Solara Resort

We've just returned from 2 weeks here. 5 adults, me, my husband, our 2 late teen daughters and my mother. We booked a 4 bedroom townhouse and got more than we expected. This actually sleeps 8 people. We were in 2166 Cooper Bell Place. I'm glad we didn't take notice of some of the poor reviews. We booked with Virgin in the UK, so perhaps this has some bearing on the type of property you're allocated. The resort seems to be a broad mix of holiday rentals, ownership/clubhouse, so it likely depends heavily on who you book via, what quality villa/townhouse you receive. The resort is split over 2 sites. We (semi unfortunately) weren't on the main side where the community pool, bar grill and gym were. We wanted to use the gym every other day but in Florida heat, it required a very short car journey across the large 4-lane 2 way road to the other side of the resort. Must note, this didn't spoil our opinion overall, not going to the gym is hardly a holiday ruiner! We could've walked it if it was that important to us. Each house has wifi and rubbish is collected daily. There was no housekeeping service, but we knew this and didn't expect or want it, we wanted to be left alone and go at our own pace. OUR TOWNHOUSE Was huge! A 4-bedroom 2 floor villa basically. Very roomy entrance, wide staircase. First large double bedroom was on the ground floor, 2 bedside drawer sets and one huge chest of drawers, plus a semi walk-in closet with stacks of hanging, and own (separate) bathroom. Huge master bedroom upstairs with double sink en suite, large walk-in shower and private WC, large walk-in closet, large chest of drawers and 2 bedside drawer sets. A further 2 twin bedrooms upstairs with own bathrooms and ample storage and hanging, most we've ever had in a hotel or apartment/villa. All bedrooms have very large LG TVs with Netflix, Prime etc. All bathrooms have a proper hairdryer in under sink cupboards, but not all of them have a styling nozzle. One had a nozzle, one had a diffuser, the other 2 had no attachments but were otherwise great. The ground floor is tiled, and carpeted from the stairs up. Downstairs, the main living area is open plan (perfect for us), with a huge very comfy corner sofa, ample space for us all to sit comfortably, and a separate chair around a coffee table and large wall mounted LG TV with Netflix, Prime, all other apps. Dining area has a large table with 8 chairs. Kitchen is huge with large island and 4 breakfast chairs. Cooker, dishwasher, microwave, coffee machine, large fridge/freezer with ice/water dispenser, toaster, double sink in island with food waste mascerator. All utensils and pots, pans etc stored in endless cupboard space. Some utensils were clearly very cheaply bought (wine bottle opener was very bendy) but overall absolutely fine. Oh and a slow cooker too and a food blender, perfect for making smoothies etc. Townhouses have a splash pool. This was bigger than we expected, and when we saw some of the villa pools when pass

So firstly this is a review on the villa we had . 1509 Carey palm resort. On the Solara resort . When booking I found it impossible to get reviews on villas and that’s because lots of different management companies and private owners rent them out therefore you get good and bad reviews . I have put a separate review on the clubhouse which we thought nice but it doesn’t have a lazy river . Our holiday booking was made in the uk at a Hays travel agents and they use US Airtours . We flew with airlingus and that was ok . US airtours cancelled our booking at championsgate very short notice which was very annoying and this resort is smaller with less facilities. Location for us going to universal was too far out and inconvenient and the traffics bad all the time . This is my main reason for the lower score . If your doing Disney only then your in a better location staying here . The feel of the whole resort is lovely the streets and gardens are spotless as is clubhouse . It’s very quiet and peaceful lovely pretty planting and we felt safe and secure . We heard a few kids jumping in the pools around laughing playing and their entitled to have fun on holiday and this was only occasionally. Odd time we heard adults talking and music playing but nothing that disturbed us we felt all our surrounding guests were respectful of others . We had a 5 bedroom townhouse . Large bedroom on the lower floor . 2 upper doubles and 2 upper twins . Doubles had their own bathrooms and there s a seperate bathroom with a bath . Laundry room upstairs . Fully fitted kitchen with dishwasher plenty of utensils for cooking everything worked . The 5 of us had plenty of space . The fan air con we didn’t think enitially it would be cold enough but it was . The pool June/July was small but ok for our needs didn’t need heating . 2 out door sun lounges and a table chairs . It was overall clean and tidy but just needs a little TLC in places . The sofas we reported and they did come out to look but they are broken and need replacing and the dirt down the sides had been like that a long time . Only one air dryer worked so ladies I suggest bring one . The walls carpets little stained in places nothing too bad I guess they get a lot of wear on these rentals . The pool area needs a little ****ing in places . None of these things were big spoilers just the location for us . Plenty of hanging and drawer space in the bedrooms all with TVs Netflix. Oh and a helpful Alexa in the living area . WiFi connects easy but drops out sometimes . If you put your bin bags in the boxes at the front door then they’re regularly collected if you put them out front . We had to report odd thing to maintenance but they acted quick . I was dreading coming after seeing some of the reviews . It’s a lovely resort very quiet felt safe . Would be handy if they had an on-site shop selling more essential s. But the villa we had was really nice tbf . Pity they put cheap fake leather sofas in and don’t