The massive upper-middle-range Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark is one of Orlando's best options for families outside of a theme park. Its 777 stylish suites, all with kitchens or kitchenettes, are spacious and well designed to sleep families. Even better, there's a huge range of kid-pleasing features including two water parks, an enormous arcade, and a "4D Experience" theater, making this resort an attraction onto itself. While the resort provides plenty of entertainment on-site, it also offers shuttles to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld, though -- unlike Disney's Pop Century Resort -- it doesn't provide any park perks.
The massive upper-middle-range Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark is one of Orlando's best options for families outside of a theme park. Its 777 stylish suites, all with kitchens or kitchenettes, are spacious and well designed to sleep families. Even better, there's a huge range of kid-pleasing features including two water parks, an enormous arcade, and a "4D Experience" theater, making this resort an attraction onto itself. While the resort provides plenty of entertainment on-site, it also offers shuttles to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld, though -- unlike Disney's Pop Century Resort -- it doesn't provide any park perks.
Orlando World Center Marriott is an enormous four-pearl convention hotel located in southern Orlando, a 10-minute drive to Disney World. There's a total of 2009 rooms and suites, all with furnished balconies and many with pull-out sofa beds -- though decor is bland. Facilities include 74 meeting and event spaces (including the largest pillar-less ballroom in the country) along with multiple swimming pools, two waterslides, a well-equipped fitness center, and a good selection of activities and amenities for children. There's also an 18-hole golf course with its own steakhouse, plus a number of other restaurants serving American, Italian, and Japanese cuisine. While it's hard to beat this hotel in terms of conference facilities, business travelers may want to also consider the Hilton Orlando, which has direct skybridge access to the Orange County Convention Center.
Orlando World Center Marriott is an enormous four-pearl convention hotel located in southern Orlando, a 10-minute drive to Disney World. There's a total of 2009 rooms and suites, all with furnished balconies and many with pull-out sofa beds -- though decor is bland. Facilities include 74 meeting and event spaces (including the largest pillar-less ballroom in the country) along with multiple swimming pools, two waterslides, a well-equipped fitness center, and a good selection of activities and amenities for children. There's also an 18-hole golf course with its own steakhouse, plus a number of other restaurants serving American, Italian, and Japanese cuisine. While it's hard to beat this hotel in terms of conference facilities, business travelers may want to also consider the Hilton Orlando, which has direct skybridge access to the Orange County Convention Center.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas- Lake Buena Vista feels more like a small town than a hotel. With 1,682 apartment-style units, seven pools, three restaurants, a mini-market, and tons of on-site amenities, the property provides a fair share of fun on-site, plus it's within a 15-minute drive of local theme parks. Contemporary, homey villas have full kitchens, living rooms, and free Wi-Fi, but not all have elevator access or outdoor spaces. The Sheraton offers great value for families, but it may not be the best place for couples or business travelers, who may prefer the nearby Orlando World Center Marriott, though it tends to be pricier.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas- Lake Buena Vista feels more like a small town than a hotel. With 1,682 apartment-style units, seven pools, three restaurants, a mini-market, and tons of on-site amenities, the property provides a fair share of fun on-site, plus it's within a 15-minute drive of local theme parks. Contemporary, homey villas have full kitchens, living rooms, and free Wi-Fi, but not all have elevator access or outdoor spaces. The Sheraton offers great value for families, but it may not be the best place for couples or business travelers, who may prefer the nearby Orlando World Center Marriott, though it tends to be pricier.
A 10-minute drive from Walt Disney World, this mid-sized, decor at this three-pearl resort is a bit old-fashioned, but it can be a great value compared to nearby hotels such as Staybridge Suites next door. Multiple room configurations make Cypress Pointe ideal for families and big groups, and layouts range from Studios with whirlpool tubs to Two- and Three-Bedroom Condos with full kitchens and living rooms. Kid-friendly amenities include an erupting volcano feature in the pool, a huge game room, and a playground. However, most buildings lack elevators and housekeeping is only provided once per week. This is a time-share community as well, and guests have been subjected to hard sells and pitches in the past.
A 10-minute drive from Walt Disney World, this mid-sized, decor at this three-pearl resort is a bit old-fashioned, but it can be a great value compared to nearby hotels such as Staybridge Suites next door. Multiple room configurations make Cypress Pointe ideal for families and big groups, and layouts range from Studios with whirlpool tubs to Two- and Three-Bedroom Condos with full kitchens and living rooms. Kid-friendly amenities include an erupting volcano feature in the pool, a huge game room, and a playground. However, most buildings lack elevators and housekeeping is only provided once per week. This is a time-share community as well, and guests have been subjected to hard sells and pitches in the past.
This 1,000-room Hilton is an oasis of adult calm amid frenetic child-centric Disney World -- literally, as it's actually within the gates of Disney. The ample rooms and facilities are modern, sleek, and in great condition, while features and services cater to both business and leisure needs; plus, guests get free access to all facilities at the neighboring Waldorf Astoria.
This 1,000-room Hilton is an oasis of adult calm amid frenetic child-centric Disney World -- literally, as it's actually within the gates of Disney. The ample rooms and facilities are modern, sleek, and in great condition, while features and services cater to both business and leisure needs; plus, guests get free access to all facilities at the neighboring Waldorf Astoria.
The Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and Spa is a private resort with multi-bedroom, condo-style suites convenient to Orlando's theme parks. Packaged as a family resort, the property has a wide range of amenities that would appeal to parents and children alike, from the spacious accommodations to the full-service spa.
The Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and Spa is a private resort with multi-bedroom, condo-style suites convenient to Orlando's theme parks. Packaged as a family resort, the property has a wide range of amenities that would appeal to parents and children alike, from the spacious accommodations to the full-service spa.
With 1,014 rooms and a long list of activities -- tennis, basketball, volleyball, playground, and more -- the all-inclusive Buena Vista Palace Hotel and Spa is a massive resort. Adjacent to all of the most popular Orlando theme attractions, it is in walking distance of Downtown Disney. The resort has a relaxing side with three pools, a grotto, hot tub, and pool bar. Rooms are big and bright with a mix of chic and more basic furniture, along with flat-screen TVs and nice balconies. Some guests have complained about thin walls and a daily resort fee.
With 1,014 rooms and a long list of activities -- tennis, basketball, volleyball, playground, and more -- the all-inclusive Buena Vista Palace Hotel and Spa is a massive resort. Adjacent to all of the most popular Orlando theme attractions, it is in walking distance of Downtown Disney. The resort has a relaxing side with three pools, a grotto, hot tub, and pool bar. Rooms are big and bright with a mix of chic and more basic furniture, along with flat-screen TVs and nice balconies. Some guests have complained about thin walls and a daily resort fee.
This large, four-pearl resort is an upscale option a five- to 10-minute drive from the Disney theme parks. The 400 rooms are spacious and modern, done in on-trend colors, and including enormous flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges. A few of the pricier suites feature balconies with nice views of a nearby lake. As a self-contained town of sorts, the resort has four restaurants, a coffee shop, a huge pool, spa, and a fitness center -- not to mention a free shuttle to Disney World. It's ideal for anyone looking for a high-end alternative to one of the nearby Disney resorts, though there's a resort fee per night and parking isn't free. Those seeking a bit more style and personality should consider the nearby, kid-friendly B Resort & Spa, which has lower rates.
This large, four-pearl resort is an upscale option a five- to 10-minute drive from the Disney theme parks. The 400 rooms are spacious and modern, done in on-trend colors, and including enormous flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges. A few of the pricier suites feature balconies with nice views of a nearby lake. As a self-contained town of sorts, the resort has four restaurants, a coffee shop, a huge pool, spa, and a fitness center -- not to mention a free shuttle to Disney World. It's ideal for anyone looking for a high-end alternative to one of the nearby Disney resorts, though there's a resort fee per night and parking isn't free. Those seeking a bit more style and personality should consider the nearby, kid-friendly B Resort & Spa, which has lower rates.
The 150-room, three-pearl Staybridge Suites Lake Buena Vista is a top-notch, mid-range hotel in a very convenient location. It’s not luxurious by any measure, but it delivers good overall value with clean and spacious apartment-style units with full kitchens and flat-screen TVs with DVD players. The free hot breakfast and free shuttle add value; however there’s no on-site restaurant (only a breakfast room) or bar, and some guests find the lack of elevators inconvenient. Rates are attractive, but there's a lot of competition in the area, including the Holiday Inn Orlando-Disney Springs Area, which offers a good alternative with similar rates plus a restaurant/bar and elevators.
The 150-room, three-pearl Staybridge Suites Lake Buena Vista is a top-notch, mid-range hotel in a very convenient location. It’s not luxurious by any measure, but it delivers good overall value with clean and spacious apartment-style units with full kitchens and flat-screen TVs with DVD players. The free hot breakfast and free shuttle add value; however there’s no on-site restaurant (only a breakfast room) or bar, and some guests find the lack of elevators inconvenient. Rates are attractive, but there's a lot of competition in the area, including the Holiday Inn Orlando-Disney Springs Area, which offers a good alternative with similar rates plus a restaurant/bar and elevators.
This three-pearl, 275-room condo-style resort provides free shuttle services to and from the Disney theme parks, SeaWorld, and Universal. Additionally, the resort has family-focused amenities including four pools, two hot tubs, multiple sports courts, mini-golf, resort-wide events and activities, and an arcade. The condos include full-size kitchens, screened-in furnished porches, small bathrooms, and pullout couches for extra sleeping space. Guests shouldn't expect regular housekeeping or any on-site dining, though restaurants are about 10-minute walk away, as are grocery stores. The adjacent Grande Villas Resort is a comparable option that has a deli and convenience store on-site.
This three-pearl, 275-room condo-style resort provides free shuttle services to and from the Disney theme parks, SeaWorld, and Universal. Additionally, the resort has family-focused amenities including four pools, two hot tubs, multiple sports courts, mini-golf, resort-wide events and activities, and an arcade. The condos include full-size kitchens, screened-in furnished porches, small bathrooms, and pullout couches for extra sleeping space. Guests shouldn't expect regular housekeeping or any on-site dining, though restaurants are about 10-minute walk away, as are grocery stores. The adjacent Grande Villas Resort is a comparable option that has a deli and convenience store on-site.