Howard Johnson, please think again.
Written: Sep 22 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fairly close to Disney.
Cons: Not the best of hotels, and a distance from International Drive.
The Bottom Line: If you can't find anywhere else, then this will do. Really disappointed with the rooms.
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| Susie-34668's Full Review: Howard Johnson Maingate West |
A couple of weeks ago, Len and I were staying in our timeshare in Orlando. A beautiful 4 room suite really close to the I 4, and Disney. Len's half-sister had phoned us to say they were coming from England. We said "Where", thinking they could stay in our suite, that would accommodate them.
She had already booked a package costing £4,000. Over $6,000 for 4 adults and 2 children. This included the air fare and hotel.
We got a call from them, saying "Please help". They had got into the airport at 2pm, picked up a hire car and driven to the Howard Johnson Maingate West. When they arrived, the lobby staff informed them that they were not booked in this hotel. They directed them to the Maingate East. They traveled there, and were told, "No you are in the Maingate West".
By this time in was 6pm. They had been traveling for 16 hours and were really tired and pi..ed off. We were on International Drive, at a T.G.I Fridays, near Sandlake Road, a good 20-30 minutes away. We said, "Hold on, and we will get there are quick as possible".
We hurried down International Drive South and decided to take S.R.535, as there were 2 Howard Johnson's hotels east of the I 4. We called in the first one, and they said to go West to the next one. We hurried as quickly as we could. Found the East one and ran into the lobby. The lady behind the counter said that they should be at the Maingate West, and had told them to go back to it. We thought that we had missed them, but they were just pulling out of the parking lot.
His sister was really unhappy. She said that they had checked in this one, paid extra for the safe, and just didn't like it. It is a dive, if you know what she meant. Anyway, they complained so much, that they were going back to the original one.
We drove west and they followed. Got to the correct hotel, Howard Johnson, Maingate West, and we all pulled in the parking lot.
Len and I went to the lobby with them to make sure that they had rooms for the 2 week period. Yes, somehow this time they were told they could stay there. I was talking to Len's sister, while her daughter was registering. She got the keys, and handed over money. I asked her what for. $23 per room for a safe. I said why didn't you have just one safe, even though you have 2 rooms. She was so tired she would have given them anything.
Now it is getting really late. We headed to the furthest, darkest area of the hotel grounds. They had adjoining rooms on the second floor, way, way back. We looked for an elevator, no such luck. We had to carry the luggage up the stairs.
The Rooms.
You really don't want to know. A room where you walk in, there in the air conditioner unit in the front, really noisy. Two double beds. An end table with a lamp. A rack to hang the clothes up.
A very basic bathroom. You know what I am talking about. This is the hotel room you can pick up for, with a coupon, for $39 a night. In their package this worked up to anything from $80-$100 per night.
They drew the curtains which barely covered the window. Oh boy, thank goodness we were going back to our timeshare.
They were starving hungry. The restaurant was closed, so we all headed for Golden Coral, right next to our place. They had a great meal, while almost falling asleep.
The following day they had the buffet breakfast at the Howard Johnson. It was good, but certainly not free, as many hotels are. They did this just the once, then went to Ponderosa, for the $3.99 buffet.
The only good thing they said about the hotel was, being right at the back, there was plenty of parking.
Also they had 3 swimming pools, and the kids really enjoyed them.
They plan on coming again in 2 years time. What are their plans. Just to pay for the flight in advance. They will choose a vehicle, and hotel when they arrive.
There were specials on 192 where they were staying for $39.95 a night. These were even closer to Disney, and International Drive.
We went to their hotel 3 times during our week in Kissimmee. It was awful. No, it was not "you get what you pay for". They paid for better. Watch out tourists, you may be taken for a ride.
I was embarrassed to live in America, and Len's family be treated the way they were. I have told them, in future let us make the arrangements for them.
This hotel is The Howard Johnson, Maingate West, and is located at:
8660 West Irlo Bronson (192) Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee.
Reservation number 1-866-603-9330. Hotel number 877-233-9330.
There brochure states 435 oversized rooms. I really don't know what the size of normal rooms would be.
Thank you for taking the time to read this review. I really hope it helps.
Susie.
Recommended:
No
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