Singlepoint

Hi there, I was looking at the Swan for either Oct. or Nov. Unfortunately, I've just joined SPG recently and only have the AAA designation. I am looking at the Club level at the Swan or Dolphin and I'm interested in people's opinions on whether it is worth the extra cost. Also, I've only been able to get a Club leval rate of $385 USD/night (either through the web site or by calling SPG directly) - a far cry away from the $150-199 as posted above. I understand that these members are Platinums and received upgrades but should I be able to get a better rate than $385 USD/night ? Compounding the problem is that I am Canadian and, accordingly, are paying in "Northern Pesos." (No affront to anyone) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/newre...e=1&p=2829942#

Any advice or insight would be appreciated by myself, Mrs. Singlepoint and our two little Singlepoints.

Cheers,

Singlepoint

The _Banking_Scot

Hi singlepoint,

When I first originally looked at the Swan, club level rooms were over $330 per night then a few weeks later they fell back to $260 and the standard rooms reduced to $199.

I would probably wait to see if the prices came down.

In the end it is probably a question of how much you value the benefits, ( the greatest benefit probably being the breakfast selection). If you are back at the hotel between 5 & 8pm then you can have evening hors d'oerves ( and fruit too) but if you are not ( ie at the parks all day then you will not be taking advantage of the benefit)

The money you could save by not staying at the club level could then be spend elsewhere ( ie food in the parks)

Have a Zip-a-dee-doo-dah stay
Regards

TBS

PS- Also check out www.allearsnet.com for a detailed review of the facilities and special prices - http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/sd_discounts.htm#ae

moodyflyer

We're staying at the Swan in August and used the 50% off rack rate with 1,000 starpoints offer, so our rate is $217.50 for a club level room in August. We're happy with that particularly as the Swan now shows no availability for our week in Aug.

Will try for a suite upgrade when I get there (SPG Gold, but always worth a try ).

Hoping for platinum this year...

ski

Very impressed with newly renovated Dolphin rooms. Simmons B/R pillowtop bed for Starwood with Heavenly Bed type linens/ KOJO for Starwood white comforter. King rooms had small sofa bed that pulled out to a little larger than twin bed. Decor and color scheme was nicer than the newly renovated double room we were given in past at Swan. Excellent service.

jholiiday

Trip Update..

So, I've returned from my stay, and it was quite a nice one... Other than a long delay at check in, my stay was wonderful, and I'll be returning to the Swan next year.

I was in room 588, which has a terrace. I originally thought the view was Terrible, but then I stopped back into the room to change around midnight, and realized I had a better view of the PI fireworks than you'd have from PI.

The staff in the lounge, though, we amazing. It's a rare treat to find staff that dedicated to customers. I'm sure some of you will be able to attest to the kindness and courtesy they provide, because it was absolutely outstanding...

;p

Anyway, it seems like the rates are MUCH higher next June... so hopefully, some special promotions will pop up between now and then!

EQ4803

I am staying this weekend at the WD Swan using the buy 2 get 3 rate. When I called SPG about a possible upgrade using points to either a suite or Club floor I was told that it was not possible to upgrade using this rate.

Something doesn't seem right, I thought you can upgrade with points even with free nights.

Am I missing something?

SPG was quite helpful saying that although there are rooms & suites available, the computer would not accept the upgrade.

They made a notation to my reservation record for a comp. upgrade to club floor. Since I am a few stays short of platimun and still gold I think the likelyhood of that is small.

What gives??

Starwood Lurker

In order for us to upgrade a paid reservation using Starpoints, the hotel has to make the upgraded room type available. Note: these room types must be attached to the rate plan used to upgrade for it to work from the Customer Contact Center.

Personally, I would ask at check-in for an Instant Upgrade award using Starpoints. Being Gold and getting a complimentary upgrade from the hotel to club level is not very likely.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

[email protected]

EQ4803

Lurker,
If at the time of check-in there are upgraded rooms available ( Club Floor for example), Using the 1000 points a night upgrade , am I entitled to this upgrade or are there other restrictions ?


Thanks

Starwood Lurker

There shouldn't be any restrictions provided they are available. An extra 1,000 Starpoints per night would be good enough to get you on the club level. If they want to charge you more than that, please let me know.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

[email protected]

EQ4803

I stayed there over the recent holiday weekend. Overall I give the resort a very positive report. ^

I had booked two rooms using the by 2 get 3 promo . Prior to my arrivial I was unable to upgrade using the 1000 point upgrade award due to this rate. ( Starwood could not upgrade this rate code)

Great news for me, upon my arrivial, I was greated with a warm welcome and mention of my gold status along with a thanks for the business ( always a nice touch).

I asked for and was given access to the 12th floor club lounge. I was planning on upgrading at the hotel using points.

My room requests were for a balcony type adjoining ; and that's exactly what I received.

It appears that the hotel has an internal room rating system. The non-suite rooms are rated A thru D, with A being the perferred.

The hotel rooms and hallways have all been recently been renovated. The hotel itself in next to the Dolphin and share five pools and a beach area.

As usual, the Heavenly Beds were Heavenly. Great a/c The bathrooms are average with two sink areas.


Some helpful info:

There is a very convenient boat shuttle that will take you to Epcot and MGM.
Additionally, there is a bus that meets just outside the loby for transportation to the Magic Kingdom.

If you are traveling with kids, there is a childs camp call Camp Dolphin and if you dine at Shula's restaurant the restaurant will pick up the tab for the first two hours. ( Somewhat pricy )

The Sushi restaurant is great with Kareoke nightly.

The club floor is average, basic food , fruit cereals, danish etc. but it's perfect for the kids.

Had a fun time, will be back

djev

These are both great properties! The Dolphin is the only "Sheraton" to get "Heavenly Beds." I can't wait until all the renovations are done. The hallways are only finished on one floor in each hotel, the other floors (outside of the cabana look) are all experiements. These two properties keep me in Platinum all by themselves.

If you ever have problems with rates, give me a holler, I can usually find the government, teacher or nurse discount when others can't. Must be because it's my second home.

Debbie Johnson
www.heavenlydreamstravel.com

SusanDK

I hope to stay at the Swan in November or December this year. I'll be SPG Platinum thanks to a Centurion AmEx. I also qualify for government rate and will likely have a Disney annual pass that offers exceptional rates.

Do I have to be concerned with how I book, and through whom (Disney, SPG, etc.) in order to get the SPG Platinum benefits? Will I be able to book one of those special rates and still be upgraded to best available room plus access to the Club floor?

Our travel dates are rarely known until the last minute, but I know it will be low season at Disney. Should I have any trouble getting last minute bookings?

Susan

djev

There isn't a rate better than the government rate, if you can snag it, at the deluxe resorts. In fact, the actual Disney owned resorts don't offer the discount, but then they don't have heavenly beds either!

[edited by ldsant due to Violation of TOS - no commercial postings or signatures permitted.]

oag123

We have a family trip planned to Orlando in November and will be staying at the Sawn. We are travelling with another family. We both have young daughters 21, 28 months.

I am interested hotel feedback and suggestions from people who have stayed there.

Questions Include:
- Family Dining options in and around the hotel
- What parks would people suggest for that age, and best way to get there
- Any room requests I should make


Thanks in advance.

UpgradeMe

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