I have a love / hate relationship with Hilton Grand Vacations Tuscany Village, but it has become my…read morego-to hotel whenever I'm in Orlando and visiting Disney. I've stayed here for years, and things have changed for the better (renovated rooms) and for the worse (they've now started charging $10 per night parking fee plus tax). But the rooms are spacious, comfortable, and the hotel has quiet, picturesque grounds with walking paths and fountains that fit with the Tuscany-inspired name.
I love the condo style rooms here. They have full kitchens, living areas, and thoughtful touches like stacked washer/dryer units (in the one bedroom models, not the studios) that make it easy to feel settled, even for longer stays. I always do laundry on vacation because it means I can pack light! We always make good use of the full sized refrigerator and microwave for leftovers, and the attached screened in balconies and porches are so nice for kicking back with a glass of wine after a long day in the parks.
I also appreciate I can control the climate in my unit and there's no bogus regulator. That means I can keep the condo the temperature of an icebox and not have to return to a sweltering room after a walking for miles in the hot and humid Orlando weather.
Some condos are laid out better than others, and they won't guarantee you a specific layout. It's first come first served, so check in early for the best shot at a nicer room. This is also a Hilton Vacation Club, so that means they will really try to sell you on a timeshare the second you check in. Pro tip: unplug the landline phone in your room so you won't be bothered by their incessant calls trying to get you to take a timeshare presentation tour!
The amenities are just okay. There are a couple of nondescript pool areas, crowded hot tubs, and a small fitness center if you're trying to squeeze in a workout. The on-site café and grab-and-go options are convenient but the hours close too early. We usually opt to drive a few minutes to nearby restaurants, grocery stores, and shops to stock our condo. There are plenty of quick service and sit down chain restaurants close by, with a McDonald's, Freddy's, and Publix supermarket directly across the street.
The new paid parking money grab really annoys me, especially because it's very difficult to find a spot here. The hotel is too big with not enough parking, and the parking spots are way too narrow which means get ready for some inevitable dings in your rental car. The staff zoom around in golf carts and they can be a real menace. They often block throughways and while they provide shuttle service to guests around the property, they do tend to get in the way a lot.
The elevators in the building are super slow, and they pack a lot of people into one building. Some buildings have better views than others. This last visit, we were stuck with a "view" of the ugly parking garage at the adjacent outlet mall. The tradeoff? No hot morning sun and we could watch the Disney fireworks from our room balcony!
Another recurring issue here is that something is always broken. Once it was no hot water in the shower, another time it was a leaking faucet and a broken ice maker in our refrigerator, and yet another there was a total power outage for several hours. This time, the wifi was down for hours on multiple days, which was a true inconvenience since my hubby and I both work at night while we travel. This property isn't perfect, but it does get a lot right.
Location-wise, the hotel is really convenient for hitting Disney, Universal, and other Orlando attractions while still being tucked away enough to feel like a peaceful retreat. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the property has a staffed guard gate 24/7.
Tuscany Village is a great place to stay if you want a lot of room, most of the comforts of home, a central location, and a quick shot to the Disney parks.