Just got back today from a quick 5 night trip to go to MVMCP and see the holiday decorations. I was very pleased with my choice of lodging.
I didn't want Free Dining with such a short trip - since I don't like to spend that much time in restaurants when I only have a short amount of time. So I took advantage of Travelzoo's INCREDIBLE rate of $75 a night for this hotel. It would have been worth it even if we had paid quite a bit more!
Location - Couldn't be better. Last night at EPCOT I was from EPCOT parking lot to Staybridge parking lot in about 8 mintues or so. I highly recommend jumping onto I4 and going 1 exit to the WDW exit instead of driving thru the DTD area (which has a closer entrance) - you avoid a ton of lights and it is much quicker. There is a Winn Dixie right next door. There is a plaza with Giordano's right on the other side.
Room - Excellent. Had the 2 BR suite. My sis and her husband took the room with the king bed (huge and comfy) and had their own bathroom. We had the room with 2 doubles for me and dh and ds8 and dd7 with our own bathroom. Beds were comfortable. Kitchen was nice and had glasses, plates, etc. We were on the 3rd floor and there was no elevator - in case you want to request something on 1 or 2. But it wasn't an issue for us. Not a lot of noise (we were on the end, not sure if that helped). We were in 731.
Breakfast - Excellent. 9 out of 10. Scrambled eggs/omlette every day, ham or sausage patties, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, fruit (canned peaches, fresh apples and bananas), make-your-own waffles (excellent setup - industrial waffle makers), strawberry syrup for over the top, donuts or muffins, white or wheat bread, bagels, 4 different cereals, 2 or 3 different juices, skim, 2%, whole or chocolate milk. And the STAFF in charge of breakfast - awesome! They kept everything freshly stocked and clean!! Best staff I've ever seen for this type of thing. Very hard workers.
"Happy Hour" - My sis and her husband made it to one of them. There were burgers and hot dogs and drinks. They recommend it and hey - it's free.
Very convenient and clean laundry room. We like to do laundry on vacation and not bring as much - this room was great. $1.50 each for wash and dry. Only issue was one dryer wasn't working very well. I did mention it to an employee so hopefully that'll get fixed.
Pool - very nice. Temps were cool (in the 60's) when we were there but the pool was warm enough for swimming - at least for my dd. Nothing fancy - but a very good size, tons of chairs, good setup.
I will be recommending this hotel to my clients who have larger families - especially when a good deal hits like this one was. My sis and I split the costs making it about $40 per night for a full hot breakfast, hotel and even a dinner a few nights a week (although we didn't make it to one). Factor in my rental car costs ($108 for 5 nights plus $10 gas) - and it was $330 for hotel and transportation and breakfast for 4 of us for 5 days. A STEAL!
TIPS:
- Pick up flyer for Giordano's in the next door plaza and keep it in your bag in the park. Call for takeout on your way out of there and just pick it up and eat in your own kitchen - VERY NICE after an exhausting day in the parks.
-Liquor store right near Winn Dixie right next door.
-Steak and SHake right in the plaza right near Giordano's has a sign up KIDS EAT FREE ALL WEEKEND
-If you are looking to eat at a restaurant - go past I4 away from Crossroads. That whole area gets so crowded and packed with long waits. Just after I4 it frees up a bit - with Applebee's and Lonestar and a Seafood place just after the expressway - might be less crowded at times.
I didn't want Free Dining with such a short trip - since I don't like to spend that much time in restaurants when I only have a short amount of time. So I took advantage of Travelzoo's INCREDIBLE rate of $75 a night for this hotel. It would have been worth it even if we had paid quite a bit more!
Location - Couldn't be better. Last night at EPCOT I was from EPCOT parking lot to Staybridge parking lot in about 8 mintues or so. I highly recommend jumping onto I4 and going 1 exit to the WDW exit instead of driving thru the DTD area (which has a closer entrance) - you avoid a ton of lights and it is much quicker. There is a Winn Dixie right next door. There is a plaza with Giordano's right on the other side.
Room - Excellent. Had the 2 BR suite. My sis and her husband took the room with the king bed (huge and comfy) and had their own bathroom. We had the room with 2 doubles for me and dh and ds8 and dd7 with our own bathroom. Beds were comfortable. Kitchen was nice and had glasses, plates, etc. We were on the 3rd floor and there was no elevator - in case you want to request something on 1 or 2. But it wasn't an issue for us. Not a lot of noise (we were on the end, not sure if that helped). We were in 731.
Breakfast - Excellent. 9 out of 10. Scrambled eggs/omlette every day, ham or sausage patties, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, fruit (canned peaches, fresh apples and bananas), make-your-own waffles (excellent setup - industrial waffle makers), strawberry syrup for over the top, donuts or muffins, white or wheat bread, bagels, 4 different cereals, 2 or 3 different juices, skim, 2%, whole or chocolate milk. And the STAFF in charge of breakfast - awesome! They kept everything freshly stocked and clean!! Best staff I've ever seen for this type of thing. Very hard workers.
"Happy Hour" - My sis and her husband made it to one of them. There were burgers and hot dogs and drinks. They recommend it and hey - it's free.
Very convenient and clean laundry room. We like to do laundry on vacation and not bring as much - this room was great. $1.50 each for wash and dry. Only issue was one dryer wasn't working very well. I did mention it to an employee so hopefully that'll get fixed.
Pool - very nice. Temps were cool (in the 60's) when we were there but the pool was warm enough for swimming - at least for my dd. Nothing fancy - but a very good size, tons of chairs, good setup.
I will be recommending this hotel to my clients who have larger families - especially when a good deal hits like this one was. My sis and I split the costs making it about $40 per night for a full hot breakfast, hotel and even a dinner a few nights a week (although we didn't make it to one). Factor in my rental car costs ($108 for 5 nights plus $10 gas) - and it was $330 for hotel and transportation and breakfast for 4 of us for 5 days. A STEAL!
TIPS:
- Pick up flyer for Giordano's in the next door plaza and keep it in your bag in the park. Call for takeout on your way out of there and just pick it up and eat in your own kitchen - VERY NICE after an exhausting day in the parks.
-Liquor store right near Winn Dixie right next door.
-Steak and SHake right in the plaza right near Giordano's has a sign up KIDS EAT FREE ALL WEEKEND
-If you are looking to eat at a restaurant - go past I4 away from Crossroads. That whole area gets so crowded and packed with long waits. Just after I4 it frees up a bit - with Applebee's and Lonestar and a Seafood place just after the expressway - might be less crowded at times.
You can't beat the location, and you get a lot of room for not much money.
