Hyatt Coconut Cove Stay Observations/ Questions

[walken1974]

We have owned at Coconut Cove /Plantation for approx 5 years (resale) and visit 2 times a year and noticed several changes this past visit. On our recent stay (April) we were told that Hyatt no longer gives guest passes (wrist bands) to use at the adjacent Hyatt Coconut Point Hotel (hotel pool has multiple water slides ) and were told we could purchase guess passes for $75 dollars each. ( Curious if this is punishment to the owners because of the lawsuit ?) I also was told that the building being built at the rear of the resort is going to be the new sales center and the old sales center was purchased by Ritz. (Is this correct?) Both hot tubs were luke warm through out our week visit and were told by staff that they were aware of the issue and working on it (never fixed during our stay). I also received repeated calls from the "concierge" prior to our visit which was disguised as a pre arrival contact but was really a sales attempt ( on that note our room request was not honored / we did not want a disability accessible room and was assigned to one). I own at Marriott Vacation Club and they send you a pre arrival email that is not a sales contact/ solicitation. Curious on how this resort will proceed following the lawsuit and the potential merge of HVC into Marriot Vaction Club. Would appreaciate if any members have further info/ etc. Thanks

 

[Paumavista]

Use of the hotel facilities is one of the main reasons we would consider this resort. Do you think it was because of Spring/Easter break? OR have they just found a way to charge more. Would $75 be per week/per person....and did it allow full access whenever you wanted (or restricted hours/days). I have heard a few resorts restricting access to their hotel counter-parts when it gets crowded....it would make me angry however, if I was counting on that amenity and was denied.

I will definitely contact them before booking. (But who knows if you can ever rely on someone's phone info...even with a name/title)

 

[LMD]

We stayed there in December and same- no wristbands for hotel water slide access. It was really a great benefit!

 

[GTLINZ]

We go there 1-2 times a year and love it. On our trips over the last 2-3 years they would not grant access to Coconut Pointe facilities during peak times - but i did not even inquire. It is not a big deal for me as the pool and lazy river at Coconut Cover are great. Sorry to hear that.

The sales sharks are awful there - the most pressure i have seen in many years staying at timeshares. I get steered over there at check in for my parking pass and firmly tell them no thank you - it would be a waste of both of our times. I ignore the phone calls to the room (and the ones i get on my cell phone).

@walken1974 I heard a rumor that they stopped running the land shuttle to the hotel for the beach water shuttle. Is that true? If so it would be an issue about paying for parking at the hotel.

 

[DazedandConfused]

I was at the Hyatt Bonita Springs this past few days and drove over to the Hyatt timeshare and it is very different from a few years ago. First, the Ritz Carleton bought up most of the surrounding land and building a nice resort and homesites. The pool at the Hyatt is awesome, but nobody really checked arm bands, but it was not that crowded. This is simply a strange area for a timeshare as only 4 buildings are built and it seems frozen and no plans to expand. Also, if they decoupled the hotel then this resorts becomes less valuable to me.

 

[RNCollins]

Starting tomorrow (6/22/24) I will be staying at the Hyatt Residence/Vacation Club Coconut Cove in Bonita Springs. Let me know if there is anything you would like me to find out.

Bonita Springs, FL Vacation Rentals | Hyatt Vacation Club

Experience the Gulf of Mexico’s Estero Bay at our Bonita Springs timeshare and vacation rentals. Explore vacation ownership and plan your stay today!

www.hyattvacationclub.com

 

[claraj]

Starting tomorrow (6/22/24) I will be staying at the Hyatt Residence/Vacation Club Coconut Cove in Bonita Springs. Let me know if there is anything you would like me to find out.

Bonita Springs, FL Vacation Rentals | Hyatt Vacation Club

Experience the Gulf of Mexico’s Estero Bay at our Bonita Springs timeshare and vacation rentals. Explore vacation ownership and plan your stay today!

www.hyattvacationclub.com

I'd like to know if there is still a shuttle to the water shuttle to Hickory Island. I loved the beach there! Also, are the no-see-ums still as bad.

 

[dvc_john]

I'd like to know if there is still a shuttle to the water shuttle to Hickory Island. I loved the beach there! Also, are the no-see-ums still as bad.

I was there a few weeks ago, and yes there is a shuttle to the water shuttle dock. It doesn't go to the hotel, and you need a reservation for the shuttle as well as a reservation for the boat. They do check your name when getting on the shuttle both going to the dock and return from the dock.

I wonder if it's possible that they may fill up the shuttle with reservations but still have reservations for the boat. When I was there 2 people who rode back on the boat walked back to Coconut Cove instead of using the shuttle. Perhaps they just wanted the exercise, or if maybe they couldn't get a reservation for the shuttle but could get a reservation for the boat. (The shuttle I took to the dock was completely filled, the boat wasn't.)

 

[dioxide45]

I was there a few weeks ago, and yes there is a shuttle to the water shuttle dock. It doesn't go to the hotel, and you need a reservation for the shuttle as well as a reservation for the boat. They do check your name when getting on the shuttle both going to the dock and return from the dock.

I wonder if it's possible that they may fill up the shuttle with reservations but still have reservations for the boat. When I was there 2 people who rode back on the boat walked back to Coconut Cove instead of using the shuttle. Perhaps they just wanted the exercise, or if maybe they couldn't get a reservation for the shuttle but could get a reservation for the boat. (The shuttle I took to the dock was completely filled, the boat wasn't.)

Does the boat also take Hyatt Hotel guests?

 

[claraj]

Does the boat also take Hyatt Hotel guests?

I stayed at the hotel before the hurricane and the boat did take hotel guests. The dock is actually on the hotel side and you can walk to it. The sales team at the hotel is relentless at trying to get you to a meeting. I had to unplug the phone after a few days. I was even more annoyed when they mistook me for a food delivery person when I walked by their booth in the lobby one day.

 

[claraj]

@dvc_john Thanks! I was hoping they were still running the shuttle from the vacation club. I have stayed at the hotel side a few years ago and would like to go back and stay at the resort.

 

[dioxide45]

I stayed at the hotel before the hurricane and the boat did take hotel guests.

I guess what I am wanting to know, is it a shared boat between hotel and timeshare guests?

 

[claraj]

I s

I guess what I am wanting to know, is it a shared boat between hotel and timeshare guests?

Gotcha. I don't know who operates it.

 

[rapmarks]

I guess what I am wanting to know, is it a shared boat between hotel and timeshare guests?

Yes

 

[GTLINZ]

I guess what I am wanting to know, is it a shared boat between hotel and timeshare guests?

Yes.

In past trips we saw guests from the hotel had yellow towels and guests from the timeshare (like us) had turquoise towels. We have had great conversations over the years with many folks there just like we have had at many timeshares.

I was unsure before going to Coconut Plantation/Cove the first time years ago about how we would enjoy having to travel to the beach as opposed to being able to just walk out directly. It has always been a first class experience every time between having chairs and umbrellas provided to the boat captains themselves.

We are going back later this year and hope the experience has not changed after the hurricane devastation. Both the timeshare and hotel did well to recover.

They have removed free privileges to the hotel water park from the timeshare guests, which reminds me of the situation at Lakeshore Reserve. It has not impacted me as we love the timeshare grounds but it had upset a lot of folks who did use the privs. I hope the beach access for the timeshare never suffers the same fate.

 

[RNCollins]

I arrived at the resort on Saturday ( Hyatt Residence/Vacation Club at Coconut Cove in Bonita Springs, Florida).
The grounds look beautiful. The resort has recovered well since Hurricane Ian hit last year in September 2022.

I am a guest of an owner. I am in a Studio unit for the week. The unit is spotless. The screened in balcony is a nice size for a studio: small table with two chairs and a lounger with a small chair side table.
After you check in and get your key you will see a representative who will give you more information about the resort: weekly activity schedule, discount card for onsite and offsite restaurants and aquatic excursions, etc. You will get a beach towel card: each guest can get two beach towels.

I was asked if I would like more information about the Hyatt program. For attending a presentation I would receive either a $100 gift card (visa) or 10,000 Hyatt points. I agreed to attend the presentation and accepted the offer of the gift card. My presentation is on Wednesday.

You will receive a text on your cell phone from the Front Desk after you check in, keeping you updated of activities, schedule changes, social events etc. Tonight we are having a “Sunset Social” w/cheese & crackers, chips & salsa, wine, etc. You can also directly contact the front desk thru this text. You can opt out if you choose.

There is an app you can use to order food and drinks poolside, in-unit, or take out. There is a laundromat on the second floor of every building (studio units do not have w/d).

Here is an example of some of the activities that are offered:
Sea Turtle Presentation, Jewelry Workshops, Tie Dye T-Shirts, Blackjack in the Water, Rubber Ducky Race.
If you would like to see the full week schedule please PM me.

Let me know if you have any questions. I will do my best to answer them.

 

[GTLINZ]

@RNCollins i hope you come to your senses about attending a presentation. Why ruin a good vacation?

 

[chriskre]

. I hope the beach access for the timeshare never suffers the same fate.

I haven't stayed at this resort yet but have stayed at Bonita and we have beached our own personal boat on this beach.
All beaches are public in FL so if for some reason the hotel doesn't provide access to the little island they can always just
beach the shuttle boat on the public side and still have access.
Security didn't let us into the beach club section but couldn't throw us off the beach.

 

[RNCollins]

@RNCollins i hope you come to your senses about attending a presentation. Why ruin a good vacation?

Hi @GTLINZ, thank you for your concern. I am not purchasing anything, just curious what they have to say. I already own beachfront units in Florida that I got for pennies on the dollar.

 

[chriskre]

Hi @GTLINZ, thank you for your concern. I am not purchasing anything, just curious what they have to say. I already own beachfront units in Florida that I got for pennies on the dollar.

I do these tours on a day when my family wants to sleep in since
I am a very early riser so I get the gift card and am in and out in an hour and
go buy groceries at Publix.

Wyndham Royal Vista just gave me $150 Amex and 5 Cabana beach chairs for 1 hour.
They ended up giving me to the "manager" who we ended up having a nice chat about
everything but the sales pitch. We ended up exchanging numbers and she was actually
asking me questions because said I should be working for Wyndham with my knowledge
of the TS industry. I said, yeah no thanks I'm retired but will call you next time I'm back
so we can have a drink by the tiki hut. She offered me a free drink voucher but this was
our check out day so I said I'll see you next month. LOL

I too own several weeks at the beach in FL.
I like it better than owning a 2nd home.
Works for me.

 

[rapmarks]

I haven't stayed at this resort yet but have stayed at Bonita and we have beached our own personal boat on this beach.
All beaches are public in FL so if for some reason the hotel doesn't provide access to the little island they can always just
beach the shuttle boat on the public side and still have access.
Security didn't let us into the beach club section but couldn't throw us off the beach.

But could you use the chairs? How easy was it to get off the boat and back on, I imag8ne you had to climb off into the water.

 

[RNCollins]

I haven't stayed at this resort yet but have stayed at Bonita and we have beached our own personal boat on this beach.
All beaches are public in FL so if for some reason the hotel doesn't provide access to the little island they can always just
beach the shuttle boat on the public side and still have access.
Security didn't let us into the beach club section but couldn't throw us off the beach.m

The island is called Big Hickory Island. From what I understand a portion of the island is for public use and the northern part of the island is used by the Hyatt’s and residents of a luxury residential community -

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Condo for sale at 4800 Pelican Colony Blvd #PH2103 Bonita Springs, FL 34134, with MLS 224048395.

www.greaterftmyers.com

On a side note regarding public access to beaches in California: It has been reported that Meghan Markle (Prince Harry’s wife) refused to let Tom Hanks’ wife Rita Wilson walk on the beach in front of the royal couple’s Montecito home. It is alleged that Hanks called 911 and the cops had to intervene.

 

[RNCollins]

But could you use the chairs? How easy was it to get off the boat and back on, I imag8ne you had to climb off into the water.

Hi @rapmarks I plan on going to the island on Thursday. I will take a photo of the ramp/steps of the boat.

The Hyatt guests can use the chairs and umbrellas. There is a snack bar with limited snacks and restrooms.

Not too far on another island is a dog beach. That you can get to via a road.

 

[GTLINZ]

Hi @GTLINZ, thank you for your concern. I am not purchasing anything, just curious what they have to say.

We love the resort. The beach is a nice option especially when you don't have to drag your own chairs and umbrella out there. One of my favorite pools anywhere and the grounds and main building are beautiful. The resorts workers have always treated us well.

I used to go to presentations but had too many unpleasant experiences. We have grown weary of listening to promises that don't line up with what ends up in the contract. But each to his own.

 

[rapmarks]

Hi @rapmarks I plan on going to the island on Thursday. I will take a photo of the ramp/steps of the boat.

The Hyatt guests can use the chairs and umbrellas. There is a snack bar with limited snacks and restrooms.

Not too far on another island is a dog beach. That you can get to via a road.

I am actually speaking to chriske who said they took their own boat and shored it on the beach
I have taken the boat out to the island. I also live near the area and I know that the island is private so I was surprised that she boated to it