My review - a bit long
Here's the review I just posted in the Reviews section, before I saw this thread (sigh). I'll add some comments in a separate post. For perspective (since I'm not a frequent poster and you don't know me), we've owned Kauai Beach Club (1995-2006), now own Lakeshore Reserve (first visit this year), Grande Vista (since 2002), Maui Ocean Club (Napili Tower)(since 2006) x2, Canyon Villas (since 2005), and we've stayed at Park City (the older one), Marbella, Club San Antem, Williamsburg (Manor Club?), Grand Chateau and toured several others. With that, here's my take on MGK. Sorry, no pix.
"Well if you have to be in Orlando and don't need to be right on the Disney property, Lakeshore Reserve is absolutely terrific. Location - away from the chaos that International Blvd. can be, but close enough to pop over to the malls and restaurants there with easy access to all the usual Orlando activities, but with the most wonderful added advantage -- the Grand Lakes property itself. Co-located with a JW and RitzCarlton, which convenient and very good restaurants, spa, golf course, and, most unusual, lovely managed wetlands...you can kayak or canoe on a creek that gets you into an Everglades ecosystem within the Marriott complex! The lakes provide fly- and spin-cast fishing opportunities, with guides available through the Ritz. Bird-watching, alligators, turtles, otters - we saw them all, and are told that deer frequent the woods as well. From Lakeshore Reserve you have full access to the JW and Ritz pools and grounds, and a frequent shuttle from the timeshare to the hotels, if the walk is too much for you. (The concierge warned that there's no exemption from JW's parking fee, if you drive yourself over!)
The rooms are at MVCI's highest standard...brand new appliances of course (opened 6/10), but nice touches . . . ottomans that provide extra storage in the living rooms, ceiling fans that provide extra air circulation on the balcony as well as indoors. We have a two full bedroom lock-off, which is amply sized. Both units have full kitchen and living room and eating area, unlike many 2 BD L/Os where the secondary unit has only a galley half-kitchen. Kitchens are fully stocked, blender as well as toaster and coffee maker; full range of cooking utensils and tableware, even some Tupperware-type storage pieces. Both units have comfortable balconies, sofa beds in the living room, so technically you could sleep 8 adults. The dining table in the larger unit is set up for 8, in fact, again, larger than many 2BD L/Os. Only the larger has in-unit washer/dryer, but there is a communal laundry room available as well. There are smaller 2BDs, and 3 BD duplexes as well. Free wifi but a bit slow (too slow for streaming video to the TVs, my son reported.) My only objection - all the "deluxe" 2 BD L/Os have middling views; for some reason, the planners gave the lower-end units the best views! Ah, well, you can't have everything, I guess. (Oh, and the clock-radios don't have an AUX or iPod input, but when I have to get that picky to make a complaint, you know things are pretty good!)
MGK is only half-built, so far, so we can't tell how crowded the pools and public areas will feel at full occupancy, but the pools are quite lovely, with a lazy river, a double water slide, whirlpools and fountains - a nice mix of small and large swimming, lounging and seating areas. Playground equipment for young kids looked very enticing; convenient grills and outdoor space for all ages. This appears to be a true something-for-everyone resort -- you could spend a couple of weeks without ever needing the distraction of Orlando's many amusement-park offerings. There is the usual MAZE programming for kids, and other modest activities for adults, fitness room with brand new machines, business center, concierge, Marketplace - small grocery/newstand/some hot and cold mealtime items. One other feature -- the main building has several function rooms, and it looks as if you could have a 125-guest wedding or other party with relative ease, but I don't know what the property's policies are about that.
Staff were friendly, warm and eager to assist. The concierge was a bit weak, but that's the only staff weakness we found. Overall, 9.5+. In the Marriott domestic range, you can't do better."
Here's the review I just posted in the Reviews section, before I saw this thread (sigh). I'll add some comments in a separate post. For perspective (since I'm not a frequent poster and you don't know me), we've owned Kauai Beach Club (1995-2006), now own Lakeshore Reserve (first visit this year), Grande Vista (since 2002), Maui Ocean Club (Napili Tower)(since 2006) x2, Canyon Villas (since 2005), and we've stayed at Park City (the older one), Marbella, Club San Antem, Williamsburg (Manor Club?), Grand Chateau and toured several others. With that, here's my take on MGK. Sorry, no pix.
"Well if you have to be in Orlando and don't need to be right on the Disney property, Lakeshore Reserve is absolutely terrific. Location - away from the chaos that International Blvd. can be, but close enough to pop over to the malls and restaurants there with easy access to all the usual Orlando activities, but with the most wonderful added advantage -- the Grand Lakes property itself. Co-located with a JW and RitzCarlton, which convenient and very good restaurants, spa, golf course, and, most unusual, lovely managed wetlands...you can kayak or canoe on a creek that gets you into an Everglades ecosystem within the Marriott complex! The lakes provide fly- and spin-cast fishing opportunities, with guides available through the Ritz. Bird-watching, alligators, turtles, otters - we saw them all, and are told that deer frequent the woods as well. From Lakeshore Reserve you have full access to the JW and Ritz pools and grounds, and a frequent shuttle from the timeshare to the hotels, if the walk is too much for you. (The concierge warned that there's no exemption from JW's parking fee, if you drive yourself over!)
The rooms are at MVCI's highest standard...brand new appliances of course (opened 6/10), but nice touches . . . ottomans that provide extra storage in the living rooms, ceiling fans that provide extra air circulation on the balcony as well as indoors. We have a two full bedroom lock-off, which is amply sized. Both units have full kitchen and living room and eating area, unlike many 2 BD L/Os where the secondary unit has only a galley half-kitchen. Kitchens are fully stocked, blender as well as toaster and coffee maker; full range of cooking utensils and tableware, even some Tupperware-type storage pieces. Both units have comfortable balconies, sofa beds in the living room, so technically you could sleep 8 adults. The dining table in the larger unit is set up for 8, in fact, again, larger than many 2BD L/Os. Only the larger has in-unit washer/dryer, but there is a communal laundry room available as well. There are smaller 2BDs, and 3 BD duplexes as well. Free wifi but a bit slow (too slow for streaming video to the TVs, my son reported.) My only objection - all the "deluxe" 2 BD L/Os have middling views; for some reason, the planners gave the lower-end units the best views! Ah, well, you can't have everything, I guess. (Oh, and the clock-radios don't have an AUX or iPod input, but when I have to get that picky to make a complaint, you know things are pretty good!)
MGK is only half-built, so far, so we can't tell how crowded the pools and public areas will feel at full occupancy, but the pools are quite lovely, with a lazy river, a double water slide, whirlpools and fountains - a nice mix of small and large swimming, lounging and seating areas. Playground equipment for young kids looked very enticing; convenient grills and outdoor space for all ages. This appears to be a true something-for-everyone resort -- you could spend a couple of weeks without ever needing the distraction of Orlando's many amusement-park offerings. There is the usual MAZE programming for kids, and other modest activities for adults, fitness room with brand new machines, business center, concierge, Marketplace - small grocery/newstand/some hot and cold mealtime items. One other feature -- the main building has several function rooms, and it looks as if you could have a 125-guest wedding or other party with relative ease, but I don't know what the property's policies are about that.
Staff were friendly, warm and eager to assist. The concierge was a bit weak, but that's the only staff weakness we found. Overall, 9.5+. In the Marriott domestic range, you can't do better."
