FL Orlando Westgate Lakes Resort Sea World

[macmedia]

The Westgate is very close to all the attractions - about 10 - 15 minutes away from Universal, Sea World, Disney etc. It's really centrally located and convenient to all of the touristy attractions.

This complex is huge. It has 26 Buildings for their Timeshare program. 4-5 pools, tons of activities (especially for children) and well maintained facilities. The rooms are nice. The ones that are reserved for Hotwire are mainly Studio apartments (which is what a normal hotel room is). Decent size with jacuzzi, balcony and King sized bed. It has a mini-kitchen with microwave. For the price I paid ($70+ tax), I think it was a very good deal.

The BIG BIG BIG minus is the parking situation. If you are booking this in the Spring (spring break months), Summer or vacation periods, you are going to have a really tough time with parking. No problem for the most part if you need to find a spot before 8pm. After 8pm, you either are going to park far away or in a No Parking Zone spot (even these are hard to find after 10pm). I was there for 4 nights and every night I had to get a No Parking Zone spot (except for the 2nd night where I had to park a 20 min walking distance away). I'm guessing they only allocate 2 rooms for every 1 spot - it's so bad.

Despite their full focus on the Timeshare program (you see TONS of golf carts ferrying prospective "buyers" to their showings constantly), not one time was I ever approached by anyone to sign up for a Timeshare tour. As a prepaid Hotwire customer, I was treated as if I was a normal hotel guest. No annoying questions at all.

A good choice overall and I will visit again to this location (especially with my family)

[Yo Eleven]

Here is my review of this property:

I stayed here from 1/23 to 1/26. I showed early but I was able to check in as they had rooms

available. I gave them my information and then I was told I needed to finalize my check in over

at the VIP desk where I would get my keys. So at the VIP desk I was welcomed as an "owner" and they

asked me how long I owned my property? I was like, "i am not an owner, I booked on an online

travel website" She is like, "that's strange they have you as an owner with owner benefits but

we will just keep it the way it is" I was like "okay" with a puzzled look. Then she says as an owner

I am entitled to a free breakfast buffet and amenities. I was like thanks but she said it is policy

that a refundable deposit of $20 be given and it will be returned as this was for the amenity card and refunded at the buffet.

Also we were to be given $75 cash plus our refund of $20 and a discount book for attending.

I knew where this was going but since the agreement said express I was okay with it.

She was really pumping it up on how wonderful the buffet is and for the entire family to come hungry as the selections are amazing.

I said okay. She also commented that they also like to discuss the property with us and that we were on express for like 60 mins of our

time. I was again okay. I got the keys, amenity card, and cookies. We booked the breakfast on the morning

of our departure right before we would head to our last theme park.

The room was very nice. The property

is very nice. The place is huge and there is lots of security which is nice. I liked the property and

our accomodations. We had a great view from our rear balcony. In a nutshell, the property was nice. Let's

fast forward to our last morning. We pack up the car and head over to the buffet. We show up and are

asked to sit on a couch. There are several others with us. Then some guy comes up and calls our name.

He is very nice and welcomes us and takes up upstairs to this big cafeteria style room. There is the buffet.

My first look was like this is NOT was I was told. It was simply a pan of runny eggs, sausage, cereal, milk,

hot chocolate, coffee, and some pastries. Hardly, what we were expecting. THEN, came the TIMESHARE PRESENTATION.

Oh gosh. The salesperson made it a point that we had a big stamp that said VIP and we were classified as owners.

It was all an act.

Lots of personal questions about finances and other stuff all associated with timeshare purchasing.

I thought it was actually amusing and looked at my time and knew this is for an hour and we

are out of here. Well the pressure tactics came and again I thought it was amusing. I had zero interest in purchasing

anything. They are the ones that pushed us to attend and I am giving them their one hour and that's all. Well the

time was ending and the sales guy who was so nice in the beginning started to become very frustrated with me especially

since I started to laugh at the idea of purchasing. He even used off color language.

When that happened the time

was up and we started to get up and get our door prizes. He brought over his manager who sat and I refused to speak

to him except to say there is no way we are purchasing and we are not interested in any offers and we are done.

The salesperson said if we leave then we get NOTHING! We will not receive the cash or refund or discount book. I said,

Oh yeah???? and laughed at him......I didn't ask for a manager in the timeshare presentation area I went right to the

lobby area where there were SEVERAL other folks on the couches waiting to go on this ridiculous scam because that is what it is.

I asked to speak to the manager and made my voice loud enough so the others on the couches could listen. The

manager there in an INSTANT agreed with my concerns when I asked if they train their employees to use threats (you

GET NOTHING if you leave) and make inappropriate comments. He immediately took me to the rewards center

and I received ALL my gifts. The salesperson we had at the presentation came up to him to perhaps tell his side of the story and

I told the manager I wanted NOTHING (no pun intended) to do with him. He agreed and let me leave with

my gifts. In summary the property is very nice but beware of the VIP desk. You may want to consider avoiding.

However, if you are okay with confrontations and are brave enough to stop the presentation and take a stand

you will get through it. I read reviews that people have been kept for HOURS there. Either insist you do not

with to see VIP (you will not get an amenity card that is the stickler) or simply draw the line in the sand

when your express hour has expired. I hear if you refuse the

presentation and pay them the $20 you will end up with a dumpy room.

I also hear if you end up with a dumpy room you can tell them and they will move you.

At that point I would ask for an amenity card for them giving you crummy accomodations.

I treat people like how I get treated. They do not deserve any different.

If they are rude to you, be rude back and demand what you were promised. You can get through it. Good luck!