An upscale resort that seamlessly blends business savvy with family-friendliness, the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes is a solid option for all kinds of Orlando travelers. Located midway between Disney World and Universal Studios, the JW Marriott appeals to families, and its massive lazy river pool is great for kids. With over 100,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel also attracts business travelers, and is a popular spot for conventions. The nearly 1,000 guest rooms are tastefully decorated and include mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs. Varied dining options, Starbucks, a lovely spa, and an 18-hole golf course are other standout features, and guests are welcome to use all amenities at the adjoining Ritz Carlton. Expect to pay a resort fee and extra for parking. The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is located within Walt Disney World, and offers Disney related perks, but rooms aren’t as upscale.
An upscale resort that seamlessly blends business savvy with family-friendliness, the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes is a solid option for all kinds of Orlando travelers. Located midway between Disney World and Universal Studios, the JW Marriott appeals to families, and its massive lazy river pool is great for kids. With over 100,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel also attracts business travelers, and is a popular spot for conventions. The nearly 1,000 guest rooms are tastefully decorated and include mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs. Varied dining options, Starbucks, a lovely spa, and an 18-hole golf course are other standout features, and guests are welcome to use all amenities at the adjoining Ritz Carlton. Expect to pay a resort fee and extra for parking. The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is located within Walt Disney World, and offers Disney related perks, but rooms aren’t as upscale.
The Baymont Inn & Suites is a two-and-a-half pearl family-friendly hotel located within easy walking distance from the restaurants and attractions on International Drive. The hotel offers 230 rooms (and they're in the process of adding another 98). All rooms feature mini-fridges and large safes and many have pull-out sofa beds, ideal for families. Amenities include a large swimming pool with a separate splash pool for kids, a 24-hour fitness center, and a meeting room. While there's no proper restaurant, the hotel does offer a free and extensive breakfast buffet with all sorts of hot options. The Baymont is among the best values in the area, but charges a daily resort fee. Rates are more transparent at the nearby Clarion Inn & Suites At International Drive.
The Baymont Inn & Suites is a two-and-a-half pearl family-friendly hotel located within easy walking distance from the restaurants and attractions on International Drive. The hotel offers 230 rooms (and they're in the process of adding another 98). All rooms feature mini-fridges and large safes and many have pull-out sofa beds, ideal for families. Amenities include a large swimming pool with a separate splash pool for kids, a 24-hour fitness center, and a meeting room. While there's no proper restaurant, the hotel does offer a free and extensive breakfast buffet with all sorts of hot options. The Baymont is among the best values in the area, but charges a daily resort fee. Rates are more transparent at the nearby Clarion Inn & Suites At International Drive.
This family-oriented mega-resort, part of the Starwood timeshare network, features more than 1,000 one- and two-bedroom villas with kitchens, dining areas, master baths, and two or three flat-screen TVs. The property offers a full family-friendly program with plenty of outdoor activities, like tennis, swimming, and jogging. Several on-site dining options (restaurants, picnic spaces, and self-catering in the villas) also make the property a convenient and relaxing lodging pick for those traveling for Orlando's theme parks. But be prepared for persistent sales people who will try to get you to purchase timeshare packages. For even closer proximity, consider Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, where many rooms have views of the fireworks at Epcot and Magic Kingdom (but you'll still have to deal with hard-selling tactics from timeshare reps).
This family-oriented mega-resort, part of the Starwood timeshare network, features more than 1,000 one- and two-bedroom villas with kitchens, dining areas, master baths, and two or three flat-screen TVs. The property offers a full family-friendly program with plenty of outdoor activities, like tennis, swimming, and jogging. Several on-site dining options (restaurants, picnic spaces, and self-catering in the villas) also make the property a convenient and relaxing lodging pick for those traveling for Orlando's theme parks. But be prepared for persistent sales people who will try to get you to purchase timeshare packages. For even closer proximity, consider Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, where many rooms have views of the fireworks at Epcot and Magic Kingdom (but you'll still have to deal with hard-selling tactics from timeshare reps).
The Point Orlando Resort is an upper-middle-range option in a great location just off International Drive, close to Universal Studios. The classically sharp apartments come with kitchenettes or full kitchens, and larger apartments add washer/dryers. Some rooms have balconies with views of the Universal fireworks in the evening. The heated outdoor pool is a favorite hangout spot, and there's also a small fitness center. Dining includes a breakfast buffet, a tapas place, and a pool bar. Unfortunately, the free shuttle to Universal, Epcot, and SeaWorld isn't as frequent as many guests would like. Families looking for more kid-friendly features could check out the Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club, which has four pools, a waterslide, mini-golf, and a golf course, but it's farther from the action.
The Point Orlando Resort is an upper-middle-range option in a great location just off International Drive, close to Universal Studios. The classically sharp apartments come with kitchenettes or full kitchens, and larger apartments add washer/dryers. Some rooms have balconies with views of the Universal fireworks in the evening. The heated outdoor pool is a favorite hangout spot, and there's also a small fitness center. Dining includes a breakfast buffet, a tapas place, and a pool bar. Unfortunately, the free shuttle to Universal, Epcot, and SeaWorld isn't as frequent as many guests would like. Families looking for more kid-friendly features could check out the Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club, which has four pools, a waterslide, mini-golf, and a golf course, but it's farther from the action.
The Enclave Hotel & Suites offers much of what other all-suite Orlando hotels offer: great location, full kitchens, and numerous swimming pools. But this is an older hotel, and the rooms do show wear and a lack of attention to detail, in terms of decor and atmosphere. For families who don't intend to spend a lot of time in the room, however, the Enclave is a serviceable budget-friendly option, with nice lake views and easy access to all the theme parks.
The Enclave Hotel & Suites offers much of what other all-suite Orlando hotels offer: great location, full kitchens, and numerous swimming pools. But this is an older hotel, and the rooms do show wear and a lack of attention to detail, in terms of decor and atmosphere. For families who don't intend to spend a lot of time in the room, however, the Enclave is a serviceable budget-friendly option, with nice lake views and easy access to all the theme parks.
The 233-room Allure Resort is located right in the heart of Orlando, on the attractions-packed International Drive. It's part of an eight-hotel group that looks pleasant enough, but often doesn't deliver. Maintenance issues and a generally forgotten-about approach to everything from rooms to features are hard to overlook, even with the hotel's big pool and rock-bottom rates. Rooms look pleasant enough, with light tones and wood accents, but are often short on supplies such as towels and pillows and some come with broken appliances. Hidden fees for standard amenities such as Wi-Fi and shuttles, a lack of secure parking, and the buffet breakfast are also disappointing. For a hotel without hidden fees and an overall better experience, try Rosen Inn International instead, which has similar rates.
The 233-room Allure Resort is located right in the heart of Orlando, on the attractions-packed International Drive. It's part of an eight-hotel group that looks pleasant enough, but often doesn't deliver. Maintenance issues and a generally forgotten-about approach to everything from rooms to features are hard to overlook, even with the hotel's big pool and rock-bottom rates. Rooms look pleasant enough, with light tones and wood accents, but are often short on supplies such as towels and pillows and some come with broken appliances. Hidden fees for standard amenities such as Wi-Fi and shuttles, a lack of secure parking, and the buffet breakfast are also disappointing. For a hotel without hidden fees and an overall better experience, try Rosen Inn International instead, which has similar rates.
Homewood Suites Orlando-International Drive/Convention Center is a three-pearl chain apartment hotel located -- as the name suggests -- just off bustling International Drive, a five-minute drive from the Orange County Convention Center. The 252 units in this all-suites property range from studio to two-bedroom configurations, and all come with fully equipped kitchens, complete with large refrigerators and small dishwashers. Facilities include a large outdoor pool with a hot tub, a 24-hour fitness center, free hotel-wide Wi-Fi, an outdoor barbecue area, and a couple of meeting rooms. While this hotel generally gets great feedback from guests, there have been complaints of maintenance issues in rooms. It's a good choice for travelers wanting self-catering facilities and easy access to the Convention Center, but those in town for the Universal Parks may want to choose the Doubletree Hotel At The Entrance To Universal Orlando.
Homewood Suites Orlando-International Drive/Convention Center is a three-pearl chain apartment hotel located -- as the name suggests -- just off bustling International Drive, a five-minute drive from the Orange County Convention Center. The 252 units in this all-suites property range from studio to two-bedroom configurations, and all come with fully equipped kitchens, complete with large refrigerators and small dishwashers. Facilities include a large outdoor pool with a hot tub, a 24-hour fitness center, free hotel-wide Wi-Fi, an outdoor barbecue area, and a couple of meeting rooms. While this hotel generally gets great feedback from guests, there have been complaints of maintenance issues in rooms. It's a good choice for travelers wanting self-catering facilities and easy access to the Convention Center, but those in town for the Universal Parks may want to choose the Doubletree Hotel At The Entrance To Universal Orlando.
The mid-range Ramada Plaza Resort and Suites Orlando International Drive is a 295-room chain hotel with spacious rooms and suites, some with kitchenettes and sleeper sofas. However, there’s a big difference in the decor and general condition of the suites in the newer North Tower and Standard Rooms in the older South Tower. The hotel offers a free continental breakfast and a lobby bar, but there’s no full-service restaurant. Other features include a free shuttle to Universal Studios, Magic Kingdom, and SeaWorld plus a lovely lakefront pool and whirlpool, but the rooftop pool and bar are open only to Club Room guests. For a nearby option with even lower rates and a 24-hour cafe, consider the mid-range Rosen Inn International.
The mid-range Ramada Plaza Resort and Suites Orlando International Drive is a 295-room chain hotel with spacious rooms and suites, some with kitchenettes and sleeper sofas. However, there’s a big difference in the decor and general condition of the suites in the newer North Tower and Standard Rooms in the older South Tower. The hotel offers a free continental breakfast and a lobby bar, but there’s no full-service restaurant. Other features include a free shuttle to Universal Studios, Magic Kingdom, and SeaWorld plus a lovely lakefront pool and whirlpool, but the rooftop pool and bar are open only to Club Room guests. For a nearby option with even lower rates and a 24-hour cafe, consider the mid-range Rosen Inn International.
Red Roof Inn Orlando - International Drive/Convention Center is a no-frills budget motel located off International Drive and within easy walking distance of the convention center. It's ideal for business and leisure travelers with a budget in mind, who prefer a simple place to sleep over fancy features and amenities. It has an off-the-highway motel vibe, though rooms are relatively well kept and include the necessary basics like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. An outdoor pool and hot tub are available, though most guests stay at the hotel to do little more than sleep at night. The free shuttles to Disney World and Universal Studios are convenient, but there is no free breakfast. For a similar hotel with a bigger outdoor pool, try the Days Inn just one hotel down.
Red Roof Inn Orlando - International Drive/Convention Center is a no-frills budget motel located off International Drive and within easy walking distance of the convention center. It's ideal for business and leisure travelers with a budget in mind, who prefer a simple place to sleep over fancy features and amenities. It has an off-the-highway motel vibe, though rooms are relatively well kept and include the necessary basics like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. An outdoor pool and hot tub are available, though most guests stay at the hotel to do little more than sleep at night. The free shuttles to Disney World and Universal Studios are convenient, but there is no free breakfast. For a similar hotel with a bigger outdoor pool, try the Days Inn just one hotel down.
The four-pearl Las Palmeras, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club caters equally to leisure and business travelers, and is located across from the Orange County Convention Center, just 10 minutes' drive from SeaWorld. All of its 315 spacious, modern rooms have private furnished balconies, kitchenettes, and furnishings that were updated in 2016. There's no spa, but the outdoor pool and hot tub are set in a pretty brick sundeck. Dining options are limited as there's just one restaurant serving Italian cuisine, but there are both a lobby and poolside bar. The resort and parking fees, plus the hotel's lack of a spa are notable downsides. Travelers looking for more amenities need not look farther than the nearby Hilton Orlando, though rates are a bit higher.
The four-pearl Las Palmeras, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club caters equally to leisure and business travelers, and is located across from the Orange County Convention Center, just 10 minutes' drive from SeaWorld. All of its 315 spacious, modern rooms have private furnished balconies, kitchenettes, and furnishings that were updated in 2016. There's no spa, but the outdoor pool and hot tub are set in a pretty brick sundeck. Dining options are limited as there's just one restaurant serving Italian cuisine, but there are both a lobby and poolside bar. The resort and parking fees, plus the hotel's lack of a spa are notable downsides. Travelers looking for more amenities need not look farther than the nearby Hilton Orlando, though rates are a bit higher.