Deluxe resort losing a star?

[CRO-Magnum]

A little 5-star history for those interested...

I heard from a friend of mine who works at one of the resorts that one of the deluxe resorts might be losing a star rating. Right now I believe the Poly, Contemporary, and the Grand Floridian are all 5 star resorts and she said she was told one of them was in the process of being demoted by one star. Anyone heard about this?:veryconfu

...in the Grand Floridian. As has been pointed out none of the Disney resorts are 5-star properties. The one shot Disney took at 5-star rating was with with the Grand Floridian in 1990 while I was working at CRO. To attain 5-star rating (I believe it was Conde Nast doing the rating) you need to have, among other things, live music in the lobby, fresh cut flowers in the rooms, robes for guest use, a certain minimum square footage for each room, concierge service, 24hr room service, full service restaurant of 5-star rating (Victoria and Albert's of course), etc. However the rating is subjective enabling alot of fudge room for the judges.

The GF went through the validation process twice and failed both times. Disney was told (or at least we were told) that due to the distance a guest may have to travel to get to their room and Disney's plan to add a large convention center, the hotel would not receive a 5-star rating. What Disney realized is that 5-star means small, not necessarily well appointed, and therefore gave up on getting the rating realizing their future was in large scale hotels. Children were never listed as a reason however it could have been an alterior motive for sure.

That's pretty much the end of the story.

 

[col]

i agree that its irrelevant having stars or diamonds put a hotel into ratings.
for instance i have only stayed in value resorts on disney property and loved one (sports) as it had everything i wanted great themeing, everything about it i loved and didnt want to leave where as i have visited deluxe resorts and have got the feeling that it wouldnt be the same as the value resorts -which are my faves for reasons being that even though the theming is great they just dont feel like disney to me. i mean dont get me wrong i want to stay in the CR only so i can see wishes from my room but apart from that all you are paying for is closeness to parks, more comfort, maybe a bigger room, more amneties and great views:

AKL: animals in there own savannah
CR: views of poly, GF, MK and DI
GF: MK and poly
poly: MK views, GF and TTC

EPCOT resorts: fireworks everynight and views of boardwalk,yacht and beach,swan and dolphin.

dont get me wrong i would like to experience staying in a deluxe resort but they are too expensive and if a single person is going then the price rises higher ie a single person supplement.

i like many other people only use a resort room for sleeping, showering, and resting apart from that i am out in the parks all day and come in late at night.

the 7 star hotel in dubai has a tennis court on the roof!

 

[ThreeCircles]

For me, stars are irrelevent. I've stayed in non-Disney 5 star hotels that dont even compare to a stay at a Disney value or moderate.

All the Disney resorts are top notch places to stay, and they can be ranked either 1 star, or 100 stars, it makes no difference.

How relevent are the star rating to people? Do you even consider it? For me, a personal recommendation, or a previous stay counts far more.

Well said!

 

[LiveInOrlando]

You would be amazed as to what is really taken into account for gaining/losing stars. Most revolves around “little” things such as brand name items in the bathrooms and specific brands of linen for bedding and bath towels. Of course the hotel/resort and staff must be great too.

 

[LiveInOrlando]

This web page explains the ratings well. http://travel.travelocity.com/hotel/QualityRating.do

 

[clarkstallings]

Disney has nice hotels, but, I stayed at Ritz-Carlton this weekend and even with a room rate less than a standard room at GF, BC, YC, or BW, the service was still immensely better. My experience has always been that high end luxury hotels still beat Disney deluxe hotels service wise.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Disney has nice hotels, but, I stayed at Ritz-Carlton this weekend and even with a room rate less than a standard room at GF, BC, YC, or BW, the service was still immensely better. My experience has always been that high end luxury hotels still beat Disney deluxe hotels service wise.

I think recently I would agree with that. However, I think that has to do with the training and pay. The more hotels that appear in an area (depending on the city's size, of course), the lower quality gets. Plus, competition is a HUGE factor, something Disney feels but not that greatly among its hotels.

 

[tirian]

I enjoy staying at various Disney hotels, but the only resort at which I've ever received 100% service was the Boardwalk. At every other resort, ranging from the Polynesian to the Pop Century, I've had problems getting towels, soap, toilet paper, room service, and refrigerators. I can see why their hotels don't always rank higher than off-property, smaller resorts. Nevertheless, I still consider Disney's hotels to be more comfortable and enjoyable than others at which I've stayed, including the Presidential Suite at one (non-Disney) hotel.

 

[lamarvenoy]

You can't capture or describe the feeling of staying at a Disney resort with a cheesey star or diamond system. Most people don't understand the Disney difference and certainly emmenities and atmosphere are important but give me a tower room overlooking the MK and I'd take that over any other room in the world. It is difficult to explain a feeling but I think most on this board would agree that magic is the closest word that applies.

 

[ryguy]

IMO it only takes one night in an off property hotel to realize the magic of a disney resort.

I think that pretty much sums up this whole discussion. Well said Cowboibabyy.

 

[Ivan72]

I think that pretty much sums up this whole discussion. Well said Cowboibabyy.

Amen

 

[Debbie]

.

How relevent are the star rating to people? Do you even consider it? For me, a personal recommendation, or a previous stay counts far more.

Hi Steve! I do consider the diamonds when going to unfamiliar territory. With hurricane evacuations, finding a hotel room can be quite a challenge. I would rather pitch a tent at a nice campground than stay in a flea-bag hotel. The only catch is you can't always go by this--------look at the hotels on US192. If you compare them having any diamonds at all vs. the Pop/All-Star diamonds (of only 2); the unsuspecting would never stay at Pop. Of course WE know better. The hotels I am really weary of most are the ComfortInns, Motel 8, and some Best Westerns, and Holiday Inns. If I drive past a hotel and the grounds are over-run by weeds and there is little landscaping; I tend not to recommend until I personally see the rooms.

 

[The Mom]

As mentioned by other posters, there are all sorts of "strange" amenities that go into the ratings. I remember reading that one factor was whether or not it was a platform bed. (ie, there was no way to get under the bed...apparently, that's a good thing. :lol: )

And I know that the robes are definitely an issue, along with top end toiletries. Also, the amount of time spent at check-in & check-out is a major factor. I know that at the Ritz, it was less than 10 minutes from door to room. (My husband timed it. )

As mentioned, it's very difficult for big resorts to provide all of the services needed, and many of the "required" services are not noted or appreciated by the average guest, but add considerably to the operations cost.

Most people who go to top end resorts are there for the hotel and the amenities it offers, and spend most of their time on the hotel grounds (hotel beach, golf course, tennis courts, pools, spas, restaurants, etc); people at WDW are there primarily for the parks and generally (there are always exceptions) spend little time in the hotel itself.

 

[ZapperZ]

The Ritz does not have their room attendants fold wash towels into cute little creatures, or arrange your stuffed animals in such a way as if they've been up to some mischief with the toilet roll while you were gone!



Zz.

 

[The Mom]

The Ritz does not have their room attendants fold wash towels into cute little creatures, or arrange your stuffed animals in such a way as if they've been up to some mischief with the toilet roll while you were gone!



Zz.

Maybe not, but I can lie on the beach, and all I have to do is raise that little flag and a frozen Margarita will appear. :lol:

 

[righttrack]

In the US there really is no single source of star ratings, so they are all subjective. Star ratings are not typically a good-better-best kind of rating, but rather, are indicative of the level services offered.

The only true, universal and international system is the Guide Michelen though they do not rate everything.

 

[Edeyore]

I hate to put a negative spin on Disney resorts, I mean as far as atmosphere they are above any other hotels I have stayed in, but the last time I stayed at the Polynesian, there was an old beer can under the corner of the bed spread, on the floor, (yes, they have platform beds), and there were cobwebs all over the bamboo over the windows. I spoke with the front desk and they said they would take care of it, but it wasn't until the next day. You want 5 stars or diamonds you are going to have to do better than that.

 

[Richie248]

My rule is...when going to Disney...stay at Disney. Stars certainly don't matter. When I travel to other cities (such as NYC) stars and ratings play a large factor.

 

[tink81]

The problem with the star ratings is, (in the USA) they aren't given by any central authority. A hotel with a star rating typically means AAA hasn't reviewed it yet. The hotel will consult AAA guidelines and assign themselves stars depending on what they think they deserve.
[EDIT]-- If the hotel specifies "Mobil Stars" then those are rewarded by a similar authority to AAA.

Hey Slosh, I hope I can clear some fo this up. Each year, AAA/CAA's professional staff of 65 Tourism Editors evaluate more than 54,000 lodging and dining establishments throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, as well as campgrounds and attractions. Establishments that meet AAA/CAA member travel needs and provide the highest member value are selected for listing in AAA/CAA's travel publications and AAA.com, and assigned a rating from one to five diamonds. The diamond ratings represent a combination of the overall quality, the range of facilities, physical attributes, and level of services offered by an establishment.
But before an establishment is given the coveted seal of approval by AAA/CAA, it must first meet the member-driven requirements outlined in the Rating Requirements & Diamond Rating Guidelines booklets. These booklets are revised periodically to reflect AAA/CAA member expressed needs, AAA/CAA Club input, industry standards, and the trained, professional experience of AAA/CAA tourism editors. The Diamond Rating Guidelines are established by a board of representatives from leading hotel industries such as Hilton, Hyatt, Ritz-Carlton and a few from Walt Disney Company.

I can assure you that no hotel assigns their own Diamond rating. Inspectors visit every hotel that expresses an interest and assign a Diamond rating as they see fit. AAA, like Disney and other major companies, is very protective of its brand and would never allow any entity to associate itself with AAA unless it was up to the proper standards.

Anyways, that is how the Diamond rating process works and I hope I have helped the OP, in some way!

Your AAA Ambassador,
Ashlee

 

[tink81]

If you compare them having any diamonds at all vs. the Pop/All-Star diamonds (of only 2); the unsuspecting would never stay at Pop. Of course WE know better. The hotels I am really weary of most are the ComfortInns, Motel 8, and some Best Westerns, and Holiday Inns. If I drive past a hotel and the grounds are over-run by weeds and there is little landscaping; I tend not to recommend until I personally see the rooms.

Well, here is what 2 Diamonds means in the AAA Diamond Rating Guide:

"These establishments appeal to the traveler seeking more than the basic accomodations. Properties are multifacited with a distinguished style, including marked upgrades in the quality of physical attributes, amenities and level of comfort provided."

Let's put it this way: a two Diamond rating is nothing to shake a stick at, to even be inspected for a Diamond rating takes more than just a phone call. I would say, that if you would like to encounter the same level of cleanliness, hospitality and amenities at non-Disney hotels that 2 Diamonds is more than a safe bet.
I know what you mean with the sketchy-looking hotels, and if I can't find them listed in my AAA Tour Book, I don't chance it!