[sss1019]

I'm still a few years away from retirement, but guess it's never to early to start planning, so I'm thinking of taking a drive over and spend a weekend in The Villages. I live in Fairhope, Alabama which is about a six hour drive away. I've done the drive numerous times to Disney so I know my way there. I'm just not sure where is the best hotel to stay once I get there. I would like to be able to walk to one of the town squares, restaurants, etc. Not sure I'm interested at this point with planning a stay through The Villages and their $99 offer. Would like experience without a sales person unless everyone recommends going this route. I appreciate any advice....Scott

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by sss1019

I'm still a few years away from retirement, but guess it's never to early to start planning, so I'm thinking of taking a drive over and spend a weekend in The Villages. I live in Fairhope, Alabama which is about a six hour drive away. I've done the drive numerous times to Disney so I know my way there. I'm just not sure where is the best hotel to stay once I get there. I would like to be able to walk to one of the town squares, restaurants, etc. Not sure I'm interested at this point with planning a stay through The Villages and their $99 offer. Would like experience without a sales person unless everyone recommends going this route. I appreciate any advice....Scott

The Waterfront is walkable to Lake Sumter Landing Town Square, but don't be afraid of sales people. They do not nudge. We had to call ours to get her to show us houses, they won't if you don't want to. When you get here you will see why. The place sells itself.

No I don't sell real estate and never did. Just love living here for ten years now.

waterfront hotel in the villages, florida - Bing

[npwalters]

There are a couple within a quarter mile of Spanish Springs town square and many restaraunts (north end) and one pretty much in Lake Sumpter landing town square. Not stayed at any of them so no opinion on them. I'm not aware of one near Brownwood (south end) but I don't frequent that area much. Maybe someone will chime in.

[Schaumburger]

The Waterfront Inn is right in Lake Sumter Landing, so you can walk to everything. In Spanish Springs the TownePlace Suites by Marriott is within walking distances of the shopping and restaurants. I have stayed at both, but it has been a few years.

Close to Spanish Springs (about 3/4 mile) are the Comfort Suites and the Holiday Inn Express. I have also stayed at both of those properties. Any one of these hotels are very clean and comfortable. I would suggest either the Waterfront Inn or TownePlace Suites if you want to be right in one of the squares.

And if you do decide to do the Lifestyle Preview Visit, the sales people are not pushy. If you just want to see homes for a few hours, they will accomodate your request.

Enjoy your visit!

[redwitch]

Go the Lifestyle route. As has been said, the sales people aren’t pushy. You get a cart and a bike when you rent. Your feet and car when you stay at a hotel. If you know someone who lives here, ask them to make the reservation for the hotel for you. Most here give a discount to residents. Either way, you’ll have a good time.

[villagetinker]

We did the lifestyle visit and were very happy with the results, as noted above, the sales agent was not pushy, and was very accommodating to our schedule. We bought a lot about 6 weeks later and built shortly after, moved in about 6 months later after we retired.

[liere]

Friends of our recently did the Lifestyle Preview....they were put up near Brownwood....the agent was not pushy and showed houses according to their availability....they were not interested in a new home, and the agent brought them to various areas of the Villages to look at homes. They used the golf cart to go to the three squares and had a great time.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by sss1019

I'm still a few years away from retirement, but guess it's never to early to start planning, so I'm thinking of taking a drive over and spend a weekend in The Villages. I live in Fairhope, Alabama which is about a six hour drive away. I've done the drive numerous times to Disney so I know my way there. I'm just not sure where is the best hotel to stay once I get there. I would like to be able to walk to one of the town squares, restaurants, etc. Not sure I'm interested at this point with planning a stay through The Villages and their $99 offer. Would like experience without a sales person unless everyone recommends going this route. I appreciate any advice....Scott

Our first lifestyle our guy called once asked if we needed anything, or did we want to look at houses. We said not at this time, and that was it. Second lifestyle he called once, and we declined. Third lifestyle we agreed to meet, bought our first house.
Go with the lifestyle, it’s your choice on what interaction you want.

[jnieman]

Waterfront Inn in Sumter Landing is good. Home - The Waterfront InnThe Waterfront Inn | The Villages, FL – USA There are several restaurants with bars within walking distance and the square with music from 5-9 every night. The sales office is there too so you can stop in and get info you might want. There is also a trolley there that you can make a reservation for by calling the sales office. It takes you on a ride all around the Villages so you can get the lay of the land. There is also a Starbucks to have your morning coffee. City Fire for nightlife and singles. Johnny Rockets for a hamburger and Fries. Red Sauce if you want Italian food. Panera for lunch. I forgot there is also the Lighthouse for good fried fish right on the water.

[tophcfa]

I probably shouldn't advocate for this because we have a neighbor that does it and we don't like it, but several Villagers list rooms in their homes for short term rentals on airbnb. I am guessing that if the developers of the Villages ever anticipated that something like airbnb would ever exist, appropriate deed restrictions would have been put in place to keep them out of the Villages. I wonder if the individual CDD deed restrictions can be revised to address unanticipated problems like this?

[Marathon Man]

Three times we visited before talking to a sales person. We stayed in a different hotel each time. My advice - don't be locked into being within walking distance of any one thing. You will want to drive around and see everything anyway, so it doesn't matter where you stay. Save some money by staying just outside of TV, drive to any of the three squares, and park.

[FenneyGuy]

Sleep Inn hotel is located near the turnpike and 301. You can easily drive from there to Fenney/Desoto and Brownwood or other town squares. However, the lifestyle visit is hard to beat.

[TOMCAT]

Life style visit is great. Stayed there and never felt pressured. You can get a golf cart and a bicycle with it. Do not know too much about the hotels. The Waterfront Inn in Lake Sumter looks very nice.

[John_W]

Much of it depends on what you want to buy. If you're looking at a resale in the established areas of TV, then I would stay near Lake Sumter or Spanish Springs. If you're mostly interested in a new home, take the lifestyle visit and stay at one of the Villages Courtyard Villas next to Brownwood.

Waterfront Inn next to LSL and they advertise rooms from $120



Townsuits Marriots at Spanish Springs they advertise rooms from $135



Holiday Inn at Spanish Springs is a few blocks away from the square. I stayed there in 2011 while waiting to close on my home and when I gave them my agent's name, it was only $75. Contact Villages Sales Agent Tony Trussler, he's very good, and see if you can get that price if that matters to you. Currently they advertise rooms from $115.



If you do the lifestyle visit, which right now is $99 a night, you'll probably be staying at Alden Bungalows just west of Brownwood square and this is a photo of one of the bungalows. They sell in the $250K to $400K range. Alden Bungalows has their own community pool.

[TOMCAT]

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