Let me start by saying this - we did have a good time! My boyfriend, almost 3 year old, and I stayed at the Polynesian because we thought it had what we were looking for. The reviews were mixed but the pics online and in magazines/brochures looked nice and the prices were great! We paid $79 a night for the King Jacuzzi Suite. There was a pull out sofa bed, two TV’s with satellite TV., a mini fridge, and room safe, microwave, small kitchen area/sink and a small shower. It was a pretty clean room: smudges on the closet mirrors, crumbs under the sofa, bits of food and straws on the closet floor and someone else's long hair on the floor in the bathroom. The door hook in the bathroom was broke off, the lights flickered for 5 secs before they actually turned on for you to see and there was blood on the wall by the toilet paper. (That was gross!) I pre-cleaned the bathroom before I allowed my family to use it, honestly. Most of the 12 TV. stations didn't come in clearly (luckily Cartoon Network did!) and the mini-fridge had a broken temp. knob and dirty freezer section. The chair in the "living room" area of the suite was banged up with dirt, tears and holes on it. The almost constant knocking and banging of pipes could be heard in our "living room". Seemed whenever anyone upstairs or next to us turned on water we knew about it! We did eventually get used to it during our 3 night stay.
On a more positive note, the air conditioning, Jacuzzi, and bed were awesome! The patio area (we had 1st floor poolside) was great also. Comfy and clean. The water park was ok; some things were just old and worn out, needing some serious maintenance. For example, a lot of the Kiddy water park/pools were rusty, faded, dirty or just flat out weren't working - water squirting bike, teeter-totter, and guns in one of the outdoor kiddy areas needed repairs. There were wheels, cranks and areas in the kiddies areas that didn't turn, shut off or pump out water like they were supposed to. Really disheartening the 3rd or 4th time, you know?
There was always a life guard shortage so a lot of the water park areas were closed down - 1 day it was the 2 large water slides outdoors, then the 2 inside. Then it was the indoor lazy river, then the outdoor Pirate play area (which was only on and partially working the first day we were there). The pools/water slides/Jacuzzis/spas the hotel offered were safe, despite all of their imperfections. All of us had a good time in the water park, we made the most of it and enjoyed our playtime! One great thing about the outdoor pool area...the bar and its bartenders! The ones I met to buy snacks, supplies, etc. from were friendly and helpful and mixed a heck of a drink! (You can drink poolside just not in the water.) The well-priced menu of drinks and snacks was extensive. Anything you needed to swim or play outdoors there was available behind the bar and very reasonably priced!
The Polynesian has a very nice gift shop also. As always things are a little pricey but there is a great assortment of snacks, souvenirs, decorations and clothes. Both women I met working the counter the 2 times I visited were nice and courteous. My boyfriend and I spent $40 there, easily. The front desk personnel however, were not as nice. At check-in, my boyfriend was treated poorly. The staff was very rude and short. He came back to the car pretty angry to be honest. Not a good way to start out our vacation at all. They eventually redeemed themselves...kind-of.
So, overall, we enjoyed ourselves and we pretty much got what we paid for. I mean, the Polynesian was one of the 1st water park hotels (if not the 1st), and it just needs some updating. It would be nice if there were more staff and lifeguards but maybe it is too early in the season, and things are staffed differently during the summer months. A bonus on check out day - you get access to their water park for the remainder of that day!
Our stay was from Monday 5/28 - Thursday 5/31/07