I returned home last night from a 3 night stay at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club SeaWorld Orlando.
Here is the good and the bad of it:
My 5 MOST Favorite Things:
1. THE STAFF.
Leslie at the front desk was so kind and helpful at check-in and check out.
Elton, and all the Bellmen were super, always buzzing around on the golf carts ready to give you a ride anywhere between the 11 buildings.
The waiters and waitresses at the restaurant were so welcoming and charming. And the food there, by the way, was outstanding. Way better than at the Bonefish Grill across the street. The Mahi Mahi tacos were the best, and the crabcake and grilled shrimp club sandwich just melted in your mouth!
The housekeeping girls were delightful.
2. THE SHOWER
I loved the walk-in European shower without the door. I was concerned that water would spray all over...but the shower head was stationery (no hand held option), so no problem. There were pump bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bolted to the wall, as well as a nice large, deep wire corner basket for your own shower products. The floor was tile and completely non-slip, there was a bright ceiling light right in the shower, and the water pressure was great. You could tell the shower was very old though, because the grout was very stained and dirty.
3. MAKE-UP MIRROR
The best ever magnifying, lighted make-up mirror on an extending arm.
4. THE BALCONY
Nice sized screened-in balcony with a table and 4 chairs, and a ceiling fan with a light, that could be entered from both the bedroom and the living room. Even with the screens though, there were little flying bugs everywhere. It was the battle of the bugs. One was a large buzzing insect that I managed to swat and kill in the bedroom.
5. THE BED
Of course the Hilton beds/pillows/bedding are always great. I actually bought the entire Hilton Sweet Dreams bedroom ensemble years ago and enjoy it every night.
My 5 LEAST Favorite Things:
1. THE HORRIBLE SMELL OF THE ROOMS
Yes, the minute I entered the room I was hit with the most awful, heavy bad perfume smell ever. Absolutely sickening. It made it so difficult for me to be in the room. I kept both balcony doors open the whole time, and did not unpack any of my clothes, but when I returned home last night and opened my bags, the stench filled my home, and my family insisted I puts the bags in the garage until everything got washed.
I don't understand why some hotels insist on perfuming the rooms when so many people are allergic and sensitive to scents. What are they trying to cover up? Are the rooms filled with mold and mildew and they feel the need to spray heavy perfume to mask the smell?
2. THE TENNIS COURTS
There were 2 courts, one with pickleball lines, that looked like they were in great condition, but they seemed to be abandoned, covered with piles of old, wet, dirt, debris and leaves. Even the pathway to the courts between buildings 4 and 5 was almost impassable due to a 12 foot stretch of the sidewalk covered in debris and leaves. Explain to me why a resort would have nice tennis courts and no tennis pro to hit with guests, give lessons, and maintain the courts. You have 11 buildings full of families and you don't think you'd have people lining up to play tennis if you had a pro there to organize matches and clinics for people? There is a sign-up sheet at the pool to have your hair braided! You have someone on staff to braid hair!!? But no tennis pro? You're missing the boat. Who is making these decisions?
3. NO FULL-LENGTH MIRROR IN THE ROOMS
How is that possible?
4. THE HOTEL STORE
The only breakfast available was some pastries you could buy at the store in the lobby, but everything I tried was terribly stale and I had to throw it out. Also the same bottle of Perrier that cost $5.33 at the store is $2.00 across the street at the CVS.
5. MAINTENANCE ISSUES
The one sink in the room did not drain, and the toilet was difficult to flush.
I cannot comment on the things I did not use: the washer/dryer, the air conditioning, the kitchen and livingroom.
