Conventional Comfort in Mouse Land
Written: Mar 26 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Competent convention hotel plunked down in the Orlando out back.
Cons: Boring convention hotel plunked down in the Orlando out back.
The Bottom Line: If there is a meeting here, there are worse places to be sent. If you are thinking about this hotel on your own, we don't speak the same language.
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| ulysses4's Full Review: Caribe Royale Resort Suites and Villas |
Let's put my prejudices on the table. The only place I like less than Orlando is Las Vegas. Both, for me, serve the purpose of siphoning large numbers of gullible people away from genuine destinations where they might experience something that wasn't entirely fake. This has the beneficial effect of keeping these folks away and reducing the crowds.
I had managed to avoid Orlando for over ten years, but a business meeting dragged me there last week. Arriving at night, I experienced a new annoyance, short toll roads which seemed to serve no purpose other than extract a few additional dollars from those passing through these parts.
The on line map directions to the hotel didn't account for Hertz's new off airport location. I wound up taking a somewhat more circuitous route, which convinced me this hotel is even further away from anywhere I might want to be. After seemingly going to the end of my map, I finally caught sight of a sign for International Drive and realized I wasn't going to be lost in the Everglades, at least on this trip.
In daylight, I learned this complex is only a short distance to the Disney megalopolis. At night, it just seemed to be a very large subdivision down the road from a non descript highway interchange with the usual assortment of gas stations and convenience stores.
Driving on to this property is reminiscent of am outpost of a casino town-huge palm tree lined driveway, massive concrete awning, and a large public area filled with people wearing name badges and looking bewildered. The buildings have little or no architectural warmth, just big apartment complexes painted a salmon color to make them somewhat more appealing.
There are three huge high rise condominium style structures clustered around a fairly attractive pool area. Behind this mini city is a mammoth convention hall. You can come here with one or two thousand of your closest friends or acquaintances, and they will serve you. There are 1218 one bedroom suites and 120 two bedroom villas. Hotel personnel I encountered (admittedly in only 24 hours) were generally pleasant and unobtrusive. The property is well maintained.
I was relieved to find out that you don't have to do valet parking. Just as well, they would need an army of parking attendants. The somewhat bored young lady at the front desk pulled out a small map and circled which tower I was in, and generally where I was supposed to park. As befitting of a large commercial establishment, she advised me they would be putting a "hold" on my credit card for the cost of one night's lodging and taxes. A strange and unwelcoming gesture.
I found a space, a mere 70 to a hundred yards from the Tower 1 entrance. Inside, a very bland lobby, and four elevators. Arriving at the tenth floor, I felt I could easily have been in a Hilton or a Marriott, although it was a shade duller in carpeting and hall lighting.
MY SUITE
The rooms are not as attractive as they appear on the hotel's web site, but certainly are quite adequate. I was struck by how dark and relatively un-Florida like (or Caribbean for that matter)they were. This was more like being in an Embassy Suite or other All Suites hotel. Beiges and Purples abound. Had I somehow made a wrong turn and wound up in Michigan or Minnesota?
The beds,(two queens) bedding and furniture were of reasonable hotel quality. Generic art work on the walls. There were a couple of TVs, a desk and mini work area with broad band internet access (at $7.00/day). There is a microwave and minibar, for those who really want to ignore the fact they are in Florida. The bathroom was tastefully done with generously plush towels, decent but somewhat generic soap and sundries and good lighting. There was ample storage space, if you happen to be stuck here for more than a couple of days.
RESTAURANT-A PLEASANT SURPRISE
I dreaded heading down to eat here, but was too tired to go adventuring. The "four star" Venetian room seemed a little over the top for a solo dinner late in the evening. I opted for the painfully noisy Tropicale, the glorified mega coffee shop cum restaurant. Lois, a genuinely pleasant and perhaps grandmotherly lady on her third or fourth career was a competent and hospitable server. A roasted salmon filet on top of scallion flavored mashed potatoes, with a side of mixed vegetables was quite respectable. Breakfast and lunch the next day were both above average, with a generous and varied breakfast buffet and a fresh fruit salad at lunch quite memorable. The coffee was freshly and fully brewed.
MEETING TIME
A group of about twenty of us held a five hour meeting in one of dozens of rooms in their convention building. With 150,000 square feet of meeting space, three ballrooms (the largest 40,000 square feet) they claim to be able to host 4200 people, and I don't doubt it.
In addition to the large pool, the hotel has tennis courts, and golf privileges at several nearby clubs. So they say.
PRICE/VALUE RATIO
One probably gets a better rate if you are part of some corporate legion. At $199/night I thought this was overpriced for what you get. Perhaps it is too much to ask to be treated like a person at a 1400 plus room hotel. Calling this a resort is a stretch. This is a suitable place for a large meeting. You can bring the kids and/or the golf clubs. I could find a more enjoyable place blindfolded.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
ulysses4
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 in Hotels & Travel |
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Member: Alan R. Fridkin
Location: Westfield, MA USA
Reviews written: 236
Trusted by: 21 members
About Me:
Mediator;attorney;retired Navy Captain;avid traveler;bon vivant.
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