How do you see your hotel room?

[Kitty 34]

At WDW resorts are a big part of the attraction, we're DVC members so it's "deluxe" level for our trips. For other trips we're unlikely to spend much money for a room--Hilton, Marriott, whatever is fine.

I want to go with you on your next vacation, Ron!! I can sleep on the floor but the view from the window better be good!!!

 

[lorimay]

For me, I only see a 5 star resort, but my husband doesn't see that at all........

 

[AquamarineSteph]

It depends on where we are and how long we will be there. For an overnight stay, it doesn't matter as much unless I'm stuck in that one room for some reason. In that case I prefer something historic OR with a balcony. But in other locations where I know I'm just storing my suitcase and sleeping/showering, I don't care.

I do enjoy having a mini fridge and a balcony. It makes my life easier, but otherwise I'm good with whatever comes along.

 

[bcla]

I frankly like camping on vacation, so I'm pretty easy to please.

That being said, it really depends on the purpose of the trip. I don't need to have anything fancy, but it's nice when I can get something nicer on a budget. I've had some incredible deals.

Recently I stayed somewhere while a relative was in a hospital a bit away from home. Long story, but a doctor recommended a specialist in their network and it required some traveling. We weren't sure how long this would take, but they ended up going into short-notice surgery because the condition (although not life threatening) was serious enough to require it ASAP. So on short notice I found one hotel room where I was just hoping that the low price didn't mean there was anything wrong with the place. The room itself was basic and not all that bad, but it's kind of one of those places where the furniture was damaged even though it looked pretty new. I'd stayed in a similar place where it was OK (newly remodeled) except that it looked like someone took a baseball bat to the sink and they repaired it with glue. Everything inside the room looked pretty new though and recently painted. The hallways looked like a disaster area where the carpets hadn't been replaced in quite some time, the walls were scuffed, and the moulding had been pulled. Then there was the room next door with the music turned up loud enough to hear in the hallway (but strangely enough not in our room) and the fellow "guests" arguing at night in the parking lot. Yes, it was one of those places - where you kind of worry about the possibility of drug deals going down or where the other "guests" acted like the various people recorded on the show Cops.

Later we needed another night and this time I found a Holiday Inn. It cost a bit more, but the overall cleanliness of the place was far better. And frankly I wasn't worried about any of the other guests causing disturbances. That's what I'd mostly hope when I get a hotel room.

 

[MamaLema]

We only use the room to shower and sleep.

 

[E&Cmom]

Depends where I am going and how long we are staying. I am a sucker for a nice view if we are by the mountain or water . In these cases I like to sit on the balcony and enjoy the view. If we are only staying a night or 2 and am in a city, by the airport or on a shopping trip I don't care as long is it is clean. On family trips, I tend to find places with a pool as the kids want to swim. Also as the are getting older I want a bit more room an a suite or something with a kitchenette for longer stays.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Well, back when I was pulling in the good money before my mental illness got in the way, we always stayed at the Polynesian. Beautiful, worth the cash if you're going to be spending time using the amenities and relaxing. But even then we were go-go-go and were rarely at the hotel. In 1998 I came aboard a trip that had already been deep into the planning and they (two of my cousins) were booked at the All-Star Music. I was *such* a snob, I thought 'ugh I can't believe I have to stay on the cheap.' But I loved it-I saved so much money on amenities at the Poly I was blowing by on my way to the parks, and I loved the fun atmosphere on the one day we did take a pool day. Now, I stay Value all the time, not only because my financial circumstances have changed dramatically, but also because it's a choice. Sure, I could probably swing a Moderate if I saved carefully, but honestly we only sleep and shower in the room and eat breakfast at the food court. For that, and because we like it, it's Values all the way for us.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

DH & my philosophy is give us a nice hotel or cabin in a convenient location, with excellent food nearby & we'll find something to do. We spend a lot of time at our resort or in our cabin & value quality food above all else on vacation. The destination is less important to us than our accommodations & dining options. We'd be happy cruising in a balcony cabin for 14 days at sea with no ports, as long as the food is excellent. We can find a way to entertain ourselves. Our thoughts are the same for land vacations, including WDW.

 

[low-key]

low-key like nice room

 

[lovin'fl]

Doesn't have to be super luxurious high end finishes and grand suites. But it has to be clean and critter free. If I am too grossed out to lay in the bed with the lights out, then it isn't for me. And I have read some posts here on the Dis where someone is trashing a Disney resort....I have to say that while some rooms have had some wear and tear and are in need of refresh, they have still always met my standards. I am a down to earth girl. I like Holiday Inn Express just fine. Now the recent stay at the huge beachfront resort at Myrtle Beach...ick, gross, had to get out of there. Not only was it not updated, it was filthy dirty and we had trouble getting daily housekeeping. Three nights and we bailed. Had five booked.

One thing that is important in a hotel, for me, is quiet. Clean and quiet. But I can do modest, small, free breakfast or no free breakfast. Can do older. Also prefer to get two queens or a king instead of doubles.

WDW... we have DVC. We got that for the master bedroom since we have three kids and wanted separate space as well as the washer and dryer.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Like others it varies greatly on what I am doing, time of year, etc.
I spend about 100 nights a year right now in a hotel,vacation home or ship cabin.
Sometimes I know I will be out and about nearly all day/evneing and just want a comfortable bed and a decent shower. Or it is a stop on the side of the road mid drive, same thing. Often times in these cases the locaiton is the biggest factor.

Other times, we're travelling in a time of year I expect to be cold/rainy/overly hot and hope to use the room to relax and get out of the elements for a bit. Then I want Soace to stretch out, sit and play cards, etc without using the bed as a sofa.

Sometimes the destination has a "feel" that I want to carry over into the hotel (this goes espcially for Disney---lik Tink, we tend to stay onsite at DLP; I do not go there when goign to Paris and vice versa).

For me it depends on the purpose of my visit. For Disneyland California, my Disney time is part of a longer visit to the LA / California area. Im in the parks open to close, the main focus is time in the park so near location and low price are my priorities. For Disneyland California I just need bed, shower and somewhere to store my stuff.

For Disneyland Paris, I am specifically travelling just to go to the parks. Staying at a Disney onsite hotel is part of the experience. When I go to Disneyland Paris, it is not part of a longer trip to the Paris area. Price is still an issue but basically I can get 4 days at Disneyland Paris onsite for the same price as 2 days offsite at Disneyland California.

For some trips, the hotel amenities is the big factor---an lovely outdoor pool space and direct access to the beach plus use of lounge chairs and umbrellas on the beach was a big draw for the hotel we booked last weekend (that was in San Jaun--don't know yet if we'll get to take that trip or not)

where are you finding such good prices on the Disneyland hotel in Paris?! I've never gotten a quote of less than 325€ a night even for mid week in low season with an AP discount. I would love to know where to find it for a decent price. We quote it every time and then end up at Sequoia or something similar.

 

[BadPinkTink]

where are you finding such good prices on the Disneyland hotel in Paris?! I've never gotten a quote of less than 325€ a night even for mid week in low season with an AP discount. I would love to know where to find it for a decent price. We quote it every time and then end up at Sequoia or something similar.

I had originally booked Hotel New York and got a free upgrade to Disneyland Hotel. It was during the time of the construction on Main Street Train Station and I'm guessing occupancy must have been down.

My last trip to Disneyland Paris
Booked in September 2015 for February 2016 visit
Booked through French website using 30% off offer
2 nights hotel / 3 day park hopper ticket
Onsite Disney Moderate Hotel
No meal plan
Total for Disney €493.76
Flight to Dublin to Paris return €72.98
Shuttle transport from CDG to Disney one way €20

Grand Total - €586.74

My last trip to Disneyland California
2 day/1 park ticket booked through last minute travel club $180.06 / €150
3 nights Dessert Inn and Suites $465.72 / €389.69
Offsite Good Neighbour Budget Motel
No meal plan
Total for Disney €539.69
Flight from Dublin to LAX return €743.24
Shuttle from LAX to Disney one way $17 / €14.22

Grand Total - €1297.15

Just comparing like for like and leaving out the transport
Disneyland Paris -€493.76 -Onsite Moderate Hotel- 2 nights / 3 day park hopper ticket
Disneyland California - €539.69 -Offsite Budget Motel - 3 nights / 2 day one park ticket

 

[NHdisneylover]

I had originally booked Hotel New York and got a free upgrade to Disneyland Hotel. It was during the time of the construction on Main Street Train Station and I'm guessing occupancy must have been down.

My last trip to Disneyland Paris
Booked in September 2015 for February 2016 visit
Booked through French website using 30% off offer
2 nights hotel / 3 day park hopper ticket
Onsite Disney Moderate Hotel
No meal plan
Total for Disney €493.76
Flight to Dublin to Paris return €72.98
Shuttle transport from CDG to Disney one way €20

Grand Total - €586.74

My last trip to Disneyland California
2 day/1 park ticket booked through last minute travel club $180.06 / €150
3 nights Dessert Inn and Suites $465.72 / €389.69
Offsite Good Neighbour Budget Motel
No meal plan
Total for Disney €539.69
Flight from Dublin to LAX return €743.24
Shuttle from LAX to Disney one way $17 / €14.22

Grand Total - €1297.15

Just comparing like for like and leaving out the transport
Disneyland Paris -€493.76 -Onsite Moderate Hotel- 2 nights / 3 day park hopper ticket
Disneyland California - €539.69 -Offsite Budget Motel - 3 nights / 2 day one park ticket

I misunderstood your post. I thought you were saying you stay at the Disneyland Hotel for such low rates. I see now you just meant that you stay onsite for low rates. We've also found it easy to get really low rates on site (though never the upgrade to the DL hotel)

 

[Squirlz]

If it's a destination vacation we like a nice room. BWI balcony room for WDW, Club level at RPR for Universal, and Master Suite #1 in the Curry Mansion in Key West. Our favorite part of the Key West suite is this balcony:

 

[tvguy]

My first visit ever to WDW was in June and we stayed at the Grand Floridian. It was nice, lots of services available on site, and restaurants, but the room was small compared to what you get at a modern Holiday Inn Express for $300 a night less. And no free breakfast. But it was a special occasion, our 35th anniversary, so that was fine. But basically, it was just a place to store our stuff, sleep, and get cleaned up. And a place to wait since WDW parks opening later than Disneyland. We're used to being up at 6 am and in Disneyland at 630 am.

 

[PopGirl26]

We like the Deluxes because we like park time *and* down time, not travel time. As people who take midday breaks, we don't want to waste upwards of four hours daily waiting for and riding buses. We'd prefer to spend half our trip at the Contemporary and half at Yacht/Beach/BWI and save a lot of time for each of our twice daily park visits (except AK).

 

[dotfurio]

I'm too picky to go too cheap, but usually the only amenities I use are the pool and breakfast.

When we go to DL we always arrive the day before. I like to stay at the Hojo because my youngest loves the water play area, though she's getting older so we might try the Marriott with the water park next time. As far as the DL resort properties, we'll go eat at the restaurants and hang out in the lobby of the Grand Californian but I haven't stayed there in years because the amount of time we actually spend in the room doesn't justify the price.

 

[adelaster]

It matters to me! Budget matters too though. I look for places that will offer privacy, quiet, and if possible- pretty landscaping with trees. Flowing water is nice too. In a place like Disney we need to escape the noise and go go go types. I like knowing there is a safe tranquil space when I need it. We are not all day out type people and spend a decent amount of time in the room. It would be great to afford a more deluxe/dvc type experience someday- but for now I try to balance those needs with a budget. Disappointingly, I don't know that I'd use a pool again at Disney as my experience with a quiet pool involved a loud family throwing a football and drinking beer out of glass bottles- both activities being against posted rules. There was a baby in the pool at the time too- so overall it was just a distressing and not at all relaxing experience. Ordinarily I would consider that when visiting a hot place like Florida.

Even when we travel elsewhere the room matters. Aesthetics are important to me, and I gravitate towards interesting lodging via airbnb that will give us the above. I guess I'm pretty picky about where we stay-but money is the king factor. I've never stayed anywhere super fancy, but for the most part we're able to meet the above with careful advance planning.

 

[Southernmiss]

Budget minded-a hotel is a clean, place to sleep and store our stuff.

But after staying in a questionable Motel 6 when it was the last place to stay during a soccer tournament, I do have my limits.

And will now make sure to early reserve a Marriott property- for the points, with breakfast preferably. Many that we've stayed at recently were updated and exceeded our expectations.

At Disney, because of family size, we like the cabins or Port Orleans Riverside.

 

[adelaster]

My first visit ever to WDW was in June and we stayed at the Grand Floridian. It was nice, lots of services available on site, and restaurants, but the room was small compared to what you get at a modern Holiday Inn Express for $300 a night less. And no free breakfast. But it was a special occasion, our 35th anniversary, so that was fine. But basically, it was just a place to store our stuff, sleep, and get cleaned up. And a place to wait since WDW parks opening later than Disneyland. We're used to being up at 6 am and in Disneyland at 630 am.

When does Disneyland open at 6am? I thought it opened around 8am most days, at least for the last few years.