Stayed July 17-20 with my wife and 2 kids (age 10 & 13).
Room: We selected a garden view that had 2 queen beds. Room was small and had more of a street view than garden. Inside the room was a table with 1 chair, a lounge chair, a TV and small refrig. There was a closet with iron and board next to a vanity area. The bathroom was small in size. There was an area in the back (outside) that had 2 lounge chairs. Depending on the size of your family, you might feel squeezed in as we did. The whole complex is one level, so no one above you!
Recommendations: If you want a "garden view, ask for one away from the street that actually looks over a pond or garden.
Parking: You park right next to your room. However, it costs $15 per day!
Grounds: Lots of flowers, trees, birds, ducks, ponds, fish and trash. For such a big, beautiful area, it's a shame that the grounds
are not kept up better. There were areas of trash in the ponds and even a dead duck. The duck was still there when we left! Some of the ponds smelled due to lack of moving water.
Pools: There's 5 pools in this complex. The "main" pool area is a sandy, beach like area surrounded by lots of lounge chairs. There's also a food/drink area for kids and adults. The problem here is that the pool is only 3 1/2 ft deep. This is great for small kids to maybe 7. If you want to actually swim, this area won't work. There's also a jucuzzi.
The other "heated pools" include:
>An adults area only. Nice pool and jucuzzi, but not for kids
>The "waterfall" pool was great for my kids. Heated and 8ft deep.
Activities: 18 hole, min golf ($9 per person), bike rentals ($10-$20per hr). There's a marina that has sailboats, motor boats, pedal boats ($20-$80 per hr). The beach area has several "fire" pits. One suggestion would be to bring your own wood and have a beach party. The complex charges you $50 for a small stack of wood, some marshmellows and stuff to make smores.
Food: Room Service (didn't use so I don't have a recommendation).The complex has 2 places to eat: 1 casual, 1 semi-upscale. We ate 2 times at Barefoot (casual). We sat outside next to a pond area that included sharks, sting-rays...Food was average. There's a kids menu. Adult plates averaged $12-15. They also serve breakfast.
Didn't eat at the "upscale" place. Didn't eat at the "main" pool area.
There's also a "Market/Gift shop". Prices are way overpriced. We actually paid less at PetCo park than the complex "market"
Location: From a location point of view, you're within minutes of everything.
10 mins to Belmont Park, 15 mins to Balboa Park/Zoo, 5 mins to Sea World, 15 mins to Seaport Village, 15 mins to Old Towne. The complex offers no transportation to local attractions. There were several taxi's I saw however.
Overall it was just average. Not enough to make me stay again at current $$.
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