We just got back from a wonderful week at the Villas; this was a family vacation with our 8 and 10 year old children. Our primary reason for booking our vacation here, in addition to the excellent tripadvisor reviews, was so that my son and husband could play golf and yet as a family we would have plenty of options for other things to do. This property was perfect for that.

As mentioned in other reviews, the Villas has a quiet, more residential feel. There are 5 buildings located directly on the golf courses and with a central pool area. We booked a clubhouse suite on the second floor. This is basically a large room (bigger than the typical hotel room) with a large bathroom and balcony. I requested a minifridge which they provided for no extra charge.

Throughout our stay, the service was excellent - very friendly and accomodating in every way. On our second day, as my daughter and I were biking, the bellman who had met us on check in greeted us by name. Our housekeeper was friendly and chatted with us as well as asking for our preferences about the room setup. On our last day, we also requested a slightly later checkout time, which they granted.

On the premises of the Villas they have bikes (and helmets for kids). The on site pool was quiet with a bar on site. Most of our family afternoons, though, were spent at the affiliated Hyatt which is a minute drive away (or the shuttle will come and bring you there any time, on request). We parked in the self parking lot which leads right to the pool area - the Hyatt pool area is much larger with 2 pools, one more heated than the other, waterslides, rock climbing wall which is open from noon-3pm, more bicycles, and a sandy "beach" and lake with paddleboats, kayaks, canoes, and one person Sunfish sailboats. There is also a 9 hole pitch and putt course right there (clubs available at the poolhouse). There is no additional charge for any of these activities (I was told that there is a daily $60 resort fee, but this fee was included in our package, so it is worth double checking with whomever you book with about it) . It was great to have such a range of things to choose from.

Golf- the North course is currently being renovated, so my husband and son played many days on the New Course and South/East course. (they told me that the greens were challenging, the New Course is like Scotland links courses, but I'm not experienced enough to give more accurate golf details!) The week we were there, it seemed very quiet and there was no trouble with tweaking tee times, and they got to go out as a twosome the whole week. Though the courses are clearly professional level, the overall feeling was relaxed and welcoming, even to our kids. What we most enjoyed was their 3 exhibition holes (no charge) which my daughter and I could play - it was quiet at the end of the day and we had a great family golf experience on several afternoons without the pressure of having to play 18 holes. Overall, though, there were no other children, perhaps a handful of teens, so serious golfers don't need to worry!

Equestrian Center - down the street from the Villas - my daughter took 2 private riding lessons there which were very good - not just a pony ride, but she learned real skills even though she was a beginner.

Dining - at the Villas itself, just the clubhouse for breakfast/lunch, and the toney Nine18 restaurant which had great food (no kids menu, but they made whatever our kids wanted - then again, no other kids were there the night we ate!).

Salon - we also had pedicures at the Hyatt Salon (not sure I would call this a full blown "spa" though) which were great and the people were very friendly.

I loved the Lake Buena Vista location of this property - it was very convenient with lots of restaurants nearby, and close to International Drive. We did not go to Disney at all, but the entrance to the Disney area was basically down the street from the Grand Cypress Resort.

I felt that all of the previous reviews of this property on tripadvisor are accurate - this property has a very quiet and secluded (anti- Disney madness) feeling. If you were not interested in golf at all, however, the primary reason to stay here would be to have a 1 or 2 bedroom villa. With younger children or the need for more amenities right on site, you might consider the Hyatt itself (I didn't see the rooms, but the grounds are really beautiful and the whole pool and recreation area was great) since that is where kids will have the most fun.

In response to one review about the rooms being dark - our 2nd floor suite was a little on the dark side but we had a lot of natural light in the bathroom where there were skylights. Perhaps a first floor unit might feel darker. The room decor is a teeny tiny bit dated - not at a Four Seasons/granite counters/lush bedding level, but extremely clean and comfortable nonetheless (and I'm pretty picky). We never heard (or really even saw) many other people there, even on days where we were told the property was full. There was some ongoing noise which was most apparent in the bathroom; I think this was the air conditioning units outside. Didn't bother us at all, but could be annoying to someone sensitive to sound.

All in all, we had a great time!

The Villas of Grand Cypress was a beautiful experience and certainly "GRAND".. An absolute beautiful resort from the moment you drive in. The Villas and Suites are extremely spacious, clean and the staff is accommodating, eager to please, fulfilling anything you need or want. It truly is a golfers paradise, with two great restaurants overlooking the golf course, as do all the Villas. The meeting room was large with two sets of French doors that overlooked the lake. The reception was held outside on there patio, great wait staff and the food was very good, perfect weather, lots of sunshine. We will certainly consider another meeting at the Grand Cypress without a doubt.

Resort villas were very nice and golf and weather were great. Very close to Disneyland access but not much to do outside of resort if not going golfing or to Disney attractions. Orlando is pretty drab and resembles a suburb full of all the chain restaurants you would never want to go to anyway. The villas are also affiliated with the nearby Hyatt and the pool at the Hyatt was great and there is a free shuttle to take you to and from each location. Also got free drinks at check-in and check-out at the villas. Very friendly customer service at the villas and some free golf is included (driving range, pitch and put course and three exhibition holes).

We statyed at the Villas once before in 2005 and loved it - so I had high expectations and they did not disappoint!
We arrived after a horrendous flight (delayed for 8 hours at Gatwick by those shystyers Virgin Atlantic!) and did not get to check in until 0100hrs ( we have a 4yr old and and 2yr old so you can imagine how we felt) check in was effortless and they showed us straight to the villa. The lad taking our bags explained that we could get a sandwich from room service or he was more than happy to go out and get us a Pizza - which he did.
The villa itslef (one bedroom with kitchen, dining room, lounge, washing machine and tumble dryer) was even better than I remembered - perfectly decorated with plasma tvs in each room and fully equipped kitchen.
Throughout our five night stay whenever we called on housekeeping or room service - everything was attended to quickly and in such a friendly manner (Even needing logs for the fire because we picked the coldest spell in living memory)
We didnt eat in the hotel - I drove out to the many local restaurants and got a take away each night (all the restaurants offer their full menus as take outs)
The pool is heated and pretty shallow so great for kids.
The villas are about five mins drive from the main gates of Disney but be careful to remember your route into Disney because otherwise you get chucked out the Orlando side at the end of your day!
I can whole heartedly recc the Villas as one of the best hotels we have ever stayed - we will def be back (although not on Virgin!!)