Westgate Vacation Villas

We stayed at the westgate vacation villas from june 22-29. We stayed in a two bedroom unit in the older section of the resort. It appears the outside of the buildings had been painted recently, however the inside was older looking. We had several issues during our stay, but did not always report them to management. I believe one of the burners on the stove did not work, a cofee maker was supplied, but no pot, the cheap dvd player worked off an on and the television in the masterbedroom stopped working midway through the week.

Check-in was efficient, but immediatly after checkin you were sent to another desk to sign up for your sales presentation/tour/buying opportunity. I had not been on site an hour and already was getting the sales pitch. I did not sign up for a tour as I own elsewhere. We were escorted to our villas and a nice young man helped with the luggage.

There are plenty of pools on the property to chose from and I think most include kiddie pools for the under three set. I do not believe any of the pools were more than six feet deep. The pools did not appear to be cleaned on a daily basis and contained too much chlorine to cover for it.

There is in activity center where you can rent bikes, paddle boats and so forth. There are playgrounds on site near pools. The newer section contains a putt-putt course and the new main clubhouse contains a small theater.

Overall had an enjoyable time because of the proximity to all the major attractions.

I do not believe this resort has been ranked higher than three-stars by any reputable publication and the current ranking of three stars is deserved.

I am an owner at the Westgate Town Center but stayed at the Villas in April 2008, as there was not a unit available at the TC. We stayed in a 2 bedroom with a loft unit. It had great space but the people sleeping in the loft were awakened every morning because there was not a shade on the skylights so that made sleeping past 6am difficult. It was a nice touch to be escorted to our unit and given boxes of cookies. However that did not make up for all of the lacking in cleanliness and courtesy. The unit was DIRTY upon check in. My socks were black from walking across the tile for 5 minutes and there was hair all over the bathroom; none of it ours! When we called for houskeeping to come the next morning to clean the unit, I was met with sarcastic remarks by non- english speaking people. She was not even moving the chairs aroud the table to mop, where spills were obviously left from the last people. We informed the front desk about our lack of satisfaction and we were told that the manager would call, he never did. In addition we found spare blankets that had fresh blood stains on them! I brought them right to the front desk during check-in. They offered us dinner certificates to the Westgate Grill (don't go there, its a glorified diner with mediocre food). It was not until I got home and spoke with 3 reps and finally a manager of Westgate's owner relations that I was given my week back to use again. This resort does not deserve its 5 star designation. Stay at the town center. It is 5 star and even though they share the resort grounds and amenites it is a whole different world over there.

We bought in 2002 on our first trip to Florida. The resort is very nice and sure beats a hotel! I would not recommend buying directly from Westgate. I think we paid too much for one week every other year.

We exchanged into the Villas in March for the last two years. Check in went very quickly both years. We noticed a great deal of updating from last year to this year. Last year we encountered a problem with the stove and they gave us a new one within an hour. Needless to say, we thought that was fantastic service. The minature golf was added this year and our grandson thought that was great fun. Next year spa should be done and a water park is in the future. Kids will love that. For people who say they have trouble with the salespeople--just dont go to the maintenance breakfast--or just be firm. We never had a problem as we were clear that we bought off of the internet for a much cheaper price than they offer. Believe me, they dont want to waste their time on a non- sale.

I am an owner of a 2 bed unit here and have always loved coming back every couple of years. There are many activities for children offered at the resort (paddleboats, fishing, bumper boats, bikes, tennis, badminton, ping pong etc...) but of course the theme parks that are so close take up a lot of their time as well. We brought our 9 year old nephew this year and he did not want to leave. We stayed the second week at another resort but we all voted that the vacation villas was our best choice. The pool is right in front of our 2 bed unit with the whirpool etc.. They have pizza hut and other choices for fast foods on the resort and of course you are close to everything whether it's theme parks or restaurants etc that you are looking for. When I call for a maintenance problem it is fixed pronto. I always enjoy may stay here.

We rented from an owner for Spring Break of this year....March 5-12, the unit we rented was the two bedroom with loft upstairs, sleeping up to 10 people. The resort was beautiful....we were in building VVA and there was a huge pool just one building or so away. We didn't have any problems with noise, never even really heard our neighbors but did see them when heading out in the morning on a couple of occassions so we know they were there. The check in was quick. We rented from an owner and we were treated just like we owned, invited to the breakfast & lunches, all owner priveledges, etc. When we checked in the mentioned the maintenance meeting one time, we didn't go and were never bothered about it again, not even upon check out. The only phone call we received from the resort at all was the message left on our phone about the dinner show with the magician and tigers. We had a wonderful time and would go back to this resort in a heart beat. Will keep checking the for sale ads for the right unit, at the right price. If we ever buy into a timeshare, this one will probably be it. We have toured many timeshares......and this is the nicest I've seen!!

This resort may look great on the outside but don't judge a book by its cover!The resort is overcrowded and the noise continues on into the night as there seems to be alot of young partiers.If you are looking for a quiet relaxing vacation this is definitely not the place to go.The worst part is the extremely aggressive sales pitch you get.They just do not understand the meaning of "no".Now I understand why there are so many units for sale or rent.Beware!!

WE visited our apartment last Christmas and New Year and were pleasantly surprised by the amount of work that has been carried out at the resort. Our apartment is in the older part and we are very grateful tht it is as we would not like t be in the new part at all. The outside of the apartments has been recently painted and the inside also. Many items have been unpgraded and we had no problems at all. Find the check in more dfficult now but net tme we will know where we are to go and it will not be so confusing.

We rented an owner unit thru RedWeek for Christmas week this year. Check-in was very fast. Unit was clean and well-appointed. We did tire, however, of the second class treatment of guests v owners. Then, on Tuesday, we started getting calls from the office wanting us to come in for completion of missing maintenance paperwork - strangely enough, it had to be completed between 9 and 5 daily - when the sales office was open. We began ignoring the phone when it started ringing at 7:30 each day!

So, given the variety of choices in the area, I'd choose to stay elsewhere rather than return.

We used to be owners here but traded to Westgate Lakes. Last yr we stayed at the villas again. We were put beside the basketball court which closes at 2 am , except weekends where it is open all night. Sleep was something we did without all week. We called the desk several times and complained. We would usually wait until 2am to call. Our complaints were not addressed! The room was not as clean as was in years past. We did not attend our sales pitch breakfast because of the high pressure salespeople we had dealt with in the past. All in all it is a very nice resort .

My husband, daughter & I bought a Westgate Vacation Villa on the internet. We were a bit apprehensive about it, when we read some of the reviews posted.

We went there expecting all sorts of things like long check-ins and run down villas. We were absolutely stunned when it took us 20 minutes to check in and be at our "BEAUTIFUL" and "SPACIOUS" 2 Bedroom villa. The villa we bought is one of the Condo style ones, it was so clean & well kepted we were amazed at our good fortune in buying here. We have a fantastic villa with a great veiw of the area located opposite end of pool #3. The bedrooms were great & the jacuzzi was wonderful especially after a long day at the theme parks.

Buying at Westgate was one of the best deals we've done. We were there during Hurricane Charley and we made it through fine. They know how to keep the place looking great and we're proud to be owners.

They will be remodeling our unit next year & adding 7 more pools to make the total 25 pools. Plus they are building a new huge Clubhouse with movie theaters and arcade. They are also building their own Westgate Water Park right there on site. They're really nice there and we were never pressured when we went for our owners maintence report. They just told us what to expect next time we came & to thank us for being owners.

Beautiful villa, grounds and great location make Westgate Villa a great place to stay. We love it!

Clean, well-maintained, comfortable, and friendly staff! This is our perfect home away from home for a vacation!

10 pools, hot tubs, playgrounds, lake with water sports, restaurants, everything you need to have a perfect get-a-way! The units are large and cleaner than some places we have visited and our kids love to go where they can meet other kids!

I will agree with some of the reviews that it gets congested at Check in/Check out and the sales people can be a little pushy, just stand your ground and don't let them suck you in. We have been owners for 5 years and have upgraded 2 times to the week and unit we wanted. We let them know we aren't buying more and they back off.

The construction traffic should be about over with the addition to Westgate Towers, where my parents own 4 1-BR units.

I highly recommend Westgate Vacation Villas even if Disney isn't your destination... much to do in the Orlando area including golf, fine dining, shopping and amusement parks!

I have just read all the reviews on Westgate in some amazement. We have owned a week at Westgate Lakes since 1994 and puchased an additional week at the Vacation Villas 18 months later we were so thrilled with the place.

We have had a few "ups and downs" with the resorts: the worst being when they failed to notify "Dollar" car hire that we had paid our deposit! When we pursued this, however, we were given a sincere apology, an additional week's vacation free of charge and a $100 voucher to spend at the on-site restuarant! Not bed recompense for an irritating inconvenience.

We find the sales people pleasant and receptive, understanding that "No thank you" means just that.

Sure, you somtimes have to wait in line to check in - but I have had to do that at every timeshare I have been to! At least the Westgate reception is open 24/7 which is not the case in many resorts.

I have stayed in 5 star resorts in England and they are not a patch on Westgate. The units are quite luxurious, practical and comfortable and the resorts make an ideal base for visiting in and around the Orlando area.

It's true that the resorts are busy but it depends what you want - loads of facilities (for both kids and adults) or a quiet, out of the way holiday with little on site. For what it is, which is a superb family orientated resort in one of the major tourist area in the world. I think Westgate is unbeatable.

These guys are from the old school of hard sell sales methods. Having experienced the Marriott and Hyatt approaches, we made the mistake of coming in here in a civilized manner. No doesn't mean No at Westgate. Our salesman, then his manager simply refused to sign off on the form documenting that we had attended the presentation, assuring our "bargain" 3 night rate. We paid for that bargain many times over.

Anyway:

They were pushing the low-rise condo style villas (which looked pretty nice on the tour), but inexplicably warehoused us in a tower style building. The apartment was nicely decorated, but of cheap construction. Doors didn't close right, cheap screen doors to balcony (you know the kind, always jumping the track), furniture newer, but cheap. Just a cheap feeling to the whole place.

I know the construction won't last forever, but we parked in gravel next to a temporary chain link fence with constant heavy construction on the other side. It was our wake up call each morning along with the thick coat of dust on our car.

Check-in/check-out is WAY too crowded, previous references to an airport experience are right on the money. And while I appreciate bi-lingual, it would be helpful if one of the languages was English.

Overall, I can't imagine why one would pay to own a piece of this. Check out Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Sheraton before you buy, there really is a better way.

We have been owners here for several years and have always had a wonderful time. It is a bit hectic checking in, but this is a HUGE resort so more people checking in means more people in line. The staff has always been accomodating and has always repsonded to anything we have had a problem with in a timely manner. I agree that on some of our visits the staff tried to sell us more time, BUT we were firm in our answer that we were NOT going to attend their presentation and that we were on vacation and on our time not theirs. There are lots of pools, hot tubs, free bicycle use, free paddle boats,tennis equipment etc...While we usually do the "theme park thing" we have spent days at the resort enjoying the amenities. Very relaxing.

Visited there 11/23/04 - accomodations were nice but entire property is surrounded by construction. Entrance to and from property is confusing. Check in was like an airport experience. Lots of noise and we felt like we were being herded. Location is near south entrance to Disney but little else in the Orlando area. All buildings are quite close together giving a cramped feeling.

Actual accomodations were spacious and quiet nice but would seek more central accomodations for future visits.

owned since 1985, all first class

This is a great location for theme park goers ,and very,very great for kids. And close to many adult nightlife. The only reason we are selling is because there is only my wife and me, and it's just too much room for us. But for someone with children you could'nt find a better place to go.

We stayed at this resort three times and our son with his family stayed there twice. It's one of the best family oriented resorts in Orlando with comfortable, well equipped accomodation, about ten pools, free breakfasts and friendly staff. While some buildings are older than others, all are being refurbished as needed. Housekeeping is above average and the location is excellent for most Orlando attractions. Overall, I rate the resort at 9 out of 10.

While some people complain about sales pressure, all one needs to do is to be firm in saying you are not interested. The sales staff don't bother me at all because I never enter into any dialogue with them.

Am an owner 1 week every year. We bought from a broker--not from Westgate, so for the past 3 years of ownership, more often than not we are treated as a "lower class" owner (not getting information about "owner only" activities, being excluded from the breakfasts and picinics, etc.)--mainly because we did not purchase from them. I love the villas and the resort, but do not care to be treated as a "non-owner". Last year we traded our week for a different week and low and behold, we were checked in as GUEST on our key card. So, we were not entitled to owner benefits!!! We pay our maintenance and taxes and even had to pay an extra sum to trade weeks--kind of makes you wonder.......our liasion for the week as much as told us that he didn't think we really owned, because he could not find our deed listed in the computer!!! Gee, maybe we shouldn't be paying maintenance and taxes then!

All in all, I really do like the place--just wish they would treat everyone equally.

I HAVE BEEN TO THIS RESORT 6 TIMES AND HAVE NEVER HAD A BAD VISIT. IT'S SUPER FUN AND A PLACE FOR FAIMLY'S TO STAY.

Great location, wonderful units. Sales people are a little agressive, but you need to tell them to "take a hike".

This is a very nice resort.

This is a very nice, large quiet resort. Large

heated swimming pools. Very nice luxury units.

There is some pressure for sales, but tell them

you are not interested. The resort itself is

great. We stay every year.

I have owned at westgate for 8 years as an every other year owner. This is a very affordable way to own there, because most people wouldn't want to go every year anyway. We love westgate, there are so many pools and the main pool stays open late, like 2 am, so you can swim after the parks, most resorts close the pools much earlier, there are many activities like paddleboats, bikes, tennis, basketball, etc, and owners have free breakfast 3 or 4 days a week, and a wonderful party at checkin, with free food and drinks[both alcoholic and non] plus a live band, it is so much fun, no other resort I have ever owned or stayed at does this, also free lunch on friday by the pool, and an arcade. also a nice store that serves lunch, and pizza hut on site, and snack bar at one of the pools, and of course, daily scheduled activities. I have read the reviews about service and people trying to sell more timeshare, and I have just learned who to talk to and who not to talk to. I just don't let anyone bother me . My condo is mine for the week, and if I don't want to talk to anyone I just don't.

I give the grounds 4 stars. I currently own there and have since '97 and it is currently (as of 1-'03) for sale because of lack of service. Don't bother asking for help before, durring or after your visit. All they want to do is sell. Service is NOT their thing.

The units themselves are VERY nice. I have a 2bdrm w/loft condo that sleeps 10. Vaulted celings, full kitchen, 2 full baths, balcony, washer & dryer. I've seen some of the new units and they're gorgeous! REALLY REALLY nice!

I think there are about 12 pools and I forget how many hot tubs there are, but everything is kept very clean. The landscaping isn't anything outstanding, but it's well kept and groomed.

I haven't used any of the resort's ammenities ('cuz I run off to Disney or Universal), but some guests I've brought with me have and they said they enjoyed it quite a bit. The only thing I've taken advantage of is the breakfast by the pool that they serve. They serve cereal, danishes, milk & juice, donuts & bagels.

I can't in good conscience recommend buying in this resort to anyone. Stay there for the promotional visit because it IS a nice place, and VERY close to Disney but DON'T BUY THERE! I'm trying to get OUT!

This resort is beautiful - but the Westgate sales people are the worst - they won't leave you alone. The management should spend less time trying to sale you something and more time fixing what is wrong with the place. I have yet to stay there and not have something wrong!

I'd agree with all of the reviews posted so far.

Westgate IS a beautiful property--huge, lots of pools and other things to do, well appointed units, and close enough to most of the major attractions, etc..

But, it is also VERY congested [especially on check-in/check-out days]. You almost need to like having people around all the time to be really comfortable on property.

The staff are friendly enough on the surface, if not entirely helpful, and they did, in fact, seem to be focused solely on 'selling' more timeshares at any and every opportunity.

We were similarly welcomed by 'our' liason for the week, then 'deceived' into attending a sales presentation at a set time on a specific day [under the guise of making a maintenance report], only to be kept waiting for nearly an hour past the appointment, then told 'oh my gosh, I forgot all about you!' and promptly carted about the property where we had already been staying for several days on an hour-long sales presentation.

Very disappointing.

So, while I would NOT buy at Westgate, I WOULD visit again--I'd just do so 'smarter' about what to expect once there.

This is a great place to stay, especially with children. We were happy to have a FREE breakfast (much more variety than their advertised "continental" breakfast) to start our busy days. The condo was very roomy, decorated nicely and most importantly, very clean. The staff was helpful but never pushy. Orlando is such a hectic resort area but Westgate was a nice quiet place to spend a few days away from the attractions with so many available activities and amenities on site. We had a wonderful vacation and hope to return soon.

Spacious rooms, close to Disneyworld. You will be asked to attend a sales presentation, but at presentation, you will not be pressured into buying. Staff are very busy and as a result sometimes difficult to contact, but are very friendly. LOTS of activities, free food, and pools. We spent most of our time away from resort at one of Orlando's MYRIAD tourist activities, so had a great vacation.

Excellent facilities - 9 swimming pools, activities, excellent location, friendly staff. The loft units have 4 colour TV sets, so everyone can watch his/her own programs. Screend-in patios, full kitchens, in- suite laundry facilities, close to Disneyworld. Excellent value for the money.

My wife and I rented a condo from the resort and were checked in by someone who said they would be taking care of us all week and it ended up, they did not call all the time to our condo to see how we were, they were just trying their hardest to sell us a condo. We understand people have a job to do, but they deceived us into doing a maintance report only to try and sell us something. If they deceive you into a presentation, why wouldnt they deceive you once you purchase? We did not like that approach so in spite of that, we went next door to the Wyndam Palms resort and bought a timeshare there. We have never seen SUCH a beautiful resort. Weve been owners there for 3 years now and the service and facilities rate a 10 compared to Westgate. During our 1 week stay at Westgate, the salesperson contacted us roughly 5 times but once we called to get more towels and to inquire about shuttle service, the phone to the front desk just kept ringing and ringing. Westgate is a very congested resort and althought their rooms were spacious, their service and constant pressure to buy leaves a lot to be desired.