Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South

The exterior of the Embassy Suites is pink and white with its iconic “E” at the top. Inside, like other Embassy Suites Hotels, the building is atrium style with marble floors circling the lobby and restaurant on the ground floor as natural light streaming through the glass ceiling. Every night, free drinks and snacks are served in the lobby, and breakfast is free as well.

The Kyng’s Grill on the ground floor features cream, chocolate, and deep-purple colors, and modern lighting fixtures hanging from a tall pergola. The Oasis lounge is more rustic in its look, with tiling and vases behind the bar and brown leather couches or high tops. The 24-hour gym is small, with a few treadmills, step machines, free weights, and fitness balls. The game room, with a claw machine and riding and shooting games, is a stand-out. Outside, the swimming pool is surrounded by cream lounge chairs but no umbrellas.

There are plenty of other hotels in the immediate vicinity, being so close to the theme parks, including the Red Roof Inn and the Hampton Inn. The latter offers slightly cheaper rates, but without a lot of the same amenities, like on-site dining, free breakfast, and a free evening reception every night.

In an ideal location, this hotel is 10 minutes away from Walt Disney World, Epcot, and the other popular theme parks -- a shuttle goes out to Epcot for a fee. It's 20 minutes away from the Orlando International Airport and five minutes from the Lake Buena Factory Stores for outlet shopping. For off-site dining, Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grille, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and a Middle Eastern restaurant are a few minutes away -- the Publix supermarket and Wal-Mart are close too.

Suites -- all with two rooms -- are warm and decorated in neutrals, with cherry wood furnishings, cream walls, cream throw pillows and bed runners. For more sleeping room, guests can pull out sofa beds in the spacious living area. Units also are stocked with a mini-fridge and microwave in a small bar area with a sink. There's a flat-screen TV in both the living room and bedroom. Outlets support USB cords as well. Bathrooms are also comfortably sized and clean, with a bathtub/shower combo and sink with dark granite counters. There are larger hospitality suites with lots of seating and tables, perfect for those conducting business in their rooms. Some rooms have views of Disney, the Epcot ball, and the nightly fireworks display.

Embassy Suites is known for its free evening reception every night, offering free snacks and drinks -- both alcoholic and nonalcoholic. Other free services that make this location stand out is the free self-parking and made-to-order breakfast. But Wi-Fi comes with a fee in the rooms, except in Premium Suites, where it's included.

With its proximity to the theme parks, the lobby has a booth to purchase park tickets, and a shuttle takes guests to Epcot for a fee. Dining options include the American restaurant Kyng’s Grille, the lobby lounge The Oasis, and The Marketplace for quick snacks and coffee. Other amenities at the hotel include a fitness center, outdoor swimming pool, and business center. For more business options, there is also 40,000 square feet of meeting space, 15 breakout rooms, and 10 boardrooms.