Why we won't use the Radisson anymore

[trishy]

This is for those who are thinking about the Radisson as a "nice" hotel. The Radisson is a "convenient" hotel - close to port, has a shuttle. The last time we stayed there we decided it was going to be our last. This place is a dive. The rooms are thrashed - holes in the sofa, comforters, the carpet is stained disgustingly, the floors are filthy with ground-in grime. Do not drink out of the cups unless you wash them yourself. The shower had mold. My family was bit horribly the first night we stayed there (bed bugs?). The second night we used laundered sheets (Yep, I went down to the laundry and washed them in hot, hot, hot water) We made a complaint at the front desk with the manager who had us fill out a form. (Too funny, we received a voucher for a free night - ripped it up and threw it away - what a joke). We just want them to clean the darn place and replace the ripped up, stained, cigarette burned comforters, carpet, and upholstery and clean up the grime and mold (you know, something called "Maintenance") !!! Sick. By the way, our friends were in another room and had the same exact problems as us. Anyway, have fun...

Added: Oh yeah, let me not forget to warn you about the Maids' form of "keeping the door open". They put the top security latch (you know, the one that hooks over the knob so young kids can't get out) in between the door frame and the door to stop the door from closing and as they go in and out of the rooms - they let the door BANG against it - very, very loud and annoying.

 

[carole88]

When did you stay there? I read on another cruise board that all of the carpet is now being replaced. Curious to know whether this is true or not.

 

[trishy]

We were there on 7/12 and 7/13 (right after the cruise). We complained because we were hoping that if our complaint joins other's (like our friend's complaint) then changes would get made. Very disappointed in that place right now.

 

[BethA]

We are staying there in 1 week-wonder of we should book elsewhere. Anybody else there recently?

 

[MarkRG]

We were there this February and had nothing of the kind of experience you are describing at all.

The room was clean and well kept. The housekeeping people were friendly and attentive, for as little as we saw any.

If you're running into the maids, what are you doing in what you describe as such an offensive room in the middle of the day?

And honestly the doors closing make quite a bit of noise, but that didn't bother me in the least. Was about as loud as the ones onboard the ship.

If you found the place that offensive, I'd hate to hear what you have to say about the ship.

 

[#1Mouse]

Our room last February was clean - no mold, no dirty floors, no stains on the carpet - not even a cigarette smell in the room or on the bedding. In February we had met up with alot of other people staying there and I don't recall anyone mentioning that their room was dirty. I can't imagine it has gone down hill that much in 5 months - anyways I sure hope it hasn't, we'll be staying there in September.

 

[mmouse37]

We also stayed there recently and the the rooms we had (2 king suits) were kept very clean with no holes....maybe some rooms are need of a redo!!

Thanks for the heads up.

MJ

 

[ppiew]

I have to agree, despite not encountering some of the problems that you did. The rooms ARE old, worn, tacky and in need of really THOROUGH cleaning and some extensive renovation. Restaurant was expensive with really lousy food and non existent service.. The place was convenient though, and not too much in the general area to pick from. I am still arguing with Radisson to get my 'points' and we stayed there in March! I read the the Pt Canaveral Pt Authority recently approved the building of a new hotel right on the jetty! That should be cool. I guess we got all 'hung up' on the closeness to the pier. Really it shouldn't make much difference, just allow more time (only a few minutes) to get from the Hampton Inn or whatever hotel you are staying at. The Radisson is definitely catering to the one or two nighters who are cruising and really aren't looking for a super resort experience - and it shows!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We had a one room suite in June--and there were some issues I had. There were burnmarks on the lampshades as if the bulb hit the shade. There were lots of scuff marks on the walls as well. It was not the cleanest hotel I have been in but worth it for the convenience. The only thing that upset me was that the pool was roped off for a private party for much of the evening, and when it was open it was raining.
Next year I think we'll just stay at the Hyatt since most of our group wants to take the DCL shuttle.
Robin M.

 

[BethA]

I can't believe they would rope off the pool for a private party. what about all the other guests? Hope we don't have too bad an experience next Friday? Are there any other hotels close to the port? beth

 

[trishy]

Originally posted by MarkRG


If you're running into the maids, what are you doing in what you describe as such an offensive room in the middle of the day?

Boy, isn't that a pretty irate, and quite frankly, a personal question... I really don't think I need to explain myself to you in the very least...

And honestly the doors closing make quite a bit of noise, but that didn't bother me in the least. Was about as loud as the ones onboard the ship.

On the ship, the stateroom hosts use a stopper that they place at the top of door frame to hold the door open while they clean it. AND, I was not comparing a MAID to a GUEST - quite a difference there.

If you found the place that offensive, I'd hate to hear what you have to say about the ship.

I found the ship to be very well kept and the stateroom host to be very attentive at keeping it clean and maintained in an appropriate fashion.


Anything more you would like to throw at me, "Mr. Don't Offend My Favorite Hotel"

My remarks were merely an information-only for people who may think it's a nicer hotel than it really is - at least to us. I agree it's probably more set up for a 1 or 2 nighter - definitely wouldn't want more than that. It definitely has the convenience factor, though, and the price is cheap in comparison to what is in the area.

 

[donnaMD]

I have had both good and bad experiences at the Radisson. The first time we stayed there, it was lovely. Second time we stayed there there was glass on the floor, it was very wet, used condoms under the bed and we were pretty upset, since we booked it for a week (a 2 king bed suite) and we were there with our extended family who had other suites. Anyway, after calling them many times, they cleaned it and gave us a big discount. We have since gone there many other times (family lives in area) and have had 2 king bed suites, 1 king suite, regular room and rainforest room. In general, it is a good deal. It is a little red-necky and they let anyone in the pool that is not even staying there just eating there or using the bar, particularly on Sundays.
The breakfast made me sick once. We are staying there 8/29 the night before our cruise in a 2 king suite. My daugher (6) loves the pool and we are used to it. The rain forest room is quite nice--they have air cleaners and filtered water and it walks out to the pool. I love the shampoo and conditioner and soap they give you; and in the suite rooms you have a separate shower and jaccuzzi, plus a separate living room with 2 large TVs, a refrig and a microwave. It is only $109 a night and we can see the ship from the room. The gift shop is inexpensive and very nice with a couple who live in Melbourne owning it. They usually forget to give us our Starwood points, and the front desk is spotty, sometimes good, sometimes bad. The outside is very pretty. pool very beautiful. It could be a # 1 resort if it was managed properly. We like that the Avis was right there, but we have heard now it is 1 1/2 miles away, so that convenience is gone.
They would probably charge a lot more if they had their act together, but keep in mind this is Florida and things are more laid back. Drinks at the pool-side bar are large and cheap, much cheaper than in MD. People are usually friendly too. Sometimes the elevators have not worked and it was a real problem one year, since my husband's Dad can barely walk.
We almost stayed at Doubletree last year; booked an upgraded room, and guaranteed it with the American Express card; got there and they were going to give us a regular smoking room instead since they gave our room to someone else. We were mad and left and stayed at a nice Radisson rainforest room for less than $80. My husband goes to Doubletree Cocoa Beach again this Sunday for a week; (on business); hope he does better than last year. Will let you know.
If you like the ocean; stay in Cocoa Beach; that could be fun and everyone loves RonJon's surf shop for bathing suites and beach things. I think it is great to rent a car from the airport too; you can stock up - there are many wholesale clubs, walmarts, grocery stores, etc there and again it is cheaper than MD.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by BethA

Are there any other hotels close to the port?

Yes, I have a decent summary at my web site...

www.dcltribute.com/lodging

 

[Grumbo]

Interesting comments on the Radisson. Be interested to see other's comments form folks that have stayed there recently and will be in the near future. We are considering staying there so good to see what others say.
As for MarkRG's comments Trishy??? Looks like he is perhaps having a bad day.. Maybe a Radisson stockholder
Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[cruisnfamily]

We had a wonderful experience at the Radisson last September. We had the 2 king bed suite...it was a non-smoking room. 2 king beds, jacuzzi in the bedroom, separate living room and kitchen, tv in the living room and the bedroom. Pool was good. We thought it was great! Perhaps some areas of the hotel have been refurbished and others need to be?

 

[Michelle]

A reminder to please keep your comments to the topic at hand and not other posters.

 

[DreaminDisney]

Yuk. Makes me NOT want to stay there, especially after reading some of the comments posted

 

[Julma]

We stayed at the Radisson in June. We had a two bedroom suite. We paid $99. It was worth $99. for the convenience. The room was not dirty, but grungy. The closet door was broken off, the tile grout was filty, the couch and bedspreads were somewhat gross. It needed a general scrubbing. It was okay for a one night sleep. The toiletries were wonderful. I think I would stay at the airport and make the drive in the morning.

 

[MarkRG]

My apologies. I should have written my comments a great deal better on this, but I was quite shocked at your staments on the place and should have thought out a more composed response.

Let me at least try to explain them better. We've stayed there now 4 times and have never had a disappointing stay. No, it's not the Boardwalk, and honestly I'd never consider it for more than what we've stayed there for, just as a pre-cruise stop. The fact is I don't think there's enough do to at Cocoa Beach in general to spend more than a few days there, at most.

My comment about staying in the room is framed like this; we've never been in the room there for more than sleep. We're on vacation and the absolute last thing that comes to mind is to spend the day in a motel room. I meant that as more of a curiousity in that if the room was so repulsive I'd be anywhere else but there. And I'd certainly do more than just complain and fill out a form with the manager. Have you contacted Radisson corporate? Managers will just say whatever to appease you, you need to really go over their head with your disatisfaction. That is about the only thing that would make any kind of change happen.

I echo one of the previous questions- is it possible that some rooms are fine and some are in desperate need of rennovation? I would ask a following question; where in the resort did you stay? We've always had second floor overlooking the pool, mostly the building closest to the main lobby, but once the building across the pool from the main lobby.

 

[trishy]

Thank you for your comments. We stayed in room xxx which was a 2 king bed/whirlpool suite (probably farthest from the lobby). Our friends were in xxx which is a standard room (down by the koi pond). Normally we wouldn't stay in Cocoa either, but we decided this trip to visit the Kennedy Space Center (3 cruises and never had done it - go figure! ) so we planned on 2 nights (Sat. after the cruise and Sun. to visit the space center). Well, unfortunately, I was injured pretty badly while on the cruise (knee just gave out - tore the ACL in knee) Anyway, that's why I couldn't go, but my dh and 2 dd's went with our friends and I stayed back with my youngest (7 yrs. figured she'd be bored with the tour anyway). That's how I got to spend a lot of time looking at the mess we were in. The management was not the least bit helpful and made it obvious they were offended with our negative comments about their place. Figured worse than a letter writing campaign (for which I'd just be given vouchers for my dissatisfaction) I'd rather campaign by word of mouth - more efficient - and I care about the DIS families.

edited for confidentiality upon good (and appreciated ) advice