This was our third visit to the hotel and we will definitely be going back again!!! It is always crowded, sevice is sometimes slow, you'll be in line for checking-in and checking-out BUT if you know that before you go and are prepared to put up with it, then you'll love it. There is so much history in the hotel and everything is so beautifully done. Food is excellent, everywhere is spotlessly clean and staff have always been very friendly. We have been twice when the hotel was full to maximum occupancy but had no problems with getting sun-bed by the pool or table for breakfast. Getting table for lunch on the terrace area wasn't quite so easy!! We went once when the hotel was quiet and it really was lovely, so if you are not restricted with dates, avoid school holidays at all costs!!!

We expected the amenities at the hotel to be over-priced and they were. $12.93 to rent an umbrella? Eek. Anyways, we stayed in the Ocean Tower in a garden view room. Our room was clean and perfectly accomodating. Our first meal was lunch, 2 hot dogs and a Caesar Salad = $40. Not surprised by the price but very surprised at the AWFUL quality. We immediately decided to take advantage of the many other great dining choices on the island. (Miguel's is fabulous!)

I just think that the food could have been so much more. It is really unfortunate that everything could not have been at a high standard.

We got a 3 for 2 night deal, but the third night wasn't really free, as they boost the price of the other nights - so you really get the third night at half price. The nickel and dime show continues, as there is a $25 a day resort fee for pool and internet use, and $21 valet parking fees. At the prices they charge, you would think internet is included. The phones were down throughout the resort on our second day, anyhow, and we couldn't get internet or call for our car. The many restaurants are outrageously overpriced for the mediocre food, though the Sunday brunch is fantastic (still overpriced, though). Very overcrowded on the weekend, and the beaches are swarmed. There is an adult only pool but they were very bad at actually keeping screaming children out (despite the fact that there is no lifeguard and they face huge liability for not policing their own policy). We stayed in the Victorian building, which is quite charming even if maze-like and slanted at all odd angles. The original beauty is lost due to all the horribly placed new buildings attached like tumors to the old lady, and the Ballroom (a main attraction here) was closed for renovation. Concierge was very nice, as were the elevator operators and valets; the management is just behind the times, probably because there is no competition on the West coast. It was charming, but I wouldn't really stay there again.

I am not one to willingly slate a hotel but I fail to see the attraction of this place.

- On arriving the check in queues were horrific
- There were less people at the Disney parks then there were milling around this hotel.
- Impossible to get a seat at the pool or their outside restaurant on the deck.
- Resorted to eating at the other restaurant and shown a table where the floor was filthy and mats had stains. On asking for a clean up operation we were helpfully told "not my job"
- Our room, in the Ocean Towers block, had an interconnecting door onto next door's bathroom and we could hear every, and I mean every, noise
- Not the hotel's fault, but the sea is so full of seaweed that it is disgusting to go out in it.

We lasted 2 hours in this theme park before checking out and driving back to the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Beach (now this place is a top hotel).

By the way the 2 hours cost us $200.00 for the lunch/parking including a $17.00 charge for a 4 minute phone call to the hotel one hour up the road.

Never, ever again....