Visit to Orlando Review
Oct 23rd, 2004, 06:30 AM
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Visit to Orlando Review
Hi all!
I reviewed six restaurants on another post, and thought I'd add a post here to review the Gaylord Palms, Pleasure Island, Canyon Ranch Spa, and Premium Outlets.
I had visited the GAYLORD PALMS for Sunday Brunch last year, and loved it's region-themed atrium. You sort of feel like you're living in a biodome! Since my husband was attending a conference there last week, we used Priceline and won a room there for $90 a night. Since it is a resort, they add $10 per night resort fee, and a parking fee per night of either $8 for self-park or $15 for valet.
This is the first time we did not get the room configuration we requested post-Priceline. (Usually we ask for two adjoining non-smoking rooms, one with a kind and one with two doubles.) We found out that kind-bedded rooms in Orlando are in the minority. That was fine, but the room was also set up for handicap access, which also meant all our clothes were hung low and hanging on the floor. After one night, they did show us another room with a king bed, but it faced "out" towards the highway, rather than "in" towards the atrium/biodome. So we decided to stay put. That night at 11:15pm, security was banging on our door demanding to know who we were!?!?!? When we said we'd call down to the desk, he said, "You better!" ??? Evidently, they had marked us a moving, and sent housekeeping in to clean up what they thought was a vacant room. Now, why they mixed up the records, or why they just didn't leave us a voice mail, or why they waited until 11:15 to bang on the door... are still mysteries. But the next day, they upgraded us to a lovely suite.
It's a beautiful place to stay, and the staff is overly accommodating, but it's the noisiest hotel I've ever tried to sleep in. We should have taken the room overlooking the outide afterall, because that courtyard is constantly creating noise, whether it's the "white noise" of the water falls, or the screech of microphone feedback, you'll be hearing it! One night Seiman's Medical had a private party (probably in a suite down the hall), but they were outside in the halls cheering or cursing the Red Sox or Yankees, drunk as skunks, passing gas, belching, laughing, etc from 1:30-3:am. Then the next morning a 7:am, some group was on the PA system in the courtyard giving a droning half hour keynote address!
On a plus note, they have two beautiful pools. One is near the Kid's Club, and the South Beach pool near the spa is for adults only. It was a beautiful pool, with piped in music, and great food service.
However, I would not choose to stay at the Gaylord Palms again. It is definitely not worth full price. If you have a choice, I'd highly recommend the Grand Cypress Hyatt. Go to a breakfast buffet at Villa Flora, and walk the grounds to enjoy the "biodome," but sleep elsewhere if possible.
On a plus side, I've never been to Pleasure Island for the evening festivities, and I thought it was a blast! I was disappointed in the Adventurer's Club (lame show), and that the country music club was gone, but I don't know when I've had so much fun out dancing. It's okay to be middle aged and casually dressed and hit the dance floor at the Techno and Top 40 dance clubs! Plus, both live acts at the Jazz Club and the Beach Club sports bar were fantastic. This was the most fun evening for me!
The Premium Outlet mall is definitely worth a stop. There is a discount Disney store there as well, if you are interested. Plus tons of SHOE outlets. And along with the usual (Polo, Hilfinger, Guess), many high end such as Versace and Armani. I did not even go in those, however, so I can't tell you about the prices.
The Canyon Ranch spa was absolutely lovely. I had an incredible aromatherapy facial by Norma for $140, and would highly recommend her. What I didn't like was that the price says "gratuity included," but the staff won't tell you what percentage it is. Estheticians are highly appreciative of any additional tip, so I have no idea what "gratuity included" means on the already high prices. I've always wanted to go to a Canyon Ranch spa, so I'm glad I did it, but I don't think I'd pay it again.
I reviewed six restaurants on another post, and thought I'd add a post here to review the Gaylord Palms, Pleasure Island, Canyon Ranch Spa, and Premium Outlets.
I had visited the GAYLORD PALMS for Sunday Brunch last year, and loved it's region-themed atrium. You sort of feel like you're living in a biodome! Since my husband was attending a conference there last week, we used Priceline and won a room there for $90 a night. Since it is a resort, they add $10 per night resort fee, and a parking fee per night of either $8 for self-park or $15 for valet.
This is the first time we did not get the room configuration we requested post-Priceline. (Usually we ask for two adjoining non-smoking rooms, one with a kind and one with two doubles.) We found out that kind-bedded rooms in Orlando are in the minority. That was fine, but the room was also set up for handicap access, which also meant all our clothes were hung low and hanging on the floor. After one night, they did show us another room with a king bed, but it faced "out" towards the highway, rather than "in" towards the atrium/biodome. So we decided to stay put. That night at 11:15pm, security was banging on our door demanding to know who we were!?!?!? When we said we'd call down to the desk, he said, "You better!" ??? Evidently, they had marked us a moving, and sent housekeeping in to clean up what they thought was a vacant room. Now, why they mixed up the records, or why they just didn't leave us a voice mail, or why they waited until 11:15 to bang on the door... are still mysteries. But the next day, they upgraded us to a lovely suite.
It's a beautiful place to stay, and the staff is overly accommodating, but it's the noisiest hotel I've ever tried to sleep in. We should have taken the room overlooking the outide afterall, because that courtyard is constantly creating noise, whether it's the "white noise" of the water falls, or the screech of microphone feedback, you'll be hearing it! One night Seiman's Medical had a private party (probably in a suite down the hall), but they were outside in the halls cheering or cursing the Red Sox or Yankees, drunk as skunks, passing gas, belching, laughing, etc from 1:30-3:am. Then the next morning a 7:am, some group was on the PA system in the courtyard giving a droning half hour keynote address!
On a plus note, they have two beautiful pools. One is near the Kid's Club, and the South Beach pool near the spa is for adults only. It was a beautiful pool, with piped in music, and great food service.
However, I would not choose to stay at the Gaylord Palms again. It is definitely not worth full price. If you have a choice, I'd highly recommend the Grand Cypress Hyatt. Go to a breakfast buffet at Villa Flora, and walk the grounds to enjoy the "biodome," but sleep elsewhere if possible.
On a plus side, I've never been to Pleasure Island for the evening festivities, and I thought it was a blast! I was disappointed in the Adventurer's Club (lame show), and that the country music club was gone, but I don't know when I've had so much fun out dancing. It's okay to be middle aged and casually dressed and hit the dance floor at the Techno and Top 40 dance clubs! Plus, both live acts at the Jazz Club and the Beach Club sports bar were fantastic. This was the most fun evening for me!
The Premium Outlet mall is definitely worth a stop. There is a discount Disney store there as well, if you are interested. Plus tons of SHOE outlets. And along with the usual (Polo, Hilfinger, Guess), many high end such as Versace and Armani. I did not even go in those, however, so I can't tell you about the prices.
The Canyon Ranch spa was absolutely lovely. I had an incredible aromatherapy facial by Norma for $140, and would highly recommend her. What I didn't like was that the price says "gratuity included," but the staff won't tell you what percentage it is. Estheticians are highly appreciative of any additional tip, so I have no idea what "gratuity included" means on the already high prices. I've always wanted to go to a Canyon Ranch spa, so I'm glad I did it, but I don't think I'd pay it again.
Oct 24th, 2004, 04:26 PM
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Forgot to mention another "positive" at the Gaylord Palms: Villa Flora breakfast buffet. Beverage, juice, full hot/cold buffet, and cooked to order eggs/omelets at $16 pp. I'd rather do this one morning, and stroll the atrium grounds, than actually stay here.
Oct 26th, 2004, 10:06 AM
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I know I'm having this odd conversation with myself here, but I did want to add a couple observations.
October is evidently a great month to go if you don't like "busy." For those of you with kids under 4th grade - I say, Take them out of school for a week to take advantage of one of the slow seasons. It will be so much more relaxing, sane, and enjoyable - not to mention a better value. It was very slow at Disney properties last week.
Also, there have been many questions about hurricane damage. Although there are still many blue tarps on the roofs of homes, none of the tourist attractions are at all affected. The biggest issue for tourists is that some of the street directional signs are still down, making it a little tricky to drive to some destinations.
October is evidently a great month to go if you don't like "busy." For those of you with kids under 4th grade - I say, Take them out of school for a week to take advantage of one of the slow seasons. It will be so much more relaxing, sane, and enjoyable - not to mention a better value. It was very slow at Disney properties last week.
Also, there have been many questions about hurricane damage. Although there are still many blue tarps on the roofs of homes, none of the tourist attractions are at all affected. The biggest issue for tourists is that some of the street directional signs are still down, making it a little tricky to drive to some destinations.
Oct 28th, 2004, 10:21 AM
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Dreamer2, it may seem like you're talking to yourself, but we're listening, really! Thanks for the report. We live in the Orlando area, but have never visited Gaylord Palms. May drop by for brunch, now. BTW, I used to work in an Orlando "luxury convention" hotel (which I shall not name)...breaking up (or trying to, since they were often VIP personalities hosting them) those private parties in suites was only topped by apologizing to all the poor people who are having to endure nearby. Anyway, glad it's October and the weather is calming down and cooling down. Now, we're getting to that time of year most of us live for...
Oct 28th, 2004, 02:37 PM
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The "Ice" exhibit at Gaylord Palms around Christmas time is supposed to be very cool; it's like an ice village. I went to a magnificent ice festival on the island off of Montreal one January (lifesize ice sculptures of pirate boats, animals, mazes to get lost in, etc) and it sounds like the Gaylord Palms is a minature indoor version of that. We are going on Christams Eve Day.
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