootMom]

I am learning there are just soooo many options for decent 2 bedroom villa resorts -- I guess there is not a list that exists anywhere that compares them right? I know this board is all about staying offsite and people review all of them separately but wondering if there is one overall comparison of the best options? Wishful thinking probably!!!

 

[HopperFan]

We have stayed Wyndham Bonnet Creek and Sheraton Vistana Resort multiple times. We are so happy with both for varying reasons that each time I look at chancing somewhere else I chicken out.

We are Hilton folks but to get the same amount of space as the above we found the cost to be much higher.

We also have stayed in a Marriott with my folks (the have lots of Marriott points) and found it to be very nice, but not sure how easy it is to book at them as non-member and figured it would be the same as Hilton.

I know of no where that actually compares them all as there are SO MANY, with a wide range of differences ... and what may be great to someone else would not be great for me. Best I think anyone can do is help with their own reviews and answer any questions you have once you narrow.

These are things I think about ~
- Location to where we are going
- Cost
- Size of Unit
- Decor of Unit (how updated)
- Amenities
- Layout of community (we prefer walkable)

 

[barefootMom]

We have stayed Wyndham Bonnet Creek and Sheraton Vistana Resort multiple times. We are so happy with both for varying reasons that each time I look at chancing somewhere else I chicken out.

We are Hilton folks but to get the same amount of space as the above we found the cost to be much higher.

We also have stayed in a Marriott with my folks (the have lots of Marriott points) and found it to be very nice, but not sure how easy it is to book at them as non-member and figured it would be the same as Hilton.

I know of no where that actually compares them all as there are SO MANY, with a wide range of differences ... and what may be great to someone else would not be great for me. Best I think anyone can do is help with their own reviews and answer any questions you have once you narrow.

These are things I think about ~
- Location to where we are going
- Cost
- Size of Unit
- Decor of Unity (how updated)
- Amenities
- Layout of community (we prefer walkable)

thank you!
location: close to Disney parks ideal but will have a car and will not be there every day so not first priority
Cost: really open on this and would like to stay in the $200/night range but could go higher?
Décor: DEFINITELY updated units/resort is important (do not want to worry about staying in an "old" or run-down section of a large resort
Amenities: nice pool/hot tub (do not need slides or young kid stuff though), would love an onsite dining option and pool bar, don't care about tennis, etc.
Layout: I agree, we would prefer to be able to walk around entire resort and not have to drive or worry about driving to a pool, etc. (hearing that Vistana Resort is so spread out makes me worry that I would stress about being too far from an area that I would rather be?) we are able to walk a good distance though!

I guess I am thinking that some place that also has a "resort feel" is what appeals most (music playing by pool, pool bar, a little bit of activity, not just little-kid friendly, very updated and clean unit with some sort of porch/lanai/deck/patio) so that it doesn't feel just "residential" like I am at a typical condo complex? I don't know if that even makes sense to say...It sounds like there are many nice options, I just am overwhelmed with how many there are so am thinking someone who has stayed at many of these can narrow it down a little for me

 

[hiroMYhero]

I guess I am thinking that some place that also has a "resort feel" is what appeals most (music playing by pool, pool bar, a little bit of activity, not just little-kid friendly, very updated and clean unit with some sort of porch/lanai/deck/patio) so that it doesn't feel just "residential" like I am at a typical condo complex? I don't know if that even makes sense to say...It sounds like there are many nice options, I just am overwhelmed with how many there are so am thinking someone who has stayed at many of these can narrow it down a little for me

My DDs BF is an accountant for Sheraton Vistana and all Sheraton business staff periodically tour properties. He had toured all Sheraton properties before we desperately needed to book a villa due to Irma knocking out the power at my DD’s home. I was sent the list of what was available for immediate booking and he gave me his preference as to those that were nice and low cost. In addition to those 3, the other accountants also were stating Marriott Cypress Harbour because rooms had been renovated.

After looking at all the choices with immediate availability, we chose Cypress Harbour. He was very impressed with the overall luxury of the unit and Resort and was happy we chose it. He and DD enjoyed the pools and hot tubs.

My review of Cypress Harbour:Marriott's Cypress Harbour The only thing I’d amend is that the mosquito problem was probably due to it being the aftermath of Irma and the proximity to open wooded areas.

 

[barefootMom]

So if I am being too broad for people, what if I asked people to compare 3 resorts:
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Marriott Cypress Harbour
Caribe Royale 2 bedroom Villas

are these sort of apples/apples as far as nice pools (and a pool bar!), updated villas, not too huge of a property?

 

[michelepa]

We have two teens, never thought I'd stay at a non Disney owned property and do Disney but we did it and we are doing it again this year.
Wyndham Bonnet Creek (WBC).
My teens loved this place and so did we.
There is no way for the four of us to comfortably stay in a room at any hotel for a week any longer.
Plus, we do like the idea of a full kitchen, area to relax in while others are sleeping and a washer/dryer.
Disney hotels prices have just gotten outrageous.
We got so much more for our money at WBC than at any Disney owned hotel, there's no going back.
Plus WBC is in Disney World across the street from Caribbean Beach.
It's large but safe and full of nice families.
Our kids walked around the entire compound enjoying the pools, shuffle board, mini golf, dance parties, karaoke.
You name it they have at WBC.
Last year I went through an online travel agency that listed on ebay. She had a 100% rating and although worried everything went smoothly.
This year I got a great rate early through Vacation Strategy and they've been great to work with.
I just confirmed with WBC that my reservation is all set ~14 days away!!!
Next year we have already decided to stay at WBC again even though it will just be me and DH staying for most of the week and kids only joining us the last two days after their high school teams leave for home.

 

[hiroMYhero]

So if I am being too broad for people, what if I asked people to compare 3 resorts:
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Marriott Cypress Harbour
Caribe Royale 2 bedroom Villas

are these sort of apples/apples as far as nice pools (and a pool bar!), updated villas, not too huge of a property?

DD’s BF would rank Cypress Harbour - yes on pool bar - over Villages

 

[barefootMom]

thank you hiroMYhero ...
Michelepa, I thought about adding WBC to that short list to compare (and I know there seems to be a huge following on here) but was not sure if it was "too big" to not have to worry about location we are placed in to really enjoy? I may be totally wrong, but was sort of thinking those other 3 that I picked (cypress harbor, Vistana Villages, Caribe Villas) might be a little more compact than some of the others and therefore wouldn't have to worry that I would get put in a bad "section or tower"? Should I add WBC in to that list or does anyone know how it compares to the other 3?

 

[michelepa]

thank you hiroMYhero ...
Michelepa, I thought about adding WBC to that short list to compare (and I know there seems to be a huge following on here) but was not sure if it was "too big" to not have to worry about location we are placed in to really enjoy? I may be totally wrong, but was sort of thinking those other 3 that I picked (cypress harbor, Vistana Villages, Caribe Villas) might be a little more compact than some of the others and therefore wouldn't have to worry that I would get put in a bad "section or tower"? Should I add WBC in to that list or does anyone know how it compares to the other 3?

yes sorry I didn't see your last post with the three choices until after I posted.
I can't compare WBC to your choices sorry.
It is big but I don't think there is a bad building and it didn't feel crowded even though it was spring break.

 

[HopperFan]

So if I am being too broad for people, what if I asked people to compare 3 resorts:
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Marriott Cypress Harbour
Caribe Royale 2 bedroom Villas

are these sort of apples/apples as far as nice pools (and a pool bar!), updated villas, not too huge of a property?

To give you a heads up the 2 bedroom villas are not "attached" to the good pool area ... you have to travel through parking lots. I enjoyed our stay in the 1 bed suites but have no interest in the location for the 2 bedrooms.

Red arrow is 2 Bedroom Villas and green circle is the pool with slides, waterfalls etc.