I was unaware that the Gardenia Hotel wasn’t a free-standing hotel -- there seemed to be about five other hotels in the same building. Being disoriented from traveling, it took us a few minutes to figure out that Gardenia was on the 7th floor.

We stayed in room 102 which had a very large outdoor area with a table, chairs, and plants. The room itself was bare but clean, and the private bathroom very narrow. The only complaint about the hotel was that the walls were extremely thin, so you could hear everything.

Breakfast is also not included and there is no breakfast area. There is internet available to use at no extra cost.

The location is amazing -- you almost can walk to all the major sites, such as the Vucciria, Quattro Canti, Palazzo dei Normanni -- albeit some of them are long walks. If walking isn't your thing, there are buses very close by.

For the location and the price at 78€ a night, I would definitely go back.

Best Things Nearby:
Everything was within a few minutes drive, Dixie Stampede, Table Rock Lake, and restaurants everywhere.

Best Things About the Resort:
It had a wonderful staff, they were very helpful. It also had a great indoor and outdoor pool. It was also close to everything.

Resort Experience:
We had a two bedroom unit and could be separated into two different rooms. It had a full kitchen with microwave and dishwasher. Complete dishes and a large dining room table in the one room, in the second it had a mini-kitchen with everything as well. The unit was beautiful and well-kept up. Each bedroom had a king size bed and TV in each room. In the living room there was also a TV and VCR, for which you could rent movies at a local grocery store. The unit also and a great screened-in balcony with table and chairs.

We were on the second floor, which wasn't too bad to carry up the bags because the building we were in also had an elevator. It was a beautiful resort. It is one I would definitely go back to.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Best Things Nearby:
What ISN'T great about all the nearby things?

I make wine, so the Stone Hill Winery was a great little visit. For the kids, nothing beats the Dixie Stampede. A quick visit to Table Rock Dam was worth it to chase the geese (or be chased by them).

Best Things About the Resort:
Location off the Yellow Route was nicely tucked away from the road. The staff was very friendly and recognized us by sight within a day. The activities like the tie-dye T-shirts won the kids over and the indoor pool was a necessity for a March trip.

Additional details about the unit we stayed in include a two bedroom (lockout). We were able to open the doors between the units and had easy access to both sides. The full kitchen was well stocked (oops, I think I forgot to tell the staff about the glass I broke!). It was easy enough to run to the kitchenette in the next room for extra cups, plates, dinnerware, or dishwashing soap.

Our unit overlooked the outside hot tub so we could easily see if it was busy before he headed out. It could easily fit 10+ adults with no problem. Being March, the outside pools were covered and closed, but the indoor pool worked well. A little shallow for the adults but great for the little ones. The rope across the middle was at the 2.5ft level, so our four-year old could still stand, but be out a ways from the steps. She enjoyed that.

The main lobby was well furnished, though a bit small for the large number of kids participating in the tie dye T-shirt fun. One bike, two elliptical trainers and one treadmill rounded out the equipment for those needing to tune up during a week long vacation.

Other amenities included a CD player in both rooms, total of four TVs in a two-bedroom unit, two with VCPs (players. . . not recorders), stacked Washer/Dryer, broom (handy for broken glass), vacuum.

Resort Experience:
Palace View by Spinnaker was a great place to put up our feet. Close to the strip, almost dead center, so that whether you went left or right, you could get to where you needed without fighting ALL the traffic. It's also within easy access to the alternate color routes for quick excursions.

If you go for the timeshare tour, be prepared for a little more pressure than I am used to...and I've been on a few.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Very Good

The condo was spacious with two large bedrooms and a fold out sofabed. We soaked up sun and watched the kids playing in the pool while the clothes spun around washing and drying at the laundry facilities. Meals were a breeze with the fully equipped kitchen. Churches were nearby for Sunday worship. There were no activities for the kids, other than loan of videos and games. We went to Palm Springs so the kids could go up the tram and sled ride on the snow and ice while we looked down at the desert floor below.

Huge windmills were a distraction on the trip and an unusual site for us Ohio travelers. Even the California part of the family found them interesting. There were fields of them all popped up like flowers blooming across the landscape.

Salten Sea was nearby. The timeshare was quiet and relaxing. The pools were heated and comfortable, and the stress disappeared. It wasn't top luxury, just comfortable and homey, although it was a walled, gated, and locked community. Private and safe. We exchanged a timeshare and paid the exchange, so it was about $500 for the week, very reasonable!

The kids found new friends, and the other people were very friendly. We met people from Canada and Big Bear who come every year. I could understand why! Great trip.

The accomodations at this resort were outstanding. Our one bedroom also had a loft where another person can stay, with some privacy. The living room had a fireplace and the entire apartment was decorated in a southwestern motif. the exterior of the resort was beautifully maintained, with blooming flowers and chirstmas lights for the season.