Where to stay when visiting TV?

[mgm4444]

Coming down in Oct. Can't make up my mind. Do I stay at the TownPlace Suites or do a lifestyle visit? - I really don't want to buy food, cook, straighten up....I want to run around TV like a little kid !!! I'll be driving from the airport, but do want a golf cart when I get there, to travel the world of TV...do the Suites rent carts? What DO I DO?:shrug:

[meriboo]

I've never heard of Town Place suites. where are they located and who owns them?

[DDoug]

I work at Towne Place Suites and it is very convienent to Spanish Springs we are right behind the Church on the Square. Also you can rent a golf cart from The Villages golf cars which also is very close to the hotel. I know you dont want to cook while you are here but remember those late night snacks are more convienent with a full kitchen. I you want to pick up a golf cart I will personally take you to the dealer. Keep in mind that if you come on the third Sat. of the month there is a antique car show at SS again just 200 ft. from the hotel,if you like that sort of thing. Call the hotel for full details.

[ssmith]

Be sure to check that you can participate in activities at rec centers, pools etc. Not sure if you can do that at "Towne Place Suites".

With the Lifestyle Preview you can get a golf cart and participate in activities and have many food options available. But remember you are restricted to only 1 or 2 times for the Lifestyle Preview.

Enjoy the stay

[Army Guy]

If not doing a Lifestyle, we HIGHLY recommend, "The Waterfront Inn". It is located right at Lake Sumter Landing which is the actual center hub of TV. Walking distance to numerous places to eat, shop, where you meet your Rep and take Tolley tour, nightly dancing, movies, grocery store, etc.
While the wife and I are upgrading our villa, we have been staying here when we come down and it is fantastic! Definitely a top tier hotel for a little price.

Army Guy

[Indy-Guy]

If you need to rent a golf cart call Jim Followell at Cell 317-258-1241 or Land 352-259-7525. Jim rents carts that go gaster than The Villages rentals and his have side curtains.

To read more about do a search with his last name Followell and you will read what others have written in TOV about his service and quality of his carts. Jim also sell used carts.

[katezbox]

The TownePlace Suites (a Marriott property) and The Waterfront Inn (owned by TV) are both great hotels on site. The response from DDoug does not surprise me - we stayed there several times and the hotel staff were unbelievably warm, friendly and helpful. AG gave you great input on the Waterfront.

The drawback from not doing a Lifestyle is that (as SSmith indicated) you cannot get TV IDs to get into Katie Belles, rec centers, etc. This could be solved if you have any friends who are TV residents as they can procure guest passes...

If you are mostly going to be looking at homes, I don't think your choice of where to stay matters - as long as it is one of these two hotels or a Lifestyle. Other hotels that are not right "in town" are less convenient - although some are still pretty close.

If you really want to go to KB's, visit rec centers, etc. then the Lifestyle preview is the way to go.

But most of all - have fun!

[redwitch]

Doing a lifestyle visit doesn't mean you have to cook -- you'll get enough freebies to be able to eat out almost every night anyway (depending on how long you stay). Even so, there are plenty of reasonably priced restaurants so that cooking wouldn't be mandatory regardless of where you stay.

I do agree with DDoug that a kitchen is lovely for midnight snacks, inviting new friends over for snacks, etc. Once in awhile it is nice to be able to just relax and grab a sandwich and a beer out of the fridge.

Personally, I think you get a better feel for TV if staying in a home rather than a hotel but I would specifically request that it not be part of Creekside Landing if at all possible -- try to stay where there are some frogs, not just visitors.

Also, another vote for Jim Followell -- good carts, great service, nice guy.

[Hawkwind]

Coming down in Oct. Can't make up my mind. Do I stay at the TownPlace Suites or do a lifestyle visit? - I really don't want to buy food, cook, straighten up....I want to run around TV like a little kid !!! I'll be driving from the airport, but do want a golf cart when I get there, to travel the world of TV...do the Suites rent carts? What DO I DO?:shrug:

Life Style Preview. Has everything you want and you truly get the feel of being part of TV. Golf cart is included and you will have meals at some of country clubs. Also the guest ID card and gate card will allow you to go anywhere in TV. You will be like a kid in a candy store.

[nkrifats]

For the golf cart. Call Jim Followell. I rented from Jim in July and he is the best. Great service and his cart is faster than what I have. Other than that.
Enjoy the visit. I have stayed at Townplace Suites and they give good service.

[graciegirl]

I vote for the lifestyle. You can stay in a real home and do all the TV things.

[CSilvestrucci]

We did the LSV and were like kids in the candy store We were there for 5 days Didn't cook at all Barely paid for meals only drinks and they were cheap $1 beer $2 wine? granted it was draft and house wine but we were ok with that ordered a few premium drinks and they were reasonable as well. We ordered a home and can't wait to get back down there. : )

[mgm4444]

The TownePlace Suites (a Marriott property) and The Waterfront Inn (owned by TV) are both great hotels on site. The response from DDoug does not surprise me - we stayed there several times and the hotel staff were unbelievably warm, friendly and helpful. AG gave you great input on the Waterfront.

The drawback from not doing a Lifestyle is that (as SSmith indicated) you cannot get TV IDs to get into Katie Belles, rec centers, etc. This could be solved if you have any friends who are TV residents as they can procure guest passes...

If you are mostly going to be looking at homes, I don't think your choice of where to stay matters - as long as it is one of these two hotels or a Lifestyle. Other hotels that are not right "in town" are less convenient - although some are still pretty close.

If you really want to go to KB's, visit rec centers, etc. then the Lifestyle preview is the way to go.

But most of all - have fun!

Without a TV ID - I can't get into Katie Belle's?... am I reading that right?

[champion6]

Without a TV ID - I can't get into Katie Belle's?... am I reading that right?Correct. It's a "residents only" establishment.

[mgm4444]

Coming down in Oct. Can't make up my mind. Do I stay at the TownPlace Suites or do a lifestyle visit? - I really don't want to buy food, cook, straighten up....I want to run around TV like a little kid !!! I'll be driving from the airport, but do want a golf cart when I get there, to travel the world of TV...do the Suites rent carts? What DO I DO?:shrug:


Thank you ALL ! - As always, you've been very helpful !! - Good thing I asked about Katie Belles !

[Irish Rover]

Lifestyle Visit is the only way to go. Your golf cart, several meals, and golf is included. There is no sales pitch and the accommodations are excellent. You have access to the pools, golf courses, country clubs, and all that TV has to offer. Check it out and have a good time.

[mgm4444]

Coming down in Oct. Can't make up my mind. Do I stay at the TownPlace Suites or do a lifestyle visit? - I really don't want to buy food, cook, straighten up....I want to run around TV like a little kid !!! I'll be driving from the airport, but do want a golf cart when I get there, to travel the world of TV...do the Suites rent carts? What DO I DO?:shrug:


A little disappoitned - LSV is out - new process is minimum stay is 4 nights and I already made my plans for 3... soooo, staying at a nearby hotel. What CAN I do? Can I go on my own to open houses? (looks like villages are "gated") - Can I rent a golf cart even tho I'm at a hotel? Rent by the day? The Squares: anyone can go there, correct? What can I do in for 3 whole days? Suggestions?

[BobKat1]

A little disappoitned - LSV is out - new process is minimum stay is 4 nights and I already made my plans for 3... soooo, staying at a nearby hotel. What CAN I do? Can I go on my own to open houses? (looks like villages are "gated") - Can I rent a golf cart even tho I'm at a hotel? Rent by the day? The Squares: anyone can go there, correct? What can I do in for 3 whole days? Suggestions?

Could you sign up for a 4 night LSV and just leave after the 3rd night? You'd be paying for a night that you didn't use, but the LSV is a pretty good value, and it might not cost much more vs. the three nights at a hotel. Just a thought. Good luck with your trip

[Felice]

:agree:Great idea to book the 4 nights! For as little as $400, you would be getting great accomodations in the Cabanas at Creekside Landing, use of a golf cart and all of the amenities. If it is your first visit, you would also get opportunities for lots of free dining, recreation and entertainment, too. When you stay in one of the hotels, you do not get a golf cart, so renting one would be an added expense. Unless you have a friend who would obtain a guest pass for you, you would also not be able to use many of the facilities here. You would, of course be able to visit the town squares (and enjoy the nightly entertainment and happy hour bar prices!), go to the movie theater, golf on the championship courses and enjoy the multitude of restaurants - whether you were here as a Liftestyle guest or a guest of one of the hotels.
Either way, enjoy the visit!

[Hawkwind]

A little disappoitned - LSV is out - new process is minimum stay is 4 nights and I already made my plans for 3... soooo, staying at a nearby hotel. What CAN I do? Can I go on my own to open houses? (looks like villages are "gated") - Can I rent a golf cart even tho I'm at a hotel? Rent by the day? The Squares: anyone can go there, correct? What can I do in for 3 whole days? Suggestions?

That puts a new kink into the mix. If you are working with a sales rep they can take you to any property that is listed with TV sales. They will not show you anything from MLS agents.

The community is gated and you can go through the visitors gate. I have never tried that so I have no idea as to what questions they ask. Also some gates are not manned so you have to push the red button to gain access.

You will have access to both squares with no problem.

On my last trip I arrived a day early and it was a pain not having a gate pass or golf cart. I was limited to the roads I could drive on but that was because I did not want to bother going through the guest gates. This was my choice.

Like BobKat1 stated the LSP is such a great deal just leave after 3 days. No hassle trying to rent a cart and the free meals will offset things. There is nothing to say that you can't have 2 meals in one day just to use them up. An early lunch and a late supper will take care of that.

[champion6]

You can go to any open house. Just enter through the guest gate (on the left). Simply press the button and either A) the gate goes up, or B) a voice on the speaker says "Welcome" and the gate goes up. I don't expect this, but if the voice should ask your business, just tell it you're going to the open house. Easy peasy.

You will need a Villages sales rep to show you the pre-owned homes listed on the VLS, and a local realtor to show you pre-owned listed on the MLS.

[mgm4444]

this is such a GREAT idea, BobKat !! I'm doin' it !!! Now, I'm all excited again !!! Thank you !!

[Hawkwind]

this is such a GREAT idea, BobKat !! I'm doin' it !!! Now, I'm all excited again !!! Thank you !!

You think you are excited now, just wait till you get to TV.

[Army Guy]

I second that. The fun is JUST beginning!

Army Guy