My Fiance and I booked this hotel through Virgin Holidays as we wanted to be close to, but outside of the main Disney / I-Drive area to escape the theme parks a little. Firstly, this hotel suited our needs perfectly. Set in a quiet area, it's set in beautiful grounds and is pretty much spotless throughout. Approximately a 10 minute drive to Disney and ideally located just off I-4, it was a perfect base for us for the holiday.

The pool areas were fantastic and both pools were spotless. Other travellers have commented on how busy these areas get, but we had no problems finding a sunbed to base ourselves by the pool whenever we tried. However, we found the weekend to be exceptionally busy at the hotel, including the pool area.

Whilst we didn't eat any main meals at the hotel, the breakfast buffet was fantastic. I would like to particularly note our server Blanca, who was wonderfully polite and incredibly helpful - she is a credit to the staff team - however most encounters with staff were pleasant.

It is worth noting that the corridors can be noisy and these noises can be heard very clearly in the bedrooms. The doors to the bedrooms seem very thin, so don't be suprised to be disturbed by corridor noise - even casual conversations can be heard if people are walking by your door.

It is worth noting that we had two slight problems at the hotel. Firstly, we arrived back to our room at 6.30pm to find the room had not been cleaned. However, one call to reception resolved this and after a quick swim, the room was re-set upon our arrival back to the room. The most suprising problem was being locked out of our room half way through the week. After arriving back to the hotel at 11.30pm, we found our room keys would not work. Not wanting to trapse back down the corridor to the lifts and down to reception, I called from the corridor phone - security duly arrived and opened our door WITHOUT ID or proof of residency. When mentioning this to reception the following morning, we received no apology, rather a slightly disgruntled receptionist demanding ID and telling me that it was impossible that it could have happened. I know these things happen in hotels, but when you're paying a premium for a nice location, I kind of expected an apology for the inconvenience.

My two final points... Watch out for resort tax. Advertised at $12.50, being British, it wasn't stated that this didn't include local taxes - causing a further query on the bill. In addition to this, watch the charges on the mini-bar as the small print is difficult to find on the price list - which details a hefty service charge and details on local taxes.

Overall, it's a nice hotel in a nice location. However, considering what we paid for it, it was ok. It's not exceptional, but ok. By addressing the smaller details that make good hotels fantastic, they could really excel - location and decor just isn't enough when you have the sheer choice available to you as you do in Orlando.

We had a fantastic stay. The staff was wonderful and accomodating, the room beautiful and the pools, lazy river and bar service made us feel we were in a tropical resort. I would definitley stay here again.

This hotel is perfect for people looking to be close to the attractions yet far enough away to relax. Every member of the staff was extremely friendly and helpfull. The golf course is literally 40 feet from the hotel. I never golfed before, but with the relaxed atmosphere and a great 9 hole golf course for beginners right along side of the professional course, I was able to see high calibre golfers play and that helped a lot when I gave it a try. The swimming pools were perfect along with the lazy river and the water slide for my kids. We wish crocs was open a little later into the evening for us loungers while the kids swam though. We never saw anything like some of the problems others have mentioned in their reviews. I truly believe this is the perfect hotel for relaxing as well as golf , and of course the nearby attractions.
The Pikes
Paradise, Newfoundland, Canada

I was in Orlando for my 21st birthday celebration and got this hotel after leaving a hotel that provided poor and unsafe conditions.

I called the night before to confirm a high floor, and was told it would be available. I also informed them that I would be checking in fairly early and was told that would not be a problem either. I am also a Select Guest, which is their rewards program, which also specifies that I want a high floor.

I was very excited to finally arrive here, but...

I went to check in, and I was told that my room wasn't ready. There wasn't even an offer of a drink at the bar in the meantime, very disappointing for a hotel of this caliber.

I returned 20 or so minutes later and was told all they had was the 3rd floor, which I outright refused because of my preferences. I was also told the hotel was overbooked. I offered to call Priceline and inform them that the hotel was overbooked so that I could go elsewhere; that was done and off to the Hyatt Grand Cypress I went, which gladly honored my requests.

I feel I was given the Priceline Treatment, because I also saw other guests being assigned rooms on high floors without having to wait (and I doubt they were part of the rewards program)

And I'm still waiting for that free night certificate I was promised...

All in all, a bunch of mayhem...I'm happy I didn't end up staying here.