Orlando World Center Marriott
|
Reviewer's Name:
|
Donn Feyche |
Reviewer's Email Address:
|
wvuguy@cinci.rr.com |
Date(s) of Stay:
|
1-29 thru 2-4-00 |
Location:
|
Walt Disney World: Lake Buena Vista Area |
Ease of Disney Park Access:
|
The commute to WDW was only about 5 minutes by car. |
Complimentary Park Shuttle Available?
|
Unknown |
Park Shuttle Comments:
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Not Reported |
Address:
|
8701 World Center Drive |
Phone Number:
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(407) 239-4200 |
Facility Type:
|
Hotel |
Accommodation Used:
|
Suite |
Accommodations Review:
|
We had the extraordinary good fortune to spend a
week in one of their 2-Bay Vista Suites, which included separate
living and dining areas, a master chamber (including a VERY
comfortable king bed) with French doors, and a double outdoor
terrace. No, we didn't pay for it....my family of four got the
suite as an upgrade to our Marriott Rewards coupon (thanks to an
extraordinarily generous reservation agent). |
Rate/Night (for your stay):
|
Rack rate $800.00/night |
# of Restaurants/Lounges:
|
5 |
Restaurant/Lounge Review:
|
Allie's American Grille was excellent for lunch, but
was set to close in early February for renovation. We did not have
dinner at any of the hotel restaurants. |
Amenities / Facilities / Activities Available:
|
Sundries Shop, Pool, Hot Tub, Health Club/Spa, Golf,
Hairdryer, In-Room Safe, Concierge, Room Service, Non-Smoking
Rooms, Smoke Detectors, Fire Sprinklers. |
Pool Description/Comments:
|
The single largest, and probably most beautiful pool
I've ever seen.......highlighted by multiple waterfalls, a water
slide, and beautiful landscaping. However, there is no diving
pit.....I believe the deepest part of the pool is only about 5
feet deep. There's also an indoor pool adjacent to the rather
nicely equipped (and fairly large) health club. |
Other Comments:
|
This 1,500+ room gargantuan is deserving of it's
rather presumptuous name, World Center. A major expansion is
presently underway, which will add another entire tower (about 15
floors), along with an upscale steak restaurant, a Starbucks Cafe
in the lobby, and other niceties. This expansion does not really
impact the present hotel.
The hotel is highlighted by a grand, 13-story, glass-ceiling
Atrium with three panorama elevators. As befitting it's name, a
preponderance of the front desk employees are foreign-born
(generally European) females.
Owing to the presence of a gigantic convention center onsite,
the hotel appears to cater more to the convention trade than
vacationers (at least this was true in late January/early
February.....which is apparently the height of the convention
season in Orlando). My biggest complaint (which was wholly offset
by our extraordinary room) was the lack of convenient
self-parking. The parking garage is a pretty long haul from the
hotel (surface parking is very limited, and apparently mostly
reserved), which makes use of the hotel's valet parking service
($10/day with in-out privileges) just about mandatory.
The commute to WDW was only about 5 minutes by car (which you
basically MUST have), and we never once were sorry that we weren't
staying at a Disney property. All in all, a wonderful experience,
made extraordinary by the fact that it was on Marriott's nickel. |
