Orlando Marriotts--What are the Differences and Which is the Best?

[Aviator621]

Being new to Marriott, I have been reviewing their properties, but the descriptions in their promotional material and website can be a little vague. This is particularly noticeable in areas with multiple facilities such as Hilton Head and Orlando. We are anticipating some future trades to Orlando, so was wondering what the pros and cons are to each location, and which you would recommend. (For example, we have two young daughters. I see Horizons is advertised as the 'family' brand -- what makes it so?) Any info would be appreciated!

 

[sandytoes]

We just came back from staying at Marriott Grande Vista in Orlando, FL. I can honestly say that it is the nicest Marriott resort of the resorts we have stayed at thus far. The amenities at the resort, the accommodations, the bar and grill areas were better the the Marriott we own at Ocean Point . . . and we love Ocean Point! The resort is built around a big lake with pool areas on both sides. We were very close to Disney and the drive was easy. If we really wanted to we could have walked to Sea World. I have pictures of Grande Vista in the link below.

We did drive by the Horizon's on our way to Disney. It is right along Route 4 and from the road did not look as attractive (no lush landscaping and the buildings looked plain Jane). It is a couple of miles closer to Disney (I think) and near the outlets. Grande Vista is only 8 miles from Disney according to vacationclub.com.

We did stay at Marriott's Horizon in Branson, MO and were pleasantly surprised at how nice the resort really was since the pictures I had seen did not do it justice. I am sure the Horizon's in Orlando is also nice. I have not found a Marriott resort that I haven't liked.

I hear Cypress Harbor is also very nice, but the only Orlando resort I have stay in was the Grande Vista and we loved it. I have daughters in their early 20's and they loved it too. They were wishing they were younger because they had one of those indoor climbing obstacle courses completed with ball pits. They kept themselves amused the entire time.

If you decide to go to Grande Vista, I would ask for a unit that overlooks the pools or the main lake (close to the pools).

I am sure others will give their two cents too. Karen

 

[dvc_john]

Royal Palms and Sabal Palms are the oldest. But they are on the grounds of Marriott Orlando World Center hotel, and have pool privileges there. They are also the closest resorts to WDW.
Imperial Palms is in the same location and are all 3-br units.
Like the above poster, I really like Grande Vista.
Horizons is somewhat more modest in room size, etc. (eg, no whirlpool tub).
But for some reason, I really feel comfortable at this resort.
I also like Cypress Harbor, but usually choose between Grande Vista and Horizons.

 

[littlestar]

I feel more comfortable at Marriott Horizons and Cypress Harbour in Orlando - they are pastel colored and have that Key West Florida feel - plus Horizons has themed slides at the pools/zero entry and mini water park (great for kids). Horizons feels like staying at a Disney resort because of the themed pool areas.

Marriott Grande Vista would be my third Marriott choice in Orlando - it's too big feeling to me. I guess everybody has different feelings on what they like.

Here's some pictures of Horizons from our April trip:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0CbOGThs5YsXGA

 

[Detailor]

Having stayed in only Grande Vista and Cypress Harbour I can only speak to those resort from that point of view, but I've seen the three that are next to the Marriott World Center - Imperial Palm, Sabal Palms and Royal Palms - and the Horizons Orlando. All of those seem nice enough but I don't think that they are in the same class as GV and CH.

Grande Vista is the newer of these two (Horizons is the newest Marriott in Orlando) and is still being built out. This is a very nice resort with two main pool areas and some minor pools near the buildings that are furthest away for the complex center. Cypress Harbour has a similar set up with main pool areas on opposite sides of a center body of water and other small pools set up around the property. In my opinion, Cypress Harbour has a more relaxed feel to it than Grande Vista the tree cover and landscaping is much more mature than that at GV and seems to add to the relaxed feel. Both are beautiful resorts that I'm happy to visit when we're in Orlano and while there are several very nice non-Marriott Orlando resorts these are my favorites (but then we've not yet stayed at a DVC).

Dick Taylor

 

[mattman27]

Horizons has a great laid back Key West feel to it. If you have children under 12 than they will be very happy as will you. The feel of Horizons is what has ranked it very high, I think like #5 or 6, of all hotels in Orlando. (On Tripadvisor). That being said all of the Marriotts in Orlando are great. Just come to Tug when you want to figure out which specific one to stay at each time. Also if you own one in Orlando you can pretty much get into any of the others with the exchange fee. I own Horizons and have been pleasantly surprised by its tradeability. I own Gold and trade into Vail, Breckenridge, any Marriott in Orlando, and I am currently looking at this summer with my 1 BR and am getting plenty of 2BR and some 3 BR offers in Branson and the lake areas of the U.S. Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[Aviator621]

Thanks for all your inputs! For those who stayed at Horizons, did you notice if they also had a more substantial kid's program (more activities, etc. owing to the family theme) or is that pretty comparable to the other Marriotts there?

 

[Detailor]

These activities descriptions are from the resorts' pages (Resort Features link) within www.mvci.com. I don't know if everything is represented for all of these resorts. You might find how Marriott describes the Orlando resorts interesting. You can look at typical room design, floor layouts and square footage along with the various villa and resort amenities. That might help you compare and contrast.

Horizons Family & Childrens' Activities:
Miniature Golf
Sports court
Table tennis
Kids Night Out
Rise and Shine with the Pirates
Lunch with the Pirates
Sports Night

Cypress Harbour Family & Childrens' Activities:
Sauna
Tennis
Sand Volleyball
Sports court
Minature Golf
Pitch & Putt practice Area
Bicycle Rentals
Paddle Boat Rentals
Bocci Ball Court
Shuffle Board
Ping Pong
Pool tables
Life Size Chess Set

Grande Vista Family & Childrens' Activities:
Beach Campfire
Songs, stories and s'mores
Fee: None

Compass Kids' ClubSM
Arts & crafts, games and lunch
Fee: USD 25

Kid's Night Out
Themed, arts & crafts, games, arcade time, dinner
Fee: USD 30

Teen’s Recreational Programs Available
Water Rockets
Build rockets with water
Fee: USD 12

Kid's Activity Center
Open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily
Table tennis available
Lighted outdoor tennis courts

 

[MikeM132]

Grande Vista has new units and those that have been upgraded with pretty opulent decor. The original units (don't even know whether there are still any left) are nice, but more typical. They had many kids activities, including a "ball room" (like McDonalds), video games, etc.. You can rent little boats for the lake/pond, bikes, etc.. It is obviously a big resort for golf, with the golf course right there and the Faldo Institute (best practice are I have ever seen and I've seen a lot). GV is right near Sea World and only about 15 min from WDW. GV is in very active sales and you can probably get a promo stay there. I have never been to the other resorts, but do know the World Center is closer to Disney, but only a few mintues closer. GV is in a nice spot on International Drive (not the real commercial are near 4) and is surrounded by protected land (basically, native Florida swampland). It is kind of quiet, but it is also a very large resort with hundreds of condos. They group the buildings around their own pool areas, though, so it does not seem so huge. Even if totally packed, it would only be 900 families when complete (it is not yet), so really it is not THAT huge (like Orange Lake, etc.).

 

[KenK]

We have stayed at Horizons, Cypress Harbour and Grand Vista (see pix from many years ago).

We like Cypress Harbour the best of where we stayed.....but

We would not buy at Cypress Harbour, or the units around the Marriott World Center (Palms )

Why? Because if we bought at all in the Marriott program, it would be a lock out unit. Why? Because we can split and get two or three weeks for the one week and one week maintance.

That may not be a consideration now (with the kids), but it may in the future.

So that leaves SOME UNITS in either Grand Vista or Horizions. Not all are lock outs. Those that are are probably in an older section. Does that matter? Not in my opinion. One of the oldest and still nicest (have a great HOA) is Cypress Harbour. The first time we stayed there, the compass Club & events included 32 pages in a booklet (no longer in booklet form).

But, IMO, the better value will always be a lock out unit. And both Grand Vista L/O & Horizions (a plat is not going on e bay right now for $5000) are very nice....

 

[mattman27]

actually all of the lock outs at Horizons are ONLY on the newer buildings.

 

[Transit]

I like the Grand Vista

 

[Aviator621]

Thanks again to all who posted -- you info has been a big help!