and everything in between
We were in Canada for the first time celebrating our anniversary and purchased the Romance Package with our room which was a little more than $500 for one night. The Romance Package came with: dinner in the hotel restaurant called Azure, breakfast in bed, free valet, and a gift basket that had chocolates and a Bath and Body Works shower gel and lotion.
We were in an Executive Club Level room that had a nice view of the downtown area and never heard any city noise from outside our window.
My husband and I, and my parents-in-law were staying in Orlando for a few days to visit the Disney parks. We knew we’d need two separate bedrooms with a shared living area and The Point was perfect for us not only because of the spacious accommodations but also the location. Near the hotel is the widely known I-Drive, or International Drive. This area has a plethora of dining options, shopping, and activities like Wet N’ Wild, CSI Experience, Wonder Works, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, and so much more. Plus, the Disney parks are a simple 20 minute drive away.
The Point likes to describe itself as a luxury property but I can tell you that is an exaggeration. In terms of quality, I would compare The Point to the Holiday Inn. I like staying at the Holiday Inn but would never in a million years call it as a luxury property!
My husband and I both travel a great deal and the front desk service at this hotel was the worst we’ve ever experienced.
We stayed here for the Easter holiday to see the Phillies play. The location is excellent if you are going to PNC Park because you simply exit the hotel, walk straight down the sidewalk 2 blocks and then cross the bridge. The doors to the stadium are right after the bridge on the left. There’s no need to worry about safety because before and after a game, police close the bridge to all traffic and people can walk freely in the street.
We stayed at this hotel because it’s just a block and a half away from Nationwide Arena (click here for a review of the arena). We were visiting on New Year’s Eve for a hockey game. The walk to the stadium was quick and safe because all the hockey fans were outside walking together. There is a Hyatt and Drury Inn directly across the street and it’s worth comparing prices since our stay at the Plaza was unsatisfactory.
The hotel is in the ideal location for visiting all the popular attractions Orlando has to offer. It’s about 15 minutes from the airport and is close to the highway so it’s easy on and off. Also, it’s only a 15-20 minute drive to Disney World and just down the street you’ll find Universal and the Orange County Convention Center. The immediate area surrounding the hotel is well maintained and appears upper class so safety is not an issue and if you get hungry, across the street from the hotel there’s a McDonald’s, Denny‘s, IHOP, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and lots of other restaurants.
I have to say that this hotel was one of my least favorites out of all the hotels my husband and I have visited. With this hotel being modeled after the Waldorf Astoria, I really expected more.
I can’t even begin to express the level shock I felt when entering the hotel room. Not only was it miniscule but it looked cheap and run down.
Staying at the MGM property is great not only because they have fantastic restaurants and shows but also because you can jump on the monorail which makes getting around easy. We’ve stayed at both the regular MGM and the Signature and we by far prefer the Signature.
From inside the MGM, the entrance to the Signature is at the very back near the food court, the monorail, and the doors to the pools. You need your room key to gain entrance into the Signature doors, and once you pass through those doors it’s like entering another world. Not only is the Signature smoke- free and thus smells great, but it’s also quiet and not crowded in the least. The indoor and air conditioned corridor to the hotel has moving walkways which get you to the lobby quickly and once there, it’s like being in an upscale condo building.
We had a junior suite on the 36th floor with a fantastic view of the strip and an actual balcony which is rare in Las Vegas. The room was exceptionally large with a king bed and an adjacent living area.
The Aston Waikiki Beach Tower is not to be confused with the inferior Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel. Remember that this property has the word “tower” in it and not “hotel” or you could end up at the wrong location. Finding the Aston Waikiki Beach Tower was difficult because the unusually tiny entrance was impossible to see. It wasn’t on the main street that the GPS says it’s on. You actually have to turn onto Lili Uokalani and then keep your eyes open WIDE because the sign and entrance are small. In fact, we passed it the first time and had to go around the block.
My husband is an avid poker player and loves visiting Las Vegas a few times a year. When we got together, he often shared his love of Vegas with me, but I, not being a gambler, never showed any interest in going until we happened to win a 2 night stay in Vegas at a charity auction.
The hotel was called The Tuscany Suites & Casino and was off the strip but really not that far from all the action. My husband had never stayed off strip before and I was worried that it would not be very nice but we were both pleasantly surprised with our stay.
