Worried about Nick Hotel mixed reviews

[mamacate]

I've got a nicely discounted reservation at the Nick hotel for an April vacation with my 5-year-old twins. In reading the reviews on this forum and elsewhere, I'm a little worried. While many reviewers say the place is great fun and the rooms are nice, others report filth, mold, horrible service, and theft from the room. As the about.com site says, it's hard to believe these people stayed at the same hotel, despite the fact that the stays are dated in the same time period.

I'm wondering if anyone can reassure me that a recent stay was a positive experience, and more importantly, give me tips on whether the mold/dirt problem was specific to one part of the hotel. We plan to call and speak to the manager in the next few days to express our concerns and (hopefully) secure a personal promise that our concerns will be addressed. I'm perfectly capable of making noise about an unacceptable hotel room, but the most disturbing thing about many of the negative reviews was that complaints were ignored. I suppose that if our call is not handled appropriately, that would be a red flag that we should book elsewhere. I must say that the prospect of a 2-br space at that price ($149 including resort fee) is appealing.

Finally, any feedback on the shuttle service to MK? My son has some special needs, and I'm concerned about too much waiting or inconvenient locations. We'll rent a car, but tips would be welcome as we're happy to leave the car at the hotel if it's convenient for MK visits.

Thanks in advance from this Newbie headed for her first WDW trip since 1982!

Mamacate

 

[horseshowmom]

Mamacate,

The first thing I would do (you may have already) is go to www.priorityclub.com and sign up for the free rewards club. That way you will receive points for the dollars you spend at the hotel (can be good for free stays later as they add up ($149 X 10 pts. per dollar X 7 nights = 10,430 pts.) Many, many properties (not in the immediate Orlando area, but other places you may go) go for 10,000 pts. for one free night. I've stayed in many Holiday Inn Expresses across the southeast for 10,000 pts.

Also, as a Priority Club member you get other perks - depends on the property.

Finally, in your case, as a PC member, they should be even more interested in making sure you have a good stay. I know that they generally go out of their way to make sure I'm satisfied. I've never stayed at the Nick Hotel, but my brother has (25,000 pts. per night), and they were treated well.

Good luck!

 

[CarolA]

This hotel amazes me... To be honest my impression from reading these boards is that customer service is not one of thier priorities... they seem to know that folks are willing to pay an EXTRAORDINARY amount of a "fancy" Holiday Inn (not even a really NICE new Holiday Inn) and feel like they have the market they want.

As someone who does not have kids I cannot IMGAGINE spending what they want for that place, but I guess kids like it.

As for the Priority Club, as a new member you won't get many perks and I don't think it's going to help that much in getting service, they can look up and see your past stay history. For example, I find Marriott is more then willing to work with me, but when they look me up I am one of their top tier's on their frequent stay program which motivates them....


There are some other reviews here on the DIS

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1287044

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1312320
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1262845
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1251155

 

[mamacate]

Thanks to both of you. I do have a priority club membership, and they were actually really helpful when I couldn't find the number for the life of me when I made the reservation. They looked it up and got everything credited. However, I don't have a ton of points on it, so I'm not sure I'll hit the radar.

Thanks for those links. Those are the mixed reviews I saw, and then having looked elsewhere around the 'net, there seem to be more like that. So really it's not a matter of people having a "mixed" experience, but an incredible split between people who had a great time and people who had experiences that can only be described as horrifying. I mean, I would not stay one night in a hotel where walking on the carpet caused my socks to get wet and covered in black mold as one yahoo (I think) reviewer reported.

I was almost ready to book a WDW room, but it's a lot more and the two bedroom thing is really appealing. I think I'm suffering from a little analysis paralysis/information overload, and I'd love to get a clearer signal on this hotel.

Thanks to both of you, and any other feedback would be very welcome.

 

[scammermom]

We got in on the Fall deal last year where it was buy 2 nights and get a third night free. For about $120/night, we got 2 bedrooms, one with king bed and other w/ bunks. The pools were great. They messed up on our room initially but that was the fault of the guy checking us in who was super nice. We went during a slower time so it wasn't packed or extremely noisy. But that's why we go at off times.

Would I have been upset if I spent $300/night?? Yes, but this was one of the nicer places we have stayed in Orlando.

 

[tnmomof4]

mamacate, I have not stayed at Nick Hotel recently, but we do go there every summer. I have reservations for the beginning of June. My June rate is a whole lot more than your April rate, but I still feel that it is worth it. I also have twins that are almost 4 and two more sons 10 and 8.

I think you should read some good about Nick Hotel. This hotel is a lot of fun. My kid's love it. I could never take my kids to a water park since it is just me and the kids, so Nick Hotel is the perfect place. They have lots of lifegaurds on the slides and around the pools. I have never had a dirty room or seen any mold in the rooms we stayed in, but that was our rooms. Last year I lost my wallet, and the staff were very helpful in helping me find it. It had been found and turned in to security. They had put it in the safe. They didn't just hand it over to me either. I had to say specifically what was in it. That made me feel good knowing that they make sure lost items are returned to the right owner. Everyone was very nice and helpful. It can be very busy at check-in time, but all the staff have always been very kind and took time with me. I honestly feel that if I didn't approve of my room they would fix it if they could. They might not be able to move someone who wanted to be moved because the rooms get booked up, but whenever I have had a problem or needed something the staff were always helpful in solving the problem. Last year our TV remote needed batteries, and I called and someone came right up with new ones. The year before that, during our stay we needed a new lightbulb and got one very quickly. Everyone has different experiences, but we have stayed there so many times and never had anything bad to say.

As far as the shuttle, I always had my own car. I just did not want to have to depend on Nick Hotel's shuttle. I didn't want to have to wait any. I also wanted to be able to leave MK when I wanted. I also have seen those shuttle busses packed and didn't want to take the chance that my kids would have to stand. I am not sure of Nick's shuttle schedule.

You are always going to hear the negative and bad experiences of others. I have read on here of bad experiences at Nick but ours have always been good. I have also read of bad experiences at WDW, but that would never keep me from going there. I think that since people are not perfect, you will every now and then run into a staff person who might be rude, but you can find staff people like that anywhere.

It can be frustrating when they close down the slides. This happened to us only one time in all our visists when a child had thrown up. They have to let the water go through the system to "clean" the water and the slides. Some people were upset, but I was glad. I didn't want my kids playing in throw up water. I think the slide was closed for 45 min. I don't remember how long it was. (You could ask when you call) Again, people can get mad or realize that it is better for their kids and make the best of it. We went to the gift shop when this happened, and also got a snack.

The only thing I don't like about Nick Hotel this year is that they changed the Kids Eat Free option. Now only kids five and under eat free. It used to be kids 12 and under ate free. Since your twins are five this won't affect you.

I hope this gives you some help. I would still call just so you are assured that your stay will be what you want.

 

[thadlo]

I have stayed at the Nick for the 4 yrs. or so - including when it was just HIFS. My kids love it and that is why I stay there.
The rooms are ok sized. Not huge by any means, but not a typical "suite" 2 bdrm either. The bunkbed room is very small and only has a curtain separating it from the main area.
Also, the rooms are only ever "ok" clean it seems. I notice esp. in the bathroom some hair left behind or whatever. If I wanted a lot of space and pristine rooms I would NOT stay here.
The pools are great. The other activities are great as well. I've only gone during slower times and it was at times very busy still. I can imagine it wouldn't be as enjoyable if it were super busy.
A drawback I can see for you (you mentioned your child has some special needs) - the elevator. They are so very very slow. SLOW. We almost always end up taking the stairs instead. Try and get a ground level room. Also sometimes you have to park a ways away from your room area.
Now that kids no longer eat free, and the fact they close one of the pools during the week (and maybe during slow times) it is less appealing. The rates are outrageous unless you get a deal.

 

[asramears]

We stayed at the Nick last summer (June 06). It was my mom, dad, myself and DD8, DS7. We stayed for 3 nights before we met my husband and moved to the Contemporary for our DW vacation. We drove from Texas and stayed the night on the road. While packing our luggage the next AM my dad fell off the back of the van putting the bags into the car top carrier. He broke 4 ribs and was really banged up. When we arrived at the Nick it was POORING down rain. They got me a wheelchair to get my dad to the room, helped us unload him and pushed him to the room. They got us a room on the 1st floor overlooking the lake so we were close to the resturants (for my dad). My dad felt so bad he never left the room but the maid staff was wonderful. They cleaned around him and even called to see if it was OK for them to come in. The room was always clean and we never saw any mold etc.

The pools were wonderful. My kids loved them. They had to close the big pool down once for about 45 minutes because some parent didn't have a swim diaper on there child and well... Anyway, there were always tons of towels and the lifeguards were great with the kids. There was a problem with not enough chairs but most of the time we were in the pool anyway.

The food was OK. We ate the buffet once. Subway a few time and there was some kind of buger place we ate at. We also ordered room service a few times for all of us to be able to eat with my dad and the food was always hot and prompt.

Overall I was very happy with the Nick.

 

[ZPT1022]

Thanks to both of you. I do have a priority club membership, and they were actually really helpful when I couldn't find the number for the life of me when I made the reservation. They looked it up and got everything credited. However, I don't have a ton of points on it, so I'm not sure I'll hit the radar.

Thanks for those links. Those are the mixed reviews I saw, and then having looked elsewhere around the 'net, there seem to be more like that. So really it's not a matter of people having a "mixed" experience, but an incredible split between people who had a great time and people who had experiences that can only be described as horrifying. I mean, I would not stay one night in a hotel where walking on the carpet caused my socks to get wet and covered in black mold as one yahoo (I think) reviewer reported.

I was almost ready to book a WDW room, but it's a lot more and the two bedroom thing is really appealing. I think I'm suffering from a little analysis paralysis/information overload, and I'd love to get a clearer signal on this hotel.

Thanks to both of you, and any other feedback would be very welcome.

I'm in the same boat you are- Got very excited about the deal, knowing I'd never spend $300 + per night to stay there any other way, and then started looking it up online and feeling like this after some of the reviews. It's not that they're mixed but a complete Jekyll and Hyde sort of difference. I think it will be okay and if you have a car you can always leave and go somewhere else if it's that bad, right? We're keeping our reservation but I guess this hotel is definitely a remove the blankets and clorox wipe the bathroom just to be safe kind of place.

I have stayed at the Nick for the 4 yrs. or so - including when it was just HIFS. My kids love it and that is why I stay there.
The rooms are ok sized. Not huge by any means, but not a typical "suite" 2 bdrm either. The bunkbed room is very small and only has a curtain separating it from the main area.
Also, the rooms are only ever "ok" clean it seems. I notice esp. in the bathroom some hair left behind or whatever. If I wanted a lot of space and pristine rooms I would NOT stay here.
The pools are great. The other activities are great as well. I've only gone during slower times and it was at times very busy still. I can imagine it wouldn't be as enjoyable if it were super busy.
A drawback I can see for you (you mentioned your child has some special needs) - the elevator. They are so very very slow. SLOW. We almost always end up taking the stairs instead. Try and get a ground level room. Also sometimes you have to park a ways away from your room area.
Now that kids no longer eat free, and the fact they close one of the pools during the week (and maybe during slow times) it is less appealing. The rates are outrageous unless you get a deal.

They close one of the pools during the week? Every week or just during the off season? We're going in April and I can't imagine not having everything running at full steam during a time like that.

 

[ZPT1022]

oh, forgot to add in my last post, hopefully someone can tell me if we are on track with this thought, but one of the main complaints I seemed to see in the reviews, was that the food was overpriced for what it is. That seemed to be common among reviews that were otherwise positive and negative. So are we right to think that we're better off heading out for dinners? Breakfast and lunch we'd just as soon eat bagels in the room or make sandwiches so we can get back to the fun that much sooner but I want one "real" meal per day.

 

[runwad]

Ok I'm going to post on here since there seems to be a lot of Nick Veterns. I booked one night at Nick 4/3 and we figured we could stay there all day on the 4th after we checked out. I swear I read on here that you could stay on check-out day and use the pools. Well I just called and they said no; once we check out at 11 we will no longer be able to use the facilities. Said they just sent a memo out Do you think this is because of Easter and such high crowds? Please say it ain't so we want our 2 days

Ok I called again got someone else now I"m told we can't check in early either earliest we can get into the pool is 1. I said well we're priority customers I understand we qualify for late check-out he said everywhere but the Nick Hotel, it costs $25/hour if we want to stay after checkout and use the pool.

 

[CarolA]

Ok I'm going to post on here since there seems to be a lot of Nick Veterns. I booked one night at Nick 4/3 and we figured we could stay there all day on the 4th after we checked out. I swear I read on here that you could stay on check-out day and use the pools. Well I just called and they said no; once we check out at 11 we will no longer be able to use the facilities. Said they just sent a memo out Do you think this is because of Easter and such high crowds? Please say it ain't so we want our 2 days

Ok I called again got someone else now I"m told we can't check in early either earliest we can get into the pool is 1. I said well we're priority customers I understand we qualify for late check-out he said everywhere but the Nick Hotel, it costs $25/hour if we want to stay after checkout and use the pool.

This is EXACTLY what I meant by "lack of service" You can't check in early and you have to leave the property at 11. Wow... they really value their customers don't they????

 

[ZPT1022]

Ok I'm going to post on here since there seems to be a lot of Nick Veterns. I booked one night at Nick 4/3 and we figured we could stay there all day on the 4th after we checked out. I swear I read on here that you could stay on check-out day and use the pools. Well I just called and they said no; once we check out at 11 we will no longer be able to use the facilities. Said they just sent a memo out Do you think this is because of Easter and such high crowds? Please say it ain't so we want our 2 days

Ok I called again got someone else now I"m told we can't check in early either earliest we can get into the pool is 1. I said well we're priority customers I understand we qualify for late check-out he said everywhere but the Nick Hotel, it costs $25/hour if we want to stay after checkout and use the pool.

Wowza. I suppose 1 is better than four but come on already, what are the odds that you're going to arrive right at 1 and be out at the pool in a reasonable amount of time? From what I'm reading we should be counting on check in taking a while. Gosh, I'm thinking we're going to miss good old Pop Century And the $25/hour is just insane. It sounds like they are asking for top dollar and then trying to make sure you have the most limited access to the property as possible. I'd bet that if you wanted to stay for one of their overpriced parties there'd be no extra charge

 

[srdipert]

We stayed there last year and the hotel itself was okay. My ds loved it!! We like the slides and the shows. Our room was clean and nice. We did have a problem with check in their system was down and it took us until almost midnight to get a room. I have heard this happens often hopefully they have the bug worked out by now. Customer service was very unhelpful even though we had a 3 month old baby and desperately needed a room. They wouldn't tell us if it was going to be an hour or even if we would get a room that night. Finally after my husband complained we got a room at midnight.

We probably will not stay there again because of the poor customer service but your kids will likely love it.

For the person who said they have to check out by 11 and can't use the pool that next day. Honestly when we were there the pools were so busy as long as you still have your bracelet on I am sure no one will probably even notice!

 

[Amity 3]

the last time we were there, we checked in and had a room at 11 am, and got a spongebob room at no additional cost. we've never had a problem with customer service.

that being said, there is no way I'd spend $300.00 a night to stay there based on the size of the suites. we go when we can get resident rates. we have friends taking our daughter for 4 nights in May at full rate, and I consider that a waste of money.

 

[chrisann]

we've gone for a few days every year and we always have a late flight, so we never leave the hotel til at least 3pm, we c/o at 1pm(priority club members), load up the van, and hang out at the pool and have some lunch from their pool bar. We've never had a problem doing this, mind you it's on a mon or tues so maybe on a weekend it's different. Good Luck!

 

[ValDisney]

i am arriving on march 29th. We are flying in late. I was going to stay at a less expensive place that night and check in on the 30th. I changed my mind when they said I couldn't check in until 4. and couldn't use the pool until then (wow.. disney isn't like that), So, I decided to check in on the 29th,. It will prop work out bc it shouldn't be crowded and as soon as we wake up the kids can go to the pool.
I don't see how they in force that policy about when you check-out you have to leave. What hotel does that. Can we have breakfast, shop.. really. Anybody know if this is true.
My kids are looking forward to this, but if If they treat customers like this, it might be my first and last time there

 

[lovindonald]

We have been here 2x and we love it. We would go no place else if I could afford to do this hotel again. You got a good deal so it makes it worth it. I even love this place. The kids have the best time, they love the pool, the staff is overly friendly and helpful, we have never had a dirty room, never had a problem with late check out or early check in. Last August we were in our room at 1:30PM. There are problems everywhere and somebody will always have something negative to say. I think you can see, many people have had a great time there. Go and don't worry. You will have a great time!

 

[CarolA]

I don't think the fact that the people on the phone said you can't use the facilties before or after checkout is "people saying bad things" I think it reflects the overall ARROGANCE of this hotel. (And yes, I would bet that you can use the facilities after check out, but the fact that the hotel staff SAID that would make me SO mad I would just not stay there. Probably a good thing I don't have kids LOL!)

 

[runwad]

For the person who said they have to check out by 11 and can't use the pool that next day. Honestly when we were there the pools were so busy as long as you still have your bracelet on I am sure no one will probably even notice!

Good this is what I'm hoping!! I'm a little disappointed that they said we couldn't have late check out being priority reward customers but figured we'd be ready to go around lunch time anyway if past experiences at indoor waterparks hold true here. I'm sure my kids will love this place so we'll keep our reservation just glad I found out all this ahead of time. I placed my reservation before the addition of the $20/night resort fee so I just wonder if this has anything to do with what they are telling me since I'm NOT paying that fee? Thanks for all the responses.