Barefoot'n Resort by Diamond Resorts

The pool and hot tub were clean, at a perfect temperature, and really enjoyable. Our accommodations were comfortable and clean too. There are groceries, shops, restaurants, and Old Town nearby, so it's a convenient place to stay while visiting Orlando. Highly recommend it.

We had a spacious room, and the front desk staff were friendly. The resort was quiet and close enough to the main theme parks. I didn't try the amenities, but the pool, volleyball court, and kids' play area looked nice. We didn't get housekeeping during our stay, and the shower was grimy. That was my only complaint. Decent place for the price.

Our room was clean, and I can see how some guests might have a trouble-free stay, but that wasn't our experience. The living room TV wouldn't turn on, and the refrigerator froze our drinks, which are very expensive in Orlando. The front desk seemed indifferent when I mentioned it. We'd told them we were arriving late and were assured that wouldn't be a problem, with our keys waiting at the desk. We got there after midnight to find the front desk locked and nobody official around. People milling about made us uneasy, and if we hadn't rented a car, we would have left right away. We called over and over, then finally reached someone at Hotels.com, but they couldn't contact the property either. Nearly an hour later, a security guard unlocked the door and told me to find my keys myself. I had to go behind the desk to get them. He kept saying he didn't work for the hotel, but for another company, and that he had to make his rounds. The low price had made me suspicious, and I should've taken it as a sign not to book. I wouldn't recommend this place.

The biggest disappointment was the pool. We had booked a resort specifically so we could swim each day, but the heater wasn't working, I was told at check-in. With the weather cooler than usual, swimming felt out of the question. We did try the whirlpool hot tub one morning. It was hot, but heavily chlorinated. Outside the pool area there was a pond and a large sign warning that snakes and alligators live in the water, so we didn't use the patio or the path to the pools. Our suite's backyard patio had that path leading to the fenced area with two pools and the hot tub. The setting around our corner parking spot was less appealing. There were two large dumpsters with quite a bit of trash around them, and two cats that seemed to live there. A small raccoon by our door also kept trying to dart inside whenever we opened it. It didn't seem afraid of people at all, which made pizza delivery pretty memorable. Inside, we had the comforts of home: a fully equipped full-size kitchen and dining table, a living room with a pull-out couch and TV, and a washer and dryer with soap provided. The cozy bedroom had a comfortable bed and plenty of closet space. The bathroom had a tub and shower, a hair dryer, and toiletries. The parking lot was well lit. Staff were friendly and helpful at check-in and checkout. It was affordable, clean, convenient, and in a safe neighborhood. I'd recommend Barefoot n Resort for a quiet home away from home.