Sapphire Falls Resort

[JoeCamel]

If the decorating team finishes it's work and the restaurants get their service and menus in order I think this will be another great option but it is too new to judge. Let's wait til 6 months in before rendering judgement.

They hooked a bunch of people with low room rates and a dining credit so those are the people you got at opening. The bargain hunters wanted a finished experience without paying full price for it and didn't get it. Part Lowes and part their fault but they also got me for those perks.

The room rates are climbing and the perks are falling, hopefully they get some stuff up on the walls so it does not look so unfinished and the staff gets into the groove of service. I hope my stay for HHN is a little better than what I am seeing and I will feel I got a deal here. If that happens, if have a quiet room with a good bed and shower I am a happy camper. The restaurant will eat up the dining credit in no time from what I see so if I get a couple of "free" meals I can deal. Hopefully the conventioneers this is aimed at will feel the same way.

 

[Nick]

My biggest issue with the hotel is how small the rooms are. And virtually no balcony rooms. I hate feeling closed in, at least balcony's would make the rooms feel slightly larger.

 

[GAcoaster]

Balconies are a liability. Between the fear of kids falling off and break-ins means it just isn't worth having them.

 

[Nick]

Balconies are a liability. Between the fear of kids falling off and break-ins means it just isn't worth having them.

I'm gonna skip the part about there being million and millions of rooms with balconies across the country and just cut to the Disney comparison: Disney has THOUSANDS of balcony rooms, including some over a Savannah with live animals. I've personally never heard of anything wrong happening, but even if there has been (which I'm sure stuff has happened), you have to be willing to bite the bullet as a company sometimes.

 

[JoeCamel]

My biggest issue with the hotel is how small the rooms are. And virtually no balcony rooms. I hate feeling closed in, at least balcony's would make the rooms feel slightly larger.

Did you stay there? If you did I apologize but if you have not how do you know how the rooms feel?
I am going in September so I would like to know all viewpoints.

 

[Nick]

Did you stay there? If you did I apologize but if you have not how do you know how the rooms feel?
I am going in September so I would like to know all viewpoints.

I didn't stay there, but friends of mine stayed there and I got invited over and we had a little party in the room. Everything was so tight though, I just didn't enjoy it compared to Portofino Bay or even CBBR (the only 2 Uni resorts I've stayed at).

 

[Teebin]

I'm gonna skip the part about there being million and millions of rooms with balconies across the country and just cut to the Disney comparison: Disney has THOUSANDS of balcony rooms, including some over a Savannah with live animals. I've personally never heard of anything wrong happening, but even if there has been (which I'm sure stuff has happened), you have to be willing to bite the bullet as a company sometimes.

Yeah, the only fall off a balcony I have heard about in Orlando was teens or college students at a hotel near one of the entrances to WDW. Perhaps the Disney Springs entrance?

When I heard such stuff on the local news, I just rolled my eyes muttering, "Isn't that special...".

 

[JoeCamel]

I didn't stay there, but friends of mine stayed there and I got invited over and we had a little party in the room. Everything was so tight though, I just didn't enjoy it compared to Portofino Bay or even CBBR (the only 2 Uni resorts I've stayed at).

Thanks, the rooms are larger than CBBR and almost 90 sq ft smaller than Portofino so I can understand why they would feel small to you.

 

[Nick]

Thanks, the rooms are larger than CBBR and almost 90 sq ft smaller than Portofino so I can understand why they would feel small to you.

What I mean in comparing to CBBR is the design and spacing of the rooms are better and I expected slightly more from Saphire compared to what I originally expected at CBBR on my first stay.

 

[Frank Drackman]

What I mean in comparing to CBBR is the design and spacing of the rooms are better and I expected slightly more from Saphire compared to what I originally expected at CBBR on my first stay.

I haven't stayed here yet, but I can relate to what you are saying. We use to stay at Pop Century a lot and it was bad...but then around the last time we stayed there, maybe four years ago, they put in small furniture ( like the drawers that serve as the TV stand), and it made the room feel less crowded to me.

 

[UNIrd]

The rooms are on the small side. The hotel itself is great but having stayed at the other 4 numerous times, the hotel does appeal to me less than the others on room size alone. What I did enjoy most is the food & drinks.. They have some frozen iced tea/lemonade with vodka by the pool that I am craving as I type this at 8:30 in the morning. But at a similar price point, I would continue to choose Cabana Bay over this.

 

[Mr. EPCOT]

I'm staying here and Portofino Bay for HHN opening week, can't wait! Had a chance to poke around the lobby for a few minutes the other day, looks very nice.

 

[Mad Dog]

I'm staying here and Portofino Bay for HHN opening week, can't wait! Had a chance to poke around the lobby for a few minutes the other day, looks very nice.

We're doing the same combo. Sapphire/Portofino :thumbsup:

 

[WelcomeHome]

So many of those reviews are dependent on the person's attitude, the circumstances (e.g. the first week a massive hotel opens). There are many complaints about delayed check-in. I stayed at RPR last fall and checked in around noon, planning to head to the parks for a few hours because, as I figured, the room wasn't ready. Came back at check in, still wasn't ready. Went to the pool and waited several more hours for it to be ready. Meanwhile I've stayed at CBBR twice this year, and each time the room was ready around noon.

In the end, I'm down there to vacation and having to wait for a room doesn't really register with me - that's what bars, pools and a massive theme park are there for!

 

[Joel]

I think we know who never learned how to color inside the lines..

 

[Joel]

LOVE this resort, our new favorite (before mine was Hard Rock and gf's was CBBR). The caribbean feel is amazing, just "feels" perfect. Everything is beautiful.

 

[Mad Dog]

LOVE this resort, our new favorite (before mine was Hard Rock and gf's was CBBR). The caribbean feel is amazing, just "feels" perfect. Everything is beautiful.

View attachment 2742

Great to hear. We'll be there in 7 weeks.

 

[shiekra38]

Went to the Strong Water Tavern the other day..Had a White Russian and a craft brew that they offered..I think it's my new favorite lounge at Universal..From where we were sitting we could see RRR, Hulk, Doom and Cinematic Spectacular..I love the design..It will be very popular with convention visitors..and I will certainly be going back

 

[Joel]

Food and drinks poolside are amazing!

 

[Galaxy Defender]

Food and drinks poolside are amazing!

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If you are trying to make us envious, you are succeeding.