We stayed 12/30/11 through 1/7/12 and were so pleased with Pyramid Village. We arrived quite late, after 9:45 p.m., and Gertraud, the manager, was there to greet us with a warm smile, a personal tour of the unit, and instructions to "now go to sleep and we will settle everything else in the morning."
We had a two BR, one bath unit, and it was equipped with everything you can imagine, right down to spices in the cupboard. Even beach towels and wine glasses were handy, thoughtful items included. The unit had fridge, stove, microwave, dishwasher, AND washer and dryer, which was so welcomed to avoid schlepping dirty laundry back on a long trip. It also has two patios (one off the downstairs BR and one outside the main entrance to the pyramid), and the larger patio has a gas grill for your use. Just check the gas tank before planning to cook, as you are responsible for filling the tank if it's low. Not a problem for us, but I did notice ours was low.
The upstairs is one complete, spacious bedroom, complete with desk, couch, nightstands, and TV, with lots and lots of room left over to walk around.
On New Years Eve, Gertraud and staff put on a lovely party, starting at 11:00 p.m., complete with hats, music, and lots of traditional Austrian food. It was held by the pool at the adjoining "tiki bar" and was so lovely with colored lights, wonderful toasts, and welcoming staff.
We did not use the pool/pond as the weather was a little too cool for our preferences for swimming, but we did sit in the sun by the pool, and it's quiet and well-equipped with chaises and chairs. The only thing that could be added would be small chairside tables for drinks, but that was not a big deal.
This village is nestled in the middle of a residential area, about 10 miles north of Bonita Springs, and 20 miles to Fort Myers Beach, so it may not meet everyone's needs for a vacation rental. However, for our purposes it was perfect as we were visiting friends in both Bonita and Fort Myers Beach and Punta Gorda. Also, its location offers proximity to lots of retail stores for everyday needs such as pharmacies, Walmart, grocery store, and lots and lots of restaurants, both chains and locally owned.
Parking was plentiful and right in front of each individual unit.
Some have commented on the light on the property being troublesome for sleep. It is lighter than what we are used to; however, we used the clothespins we found in the well-supplied kitchen drawers to slip the curtains shut at night. The property is very well-lighted, so perhaps some pyramids are more situated toward the security lights, but this situation did not disturb us. I'd rather have the security lights!
The grounds are well maintained and manicured. A short "jungle walk" surrounds the little village (about a quarter-mile around).
The other residents during our stay were almost all European, and we wish we had had a little more time to talk with them. The neighbors we did meet have been returning for four years, so it speaks well for the service and upkeep provided for the Village.
The only think we'd add to the unit is a DVD player. The unit has a CD player/radio and a combo TV/VCR (in the upstairs BR), but a DVD player would be most welcome for quiet nights in. We did go out and buy an inexpensive one to use while we were there. It was easy to hook up to the TV. TV itself is cable and has extensive channel listings.
