Wyndham Palace Resort And Spa Questions

[FastEddieG]

We recently won a priceline bid for this hotel for 1/17-1/24 2004. I have read some bad reviews on this hotel, and believe it was due to the posters staying in the older, non-newly-renovated part of the hotel.

My question is, for those that have stayed there recently, what part of the hotel is "newly renovated"?

Can we call in advance and request a specific room type/section?

If we can call and request, what part should we request?

Any other tips for this hotel?

Thanks in advance!
-Ed

 

[stacy6552]

We stayed on the presidential level in the tower last spring. The room was (eventually) clean and well appointed.

However a toilet ran all night long and we received a call in the middle of the night, with no apology for the desterbance, asking if it was ours. The music thumped through the ceiling until late in the night from the resturaunt.

Customer service was non-existant.

The transportation was aweful. if you dont drive to WDW, you must must must rent a car.

 

[Princess Michelle]

I stayed there in December and loved it. Had a great room, was on the 14th floor and could see DTD, TOT, Cinderella's Castle, the Contemporary and the Swan Dolphin from my balcony. My room was clean, beautiful and I thought the whole hotel was quite the same. When I hear bad reviews I think I must have stayed at a different hotel because I couldn't find a single thing to complain about. I didn't have any trouble with the buses either, they were never full when I got on them and even though they do stop at the other DTD resorts it didn't seem like it took that long. They were always on time as well. Everyone's experiences are going to be different I guess. I was extremely happy there and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again if the price is right.

 

[vickyBaby]

This is a lovely hotel in a premium location. I have stayed here twice and would stay here again if the price was right (I wouldn't pay rack rate).

The pool area is beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My room was clean and nicely decorated.

The transportation was aweful. if you dont drive to WDW, you must must must rent a car.

I stayed at the Wyndham Palace in DTD. Did you stay there? I had no problem obtaining bus transportation. What I would recommend, if the Epcot bus pulls up and you wish to go to Animal Kingdom, inquire when the next bus for AK might be expected to arrive. If it's any length of time, take the Epcot bus (or whichever park), and then take transportation from that park, to the park you wish to go to. Otherwise, I really am clueless as to the bus problem. Additionally, I have also stayed at another DTD hotel, which uses the same bus system, and didn't have a problem when I stayed there either.

 

[FastEddieG]

Wow, thanks for the replies so far!

I believe I have read some of stacey's reviews on other sites about her experience at the Wyndham

Is there a certain part of the hotel that we should request? From reading reviews, we believe there is a "main" section a "tower" section, and a "recreation island" section.

Thanks in advance!
-Ed

 

[RLM]

of the location,the staff has always been helpful. The spa is great,there are some wonderful places to eat right there on property. Alamo has a car rental office at the hotel. We have stayed at this hotel 3 times, never a bad stay. I too have read Staceys comments about the Wyndham Palace.
I think the higher floors are great for a view of the firworks,the suites are located on the "island" portion of the hotel. If you can get a suite for a good rate, get one. There 800 Sq. Ft. lots of space.Have fun

 

[CarolA]

I have stayed there several times and always been in the tower with no real issues. My toliet also ran, but I called and asked them to fix it and they did. I was on the 12 th floor a few weeks ago and it was fine.

(Just out of curiosity what other sites are the reviews on?)

 

[FastEddieG]

Thanks again for the information. It is greatly appreciated!

Originally posted by CarolA
(Just out of curiosity what other sites are the reviews on?)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...yndham_Palace_Resort_Spa-Orlando_Florida.html

http://pub210.ezboard.com/fpricelineandexpediabiddingfrm78.showMessage?topicID=7.topic

Are the two main ones we've read.

Thanks again!
-Ed

 

[CarolA]

WOW! Reading the Trip Advisor web site is entertaining. You either love this hotel or hate it. Makes it kind of hard to make a decision.

However, one thing I have noticed on some hotel web review sites (espeically Fodors and Frommers) is that I think some reviewers live in a fantasy world. Not necessarily with this hotel, but if you ever read reviews written by Americans of European hotels it is kind of funny. Most of the reviewers seem to expect that if they pay $75 they are getting the Ritz. Plus a lot of them get upset over missing wash clothes. Most European hotels don't provide wash clothes and dinging the hotel is not the solution, being aware of the local customs would be much better.

My belief is that this hotel is NOT worth rack rate, but then I don't find many hotels worth rack rate. (I did the Ritz Carlton in Orlando and that may be one of my few rack rate hotels!). I mean it's a HOTEL room, I find it hard to justify several 100 dollars for a place to sleep! I think it is a great priceline deal however. The location cannot be beat and the rooms are good size with nice features.

 

[JJS2K3]

WOW! Reading the Trip Advisor web site is entertaining. You either love this hotel or hate it. Makes it kind of hard to make a decision.

I got the Wyndham Anatole in Dallas last month on priceline for a very low rate, then went to look up the reviews and yikes!
Turns out the place was really stunning and we had absolutely no problems with any of our requests, from house keeping to concierge - very professional.

Convinced me to book the Palace when we decided to go WDW 12/19 - 12/23 (another great rate, this time through Wyndham's BYRequest program) .

I'll let you know how it went

 

[Deluzy]

I guess this is a situation of the who and when people stayed. That is great that some people have had a good experience with Wyndham. Unfortunatly, we stayed there (got a rate of $50 on PL) and found it to be most dissappointing.

We were in the main tower on about the 14th floor (facing Epcot). The toilet ran all night, every night regardless of mentioning it to the staff. Five out of six of the staff people we encountered were either rude or very unprofessional (talking about who was going out drinking that night - in front of children)!

They charge a "resort" fee and put a little card on your bed when you check in to let you know all the services. OK, great! Let's see . . We get a robe! (oh wait, guest services tells us that only when available and none are available - this is in that off season).

OK, how about the complimentary champagne? "Nope, we discontinued that."

Mmmh . . . the complimentary high-end spa items! Cool! Let's see what we have . . . shampoo, shampoo, shampoo??? (had to call to get soap and lotion).

The television gets about 6 channels. Two are dedicated to the Wyndham, one Disney (yeah!) however they only had one network channel??? BUT, they did have pay-per-view where you could pay $4.95 to watch the latest Friends episode and other network channel shows. Pay to watch TV? Cheap!

GOOD POINTS (yes, I saw a few to encourage you with): If one is one a budget, you can't beat the location as far as non-DIsney Hotels. It is right across from DtD and that is VERY convenient. But, I would spend more than $50+resort fee for it. We would definitely recommend the AllStars in that case.

The pools are good size and open all night as with the hot tub. The Wydham is the first stop for the busses so first on (you'll get a seat - and they FILL UP) and first off (again, FULL) so that is a good, good thing.

The lobby is very pretty and a good place to find a quiet spot and read. They also have a piano.

Great views of Dtd and Epcot from the lounge upstairs.

 

[CarolA]

I was just there recently and I can say you do get all the major networks and ESPN. Televison selection is limited, but that is true in lots of hotels. (They ALL want you to buy the movies!)

Also, the free water and drinks are normally for Wyndam By Request members, but you will not get your perks for a Priceline stay.

 

[Deluzy]

CarolA Wrote:

Also, the free water and drinks are normally for Wyndam By Request members, but you will not get your perks for a Priceline stay.

This is true - you do have to pay for any water you use or if you put anything in the refrigerator ($10/day). I am a WBR member and was told that when confirming my reservation. However, you will still be charged the $8/day resort fee. The "perks" that I was referring to was on a card that explained why Wyndham charged a resort fee and what you could expect for it. If they are not going to offer the items that are referenced on the card, they should not leave the card for the guests.

Regarding requests, though, if it is just the two of you traveling, do request a King bed. It is not an extra charge and they make the room feel more spacious. (Always a plus!)

 

[FreshTressa]

I guess it depends on your frame of reference. If you are used to HoJo's and Days Inns, it is a fabulous place.

If you have been staying at other 4* hotels like the westin in Ft Lauderdale or MOWC, then it falls short.

All in all, I think it is a good deal on priceline, but definately not worth anything over $100, especially not in Orlando.


We stayed on Recreation Island in a non suite, and it definately was not updated or renovated and the room was smallish and dark and the area was echo-ey (is that a word) so we heard people talking and walking in the hallways all night.

I sure was glad to get to POR after my stay.

 

[Sian]

Stayed on the 11th floor of the tower last week through Priceline. Found everything clean and satisfactory (if a bit soul-less after a week in AKL). Don't know whether our room had been renovated but everything seemed fine. I had read about filthy hall carpets but the corridor where we were had a marble floor. Would stay there again if the price was right.