HGVC Las Palmeras, 2 BR lockoff (2LK), floor 4, facing SW - pictures & review

[Nowaker]

I've heard opinions that Las Palmeras is the worst of all Orlando HGVC resorts. While I haven't been to other Orlando resorts yet, I've visited 3 different Vegas resorts, 2 Hawaii resorts, and MarBrisa, so I have some experience and can make a reasonable comparison. So, I do like this unit I would see my family coming back to this one in the future. In fact, I like it more than HGVC Boulevard (Las Vegas) - the Studio part of this unit here at Las Palmeras is larger than a typical Studio unit. The Studio part is probably twice as large as a Studio unit at HGVC Boulevard (Las Vegas). And while the living room is smaller, I don't really mind it - what the living room giveth, the studio part taketh, for benefit of my kids. Plus the bathroom in Studio part is nicer too - a spacious glass-door shower is a good thing. I simply despise a tiny shower-tub combination with a freaking curtain (as seen in many hotels, incl. HGVC Boulevard Studio unit).

Some minuses:

- No soaking tub in master bedroom is a minus. My wife and I really like it when it's available - and most resorts seem to have it. (Paradise, Boulevard, Elara, Grand Waikikian have it, while MarBrisa, Maui and Las Palmeras don't).
- No washer or dryer in a unit. Note however, Elara has W/D all-in-one combo and it's the same as not having a W/D in a unit at all.

Pluses:

- Perfect housekeeping. Attention to detail comparable to HGVC Paradise, which means top notch (5/5). Compare to Grand Waikikian and Elara - 4/5 - some details missed. MarBrisa - 3/5 - a bunch of details missed. And Boulevard - 1/5 - multiple tragic mistakes.
- Parking garage is conveniently located. Very little walk.
- Valet parking is reasonably priced at $8/night, if you like valet (I don't -

).

Pics:

https://imgur.com/a/picUvD0

 

[alwysonvac]

Thanks for sharing.

Las Palmeras has less love because it was a hotel conversion (not a purposely built timeshare).
For example, it doesn’t have a full kitchen. It’s a kitchenette with 2 burners (as shown in your photos) but it requires just as many ClubPoints as the other HGVC Orlando resorts.

New HGVClub Orlando? Las Palmeras on Universal Blvd

I saw this on the Hilton web site. LAS PALMERAS, A HILTON GRAND VACATIONS CLUB 9501 UNIVERSAL BOULEVARD, ORLANDO, FLORIDA, 32819, USA This hotel will soon be joining the Hilton Worldwide Portfolio of Brands but is not yet accepting reservations. It is scheduled to open in January 2016...

tugbbs.com

 

[Nowaker]

I don't feel like a 2-burner kitchen would make it a lesser property. We don't use the kitchen that much so 2-burner or 4-burner is irrelevant for us. The studio part of 2 BR is really large, and I'd see this as Las Palmeras' selling point.

Speaking of the conversion, I really question their design decisions. They could have achieved rectified two most popular cons about the resort: W/D and full kitchen. The kitchen could have been larger to fit a 4-burner - that's only an extra foot needed. 3 big ass luggages fit in the space between the kitchen and the lockoff door - more than enough to fit a 4-burner. They could even do a bar-style countertop if the living room area is redesigned. And lack of W/D could be easily rectified if the layout of MBA is shuffled a bit. I think whoever designed the units wasn't creative enough.

 

[PigsDad]

I think whoever designed the units wasn't creative enough.

Agree, but it may not necessarily be HGV's fault. This property was not built by HGV, but instead was purchased and slightly remodeled before joining the HGV family. It may have been cost prohibitive to add all of the "standard" features we expect to see at most other resorts.

Another example is The Surf Club on Marco Island. There is no W/D in those units, even though there is plenty of room for them. The explanation was that to add the needed plumbing in the concrete-framed units would be too costly. As an owner there, I am ok with that, since it is a minor inconvenience as they have laundry facilities available on each floor.

Kurt

 

[dayooper]

I don't feel like a 2-burner kitchen would make it a lesser property. We don't use the kitchen that much so 2-burner or 4-burner is irrelevant for us. The studio part of 2 BR is really large, and I'd see this as Las Palmeras' selling point.

For us, a full kitchen is very important when we travel as a family. We have been travelling with 6 and youngest is 12 so being able to cook full meals is huge. Otherwise it would cost us way to much to eat out for a week. We normally cook breakfast and lunch (we will go out for breakfast every once and awhile). We split the dinners by going out for half the nights. Just saves us money. We have cooked tacos, pulled pork (we bring a slow cooker when we drive) frozen lasagna, southwest chicken and more. This year, I want to make a batch of my jambalaya so having that full kitchen is one of our must haves

When my wife an I travel alone, that's a different story, though. We generally eat out or take every night (or have leftovers we can put in the kitchen) and eat out for breakfast around half the time.

 

[Nowaker]

we bring a slow cooker when we drive

Ha! Taking our used-once-and-never-again Instant Pot isn't a bad idea.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

FWIW...the bHC properties in NY and DC have neither kitchens nor W/D in the unit. Owners use the lounge or eat out. DC has a shared WD area on the 4th. W57 has none. Although I do not need in the unit a shared WD would be nice. We take everything to a wash and fold around the corner. A bit inconvenient but better than nothing if you like to pack light.

 

[Nowaker]

Poolside pictures:

https://imgur.com/a/z0tJnL9

 

[audirt]

One minor point of clarification: the 2BR standalone units (2BP) do have full size kitchens. We stayed in one in December and, unless I've lost my mind (always possible), that unit had a regular kitchen, complete with oven and 4-burner cooktop. The HGVC website description seems to confirm this.

None of the units seem to have tubs or washer and dryer, though. Those were our main complaints with Las Palmeras, though we would absolutely stay there again without hesitation (if all the other resorts were full, lol).

 

[alwysonvac]

One minor point of clarification: the 2BR standalone units (2BP) do have full size kitchens. We stayed in one in December and, unless I've lost my mind (always possible), that unit had a regular kitchen, complete with oven and 4-burner cooktop. The HGVC website description seems to confirm this.

None of the units seem to have tubs or washer and dryer, though. Those were our main complaints with Las Palmeras, though we would absolutely stay there again without hesitation (if all the other resorts were full, lol).

Yes it has a stove.

Photo is from https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/mc...b-las-palmeras-orlando/rooms/?category=suites

 

[alwysonvac]

Just a heads up for those who don’t know… here’s the traditional setup at SeaWorld and Tuscany

Hilton SeaWorld photos - https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/orlswgv-hilton-grand-vacations-club-seaworld-orlando/gallery/

Hilton Tuscany photos - https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/or...cations-club-tuscany-village-orlando/gallery/

 

[Smclaugh99]

For us, a full kitchen is very important when we travel as a family. We have been travelling with 6 and youngest is 12 so being able to cook full meals is huge. Otherwise it would cost us way to much to eat out for a week. We normally cook breakfast and lunch (we will go out for breakfast every once and awhile). We split the dinners by going out for half the nights. Just saves us money. We have cooked tacos, pulled pork (we bring a slow cooker when we drive) frozen lasagna, southwest chicken and more. This year, I want to make a batch of my jambalaya so having that full kitchen is one of our must haves

When my wife an I travel alone, that's a different story, though. We generally eat out or take every night (or have leftovers we can put in the kitchen) and eat out for breakfast around half the time.

Totally agree. Last November, we stayed at Tuscany and made a whole Thanksgiving meal with a large turkey. That would not be possible at Las Palmeras with small burner stove and no regular-sized oven.

Sean