I have stayed at the Caribe Royale several times in the past 12 months, including hosting a large national conference (1,100 attendees).

The rooms are all suites, which is great for families, because the second room includes a couch which converts into a double bed and a television, as well as a snack center and coffee pot. The bedroom includes either a king or two double beds, dresser, easy chair, night stand with lamp.

The rooms are spacious, but the furnishings and bed linens are badly in need of an update. The internet connection times can be very slow, and if your connection time exceeds 20 minutes, you will be charged a per minute rate.

The bathrooms are also large and very nice, and have all the standard amenities: large, fluffy towels; hair dryer, magnifying mirror, etc.

I found the rooms at each of my stays to be exceptionally clean, and the hotel itself smells clean throughout.

We also were able to stay for a week in one of the hotel's two-bedroom villas, and it was very nice. I estimate it at around 1000 square feet, with one large master suite and a second bedroom, each with it's own attached bathroom. The villas also include a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and dining room table. There is also a family room area with a couch, two chairs, and a big-screen television, as well a deck/balcony with two chairs and a table. The Villas have their own swimming pool, but my family chose the larger resort pool.

The pool itself is the center of the hotel, and it is clearly oriented around families, with a large waterfall and waterslide that amused my children as much as the theme parks.

The hotel no longer offers the free buffet breakfast for which it was known, but has three restaurants on site: a coffee shop that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (rather pricey), a fast food/pizza outlet, and a formal Italian restaurant that is only open for dinner. I ate at the revamped coffee shop for two meals, both of which were good, but priced a bit high for what you received as far as food goes.

The conference facilities are outstanding, and the service was impeccable. People at this hotel strive to provide quality service, and even the maids are friendly. The hotel has recently expanded their conference facilities, and the new facility is attached to the old conference center, and is of a superior quality. This is an excellent hotel for conferences.

THe hotel is in the midst of remodeling all the suites with new soft goods (bedspreads, etc.).

This is a great hotel for families, and I far recommend it above many other properties in the area in terms of price and quality. The resort offers free shuttle service to the theme parks, and it is a 10 minute drive from the Magic Kingdom.

Recommended: Yes