Disappointing We stayed in Balmoral Resort in 2018, loved it so decided to go back again this year at my 11 year old sons request. Was concerned about some of the reviews so checked the reality of the situation with Virgin Holidays, they reassured us that everything would be fine, here’s my honest review: Oh how it’s changed. I last rated it a 5, this time it’s a 3, here’s why: We stayed at 213 Aidans Landing: the house, though lovely, is next to a residential property who enjoy a loud argument or two… The house backs on to the local residential area so our evenings were often filled with revving car engines, music from the local bingo hall, strong smells of weed and crackling electricity lines. And Talking of weed, I had to weed the patio area when we arrived because it didn’t look like it had been tended to in weeks. The outside chair covers were covered in stains and marks from previous tenants which was ironic considering the “resort guide” tells you not to sit in the chairs if you have suncream on because they’ll mark… The safety deposit box didn’t work and just had a sign on it saying: sorry for the inconvenience. We carried all cash, credit cards and passports around with us for days - you might think this is excessive, but not when you read that 3 days in to our trip a random man was staring into our property kitchen window where my Dad & 11 year old son were having breakfast. How can this happen in a gated community ? That because it’s not gated. In 2018 it was and there was a Security guy allowing entry, now it’s open to the General Public, it should in NO WAY be sold as a gated community. Virgin say it’s gated between 10:30pm and 7am, it isn’t, I checked. There is no shade at the clubhouse pool, the only umbrellas are fixed in to tables. The cabanas can be rented at $75/session and the large shaded area is rented out for birthday parties (which there was 2 of and a gender reveal on the 2 hours we spent there one Saturday afternoon). Where the gym used to be quite well stocked, it now isn’t, and the clubhouse doesn’t open until 11am. I’m not bothered by the train lines or the drive to the parks, we knew about that before arriving, I’m bothered by the way this place has, disappointingly, gone downhill yet is still charging the rates it did 6 years ago.

Poorly maintained, rude staff, bad management. We came here with a family group and rented a big house. Babies, grandmas and everything in between. July in Florida is very hot. Unfortunately, the AC upstairs didn’t work and it was over 90 degrees in the bedrooms. A bunch of family had to bail to a hotel. The management was rude and very slow to respond. We asked to be moved at 9PM before some of our group with ok ladies and babies had to go to the hotel, but they didn’t offer a house change until 11PM after our families were forced to leave. Their offer of compensation was limited to a one night credit for the house only, not the hundreds of dollars in resort fees and taxes. When we told them that this would not suffice, they said “take the offer or we can have you removed from the property”. Completely appalling. The next day, our neighbor reported that their AC wasn’t working. . The management is off the chain bad. The grounds are not well kept and. The pool and hot tub didn’t work as well. Never again!

Great Vacation Home Great location and amenities. 100% recommended. Home is beautiful and pool is just what you need. Great place for vacations