HGVC - I Drive

suekap · Feb 4, 2008

Which building would you request and why at this propery? I would like to stay in a newer building, but I am afraid it will be too far from the pool and we spend most of out time at the pool. We are trading in, so is it even possible to request a certain building?

dvc_john · Feb 5, 2008

There are 7 buildings built around a lake. 1-4 are on one side of the lake, and 5-7 are on the other. The smaller leisure pool is at the end of the lake between buildings 4 and 5. Building 1 is adjacent to the main pool.
Building 1 and 2 were built first, then 3 thru 7 built sequentially. Building 7 just opened in the last week or two.
Buildings 1 and 2 are 6 floors. Buildings 3-6 are 7 floors. And building 7 is 8 floors.
They are in the process of building a bridge across the lake, so, when completed, buildings 4-7 will have easier access to the main pool.

abc31 · Feb 5, 2008

We stayed on building one and it was closest to the main pool and clubhouse. Also, if you are going during a peak time when parking spaces might be an issue, Building One is closest to the registration building and you can always use one of the spaces in that area. You'll love the resort. Enjoy!

abc

suekap · Feb 5, 2008

Thank you for the info. I might try and stay in building 7, we are not going until August, so hopefully the bridge will be built. I know I would rather not be near the smaller pool.

Sue

chesterbhoy · Feb 7, 2008

Look on google maps and select the satellite view - this gives a good view of the HGVC layout.

Building 7 is the closest to the car parking for Premier Outlet Mall.

We have stayed in building 2 on 3 occasions - great location.

Blues · Feb 7, 2008

Speaking of the bridge, anybody know when it will open? We're going in late April - early May, and I'm wondering if it will be open. Any eyewitness reports?

dvc_john · Feb 7, 2008

chesterbhoy said:
Building 7 is the closest to the car parking for Premier Outlet Mall.

Not anymore.

They closed that parking area, and are beginning construction of an addition to the mall. The gate to the mall (behind building 6) is also closed (temporarily I presume). The mall also built a new parking ramp. It's in back of the small pool area building (the one with the Pizza Hut in it.)

dvc_john · Feb 7, 2008

Blues said:
Speaking of the bridge, anybody know when it will open? We're going in late April - early May, and I'm wondering if it will be open. Any eyewitness reports?

I think it will be open by then. I'm at this resort now.

The bridge has reached all the way across the lake now. The deck covering is probably about 75% across. And the railings are probably about 40% across. They've made a lot of progress in the past week, and I'd be surprised if it wasn't open within a few weeks.

suekap · Feb 7, 2008

Which building are you in? prons and cons?

dvc_john · Feb 7, 2008

I'm in building 1. It's the first building built.

Pros: next to main pool, recreation/check-in building, deli, and bar
Haven't had any problem finding parking, even when returning late. Even if the closest parking was filled, there is plenty of parking available nearby next to the check-in building.
Close to resort exit (don't have to drive thru entire resort to exit)

Cons: none really. Even though it's the oldest building, it isn't all that old (maybe 4 to 5 years), and is in great shape. When they have a pool event (dive-in movie, some kind of entertainment), you can hear it in the room a little. But it's not bothersome, and is always over by 9 or 10 pm.

My preference, no matter what building you get, would be for rooms ending in 05 thru 11, and on floor 2 or higher.

btw: now that building 7 is open, they've opened the road all the way around the resort (it only went part way around while construction was going on, so building 5 and 6 had to go thru the entire resort to get to their building). Now buildings 5-7 can go directly to their buildings without going all the way around.

dvc_john · Feb 7, 2008

deleted: duplicate post

suekap · Feb 7, 2008

Thanks for the info. Why are rooms ending in 05 - 11 good? I hope you are having a great time - is the weather good?

dvc_john · Feb 8, 2008

suekap said:
Thanks for the info. Why are rooms ending in 05 - 11 good? I hope you are having a great time - is the weather good?

05-11 are good because they all directly face the lake.
The others may or may not face the lake, or they may face garden areas.
Units ending in 04 and 12 are corner units and have a lake view, but usually more of a direct garden view.
In building 4 units ending 01-04 and building 5 units ending 11-15 face a parking ramp.

Weather has been outstanding - in the upper 70's and low 80's. But a few cooler days are coming up now.

Blues · Feb 8, 2008

Thanks much, John! Always great to have a first-hand account. Have a magical time!

chesterbhoy · Feb 9, 2008

In building 1 and 2 - From memory unit 01 is a two bedroom unit (king & 2 queens), unit 02 is a studio lock-out to 01. Unit 03 is another two bedroom (2 kings) and unit 04 is a lock-out studio to 04.

Views are not great as either the car park, gardens or adjacent building......but we spend so little time in the unit during the day not really an issue.

Cant wait to return in on 20th Dec 08......hopefully all building works complete or workers on holiday!

suekap · Feb 9, 2008

It is important for us to have the guest bedroom with 2 queens in it, so I guess my first request better be that. I did not realize until just now that some rooms have 2 queens, I thought they all had a king and sleeper sofa in the guest room. Thanks for the info.

Blues · Feb 9, 2008

Yes, it's a bit strange how HGVC lists the 2BR units on their reservations page on their web site. When I made our reservation, they listed both types of 2BR units -- one with two full size beds in the 2nd BR, one with a king. Then for a while they only listed one type of 2BR, without specifying the type of beds. Now I see they're again listing both types, and showing that the one with a king is a lockoff with its own kitchenette.

My reservation confirmation only specifies 2BR, though I explicitly reserved the one with a king bed in the 2nd BR. I plan to call about 2 weeks before to confirm the type and location of unit I'll have.

Note however that they list the one with two beds as having full size beds, not queen size. I haven't been there yet, so I can't confirm. But if you call to ask for a specific unit, you should confirm the type of bed. For myself, I'd have a hard time being comfortable on a full size bed.

suekap · Feb 9, 2008

I traded into HGVC, so can I still call the property to request what type of beds or get information?

Blues · Feb 9, 2008

Can't hurt to call and ask. According to this thread, it sounds like they prioritize direct rentals (to try to get a sale), then members, then exchanges. But I suspect it depends on which clerk you talk to.

I asked for recommendations on who to call in this thread, and a TUGger gave me a direct number. I love TUG :clap:

suekap · Feb 9, 2008

Does the guest bedroom have one queen or a king bed and a pull out sofa?

chesterbhoy · Feb 10, 2008

We have stayed in two types of 2BR unit.

1. Master bedroom had king bed and whirlpool bath, second bedroom had two "double" beds and in the open plan lounge/kitchen there was a pull-out "double" sofa.

2. Master bedroom with king/whirlpool and in lounge/kitchen there was a pull out sofa. The guest room was a self contained lock-out unit, with a king bed, bathroom and small kitchen area (microwave/kettle/fridge).

suekap · Feb 10, 2008

Wow, I thought if the guest bedroom had a king bed it also had a pull out. I better call a couple of weeks before so I am certain what I have. I might have to bring an air mattress.

HGVC - I Drive

suekap

dvc_john

abc31

TUG Review Crew

suekap

chesterbhoy

Blues

TUG Review Crew

dvc_john

dvc_john

suekap

dvc_john

dvc_john

suekap

dvc_john

Blues

TUG Review Crew

chesterbhoy

suekap

Blues

TUG Review Crew

suekap

Blues

TUG Review Crew

suekap

chesterbhoy

suekap