Bask in luxury (Jul 17 '02 review)
Written: Jul 21 '08 (Updated Jul 21 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Luxurious surroundings - treat yourself!
Cons: Some gentle pressure to consider timeshare ownership
The Bottom Line: Way more than we'd normally spend on a hotel, but so convenient for a family, and a luxurious treat. Downside is the sales pitch.
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| sailorjune's Full Review: Sheraton's Vistana Villages on International Drive |
I chose this property because my stepchildren love to swim, and this property had the largest and most spectacular-looking pool of all Orlando area hotels. Also, relatives have been long-time, happy owners of a timeshare at another Vistana property in Orlando.
We were not disappointed. The resort has contests/games for kids several times a day, including free ice cream (which was a huge hit with ours). (The activities are geared for young kids rather than young teenagers like ours.) The kids were also delighted to order virgin pina coladas from the poolside bartender and sip them in their lounge chairs. They also enjoyed the room's "stereo" (boombox) and Jacuzzi. And I think they appreciated how luxurious the room was, and how beautiful the property looked. The pool area in particular has many nooks and crannies to explore: a man-made waterfall, various partly hidden seating areas on different levels, and bridges over a lagoon.
As parents, we definitely appreciated how glamorous the property is, compared to home -- and you don't have to lift a finger to make it that way! :0) The grounds are lush and carefully maintained; the room oozes Mediterranean seaside elegance, and was brand new and clean (April 2001).
The kitchen is large, bright, and well stocked with utensils and appliances. We could sit at the formal dining table for our meals, or bring them out to the shady, screened porch overlooking the pool. The bathroom and dressing area is also spacious.
There are one-bedroom and two-bedroom "villas" (units), plus something called a "lock-off." This is two separate units that are connected by a lockable door. We asked for a one-bedroom villa, and were given the larger part of one of these lock-offs. Looking at the hotel's web site (http://www.starwoodvo.com/villa.jsp?resortID=1&arg=10), I see that our lock-off unit was far superior in size and amenities to the regular one-bedroom unit. If you want a one-bedroom unit, then, ask for a lock-off unit with a balcony. See the web site for illustrations of the three types of rooms.
No, the property is not in the center of things, but I didn't find that a problem. There wasn't much traffic; the scenery was pleasant; and the drive to the supermarket or Disney World was not that long.
A caveat:
This is not a hotel -- it is a timeshare resort -- and Vistana would like you to become an owner.
After you check in, you will be directed to a well-scrubbed young person across the lobby for your "free breakfast tickets" and discount coupons to area attractions. **Decline to do this if you can.** The young person will engage you in a friendly but lengthy conversation, subtly fishing for details about your lifestyle which they can use to tailor a sales pitch later on. It's all very nice and low-key, but a timewaster. Obviously, you will want to skip the free breakfast -- unless you are interested in buying a timeshare.
A few months after we visited, I received a phone call at home. This was another lengthy conversation -- again, gentle, no pressure, but a waste of both our time. I explained that I loved the property and would highly recommend it but a timeshare is not in our plans. Perhaps it is not wise to supply a home phone number when making a reservation.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
sailorjune
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Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 0 members
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