"We were allowed to come in and use the pool, only to find it massively crowded, with little available seating and no changing room facilities (unacceptable for a family hotel at rates of $200+ per night). The minimal poolside bathroom facilities were crowded with people trying to change.
"Most hotels service and assign rooms quickly, and long before the advertised check-in time. However, the Nick hotel was nowhere near ready and it was not until after 4:00 that we got to check out our room - which we always insist on before we move a bag out of the car.
"I opened the door to met be an overwhelming stench of vomit that the cleaning staff had attempted to mask with air freshener. The desk staff seemed disinclined to provide an alternate room, claiming that the hotel was full. They did not even offer to send anyone up to verify the problem, so we are certain that they knew about it. It was clear to us that the previous guest had thrown up copiously in the master bedroom, which now needed professional deep cleaning. How on earth they expected to pass off that disgusting room on anyone is beyond me, and speaks volumes about their lack of quality control. It was only when we threatened to leave that they miraculously found another room. I am very annoyed at them for making me do this, because my kids overheard it and were made extremely upset that they might have to leave.
"We would have been perfectly happy with a swift relocation and an apology for the error. Instead, we were made to feel that our request was unreasonable, and there was certainly nothing like an apology forthcoming from the housekeeping manager. It took so long for a luggage cart that took so long that I went to get one myself - only to be told that guests were not allowed to use the luggage carts. The upshot was that we had arrived in Orlando at 11:30AM and only finished unpacking by 6:00 - a half a day's vacation wasted on this stupid hotel. If nothing else, that's a real strong incentive to go to a hotel which will have you checked in and poolside by 2:30.
"It didn't stop there. In the new room (not poolside, by the way), the refrigerator control knob was missing, and in spite of our several complaints, it was never fixed. Our fresh food items froze. Our valuables got locked in a defective room safe and it took nearly two hours for bumbling security staff to find out how to open it. Not even the toilet worked well, resulting in a late-night visit from the house plumber. Room cleaning was mediocre, with spider webs adorning the furniture and dust on surfaces.
"I was disinclined to give them any more of my money, so we never suffered eating at the place and cannot comment on the food. It is a short drive to many good eateries and there are several cheap breakfast places within minutes.
"We noted the following other problems:
"Only two small elevators per huge block, with no separate service elevators. One of these was out of order at least twice during our one week stay. The staff need to be reminded that GUESTS TAKE PRECEDENCE over bins of soiled towels.
"Totally inadequate provision of shade around the pool, which is jammed with loungers. (For goodness sake, buy some moveable umbrellas and lose a few loungers.)
"Inadequate parking and unloading space adjacent to guest building entrances. Although other staff seemed in short supply, there was always someone available to tell you where you could not park. Security gates that did not work, so that the staff simply opened them and waved you through without checking your credentials (Somewhat negating their apparent security concerns over where people park.)
"Excessive noise, even for a kiddie-oriented hotel. The noise from foot traffic on the external hallways penetrates right into the master bedroom. You will be falling asleep late and waking early, so do not expect a lie-in and late breakfast. The most intrusive noise was made by staff wheeling out steel-wheeled cleaning carts at 7:00AM. (At least get some carts with rubber wheels or start the cleaning at 8:00AM.)
"Even my older son commented that the theme value of the Nick hotel was somewhat outweighed by its mediocre service. The only positive things I can say about the Nick hotel is that it is very well placed for access to the Disney parks, and the poolside entertainment and safety staff did a very good job."
Next review: "We had a terrific time. The staff treated our grandkids like royalty..."
