Unbelievable Windemere Condos: Your Dream Vacation Awaits!
Unbelievable Windemere Condos: My Dream Vacation…With a Few Hiccups! (Honest Review!)
Okay, so let's cut the crap. "Unbelievable Windemere Condos: Your Dream Vacation Awaits!" is what the brochure says. And you know what? They're mostly right. This place is… well, it's something. And I mean that in a good way. Buckle up, buttercups, because you’re about to get the real lowdown.
First things first: Accessibility. Yeah, it's mentioned. I'm not wheelchair-bound myself, but I appreciate a thoughtfully designed space. Windemere claims accessibility (and I'll get into the specifics below), though it feels more like they're trying to be accessible than actually nailing it. More on that later.
The Good Stuff (Oh boy, the good stuff!)
Let's dive into the things that truly made this a "dream vacation" experience. Or at least, a really, really pleasant one.
The Views (and the Pool with View!): HOLY MOLY. Seriously, the view. The picture on the website? It doesn't do it justice. I spent a good hour just staring out the window when I first arrived, jaw slack, feeling like I'd walked into a travel magazine. The outdoor pool? Yeah, it's perched up there, like a blue infinity mirror reflecting the sky. Absolutely breathtaking. Swimming with that view? Pure bliss. I seriously considered moving in permanently right then and there.
The Spa (and the Sauna!): Oh, the spa. I’m a sucker for a good massage, and the one I got was phenomenal. Deeper than I’d ever had. I was practically purring. The sauna was… well, it was a sauna. Hot, sweaty, and exactly what you need after a long day of… well, doing nothing. There's also a steamroom, if that's your jam. (Not mine, I like the dry heat!)
The "Things to Do" (and the "Ways to Relax" – a little of both): Alright, so I'm not one for constant activity on vacation. I like a bit of downtime. Windemere gets that. The Fitness Center is surprisingly well-equipped (although, I’ll be honest, I mostly used it to justify all the food I was consuming. See: below). And then there's the general vibe of relaxation. From what I could tell, a lot of people were at ease and there. They had a body scrub and body wrap available too which is definitely my kinda thing. I didn't try them personally, but the pamphlet looked tempting. Also, big bonus points for the foot bath. Now that's a touch of class!
The Rooms (and the Free Wi-Fi!): The condos themselves are gorgeous. Spacious, well-appointed, and with all the amenities you could want. The air conditioning worked like a charm (essential!). The bed was ridiculously comfortable (Extra long bed? Yes, please!), and the blackout curtains were a lifesaver against the morning sun (especially with all those late nights at the bar). Plus, and this is crucial in the modern world, free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank you, Windemere, for acknowledging that we're all addicted. And speaking of rooms… they are all non-smoking (phew!).
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (A Seriously Good Time): Food is important. Very important. And Windemere delivers.
- The Restaurants: They have a few! They had Asian cuisine, International cuisine and Western cuisine, so you couldn't get bored and I personally like all three.
- The Breakfast: Breakfast [buffet]. It was good. The Asian breakfast was especially a hit! The coffee/tea in restaurant was a life saver as well.
- The Bar (and the Poolside Bar!): Cocktails by the pool? Yes, please. A well-made margarita while gazing out at the view? Divine. The happy hour deals were pretty sweet as well!
- Room Service [24-hour]: For the late-night munchies, bless them for this.
- Snack bar: For a quick bite on the move.
The "Could Be Better" Stuff (Let's be real, shall we?)
Alright, let's get down to what could be improved. Because, hey, no place is perfect.
- Accessibility - The Reality Check: While Windemere says they're accessible, it felt like a half-hearted effort in some areas. The ramp into the building was nice, and the elevator was appreciated. But navigating the interior sometimes felt a bit tight, and I got the impression there weren’t many facilities for disabled guests. This is an area where Windemere could really shine with some more investment. Please, Windemere - do better!
- The Internet (and its annoyances): The free Wi-Fi was a godsend. But the internet access-LAN was a mixed bag. Sometimes it was blazing fast. Other times, it was slower than a snail on molasses. Minor inconvenience, but definitely worth noting.
- The Details & the Weird Bits:
- Limited convenience store - didn’t feature every item I looked for, so that’s a downer there.
- No pets allowed - I don’t have any so it doesn’t affect me, but some people may want to bring their furry friend.
- Room decorations: I’m not saying I’m a minimalist, but some rooms were a bit… cluttered.
- Invoice provided: This is very important for business travelers, and other types of travelers as well.
Cleanliness and Safety (Important Stuff!)
Okay, I need to feel safe and clean. Windemere did a pretty solid job here - it's a priority.
- They had anti-viral cleaning products AND seemed to follow the daily disinfection in common areas guidelines. Bonus points for the hand sanitizer readily available.
- Rooms sanitized between stays.
- They have smoke detectors AND fire extinguishers.
- CCTV in common areas AND CCTV outside property.
- The security [24-hour].
I feel safe and am satisfied with the cleaning and safety measures in place.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things Count!)
- The concierge was super helpful, always ready with recommendations.
- Daily housekeeping meant a consistently tidy room. (Though I'm not sure where the mess I made went.)
- Cash withdrawal available.
- The elevator was a lifesaver (stairs are the enemy!).
- Luggage storage was much appreciated.
- Dry cleaning.
Dining, Eating, and Snacking - Really Good Options!
Let's be honest, I was at the eating part of the trip constantly.
- A la carte in restaurant available.
- Alternative meal arrangement was great for different tastes.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant was a life saver.
- Desserts in restaurant - I had my share of these.
- Salad in restaurant - if you can eat salad and be healthy!
- Soup in restaurant.
- Vegetarian restaurant - great for those who don't eat meat.
- All the restaurants, bars, and other dining options were incredible.
For the Kids (My observations, since I don't have any!)
I noticed a lot of families there.
- Babysitting service seemed to be available - that's great.
- Family/child friendly is for the kids.
- Kids facilities were available which kids like.
- Kids meal was an option for the kids.
Getting Around
- They offer airport transfer.
- They have bicycle parking.
- Car park [free of charge] AND Car park [on-site].
- Taxi service.
- Valet parking.
Available in all rooms
- Air conditioning, and it worked.
- Alarm clock.
- Bathrobes.
- Bathroom phone.
- Bathtub.
- Blackout curtains.
- Closet.
- Coffee/tea maker.
- Complimentary tea.
- Daily housekeeping.
- Desk.
- Extra long bed.
- Free bottled water.
- Hair dryer.
- High floor.
- In-room safe box.
- Interconnecting room(s) available.
- Internet access – LAN.
- Internet access – wireless.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on a journey… a journey inside my head while I try to plan this blasted vacation at Windemere Condominiums. Wyndham Vacation Rentals, they called it. Sounds fancy, right? Let's see if it can live up to the hype (and my crippling anxiety about leaving the house).
Trip: Windemere Wanderlust - Destination: Kissimmee, Florida (Shudder)
Dates: October 27th - November 3rd (Dear God, is it really THAT soon?)
Phase 1: The Pre-Trip Panic - (AKA: Will I survive this? Probably not, but let's pretend.)
Week before departure: OMG, did I remember to… everything? Passports? (Check, thankfully. Still traumatized by the "lost at sea" passport debacle of '08.) Sunscreen? (Probably expired, will need to buy a new bottle the size of a small child, and maybe wear a hazmat suit.) And the BIG ONE…the packing? (Shudders dramatically. Where do I even begin? Do I need a "vacation wardrobe" or just… clothes? This is a major life decision, folks.)
Days before: Checking weather obsessively. Currently predicting a hurricane. Perfect. Just what I needed to fuel the already raging fires of my travel anxiety. Thinking of canceling. Just kidding…maybe. Reading reviews. "The pool was too crowded." "The coffee maker exploded." Oh, joy. This is gonna be great. Start to mentally rehearse my escape plan (should that hurricane actually hit.)
Day of Departure (or Trying to Remember to Pack):
- Morning meltdown, where the reality that leaving starts to dawn.
- Clothes everywhere, a half-eaten bagel, and the vague feeling that I've forgotten something crucial, like… my kidneys.
- The Packing Odyssey: Honestly, packing is the seventh circle of Hell. Everything needs to "fit" – a concept that seems entirely foreign to my luggage. Overthinking every garment choice, weighing the pros and cons of a sequined kaftan versus a sensible, beige linen shirt for the pool. (I am tempted, let's be honest.) Eventually, I end up with a suitcase that looks like a bomb went off inside a Gap outlet, and the vague hope that TSA won't hate me.
- Food prep: Gotta have snacks! Cereal bars, trail mix, and maybe a sneaky chocolate bar. Because, you know, emergencies.
- A Real-World Moment: Ran into my neighbor, Mrs. Henderson, in the parking lot. She took one look at my suitcase and sagged, "Oh honey, going on vacation, are ya? Well, at least it's after the hurricane season… hopefully." And then, just as my spirit hit the ground, she added, "Don't forget the doggie treats for the gators!" (She's got a wicked sense of humor, that one.) Panic and then laughter. Yup, the trip is going to be a rollercoaster.
Phase 2: The Voyage - (AKA, surviving the travel.)
October 27th - Travel Day - The Great Escape
- Morning: Final frantic check of every single thing, convinced I left either my passport, my phone, or my sanity somewhere behind.
- The Airport Ritual: Ugh, airports. The smells, the crowds, the soul-crushing airport seating. I'm a mess. Security? Praying I don't set off any alarms and have to endure the dreaded pat-down.
- The Flight (Hopefully a smooth one…): Find a comfy seat (a lie) and try to distract myself from the fact that I'm encased in a metal tube hurtling through the sky. Entertainment: A book I probably won't read, a few downloaded podcasts, and a desperate hope I don't have to sit next to a screaming baby.
- Arrival in Kissimmee: The humidity hits you like a wall. Immediately start sweating. Find the rental car (pray it's not a death trap) and get to Wyndham Windemere.
- The Check-In Debacle: Navigate the check-in process without accidentally setting off the fire alarm. (Happened once. Don't ask.) Fingers crossed the room matches the photos online (and the bed isn't a lumpy rock).
- Early evening: Collapse on the sofa. Take a deep breath. I HAVE ARRIVED!
- Dinner: Hit up the local grocery store, pray I haven't forgotten anything at all.
- Bed: Try to sleep. Hard, with all the thoughts and worries.
Day 2, October 28th: The Pool Predicament
- Morning: Wake up! The day starts at the pool. Hopefully, it's not too crowded. I have a very specific idea about my pool persona: Lazing in the sun with a book and a drink (virgin, of course. Gotta stay hydrated). The reality? Probably a battle for a sun lounger, a rogue toddler splashing in my face, and a sunburn.
- The Pool Experience:
- The Sun Lounger Wars: Arrive ready to battle for a sun lounger. Find a spot (miracle).
- Reading (Attempt #1): Crack open my book. Get distracted by the incessant chatter. Decide I'd rather people-watch.
- The Drink Dilemma: Order a fruity beverage. Spill half of it down my front. (Classic.)
- The People Theater: Witnessing the drama. Kids screaming. Couples arguing (the silent ones are more alarming!) The occasional rogue water balloon.
- The Burn: Realize I haven't put on sunscreen. Apply a thick layer, looking like I've been attacked by marshmallows.
- Afternoon: Explore the condo complex. Maybe a walk. Maybe a nap.
- Evening: Dinner at some restaurant in the vicinity. Praying it's good. Hoping the waitress isn't rude.
Day 3, October 29th: Theme Park Terror (and Triumph?) - Walt Disney world
- Morning: The "Magical" Struggle:
- Waking up Early: No matter how hard I try, I'm a morning person, so early is a pain.
- Park Prep Chaos: Reviewing park maps, downloading the app, and arguing with myself over what to wear. Deciding on the most comfortable shoes is the most important part, maybe the only part.
- The Parking Predicament: The parking lot is terrifying. Hope and pray not to miss the whole park.
- The Disney Experience:
- The Crowds: The line. Everywhere. Prepare for the long lines and the constant sense of being a sardine.
- The Rides: So much thrill and excitement.
- The Food: The prices are insane. Buy all of the food.
- The Show: Watch the fireworks, embrace the magic, and try to remember why you're here in the first place.
- The Emotional Rollercoaster:
- Happy moments: Watching the kids' faces light up. Catching a spontaneous show. Making unforgettable memories.
- Stressed moments: The long lines, the crowds, the heat, the constant need to go to the bathroom (seriously, why are there not enough bathrooms?)
- Late Evening: Leave the park, exhausted, overheated, and probably with a sugar rush.
- Dinner: Find some take-out, crawl to the condo, and collapse into bed.
- Morning: The "Magical" Struggle:
Day 4, October 30th: Retail Therapy & Restaurant Roulette:
- Morning: Suffer from major Disney fatigue. Realize I need to buy something. Anything.
- Shopping Spree: Find a shopping plaza. Window shop? Maybe. Buy some "necessities" like a new pair of sunglasses. Treat myself to a souvenir that I'll probably never use.
- Lunch: Find the best lunch spot.
- Afternoon nap: Enjoy the nap.
- Evening: The Restaurant Gamble: Trying a new restaurant. (Hoping it's good.) The food is either amazing or a total disaster.
Day 5, October 31st: The Water Park Whirlwind (If I'm Feeling Brave)
- Morning: If I'm feeling brave, it's water park time.
- The Water Park Fiasco:
- The Sunscreen Application: Need to reapply sunscreen.
- The Wait: The lines.
- The Swimming: The amount of splashing is mind-boggling.
- The Water: The water is cold. *
Unbelievable Windemere Condos: Your Dream Vacation… Maybe? Ask Away!
Okay, so... "Unbelievable" Windemere Condos? Seriously? What's the *real* story?
Alright, alright, settle down! The name's a bit... optimistic, I'll grant you that. Think "Unbelievable" like, “Wow, they actually have a working coffee maker!” Not necessarily "mind-blowing luxury at every corner." Look, I went there last year. Picture this: two screaming toddlers, a husband who’d forgotten how to use a map, and me, desperately needing a freaking vacation. Windemere? Well, it wasn't the disaster I'd prepared myself for. But it wasn't the brochure's promise of all-day champagne showers either. It's… a good starting point. Think of it as a diamond in the rough… a *slightly* tarnished diamond. Seriously, I’d packed a whole suitcase dedicated to “disaster-proofing” the place. Turns out, the biggest disaster was the kids fighting over the last bag of goldfish crackers. Go figure!
Are the condos actually *on* the beach? Because the pictures… well, you know.
Yes! Mostly. Okay, so the *closest* ones are practically right on the sand. Those are probably pretty amazing, and honestly, I'm jealous. My unit? Let's just say a leisurely stroll across a parking lot, a scenic route through some palm trees (where I may or may not have tripped, face-first, while trying to take a picture), and *then* beach. It wasn't an issue, but the brochure’s photo angle? Masterful. Think of it as slightly exaggerated realism. I mean, hey, the beach was still there! Warm sand, crashing waves… the perfect backdrop for hiding from the aforementioned toddlers while pretending to read my book. Ah, paradise.
What about the amenities? Pool? Gym? Is there a *decent* coffee shop nearby? Because my husband is a *monster* before coffee.
Okay, amenities... they exist. There's a pool. It's… pool-shaped. Cleanish. More importantly, *kids* love it. Expect splashing. A lot of it. The gym? I saw it. It looked… gym-like. I, however, was on vacation, and "vacationing" included avoiding exercise like the plague. As for coffee? YES! There's a little cafe, a short drive away, that probably saved my marriage. They had REAL coffee, pastries that weren't stale, AND wi-fi. Bless those baristas. If that coffee shop closed I'd have to buy a house there. I actually almost did. My husband had a *major* withdrawal episode one time. I thought, "This is it. We're moving."
The reviews say the kitchen is well-equipped, what do you think?
Equipped? Hmm. Let me tell you about the kitchen. It had a fridge, yes. It had a stove, mostly. And a terrifyingly old microwave that I suspected may have been older than my *parents*. The blender? Fuggedaboutit. I envisioned making smoothies every morning, but the reality was a frantic search for a decent can opener because the one provided probably predated the invention of the wheel. But, and here's the crucial part, it had the *essentials*. Plates, cups, some pots and pans. I managed to cook basic meals. I wasn't aiming for Michelin-star quality; I was aiming for "surviving mealtime with two toddlers intact," and I succeeded! Maybe bring your own blender and a good can opener though. Seriously, don’t underestimate the can opener importance in a vacation situation! And don't forget your favorite spices and olive oil – the stuff they provide is probably older than the microwave!
Is it actually *clean*? Because let's be real... that's a MAJOR concern.
Clean? Okay, let’s be brutally honest here. It wasn't *spotless*. I found a stray sock under the sofa. And there was a mysterious stain on the carpet that I'm pretty sure I don't want to know the origin of. But, generally, yes. It was *acceptably* clean. The beds were made. The bathrooms were... usable. Look, I've stayed in places where you genuinely needed hazmat gear to enter. Windemere wasn't one of those. It's a good scrub down to get to the essentials. I did a quick wipe-down of the kitchen counters just because I'm a germaphobe. Also, for the love of all that is holy, bring your own disinfectant wipes! You'll thank me later.
About the Wi-Fi… the reviews are mixed, what's the lowdown?
Wi-Fi. Ah, the modern-day digital lifeline. I'll be straight with you: it was… temperamental. Like a grumpy teenager. Sometimes it worked flawlessly, allowing me to binge-watch terrible reality TV shows after the kids went to bed (don't judge!). Other times? Cranky. Slow. Non-existent. I learned to embrace the digital detox. Read a book. Actually *talk* to my husband (who I almost forgot existed). Watch the sunset. You know, all those things we say we *want* to do on vacation but never get around to? It was an opportunity, I swear. But also, maybe download some entertainment beforehand. And pray. A lot.
Were there any major issues or, you know, "disasters" I should be aware of?
Well, "disasters" is a strong word. The air conditioning made a noise like a dying walrus. The patio door was a bit tricky to open (I may have almost injured myself battling it). But the biggest "disaster"? The *seagulls*. Those feathered fiends! They are relentless. They will steal your food. They will poop on your car. They are the apex predators of vacation. Guard your pizza with your life! That's my major advice. Honestly, just… watch out for the seagulls. Seriously.
Would you go back? Be honest! (And sell me on it!)
Okay, deep breath. Would I go back? Yes. Absolutely. Despite the slightly dated decor, the temperamental Wi-Fi, and the dive-bombing seagulls of doom, I would. Because you know what? It was *relaxing*. It was convenient. It was a break from the everyday grind. It was a chance to reconnect with my family (even if that reconnection involved a lot of toddler-related drama). It's not perfection, far from it. But it was good. It got me out of the house. It got me to the beach. And, most importantly, it bought me a week of sanity. So, yeah. I'dInstant Hotel Search
