Grand Cypress Regency (Orlando) REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Apr 14, 2015, 10:01 am
#467
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago
Posts: 425
Great recent feedback so I was hoping to sneak in a couple other questions:
Have an upcoming points stay as a Diamond and first time guests to the property. We can certainly deal with a basic room, however, any thoughts on what suite(s) would be a reasonable upgrade to ask for would be appreciated. Not knowing the property I don't want to ask for something unreasonable. We stay much more often at Coconut Point and seem to get the Bay Suite no matter what rate we book. But we also have a 10 year history with the property and know a lot of the key staff. We're going in completely blind on this one
Second, what (if any) level of PFD/lifejacket is required to take any of their watercraft out on their private lake? We are big boating safety people but could never find this clarified anywhere. Have 2 small kids if that makes a difference.
Thanks folks for any feedback.
Have an upcoming points stay as a Diamond and first time guests to the property. We can certainly deal with a basic room, however, any thoughts on what suite(s) would be a reasonable upgrade to ask for would be appreciated. Not knowing the property I don't want to ask for something unreasonable. We stay much more often at Coconut Point and seem to get the Bay Suite no matter what rate we book. But we also have a 10 year history with the property and know a lot of the key staff. We're going in completely blind on this one
Second, what (if any) level of PFD/lifejacket is required to take any of their watercraft out on their private lake? We are big boating safety people but could never find this clarified anywhere. Have 2 small kids if that makes a difference.
Thanks folks for any feedback.
Unfortunately, I cannot answer the question about life jackets. I imagine that the hotel has some available. That little lake is a fun place in which to splash around in a canoe or paddleboat. I think your children will very much enjoy this property.
Apr 14, 2015, 10:04 am
#468
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I am so happy to hear the positive experience again at this property! I abandoned it years ago and now that there's a new GM it may be time to try it again.
Apr 14, 2015, 3:43 pm
#469
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Second, what (if any) level of PFD/lifejacket is required to take any of their watercraft out on their private lake? We are big boating safety people but could never find this clarified anywhere. Have 2 small kids if that makes a difference.
Thanks folks for any feedback.
Thanks folks for any feedback.
They also require kids below a certain age (or maybe it was height) to have life jackets on (and a band) if wanting to use the waterslide. No additional charge for that. These seem to be the same life jackets for boating and for the pool/waterslide. We pick them up by the food/drink-selling hut down between the pool and the lake beach with the bicycles/boats. Last I was there a few months ago, there were preschool-aged kids out on the four person paddle boats, some probably still in diapers. They had borrowed life jackets from the hotel.
Last edited by GUWonder; Apr 14, 2015 at 3:49 pm
Apr 14, 2015, 7:07 pm
#470
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sarasota, FL (SRQ)
Programs: WN A-List, AA EXP, Hyatt Top Tier (definitely NOT a Globalist), National Exec Elite
Posts: 491
Super helpful info ^^^
Looking forward to the trip (<2 weeks) and will report back in terms of the value proposition here vs. Coconut Point (our normal escape)
Looking forward to the trip (<2 weeks) and will report back in terms of the value proposition here vs. Coconut Point (our normal escape)
Apr 22, 2015, 8:08 pm
#471
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sarasota, FL (SRQ)
Programs: WN A-List, AA EXP, Hyatt Top Tier (definitely NOT a Globalist), National Exec Elite
Posts: 491
Went ahead and changed to a paid stay in order to use a DSU per the above advice. They confirmed the Executive Suite but indicated that the resort "isn't all that busy" so we'll keep our fingers crossed for something better.
Great feedback above and much appreciated, will report back after the fact.
Great feedback above and much appreciated, will report back after the fact.
Apr 23, 2015, 12:52 am
#472
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: Everything is refundable
Posts: 3,727
Your comments back in the days were a bit exaggerated, the Grand Cypress was never really that bad, they had some issues (some nice people retired, they outsourced accounting to India, the renovated rooms were a massive change in style, parking charges etc) but under the bottom line it was always a very solid 4 Diamond option with nice pools, massive grounds, a solid RC and a good Tennis Center.
In recent years, the competition upped the ante, so the Grand Cypress had to try harder to get all kinds of guests, ranging from conventions to Diamonds expecting a suite for free.
Still a good option in town, but now we have more choices to choose from.
Apr 23, 2015, 11:21 am
#473
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Hyatt LIFETIME Globalist
Posts: 661
Nothing really changed over the last years.
Your comments back in the days were a bit exaggerated, the Grand Cypress was never really that bad, they had some issues (some nice people retired, they outsourced accounting to India, the renovated rooms were a massive change in style, parking charges etc) but under the bottom line it was always a very solid 4 Diamond option with nice pools, massive grounds, a solid RC and a good Tennis Center.
In recent years, the competition upped the ante, so the Grand Cypress had to try harder to get all kinds of guests, ranging from conventions to Diamonds expecting a suite for free.
Still a good option in town, but now we have more choices to choose from.
Your comments back in the days were a bit exaggerated, the Grand Cypress was never really that bad, they had some issues (some nice people retired, they outsourced accounting to India, the renovated rooms were a massive change in style, parking charges etc) but under the bottom line it was always a very solid 4 Diamond option with nice pools, massive grounds, a solid RC and a good Tennis Center.
In recent years, the competition upped the ante, so the Grand Cypress had to try harder to get all kinds of guests, ranging from conventions to Diamonds expecting a suite for free.
Still a good option in town, but now we have more choices to choose from.
Apr 23, 2015, 11:30 am
#474
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
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I used to be their biggest fan. Until they got a new GM and I refused to go back. My entire saga was posted in this thread.
I was not hard on the hotel, nor did I demand anything such as suite upgrades or the like. It's actually a great property.
I'm now going to consider it again since the GM is gone. The property is as described, but I don't need to be insulted by the GM or the staff, only to find that I'm right and receive no apology.
But that's water under the bridge. I look forward to trying it again if it meets my requirements for that particular trip. Since I now have a friend working at Disney, it's actually less expensive for me to stay onsite than at the Hyatt.
I was not hard on the hotel, nor did I demand anything such as suite upgrades or the like. It's actually a great property.
I'm now going to consider it again since the GM is gone. The property is as described, but I don't need to be insulted by the GM or the staff, only to find that I'm right and receive no apology.
But that's water under the bridge. I look forward to trying it again if it meets my requirements for that particular trip. Since I now have a friend working at Disney, it's actually less expensive for me to stay onsite than at the Hyatt.
Apr 26, 2015, 5:37 am
#475
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: HHonors Diamond AA Platinum
Posts: 301
Mary2,
We had the same issues. Stayed here 4-6 times a year and never made a request but when we had an issue (2 tiimes), we always felt belittled. Recently stayed at a few other properties and will give Grand Cypress a try again this year. Although we did a quick overnighter and had a tough experience again, but not on the hotel as much as a single person at the front desk that made life miserable.
I will say, that the resort fee at this hotel, that gives you virtually nothing except for internet that you get for free for being Diamond is attrocious.
We had the same issues. Stayed here 4-6 times a year and never made a request but when we had an issue (2 tiimes), we always felt belittled. Recently stayed at a few other properties and will give Grand Cypress a try again this year. Although we did a quick overnighter and had a tough experience again, but not on the hotel as much as a single person at the front desk that made life miserable.
I will say, that the resort fee at this hotel, that gives you virtually nothing except for internet that you get for free for being Diamond is attrocious.
Apr 26, 2015, 6:07 am
#476
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
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Agree. Between the resort fee and parking, for now, it's either less expensive or only slightly more to stay onsite at Disney.
Apr 26, 2015, 7:40 pm
#477
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago
Posts: 425
That's assuming a guest would want to stay on site. I'm a native Central Floridian. I moved away many years ago but it will be a cold day in h*ll before I'd ever go to Disney (by choice). I'm not the only childfree adult who feels this way. Furthermore, the Grand Cypress is head and shoulders above almost every single hotel on Disney property. The pool alone is much, much nicer than anything on Disney property. The new Four Seasons is gorgeous but it's usually triple the price of the Grand Cypress.
Resort fees and parking fees are charged at almost every single resort hotel in Orlando. The Grand Cypress is not unique in these respects.
Apr 27, 2015, 2:41 pm
#478
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: HHonors Diamond AA Platinum
Posts: 301
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That's assuming a guest would want to stay on site. I'm a native Central Floridian. I moved away many years ago but it will be a cold day in h*ll before I'd ever go to Disney (by choice). I'm not the only childfree adult who feels this way. Furthermore, the Grand Cypress is head and shoulders above almost every single hotel on Disney property. The pool alone is much, much nicer than anything on Disney property. The new Four Seasons is gorgeous but it's usually triple the price of the Grand Cypress.
Resort fees and parking fees are charged at almost every single resort hotel in Orlando. The Grand Cypress is not unique in these respects.
That's assuming a guest would want to stay on site. I'm a native Central Floridian. I moved away many years ago but it will be a cold day in h*ll before I'd ever go to Disney (by choice). I'm not the only childfree adult who feels this way. Furthermore, the Grand Cypress is head and shoulders above almost every single hotel on Disney property. The pool alone is much, much nicer than anything on Disney property. The new Four Seasons is gorgeous but it's usually triple the price of the Grand Cypress.
Resort fees and parking fees are charged at almost every single resort hotel in Orlando. The Grand Cypress is not unique in these respects.
With so much competition for the luxury resorts in the area, this hotel does not stack up for my needs (We are childless adults too).
Apr 27, 2015, 2:47 pm
#479
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Minnesota
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,101
This might be the subject of a separate thread post.....I'm not aware of hotels 'offering' Diamonds any special perks. I read about special unwritten Diamond treatment at certain properties but have never seen a hotel target Diamonds with stated perks. Maybe I'm just unaware
Jun 3, 2015, 7:41 am
#480
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
So my plan is to do the Elite Tier Offer this summer and reach Diamond status in a month. My family has a trip planned to Orlando in August that I would love to use my DSU for. However I have two concerns:
1 - That the suites will sell out before I reach Diamond. I mean it is still summer time so families are still doing their summer vacations.
2 - IF I can get one of the Exec or VIP suites, will they let me pay the rate for the adjoining room to make a 2 bedroom suite. We need 2 rooms for our trip. Actually, I would like to just pay the regular rate for a room and get Diamond status upgrade for the adjoining room since it's technically not a suite by itself.
1 - That the suites will sell out before I reach Diamond. I mean it is still summer time so families are still doing their summer vacations.
2 - IF I can get one of the Exec or VIP suites, will they let me pay the rate for the adjoining room to make a 2 bedroom suite. We need 2 rooms for our trip. Actually, I would like to just pay the regular rate for a room and get Diamond status upgrade for the adjoining room since it's technically not a suite by itself.