Despite a pesky resort fee, this upper-middle-range property offers a solid value, thanks in part to a long list of freebies –- including shuttle service, parking, Wi-Fi, and poolside activities. The overall vibe is tranquil, and the hotel caters to both families and business travelers with its upscale condo units (complete with fully stocked kitchens) and modern meeting spaces.
Despite a pesky resort fee, this upper-middle-range property offers a solid value, thanks in part to a long list of freebies –- including shuttle service, parking, Wi-Fi, and poolside activities. The overall vibe is tranquil, and the hotel caters to both families and business travelers with its upscale condo units (complete with fully stocked kitchens) and modern meeting spaces.
The 221-room Clarion Inn and Suites At International Drive is a convenient pick for budget-minded families and business travelers with a location convenient to theme parks like SeaWorld and the Orange County Convention Center. The hotel stands apart from any other budget mid-range hotel in the area -- including the nearby Days Inn Orlando Convention Center that is nearly priced the same -- because it has an E-Z car rental shop on-site. There is also a stylish outdoor pool and hot tub with shaded lounge areas. Some guests with heavy luggage found the hotel to be a bit inconvenient, as there is no elevator to the second floor.
The 221-room Clarion Inn and Suites At International Drive is a convenient pick for budget-minded families and business travelers with a location convenient to theme parks like SeaWorld and the Orange County Convention Center. The hotel stands apart from any other budget mid-range hotel in the area -- including the nearby Days Inn Orlando Convention Center that is nearly priced the same -- because it has an E-Z car rental shop on-site. There is also a stylish outdoor pool and hot tub with shaded lounge areas. Some guests with heavy luggage found the hotel to be a bit inconvenient, as there is no elevator to the second floor.
This value property is one of the most affordable options on International Drive, but for a reason -- features are few and much of the interiors feel distinctively budget. Aside from the low rates, the location at the entrance of Universal Orlando is the main selling point, and the hotel provides a free shuttle to several attractions, as well as a free breakfast. Updated rooms are also decent enough with microwaves, mini-fridges, and pay-per-view movies, though bathrooms need an update and rooms close to the freeway get noise. A large pool with a poolside bar is also a bonus, though the neighboring Rogen Inn also has a pool, plus a restaurant and fitness room.
This value property is one of the most affordable options on International Drive, but for a reason -- features are few and much of the interiors feel distinctively budget. Aside from the low rates, the location at the entrance of Universal Orlando is the main selling point, and the hotel provides a free shuttle to several attractions, as well as a free breakfast. Updated rooms are also decent enough with microwaves, mini-fridges, and pay-per-view movies, though bathrooms need an update and rooms close to the freeway get noise. A large pool with a poolside bar is also a bonus, though the neighboring Rogen Inn also has a pool, plus a restaurant and fitness room.
StaySky Suites I-Drive Orlando is a budget property with 143 rooms and suites, and a great location within a short drive of theme parks, shops, and restaurants. There's a lovely, palm tree-shaded pool, and the hotel offers free breakfast, theme park shuttles, and drinks at twice-weekly happy hour. Meeting space, a game room, and suites with full kitchens make this property a good choice for families and business travelers. Plus, it’s quieter and smarter than many of the motels on International Drive. The decor throughout is plain and, in some places, dated, but those seeking a simple place to rest while visiting Orlando attractions will find good value here.
StaySky Suites I-Drive Orlando is a budget property with 143 rooms and suites, and a great location within a short drive of theme parks, shops, and restaurants. There's a lovely, palm tree-shaded pool, and the hotel offers free breakfast, theme park shuttles, and drinks at twice-weekly happy hour. Meeting space, a game room, and suites with full kitchens make this property a good choice for families and business travelers. Plus, it’s quieter and smarter than many of the motels on International Drive. The decor throughout is plain and, in some places, dated, but those seeking a simple place to rest while visiting Orlando attractions will find good value here.
The 652-room Avanti International Resort is a mid-range property centrally located on International Drive within walking distance of many restaurants. It provides a free shuttle to the theme parks, and an iRide Trolley stop is close by. Rooms and suites are mostly modern, and come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers, although some of the bathrooms need an overhaul. There's a casual cafe and mini-market, as well as a poolside bar. Recreation options include a large outdoor pool, volleyball, shuffleboard, a fitness center, and a game room. Resort fees are a nuisance, particularly because it's more like a large motel and some rooms can be noisy. Alternatively, the Rosen Inn at Point Orlando has two heated outdoor pools and doesn't charge a resort fee. It also allows pets.
The 652-room Avanti International Resort is a mid-range property centrally located on International Drive within walking distance of many restaurants. It provides a free shuttle to the theme parks, and an iRide Trolley stop is close by. Rooms and suites are mostly modern, and come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers, although some of the bathrooms need an overhaul. There's a casual cafe and mini-market, as well as a poolside bar. Recreation options include a large outdoor pool, volleyball, shuffleboard, a fitness center, and a game room. Resort fees are a nuisance, particularly because it's more like a large motel and some rooms can be noisy. Alternatively, the Rosen Inn at Point Orlando has two heated outdoor pools and doesn't charge a resort fee. It also allows pets.
Hyatt Regency Orlando is a giant upscale business hotel that's directly connected to the Orange County Convention Center by a skybridge. The hotel offers 1,641 spacious rooms and suites, all with simple business-style decor and a solid set of amenities like large flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers with Starbucks coffee, iPod docks, and even in-mirror TVs in the bathrooms. Everything here is big, from the 100-plus inventory of meeting space to the sprawling outdoor lagoon pool (with its own waterslide) to the huge fitness center with separate cardio, core, and spinning rooms. While guests can access most of the facilities and the Wi-Fi free of charge, the hotel tacks on a hefty resort fee, plus parking is pricey. Guests might want to compare rates to the neighboring Hilton Orlando, which has similar features.
Hyatt Regency Orlando is a giant upscale business hotel that's directly connected to the Orange County Convention Center by a skybridge. The hotel offers 1,641 spacious rooms and suites, all with simple business-style decor and a solid set of amenities like large flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers with Starbucks coffee, iPod docks, and even in-mirror TVs in the bathrooms. Everything here is big, from the 100-plus inventory of meeting space to the sprawling outdoor lagoon pool (with its own waterslide) to the huge fitness center with separate cardio, core, and spinning rooms. While guests can access most of the facilities and the Wi-Fi free of charge, the hotel tacks on a hefty resort fee, plus parking is pricey. Guests might want to compare rates to the neighboring Hilton Orlando, which has similar features.
This sprawling upper-middle-range chain hotel offers 613 rooms right in the middle of Orlando's action. Clean, contemporary rooms have modern features like flat-screen TVs and iPod docks, some with balconies or patios. The hotel has two outdoor pools plus a kids’ pool, and there’s a modern fitness center with a sauna and steam room alongside on-site dining options. This hotel is a popular business destination, but the location near theme parks and restaurants draws tourists as well, though there is a mandatory resort fee that covers things like Wi-Fi and area shuttles. Travelers looking for more space might want to investigate the Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, which has condo-style rooms, though they aren't as fresh.
This sprawling upper-middle-range chain hotel offers 613 rooms right in the middle of Orlando's action. Clean, contemporary rooms have modern features like flat-screen TVs and iPod docks, some with balconies or patios. The hotel has two outdoor pools plus a kids’ pool, and there’s a modern fitness center with a sauna and steam room alongside on-site dining options. This hotel is a popular business destination, but the location near theme parks and restaurants draws tourists as well, though there is a mandatory resort fee that covers things like Wi-Fi and area shuttles. Travelers looking for more space might want to investigate the Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, which has condo-style rooms, though they aren't as fresh.
Formerly known as the Travelodge Orlando International Drive, the two-pearl Heart of IDrive is 10 minutes from Universal Studios by car. The 114 rooms are simple and straightforward, and include a mini-fridge and microwave -- but the industrial carpeting and tube-style TVs look dated. The hotel offers freebies like Wi-Fi, a continental breakfast, parking, and a small outdoor pool, but don't expect much in the way of charm or ambience. Facilities and rooms pale in comparison to the nearby Holiday Inn Express, though the Heart of IDrive is one of the cheapest in the area.
Formerly known as the Travelodge Orlando International Drive, the two-pearl Heart of IDrive is 10 minutes from Universal Studios by car. The 114 rooms are simple and straightforward, and include a mini-fridge and microwave -- but the industrial carpeting and tube-style TVs look dated. The hotel offers freebies like Wi-Fi, a continental breakfast, parking, and a small outdoor pool, but don't expect much in the way of charm or ambience. Facilities and rooms pale in comparison to the nearby Holiday Inn Express, though the Heart of IDrive is one of the cheapest in the area.
It's primarily a business hotel -- it's across the street from the Orange County Convention Center and has loads of its own meeting space -- but the 1,334-room Rosen Centre also includes a large pool, a humdrum spa, and tennis courts. It's adequate, but its features, like its rooms, don't rise above Orlando's stiff leisure resort competition.
It's primarily a business hotel -- it's across the street from the Orange County Convention Center and has loads of its own meeting space -- but the 1,334-room Rosen Centre also includes a large pool, a humdrum spa, and tennis courts. It's adequate, but its features, like its rooms, don't rise above Orlando's stiff leisure resort competition.
This quiet property features privately owned condos and townhouses, and mostly attracts families with its safe, neighborhood vibe. The club house acts like the local country club; not only does it feature a fitness center and game room, but it also has a business center. The real highlight is the lovely pool area, which offers a view of the adjacent Lake Cay. While decor can vary slightly from unit to unit, all condos have separate living rooms and dining rooms, fully-stocked modern kitchens, and washer/dryers. Though many of Orlando’s main attractions are just a short drive away, there are no restaurants on-site.
This quiet property features privately owned condos and townhouses, and mostly attracts families with its safe, neighborhood vibe. The club house acts like the local country club; not only does it feature a fitness center and game room, but it also has a business center. The real highlight is the lovely pool area, which offers a view of the adjacent Lake Cay. While decor can vary slightly from unit to unit, all condos have separate living rooms and dining rooms, fully-stocked modern kitchens, and washer/dryers. Though many of Orlando’s main attractions are just a short drive away, there are no restaurants on-site.