On the north side, each side of the lock-out had king beds when I visited over thanksgiving. I had 4 studios units and 2 1-bedroom units, and they all had the same king-sized bed.
Some other comments:
* The tennis courts are close to the lobbies of both resorts. It doesn't make much difference whether you stay at the north side or south side.
* The Lanais on the 1-bedroom unit on the north side have large tables and enough chairs (4 to 6) to dine comfortably outside. The south side units are limited to 2 chairs and a small side table, which is better suited for drinks but not a meal.
* I've stayed at the north side several times and never smelled sewage.
* The south side is adjacent to a public park with a picnic area and beach access that attracts some crowds.
* Many of the IV units on the north side have ocean views.
* The owners lounge is available to visitors staying at the south and north side.
* The north side has two restaurants: a fine dining restaurant next to the koi pond and a casual dining bar & grill with outdoor seating near the ocean. The south side has a single casual dining restaurant with outdoor seating near the pool.
* The north side just opened a new fitness center next to the spa.
Question for LisaRex:
I was confused by your statement that the north unit has "Fewer windows to let in natural light"? What was that based on? My rooms on the north side had full length windows across all walls facing the outside. I did not detect any lack of natural light.
Recapping my thread above, with a few additions/changes:
WKORV
- Resort is older, with its first building in 2003
- Entryway is more opulent
- The villas have more square footage compared to north side.
- They offer a handful of OF "deluxe" (now also reportedly being called "premiere") units that are a few hundred feet larger than the standard 2 bdrm, with an equally impressive lanai (25 x 7.5'), but also cost a few hundred $ higher in MFs.
- One section coded IV faces a very crowded parking lot, with truly awful views.
- The main pool has slides, which is a big attraction for children, which usually means more crowds.
- Buildings are perpendicular to the ocean, which gives the OF units a better view, but at the expense of OV and IV units.
- The two sides of the lock-out share a small common foyer. This might cause concern if you have young children because it's akin to having two distinct hotel rooms.
- The lanai only comes with the 1 bdrm side; the studio side just has a jut-out that you can walk onto, but not sit. The exception is the OF villas; the studios on these do have a true lanai.
- The decor is a neutral pallet and blonde furniture (reminds me of Floridian interior design)
- There are lots of windows to let in natural light
- The table seats 6
- Each side of the lock-out has a King bed
- 2 data ports and wireless capability
- Lighted tennis courts
- This side offers an owner's lounge that owners can use after checking out to shower/change before catching later flights
- Kitchen offers a full oven in the 1bdrm side and a micro/convection oven on the studio side
- Hallways are more like hotel hallways (inside/air-conditioned)
- MFs are slightly lower than the north side
WKORV-N
- Resort is newly built, with occupancy beginning mid-2007 and being complete in early 2008.
- Units are smaller (1 bdrm side is 150 sq. ft smaller than original property and studio is 79 sq. feet smaller), with the living room and master bedroom taking the biggest reduction.
- There are no "deluxe" units on this side.
- Kiddie pool has a pirate ship but no slide (and no lazy river). The pool tends to be less crowded and draws a more adult crowd.
- Buildings are angled, which give OV and IV owners a better view but a lesser view for OF when compared to original
- Some buildings labeled OF are better described as OV
- Each side of the lock-out has a door leading directly to the hallway, plus a common door (think of adjoining rooms in a hotel), which might be preferable for parents with young kids.
- Each side of the lock-out has its own lanai, with the studio lanai being smaller than the 1 bdrm side
- The decor is more modern -- darker, with cherry wood and black stained furniture (reminds me of "W" hotels - stark lines and "clean" vs. "warm.")
- Fewer windows to let in natural light
- Dining room table only seats four
- There's a king bed in the 1 bdrm side and a queen in the studio side.
- Flat screen tv's and four data ports (vs. 2), plus high speed internet
- No tennis courts, but you can use the sister property's. (Only 2 for the entire property!)
- Full service spa on site
- Kitchen has a micro/convection oven (e.g. the 1 bdrm side does NOT have a full oven.
- Open air hallways
- Confusing layout and few elevators
- The north side of bldg 7 faces a permanent green space so the ocean views are nice on this side. However, beyond the green space and empty lot of WKORV-III is a new condo development, so you might also have views of cranes/construction. (I doubt you'd be bothered by construction noise.)
- Some people have reported the smell of sewage on the north end.
, but I'm also biased because we own at the original WKORV and have never stayed at the North property yet.
