Westgate Vacation Villas Reviews & Ratings

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.

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.

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.

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.