Which Orlando Hilton Family Hotel Would You Choose?

[sahm1000]

Next April my husband and I are taking his family on a vacation to WDW. Due to his extensive travel we have a LOT of Hilton points that we want to use. Going with us will be his parents, his sister and her husband and baby, his brother and his wife and two children and the two of us along with our three children. So we will be needing at least four rooms (although we are thinking of getting five rooms since we have three children in our family and our youngest will only be 18 months and still taking naps when we go). We are planning on staying for a week but I'm not sure which hotel we should choose and I am looking for suggestions!

These are the hotels that I've narrowed it down to:


1. The Hilton Hotel in Downtown Disney
2. The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek (not currently open but will be open well before our trip)
3. Hilton Grand Vacations Club on I-Drive
4. Parc Soleil by Hilton Grand Vacation Clubs
5. Embassy Suites Orlando - Lake Buena Vista
6. Doubletree Guest Suites at the Walt Disney World Resort


If anyone has any suggestions on this I would really appreciate it. I am excited about this trip and none of my in-laws have ever been to Florida (let alone WDW!!) and want to make it special. TIA for your help and opinions!

 

[spiceycat]

hilton orlando - bonnet creek

or
waldorf-Astoria - bonnet creek

both should be nice

 

[Holiday Planner]

We just stayed at the Doubletree and loved it. It has a seperate sleeping area, so good for those in your party travelling with young kids. Each suite also had a fridge and microwave. The rooms were clean and very quiet and it took at most 15 minutes to get to the parks.

 

[blissventure]

We're staying at the Embassy Suites LBV for 3 nights before our Disney vacation. We love the free cooked to order breakfast, extra space of a suite (with a kitchenette), and the manager's reception. (Free drinks/appetizers for a couple of hours each evening.)

 

[sahm1000]

I can find advantages to all of them so that is what makes my decision hard.

The Downtown Disney hotel has the advantage of having extra magic hours.

The Bonnet Creek Hilton will obviously be brand new and looks to be nice (I don't know if we would have enough points for the Waldorf).

The hotels with suites have the advantage of extra room, and the breakfasts and managers receptions. On that same note, due to my husbands Hilton status we do have access to the concierge level where they usually have free continental breakfasts and appetizers at night.

Has anyone stayed at any of the Hilton Grand Vacation Clubs? I don't know anything about them. I know the Parc Soleil one just opened in the last year. Actually just got an email from the Parc Soleil and it looks like they just opened in the last month.

 

[blissventure]

I can find advantages to all of them so that is what makes my decision hard.

The Downtown Disney hotel has the advantage of having extra magic hours.

The Bonnet Creek Hilton will obviously be brand new and looks to be nice (I don't know if we would have enough points for the Waldorf).

The hotels with suites have the advantage of extra room, and the breakfasts and managers receptions. On that same note, due to my husbands Hilton status we do have access to the concierge level where they usually have free continental breakfasts and appetizers at night.

Has anyone stayed at any of the Hilton Grand Vacation Clubs? I don't know anything about them. I know the Parc Soleil one just opened in the last year.

With that many points you probably have favorites, already. There are some differences-continental breakfasts can vary widely. The club level benefits vary, too. Many only include soft drinks for free.
I've not stayed that the Grand vacation clubs, but have heard good things about them.

 

[sympatico]

Did you check the Trip Advisor reviews for any of these? They might give you some info.
Here's the site for the Grand Vacation Club:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...b_on_International_Drive-Orlando_Florida.html

 

[blissventure]

Wanted to mention another option to OP since the trip isn't until April 2010.
There is a new Homewood Suites opening up in Lake Buena Vista. It opens mid-June 2009, didn't know if it turned up when you did a search or not.
http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com/e...ton-Lake-Buena-Vista-Orlando-Florida/index.do

We really like Homewoods-very nice all suites, great buffet breakfast, and most do a light dinner 4 nights a week, M-Thurs. (Includes a manager's reception.) Lots of room, and a relaxing pool is always a plus!

Another option...good luck with your decision!!!

 

[sahm1000]

With that many points you probably have favorites, already. There are some differences-continental breakfasts can vary widely. The club level benefits vary, too. Many only include soft drinks for free.
I've not stayed that the Grand vacation clubs, but have heard good things about them.

Since it's DH that travels for work, his expectations are different from when we travel with our family. And since we have three little ones, I almost never go anywhere! So no favorites here!

Did you check the Trip Advisor reviews for any of these? They might give you some info.
Here's the site for the Grand Vacation Club:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...b_on_International_Drive-Orlando_Florida.html

Thank you, I'm going to check that out!

Wanted to mention another option to OP since the trip isn't until April 2010.
There is a new Homewood Suites opening up in Lake Buena Vista. It opens mid-June 2009, didn't know if it turned up when you did a search or not.
http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com/e...ton-Lake-Buena-Vista-Orlando-Florida/index.do

We really like Homewoods-very nice all suites, great buffet breakfast, and most do a light dinner 4 nights a week, M-Thurs. (Includes a manager's reception.) Lots of room, and a relaxing pool is always a plus!

Another option...good luck with your decision!!!

I don't think that popped up when I was checking it out. We've stayed in Homewoods before and have liked them. Just curious though, do you think you would get the resort "feel" at them?

This is one of my concerns. I wish we could afford to stay onsite with DH's family but there are just too many of us. Since they have never been to WDW I really want them to get the "feel" of it.

 

[gobugo]

I am also looking to use Hilton points in Orlando in Feb 2010. I am focusing on the Doubletree or the Homewood or the Embassy near WDW. Leaning toward new Homewood since it has the kitchen area. Also concerned about amenities and extras for a resort feel. I was told by HHonors reserv. agent that you can't use points for a two bedroom at the Hilton timeshare properties, only a one bedroom. If you ask the agent they will put you through to the timeshare sales people who will pressure you to make a deal on the spot. I am not into that, but thought I would mention it. We have to have two TV's and separate areas in a hotel or we will not make it through the week -- ha, ha. I can't get any info on that Lake Buena Vista Homewood yet seems totally new with not reviews out there yet...but interestingly Hilton had it down as a Cat. 5 so I am wondering what they have that will be extra good. Please keep this thread updated. Thanks.

 

[gobugo]

Wow. I had not seen this resort. It looks gorgeous. Thanks for the info.

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

We used to own a timeshare at the Hilton Club on I-Drive. I LOVED it. I hope to own there again some day. The units are all really nice, pools are nice. There is a Publix across the street as well as a 24 hour Walgreens. Also a McDonalds. They had a Pizza Hut by the second pool. I think it is still there. It was in October.

Sarah

 

[goin2disneyagain]

We stayed at Parc Soleil earlier this week. It was nice. I prefer staying onsite at WDW but I would consider Parc Soleil again for offsite. It opened around the middle of May. It was a nice property.

 

[MississippiMom]

I am SO excited that I found your thread. I just decided this week that I would like to consider taking our three girls (will be 15, 9 & 7) to WDW for their early March Spring Break. We would have to drive to save on airfare, so off-property would be okay. And my husband is also an Hilton Honors traveler. (Not as many points as your spouse, though.)

First of all, do not get your heart set on one property. The few times that we have traveled, cashing in HH points, we have discovered that what you want, isn't always available. Sometimes, you can get part of your stay with points, and they will discount the price on the other days, so make sure you ask, if they don't offer.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Niki Andiokno]

I own at HGVC at Sea World, but have not yet stayed there. My first trip "home" is in October.

I have stayed a few times at the HGVC on I-Drive. I have had mixed feelings about this resort.

It is absolutely beautiful. The pool and spa are awesome. The rooms are really spacious. I would definately get a 3 BR or a couple of 2BR if you can. The kitchen is well appointed. Much better than DVC, where I also own. The bedding is just heaven. The best mattress pad I have ever slept on. The decor is great. It is close to Publix, and even has its own entrance to the Premium Outlet Mall. We were to the front gates of WDW in less than 10 minutes on most days, so it is very convenient.

The cons are biggies for me, though. You just don't get the same feel as staying on site. That includes the Hilton near DTD, which I really like. No early entry with HGVC either. We had a few problems with plumbing and internet access. We had alot of problems getting help with those problems. After two days of no response by staff, DH fixed the plumbing himself. Not a big repair, but not our job. Eventually the property manager got involved, and we ended up getting a free Vegas stay and a nice gift basket out of it. But I would rather have had a vacation without problems in the first place. The biggest problem I have is with the ferral cats. I have seen them the last two times we have ben there. They have ticks, and have no problem coming up to you. This is unsafe and just gross. I love kitties, don't get me wrong, but cats with ticks and matted hair walking around the pool in the evening is just wrong. I travel throughout Asia, and am used to this and know if you ignore them they will go away. But I have seen a little girl come up to a kitty wanting to pick it up. The mom said, oh how cute. They have their own mascot. Until she saw the bad condition of the animal and made her little girl put it down (tears ensued.) The manager said that they graze in the garbage at the outlet mall, so there is nothing they can do to keep them out. That is BS. I haven't stayed there in a year, so maybe the issue has been resolved.

HGVC on I-Drive is really pretty and very nice. Plumbing and ferral cats notwithstanding, I will probably stay there again.