Don't even think about renting from the front desk in this place! They don't answer the phones, so you can't even get a reservation! We found a private owner, Stephanie Jones, who rents 4 units there. We stayed in 501, and our friends stayed in 809. Both units were great. 501 was spacious, clean, and the view was totally awesome! I will never try to rent from anyone but a private owner again!! Mrs. Jones took care of our every need! We ran out of clean towels, and she had the cleaner there within 1/2 an hour. She could have told us to sit on it and go to the darn laundry room, but that sure wasn't the case! The units were nicely furnished, well lit, comfortable, clean, and had an awesome view. The complex itself leaves a lot to be desired, so our room was our little heaven from the cruel world below.

We've stayed at other Westgate properties; usually they are spacious, well decorated, are fully furnished including the kitchen items and all amenities are above average. This property wasn't quite what I expected.
Because this property is not entirely a Westgate property, upon arrival you have to find the manager in a small room off to the side (because most units are condo units owned independently, there is no front desk or receptionist to help you). Frequently, there is simply a sign on this door "Out to Lunch---back at 1PM" or "Back in 10 minutes". One guest standing at the door had been waiting for over half an hour for the 10 minute sign. There is just one person on duty at a time. The manager, the person who cleaned our room and maintenance man were all very nice. I must add, however, the TV did not work properly (sometimes not at all) and I called or stopped down to the office every day, but in the almost two weeks we were there, we never got the new TV they promised.

There is no maid service, no fresh towels/sheets everyday and no washer/dryer in the room. We had to go down a floor to access the one washer/two dryers available and they are not free. There is a towel/sheet exchange on Wed morning so we shlepped everything down to the 1st floor to get some fresh ones. On Saturday, our room was cleaned and we got fresh towels.

We had planned on having 2 relatives stop over for dinner one night, but after we arrived to find the size of the room, we decided to go out to dinner. Tiny, tiny, tiny kitchen: there was not enough seating for 4 people (only a small table for 2 attached to the wall). There was a stove/oven, fridge, microwave and dish washer. We guessed in a former life these units were small hotel rooms. The bathroom was nice--looked like relatively new tile work; however, the shower leaked and dripped all night long. Really nice water pressure in the shower. But no place to hang up your towels---no towel rack at all. There was a tiny hook on the back of the bathroom door, but so small everything fell off it. They REALLY need to do something about that. (And with no washer/dryer in the unit, there was absolutely no place to dry your beach towels either--that was quite a nuisance)

The pool was nice and big. The temperature is kept very cool (we wished it was a lot warmer) and there is a nice jacuzzi. Both are kept in tip-top shape. It is unfortunate that this 8 story building casts it's shadow over the pool; all the guests by the afternoon are crowded into one small area that still has sun.

The front sliding glass doors at the entrance lock from 6PM to 7AM with good reason. Twice when unlocking these doors, someone appeared from parking lot and snuck in behind me as I opened the doors. There were unsavory characters in the area and many police cars were noted. I enjoy walking the beach in early morning/after dinner and was very uncomfortable walking alone here. I only walked down the street once (as opposed to taking the beach) down to the Pier; I didn't want to walk that alone even with my pepper spray (thankfully I inadvertently left it in my purse when packing).

Daytona has one of the nicest beaches in Florida I have ever been to and I've been all over, but as much as I like Westgate properties and the beach here, I won't revisit this one.

I can understand the split nature of the reviews of this Westgate. First, the place was built about 35 years ago and the exterior/elevators of the bldg shows its age. The place is funky with its faux portholes on the room doors. The Denny's is no longer there. Defintely not those seeking an "up scale" resort.

However, the rooms have been re-modeled and provide a modern environment. I especially like the brick pool/hot tub area. The rooms are right on the ocean and that is its best feature. The area around the hotel is in transition but acceptable. I would stand there again because we all had an enjoyable vacation.

Good value for the dollar.

We had a great time in Daytona. We rented from a individual 202 "mary" and she is a great person to rent from. Our air went out and she had it replaced the next day. She was straight up with me and told me the building was a little worn from the hurricane. And the managment said that they just got the insurance settlement to fix it back up. I didn't think it was that bad. Our room was nice and a beautiful view of the beach. The pool was great and the spa was even better after a long ride. It was also nice to hace a small water park "free" next to you for someting different. The kids love that. She also had beach chairs so we did not have to rent.

Now for the bad which is no way any reflection on the owner. We did not have any thing to carry our lug.. on. And that was hard. The elevators was hot in the day. Also a lot of water in the halls as you walk to you room from other air condition units.

Over all it was great. The grounds were well kept and clean. I will stay here again.