Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa

We have stayed here several times, and the quality seems to be going downhill. The first time we stayed, everything was perfect--beautiful pools, beautiful unit, no problems. Another time we visited, we walked into a dirty unit with a broken couch. Since we arrived so late, we then had to call housekeeping at 10:30 pm, and they inferred that maybe we had really dirtied the unit ourselves--the kitchen floor looked like it hadn't been mopped in a month. We called maintenance when we discovered the couch was broken, and they initially tried to argue that it wasn't broken because it looked okay. After considerable persuasion, they sat on it and sank nearly to the floor. One man conceded something was wrong; the other sat, sunken lopsidedly down to the floor, and said the couch seemed fine to him. They eventually fixed it. On this visit, the grandson gave up on the pools because they weren't being cleaned very well and were so full of bugs that he was disgusted.

Last year, we arrived for a late check-in, and knew something was wrong when another person asked our check-in person, "Why are you putting them in THAT building?" We proceeded with check-in, but could not receive our keycards until we agreed, after a very hard sell, to a 90-minute "owner inventory survey." We also had to put up twenty dollars for it. We then were finally able to progress to our beautiful unit, which was clean--but there was no water pressure, no air conditioning, and the outlets in the bedroom and bathroom didn't work. By this time, it was midnight and we were exhausted, and thought surely the air conditioning wasn't really broken. It was broken, and inside our unit was as hot as outside.

The next morning, we told the rep about it at our "inventory survey." During the meeting, they did secure us a working unit that was very nice, but they tried to hard-pressure us into buying a unit there (we are indeed Westgate owners, but not there), and actually called us crazy and closed-minded and berated us for not buying.

We used to love it there, but we went another way for this year.

We have owned a 4 bed. lockout here for 10 years. Perfect place for the kids during Christmas break. Looked forward to a 5 star vacation every year. Kids grown so we travel here less. But have NO difficulty exchanging the unit.

Resort is very busy this time of year, as is all of Orlando. But, the staff has always handled any situation in a timely manner. ex: lightbulb, extra fry pan, early check-in.

And as for Gators in the Lake...as hard as we have tried to see one...in 10 years it hasn't happened yet. If I must tell a negative, we've had to hunt down a luggage carrier to get luggage up to 5th floor almost everytime.

We have since purchased a southern home so if YOU'RE LOOKING TO BUY A FANTABULOUS holiday vacation, we're selling. 440-823-8228

This place is fab ! Super loaded with amenities a Five Star Resort for good reason! Close proximity to all Orlando attractions. Please contact me for a 3 bedroom / 3 bath Lockout /below market fixed / annual / week 26 / 4th of July, for rent or for sale 2008. 2 full kitchens !

Contact Nancy Thomas 800-256-3219

We are owners of a three bedroom lock-out unit at Westgate Lakes, purchased in 1994. We were recently there from Dec. 23 - Dec 30. 2007. Not long after we checked in and were unpacking, our door opened and there was another guest ready to be checked into the same unit. The biggest surprise was that he was accompanied by a very large dog. I didn't think pets were allowed at Westgate Lakes. This was disappointing.

Also, for the amount of maintenance fees we pay - the sectional couch in our unit was horrendous. You couldn't even sit on it without sinking to the floor. No excuse for this.

Unless you speak fluent Spanish - request for maintenance rarely gets taken care of.

When we bought here - it was a five star resort - but things are going down hill.

We just returned Nov 10, 2007 from a weeks stay at Westgate Lakes. This was our third time at the resort. All previous stays were wonderful experiences and we have never had any problems. There were three couples that stayed in a three-bedroom unit.

Based on a few previous negative comments about the resort, I went this time with the specific objective of observing the staff and seeing how they treat guests and members, looking for things that were not being maintained and the general cleanliness of the facility. I was concerned the resort may not be keeping up to previous standards.

Just like the previous two visits I was not disappointed. We had an excellent vacation and the three bedroom unit was wonderful.

We had a problem with the big screen TV in the main living area. We called maintenance and they were there in less than 30 minutes and resolved the problem. They repair things faster than I do at my own home!

I would avoid the sales pitch if possible. I realize they are in the business to sell timeshares but their sales pitch takes too much time in my opinion.

I am in the process of purchasing a three bedroom unit from an owner who advertised on this web site. It is a lot less expensive buying from an owner than from the resort. The resort must build into their price the marketing costs for all the promotions, give-a-ways and commissions for the sales people.

I look forward to many pleasant returns to Florida and to Westgate Lakes Resort.