Conference Planning Help Needed ! - Hotel Suggestions?

Greetings -

I am to select a resort and plan a conference in the Orlando Area (Disney or Universal area)for 3 nights March 2007.

Our audience is approximately 180 high end business men and women.

We usually have our conferences in the D.C. area (Lowe%26#39;s or Mandarian Oriental) in the Fall of 2004 we held our conference at the Royal Pacific ($169/room) and it was WONDERFUL!

I have been told by my board of directors to check hotels like the Gaylord Palms and Disney properties. I have heard that the Contemporary Resort can accomodate us for ($219/room)but the TRIP ADVISOR reviews have me very concerned. The property appears to be run down.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Ritz Carlton, Hyatt, Gaylord Palms, or just stick with an old favorite - Royal Pacific?

Only a few of our attendees will actually bring their families but the transportation to the local parks (bus or boat or railcar) are always a plus.

Thanks for any tips you may have -

Conference Planning Help Needed ! - Hotel Suggestions?

The Gaylord Palms would be very nice. I haven%26#39;t been inside the Gaylord in Orlando, but visited the one in Nashville and it is really something. Like a small city under a roof. Although I don%26#39;t know if they have transportation to any of the parks.

I have never stayed at any of the following, but the Yacht and Beach Club gets rave reviews on this site. You might also want to check out the Dolphin or Swan which have transportation to Disney parks.

Conference Planning Help Needed ! - Hotel Suggestions?

SuperSteelers,

The Ritz Carlton is very nice, secluded and perhaps ideal for a conference and, also, expensive. The only disadvantage, in my opinion, is that if you want to visit the attractions or other restaurants, then location could be aproblem.

There is a beautiful Marriott hotel on Hwy.536 which, together with The Peabody on International Drive could, perhaps, be better options. Also the Reinassance Hotel on Sea Harbor Dr. near Sea World would be another one to consider.

These hotels will provide transportation to the parks but a fee would probably apply.

If you want to be closer to WDW then the you might have a better choice making your reservation through Disney as you will have a wider range of hotel offer from moderate to very expensive. And you are right, the Contemporary hotel is no longer what it used to be. For more info. visit www.disney.com.

PELUCH

Hi we stayed at the Buena Vista Palace last year and they held a couple of conferences when we were there, the breakfast looked lovely. The hotel is opposite down town disney, just a suggestion it might give you another option.

Marriott Orlando World Center has the largest conference facilities in the area, but often plays host to VERY large groups, so your gang of 180 will be small potatoes. This is now a mega-hotel with over 2,000 rooms.

For high end gatherings like that in a classy atmosphere I would suggest the Hyatt Grand Cypress Resort. It has full resport facilities, like the Marrioott Orlando World Center, but is a managable size with great recational facilities. Many doctor%26#39;s associations meet here. [I was dealing with one group during a stay and figured I was better off there than in an emergency room!]

I%26#39;ve stayed at both and they have easy access to Disney. The Hyatt is a mite closer to Universal. Both have extensive grounds and golf plus excellent pools.

The Renassiance Seaworld is also a good choice. A resort rather than an ordinary hotel with easy access to I-Drive, Seaworld, Disney and Universal. Not stayed, but visited and it%26#39;s more than worth a look.

Peabody and other places in I-Drive are mostly city style hotels and not at all my choice for Orlando. No extensive grounds and rather ordinary business hotels.

The Buena Vista Palace is in the process of a remodel and is maybe a 3*, but is just across the street from DTD. Not a good choice for execs.

The JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton Resorts at Grande Lakes are well away from the parks and you really would nee cars to get around. Both great choices, but do consider location.

The Swan or the Dolphin are also worth a look. I%26#39;ve attended meetings but not stayed at either, though those who have really liked them, though I do believe one has been upgraded and the other has not so is rather worn.

Just some thoughts. I picked the kind of places I expect when attending such a meeting myself. Hope it helps.

If you want Universal instead of Disney how about the Hard Rock Hotel or the Portifino? They are both Loews hotels. Otherwise inside Disney at the monorail resorts would be great.

Both the Boardwalk and the Yacht and Beach Club have lovely convention facilities. Have you considered those? If you go to disneymeetings.disney.go.com you can find out about all the meeting facilities property wide. The Dolphin also has very nice convention facilities.

The Contemporary is just finishing up a massive remodeling (which can account for some of the less than stellar reviews). The rooms there will be wonderful when they are finished. So don%26#39;t go by the pictures that show the wild and crazy color scheme. The new rooms are in beiges and browns, with a slightly Asian influence, flat panel televisions, and totally redone bathrooms. You can see some of the pictures and read a nice article about it on the Orlando Sentinel website. The new rooms were designed specifically with convention attendees in mind.

As you are planning the meeting, make sure you find out about the special convention attraction tickets that are available. Disney, Universal and Sea World all have special half day tickets available for convention attendees and their immediate families. The tickets are for admission after 2pm until closing, and typically run close to half the price of a full day ticket. Access to these tickets typically has to be arranged in advance by the meeting planner directly through the attractions.

THANK YOU! Everyone%26#39;s post have been extremely helpful. This is a high end group and I will now be saved from some disappointments.

I am going to make some appointments with several area hotel%26#39;s sales groups and check them out.

Thanks Friends!

Hyatt Grand Cypress - Peabody - Gaylord Palms

Hyatt - very close to Disney with transportation. Equestrian center, golf course too many activities to list, gorgeous property and pool area open 24 hours.

Peabody - on International Drive. Very nice property. Many places to walk to on I Drive to eat, shop, etc. Upscale hotel. Famous Peabody Ducks.

Gaylord Palms - outside of Disney near US192. Beautiful property, newest of the three resorts.

If there are going to be families with children I%26#39;d suggest the Hyatt. Much more children friendly and tons of activities offered for kids and adults. Beautiful resort and many more choices for entertainment, restaurants and activities.