Originally Posted By peachypitts My family is trying to decide between 1. Camelot Inn and Suites; 2. Carousel Inn and Suies; 3.Tropicana Inn. Any opinions on the best choice. Thanks
Originally Posted By SuzieQ These hotels are below the Park Place Inn in quality. And I see you didn't like PPI. Of the three, Carousel gets the best reviews. It's owned by the same people at Tropicana, and is considered a step above.
Originally Posted By drawbridge SuzieQ - where is the info that these hotels are lesser quality than BWPPI? Priceline lists Carousel as *** and BWPPI as **. I dont find most on-line rating systems to be very consistant. I have stayed at BWPPI, Tropicana and Carousel and I completely disagree that BWPPI would be higher quality than the other two. All 3 had the same amentities, from what I observed : fridge,microwave, pool, free breakfast, free parking, walking distance to parks. Our room at Carousel Inn was cheerful, bright and clean. Staff was great too. On their rooftop is a nice but small pool and arcade. Their Quiznos serves breakfast which is nice when you are ready for a break from the continental offerings. Tropicana was fairly similar to BWPPI. We did prefer the rooms there and it was even cheaper, so no complaints. Never stayed at Camelot but we have friends who love it and return every year to a suite facing Harbor with park views. Camelot prices usually seem high to me though. Camelot and Tropicana are both owned by BEI. peachypitts - I dont think you would notice a big difference between the 3 choices. Enjoy your trip and be sure to post a review!
Originally Posted By SuzieQ My last stay at Tropicana was disgusting. The carpets were filthy. I'm talking black socks And the rooms never, ever felt clean. I used to stay here all the time, figuring I get what I pay for. Carousel was 'okay', but just ok. I really, really dislike their pool. My son was so disappointed. However, the room was clean, though it didn't feel deeply cleaned. BWPPI has large rooms and an outstanding staff. The beds are very comfortable, too. Yes, the rooms are dark, but I'll take that over dirty any day. We had four rooms in our group last week. Of the little issues we had (burned out bulbs, etc), nothing was dramatic and maintence was in the room literally 5 minutes after calling the desk. Free wireless internet is a big bonus, and the breakfast is a half-step up from Tropicana and Carousel as well. So, I consider BWPPI to be above Carousel and Tropicana.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Oh, and I'm mistaken that it's Carousel and Tropicana that share ownership. It's Tropicana and the one that was Park Inn, next to McDonalds. The Tropicana front desk told me this. It's amazing how few owners there are for the hotels around Disney. That makes a minimum of 3 for BEI and 3 for the independent owners of Del Sol, Desert Palm and... oh darn, I forgot the 3rd property!
Originally Posted By drawbridge Yeah, I think Park Vue is the only 'little guy' left. I was just wondering if the quality ratings were your opinion or official. I guess we had different experiences. Thats what makes the world go 'round I know Carousel has been remodeling rooms, not sure if they are finally done with all of them.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ It's definitely my opinion and what others I know personally have told me.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ BTW, I go to DL 5 or 6 times a year staying in hotels multiple nights each time. Over the last few years, I've stayed at most of them!
Originally Posted By quincytoo <----has ALWAYS trusted SuzieQ's hotel opinions!!! And her driving directions to GREAT OC Beaches are incredible! I remember when DH had booked Ramanda Inn Maingate, I asked SuzieQ about it and very quickly changed over to CCI!!! I hoped I thanked you for that???
Originally Posted By peachypitts Thanks for all the info. I don't think I will choose BWPPI because of the darkness of the rooms and the parking situation there. It will either be the Carousel Inn or Camelot this time. Camelot is asking $190 for a 3Q room facing DL and Carousel $179 for a 3Q. I talked to the manager of the Carousel and she said that all the rooms will be completed in Spring 2007, so that will be great too. We usually do stay at the CCI but this time I really want to get away from any type of shuttle service.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Yowza! For less than that you can have 3 beds in an outstanding suite (one is a sofa bed), free cocktails nightly and a wonderful cooked to order breakfast at Embassy Suites!
Originally Posted By junglejoy Yeah, that sounds like way too much. I agree with SuzieQ - go to Embassy Suites. Our family loves it there and would stay there everytime but we like to walk to the park, not drive. But if I had one more child, (we have three), we would be at Embassy Suites everytime! It's very nice quality, the breakfast (and I'm not a breakfast eater but will eat there!) - delish!!!
Originally Posted By velo Well, if you don't like "dark", I'd skip the Camelot. I found those rooms to be very dark as well.
Originally Posted By drawbridge Well, I only go to DL just twice a year but I'll continue with my opinions And while we thought the Embassy Suites was great too, I don't think their "suites" compare to the ones at Carousel. If the quote is for the ones facing Harbor with 180 degree views of the parks - they have actual multiple room floorplans. I know one for sure has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (priceless) and a living area. I don't think thats a bad price for all that space.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ ^ that's cool! And definitely stick with and share your opinions. We all give guidence to the best of our knowledge and with our own tastes in mind. Everyone looks for something a little different, and the more opinions a person can get, the more likely they are to make a good choice for themselves.
Originally Posted By mamamonkey SuzieQ- I love reading everyone's opinion on hotels and everything else. When I am planning I am actually obsessive in reading the boards. LOL. My DH wakes up in the middle of the night and finds me listening to the Holiday Magic CD and reading the boards and just shakes his head. I always check out your Embassy Suite pictures and am dying one day to go there since the breakfast sounds so yummy but a lot of the times it's a little too much for us when there's only the 3 of us. One day tho'. We stayed at the Sheraton Anaheim the last time and it was very nice. Very good price with the aarp card or the aaa. I can't remember. Keep on with helping everyone. You are pretty much always here with the great advice.
Originally Posted By teachin The Camelot is my favorite hotel out of all of them. I stay there about twelve times a year. I have stayed at the BWPPI before and agree that the rooms are very dark and parking is terrible. I have never noticed that my room at the camelot being dark at all. If you have a suite with three beds it is three queen beds and a pull out couch, or you can have a suite with two queen beds and a pull out couch. The location is good so there is no need for a shuttle. Whatever decision you make I hope you have a fun trip.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Thanks mamamonkey! We'll be at Embassy Jan. 2-6 and got a rate of $129. Nice to see they seem to be going back to their pre-50th rates like HoJo's is. I'll try to remember to take some updated pictures of the hotel. My memories of the Sheraton: As a child in the 70's my parents (and lots of other locals) used to take us to the parking lot of the Sheraton in the old Ford station wagon to watch the fireworks. All of the kids would be in their jammies, sitting in the back of the car with the big window open and the tailgate down, munching on popcorn. Ah, great times!
Originally Posted By busymomof3 We just stayed at the Camelot. It was nice, nothing fancy, nothing gross! Clean room, friendly staff, continental breakfast, and a short walk to the park. We'd stay there again.
