Worried about Wyndham Palms

[PHILLYBUZZ21]

I booked a week at the Palms (Wyndham not Windsor) in October through Interval International. The resort and rooms look real nice according to what I have seen on the web. The location looks fine also.

I have also read many reviews for the resort, on various websites. I can't believe how many that were really good and then how many were really bad.

I am starting to get worried now.

How can the reviews vary so wildly? They are either great or they rot. I would be happy with a happy medium! I don't really want to be pestered to buy a timeshare. I already own one and am happy with that.

Could someone who knows about this resort shed some light for me?

 

[cinamin27]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=343655&highlight=+wyndham++palms

 

[NotSoMini]

We stayed at Wyndham Palms for a few days last December, and really enjoyed it; however, I agree with a poster who said it's like staying in your own apartment versus staying at a hotel. We were fortunate to get a very good ($89/night) rate for a two bedroom unit, and we stayed there after staying at WDW's CBR for a few days.

It's very close to WDW and takes only a few minutes to drive there (maybe 5-10?).

The condos are very large and quite nice in a sort of "over the top" way - for example, the large jacuzzi right inside of the master bedroom - which in itself is larger than the rooms at a lot of the Disney resorts - is nice but should be in its own room (of course, I think I am a prude).

Our teenagers loved having their own bedroom (it had two queen sized beds) and the master bedroom had a king. Each condo has its own balcony, a giant sized tv in the living room (along with tvs in each bedroom), fully equipped kitchen, etc.

I think the people who weren't happy with Wyndham Palms may have been expecting a full service hotel (which this isn't), or they may have stayed there at a lower rate which necessitated them sitting through a timeshare presentation.

Most condo units are indeed quite a hike from a pool, but you can easily pop into your car and drive over.

We enjoyed all of the space in our unit, having our own kitchen for quick snacks and light meals, having a balcony to sit on early in the morning or in the evening, and the price was right! It was amply stocked with towels, dishes, etc. and was very clean and bright.

The only downside I could see is the same as staying anywhere off-site - you are off-site!:

 

[disneysteve]

If you read hotel reviews here or elsewhere, you encounter the same phenomenon. Sometimes its hard to believe the people are talking about the same place. One person says it was clean, friendly staff, and great amenities. Another person says it was bug-infested, everyone was rude and there was nothing to do.

Bottom line- you can't please everyone. Some people are way too picky and will criticize every chance they get. And to be fair, even at great resorts, you can have a bad experience.

I've read a lot of positive reviews about Wyndham Palms. I haven't stayed there but I wouldn't hesitate to in the future.

Forget all the reviews and go and enjoy yourself.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I have stayed at WP twice. I know what you mean about varying reviews and I will tell you why. Last year I would give the place a 9.5 and this year I would give it a 5. I was not expecting a full service hotel but rather a condo. That is all we stay in. I do not know why but the whole aura of the place has changed. It just is not as nice as it was. Can I put my finger on what it is? Not really but the clientel looks a little seedy. I am not being snotty but just sharing my impression. I just returned two weeks ago and truthfully I immediately wrote a lletter with my concerns. Maybe it was because I was in an older condo or maybe because my son found a bug in his bed. Lots of little things. All I can tell you is this, if you have never been there before you might not be so picky since you do not have a comparison. There were these giant puddles in the outside hall way and they NEVER dried. We could not figure out what they were from since there seemed to be no source and it had not rained. THey were slippery too. They put the trash out every day between 930 and 1100 but walking down the hall and seeing all the trash is just gross. I know the alternative of leaving it in the rooms is disgusting too (especially when you look at the types of garbage) but I did not remember this to be the case last year. Some of the things that upset me were not so much the management but the visitors. How do they fix that ? I do not know but I had just come from 4 days at Vistana Village and 4 days at Grade Vista and the feeling was not the same. I would not stress about it AND you need to call and request a NEW or renovated room PLUS not on the ground floor. IF you are Wyndham by request they should honor it. If it were me and I was to do it again I would find out the name of the resort manager and if you have a problem and do not get satisfaction as someone had posted earlier then I would contact him while you are down there and complain. I do not think it will be all that bad when you get there so do not be upset.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by Bella the Ball 360
Some of the things that upset me were not so much the management but the visitors. How do they fix that ?

This is a great point. Some of the worst hotel experiences we have had were not the fault of the hotel but rather the fault of other guest. For example, one time in Lancaster, PA there was some type of high school sports team staying in our hotel and they were running up and down the hall making all kinds of noise all nite. The hotel staff spoke to the chaperones a couple of times but it didn't make any difference. End result was we got very little sleep and ended up getting a full refund for our stay.

So some of those bad reviews you read may be for problems that were not the hotel's fault.

 

[PHILLYBUZZ21]

You have a point about other guests. I don't figure to spend much time at the resort, we are doing 6 parks in 6 days! I won't hold the guests against the hotel unless there is a severe problem with them. I don't want to be hassled about buying timeshares though. If the room is as described by NotsoMini, I will be more than happy. I will try to start focusing on other aspects of the trip. I will call ahead and try to ask for a better room and hope for the best.
Thanks

 

[antmaril]

The room is exactly as described. We stayed there last year and we had a new unit which was very nice.

However, I agree with Bella the Ball about the clientel. We only stayed there two nights and I just thought some of the guests seemed a little seedy. I, too, don't want to seem snobby. Just trying to give you a "feel" for the place.

If you are at the parks most of the time, it won't be a big deal. It's just not like a full service hotel. However, the unit is quite large and very comfortable. Ask for a new condo.

Good luck.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

PB,

I can assure you they will NOT hassel you about timeshre tours BUT as far as those go Wyndham Timeshare tours are the most hassle free I have encountered. They even serve a hot buffet breakfast before. I took it so I could get the rate of 99 per night for a 2 bdrm (10 days) but still, it was painless.

 

[Disneymomma]

I agree with Bella. Some guests appeared "seedy". ( What a good description.) I am still waiting for a response to my complaints concerning our recent stay. Will let all of you know how it is addressed by them.

 

[mulanrouge]

My family and I stayed at this resort last October (2br). We were impressed by the place (in fact the next week we stayed at the Marriott Cypress Harbour and were a little disappointed after being spoiled by the beautiful room at Wyndam). We had great service from everyone. Upon our check-in we were escorted (via golf cart) to our unit by one of their representatives. He showed us around the unit, and asked if there was anything else we needed. We asked if the unit had a blender. He stated it did not. We told him that we had been CRAVING a margarita, and would like to make our own. He proceeded out to his car for a blender, for just such an occasion. He was very gracious about it, and just asked that we return it to him and the end of our stay. You can't get much better service than that.

I had read some of those reviews before our trip as well (tripadvisor to be specific). I too, was terrified! But in the end we were extremely happy with our choice. The only slight disappointment we had was with the size of their pools. But half the time, we were the only ones in the pool.

I hope that helps.

 

[Frannypooh]

Hey I'm from philly and going in Oct too!
We are going the 16th to the 23rd.
We own a lock-out at Wydham Palms (don't ask i want to sell)
Thia will our first year staying there and I'm exicted! I like it alot just going through the presentation. Just wish we didn't buy. (IM CHEAP)



Fran

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

FP,

Sent you a pm