We just got back from a 5 night stay at the Dolphin and Wow! It was awesome! DH and I stayed there ten years ago pre-kids. We stayed at the Swan in 2017.
I will say that I was super nervous about staying there because since the Marriott takeover we haven’t had much luck with Sheratons. I was also reading TripAdvisor reviews, and a lot of them were scathing. I was actually almost dreading the stay.
I was there for a work conference and booked the no view plain room. I was upgraded to a view of Hollywood Studios in the West wing. It was an excellent location- close to pool, dining, buses, etc. The room was surprisingly spacious and clean (I’m super super nitpicky about cleanliness!) We had one issue with a stained shower curtain and they fixed it right away.
I waived housekeeping (opted for the points but I haven’t seen them yet), but I used the Bonvoy app to ask for towels and sheets a couple of times. It was so easy and efficient!
We only ate at Picabu but the nachos were amazing! It was pricey but not more so than any other area resort restaurant, and I would say that the quality was better than the Disney resort quick services. The people who worked there too were so friendly and welcoming!
The pool was huge yet nice and relaxing!
They had Christmas music playing and it was so fun and festive! My heart was full of Christmas Spirit!
The location can not be beat! We wound up scrapping some fast passes and plans to hang out on the boardwalk and explore the lobbies of the neighboring hotels. That is not our typical touring style at all, so it says a lot about the location that we didn’t that. So fun and relaxing! The friendship boats are super easy and the drivers on there were entertaining.
A few imperfections I’ll note...none of these are cause not to stay there by any means, just figured I’d list what would make it absolute perfection...
-The WiFi was spotty especially in the conference facilities which I found surprising
- the full sized beds were a bit to get used to
- some of the signage isn’t great so it was easy to get lost
- the bathroom door is a pain like most hotels. You had to bathe with it open in order to be able to get in and out and of the shower
Again, none of these are true “Cons” to the resort. Just imperfections that I noted.
Overall, I was so happy with our stay and can’t wait to go back! I’m having major withdrawal now back at work.
I even got a message from lost and found that we left something in the room (idk what it is yet), but I thought that was such a thoughtful touch!