Beware of Margarita Madness at Lakeshore Reserve

[NboroGirl]

We just returned from a fantastic week at Lakeshore Reserve. It was our first time there. We own at Grande Vista but thought we'd exchange into Lakeshore and try it out.

One of the activities that occurs there twice a week (during March) is Margarita Madness: all the margaritas you can drink in one hour for $10. I thought "cool!", especially considering the bar menu price for a margarita was $10. My advice for anyone going down there this month: DON'T DO IT!!! Save your $10 and spend it on a real margarita. These were the foulest tasting anythings I ever consumed. First of all, it is not related to Blossoms, the pool bar at all - it's an "activity" from the activities department. They gave me 2 to start with (I couldn't finish them they were THAT BAD) and it tasted like a mixture of straight up lime and lemon juices over ice cubes. So sour and horrible. The activity director said people can have as many as they want in an hour, unless they felt the person was getting drunk, in which case they'd be cut off. I don't know how you can get drunk on lemon/lime juice because I am certain there was NO tequila in them. Ugh... the only blemish :annoyed: on an otherwise fantastic week.

As for Lakeshore Reserve, we loved the lazy river pool. But it is a real quiet resort. It must've been near or at capacity (Spring Break week) but it seemed dead. Except for the pool, all the public areas were empty. Even The Marketplace never had a person in it while I was in there. There never seemed to be much going on at the resort, either. The villas were very nice, although the master suite isn't as nice as Grande Vista's. I believe we were put into the 2BR part of a 3BR villa so we missed having the lockoff with the extra balcony, but the balcony we had was much larger.

 

[aceshigh73]

Does Lakeshore have a lazy river as part of its facilities? or do you have to walk down to the JW/Ritz? We have reservations in August.

 

[NboroGirl]

There is a lazy river AT Lakeshore Reserve.

 

[MOXJO7282]

We just returned from a fantastic week at Lakeshore Reserve. It was our first time there. We own at Grande Vista but thought we'd exchange into Lakeshore and try it out.

One of the activities that occurs there twice a week (during March) is Margarita Madness: all the margaritas you can drink in one hour for $10. I thought "cool!", especially considering the bar menu price for a margarita was $10. My advice for anyone going down there this month: DON'T DO IT!!! Save your $10 and spend it on a real margarita. These were the foulest tasting anythings I ever consumed. First of all, it is not related to Blossoms, the pool bar at all - it's an "activity" from the activities department. They gave me 2 to start with (I couldn't finish them they were THAT BAD) and it tasted like a mixture of straight up lime and lemon juices over ice cubes. So sour and horrible. The activity director said people can have as many as they want in an hour, unless they felt the person was getting drunk, in which case they'd be cut off. I don't know how you can get drunk on lemon/lime juice because I am certain there was NO tequila in them. Ugh... .

That sucks. It not like Marriott in my experience. Not that they have the socials anymore but in Maui they used to have a nice owners reception and served tasty Mai Tais.

At the GO in HHI last year it wasn't free but the had a rum punch party with food and the punch was pretty good. Its not even that hard to make a good margarita.

I say we petition Marriott to reinstitute the owners receptions. I'd even be willing to pay a modest fee to cover the costs, just don't try to make money off it and you should only have to charge $8 for a 1.5 hour reception where owners can mingle and one signature drink is served along with a beer and a wine.

 

[Empty Nest]

The BEST reception we were ever at was Son Antem, Mallorca--end of the season. The appetizers were out of this world, local wines and live entertainment. It was such a treat compared to Velveeta and Ritz crackers at some resorts.
Joe, we agree. We would pay a cover charge for a nice reception.

 

[enma]

Last Wednesday I went to the reception for owners and guests at Marriott Willow Ridge. It was nice. Wine, cheese, crackers etc. Can't imagine that costing very much but left a nice impression.

 

[rpw]

there wasn't a lazy river when I was there

There is a lazy river AT Lakeshore Reserve.

The pool does have a outside ring, but if you just float there, you won't move.

 

[NboroGirl]

The pool does have a outside ring, but if you just float there, you won't move.

You move now. Not fast (hence the term lazy river), but it flows in a circular direction. Along one part you actually move along at a good clip. The only place where it seems not to flow is at the zero-entry point. There the water goes from very shallow to the deepest part (5 ft); it's a large, wide area and the water seems to stagnate there.

 

[suenmike32]

Trust me....when it's a "make your own... or an all you can drink", and it's run by the activities department without a professional a bartender....it most likely will be poorly run.
We went to a "make your own Bloody Mary" event at Imperial Palms last year and the young ladies that ran it didn't have a clue as to what goes into a BM.
They had nothing but tomato juice and vodka, (not even ice...let alone any other ingredient or garnish).
This was at $9.00 a pop.
I felt it was a very serious shortcoming on the part of Marriott and their activity department and certainly let them know in my review.
Com'on do it right or don't bother.
Mike