Avanti Resort

Took nearly an hour and a half to check in! Only two members of staff available to check in a very long line of people at 11:30pm. One of which was a new hire and was clearly struggling. Whilst the manager was chipping in to help, the systems were clearly overly complicated and not fit for purposes. These staff were left to bear the brunt of customer frustration which was unfair. Either way, the staff should have better resources and support. The ’Self Check In’ had a piece of paper over it saying ‘Coming Soon’. I imagine that ’soon’ will not be any time in the immediate future. The gym at this hotel is a joke. Out of three treadmills, two are broken but not listed as out of order. The decks on them have holes in them meaning is it like running in a ploughed field and very unstable. How someone has not broken an ankle yet is beyond me. Plus, you are not allowed to access the gym until 7am - so business travellers wanting to get a workout in before a busy day, you’re better running up and down International Drive. My colleague was told he could have a late check out, only to have that offer taken away the next day meaning he had to check out at 11am when he needed the room until 4pm. The Hotel was not full and had plenty of availability. The staff member who he discussed this with was rude and curt. Not what you need before a long day and even longer journey. The staff who checked me in were pleasant and tried their best under really difficult circumstances - other staff members I encountered were not. I forgot my room key one day whilst out running. Of course, that’s my fault. But when I got back - covered in sweat from a run, I was asked for ID to get back into my room. Why would anyone take their passport for a jog?! Despite me giving personal information that only I could know, they insisted security meet me at my room and check my ID. This took some time and I was left outside my room in the cold and rain. To be treated this way really left a sour taste. The security guy was pleasant but he wasn’t even given a name to check. When I asked him if he even knew who to check for, he then checked this over a radio so anyone at the front desk could likely hear my name plus any details he wanted to confirm. Not something I’m comfortable with as could have been in earshot of anyone. The food options... left a lot to be desired. For a bowl of oats - which I watched be microwaved - cost $9.50. You are given a pack of honey and a box of raisins to go with it. All food was served in plastic with cutlery also being plastic. Overly basic options at extortionate prices. The ‘Bar and Grill’ at the pool had music blasting until late at night - and really bad music at that. Sleep was a real problem because of that noise, plus a bar that was clearly over serving customers until late. This meant loud neighbours who exhibited poor behaviour. This behaviour was not challenged and I was often kept awake by shouting, slamming and people bashing around the place. My colleague was originally given a room right next to a loud compressor. When he complained, he was then put in a room close to the Interstate with extremely loud traffic. He barely slept all week. This is a 70 year old man! No consideration for comfort is given to anyone. You get what you’re given. The rooms are OK and fairly clean. Fittings are average at best but comfortable enough. Despite this, the sheets on my bed at check in had sand/dust on them meaning a real discomfort on my first night where I had to sleep on the opposite side, right on the edge of the bed to not feel any grainy dust/sand on my legs. It was way too late to have them changed by getting into my room just after 1am. That being said, when requesting fresh sheets and towels, this was done without question and the room was fresh and ready on my return in the evening. This hotel has clearly been recently taken over. But efforts to modernise it and provide decent service have been half baked. Either that or they ran out of money. File under: must try harder. Read less

Was here for veterinary conference. No heat - and that was just the start of the issues. After reporting the heat twice- finally gave up because no one ever came. No hot water for 12-18 hrs the second night of the stay. It came on briefly for part of a day and went out again. Almost no apologies from the staff so makes me think this happens a lot. Safe in the room was broken, and housekeeping never came in to replace towels in 4 days. Avoid this hotel. I hope the VMX conference drops this hotel in the future. Read less

We spent 2 nights at Avanti International Resort prior to a cruise and came back for a night after the cruise. The resort is older but clean and well functioning. The rooms are comfortable and clean,with a small fridge and a microwave oven. The pool area was clean with food and drink available at the Cafe and an outside bar. Damien at the front desk was excellent to deal with and handled a few minor issues I had, very competently including an offer to personally print ship boarding docs as the hotel printer went out of toner as I was using it. Damien was calm and professional dealing with an irate customer who happened to be in front of me and obviously wanted someone to scream at. Read less

The 5 Stars is mainly because of the amazingly genuine and personable service we received from Damien!! There was a mix-up with our reservation where it wasn't showing in their system but we were able to pull it up online. Damien focused on a solution where it matched our discounted price & it worked! He also made sure our room location was on the side closest to the venue we were walking to. Now there were a few "snags" with the room but you, me and those "who know", it's not the Ritz Carlton! Damien and Tanieka (his Supervisor) worked well together and treated me and the busy check-in lobby as if they enjoyed it!! Thank you!! Read less