One of Disney's least expensive resorts, the 1,920-room All-Star Movies Resort is one of three adjacent, virtually identical All Star properties. Small, worn rooms, scarce food options, two fairly ordinary pools, and Disney's standard set of free services -- not bad, for the price, but the similarly priced Pop Century has faster access to most of Disney's theme parks.
One of Disney's least expensive resorts, the 1,920-room All-Star Movies Resort is one of three adjacent, virtually identical All Star properties. Small, worn rooms, scarce food options, two fairly ordinary pools, and Disney's standard set of free services -- not bad, for the price, but the similarly priced Pop Century has faster access to most of Disney's theme parks.
Popular with families visiting the Universal Studios theme parks, Loews Royal Pacific Resort is a 1,000-room, four-pearl resort with a Pacific Island/Balinese theme. Modern rooms here range from Standard units to Suites, and some have kid-pleasing decor themes such as Jurassic Park. As one might expect from a theme park resort, most of the amenities here are geared toward families, from the huge lagoon pool to the busy kids' club. However, there are also plenty of restaurants with food that adults will enjoy (think sushi and sashimi), plus a business center and lots of meeting space. Visitors may want to compare rates and amenities at one of the other Universal hotels, such as Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando, which has an on-site spa.
Popular with families visiting the Universal Studios theme parks, Loews Royal Pacific Resort is a 1,000-room, four-pearl resort with a Pacific Island/Balinese theme. Modern rooms here range from Standard units to Suites, and some have kid-pleasing decor themes such as Jurassic Park. As one might expect from a theme park resort, most of the amenities here are geared toward families, from the huge lagoon pool to the busy kids' club. However, there are also plenty of restaurants with food that adults will enjoy (think sushi and sashimi), plus a business center and lots of meeting space. Visitors may want to compare rates and amenities at one of the other Universal hotels, such as Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando, which has an on-site spa.
Marriott's Harbour Lake is a mid-range, family-friendly resort with 900 rooms off of International Drive, on the outskirts of Orlando's main tourist area. It's a short 10-minute drive to Disney World, and a 15-minute drive to Universal Studios, though shuttles aren't offered. Highlights include a large natural lake, activities, and numerous sports features plus a kid-friendly water playground and pirate-themed outdoor pool. Guest rooms and villas are clean and spacious, if generic and a bit dated, and villas include kitchens. A pool-side grill restaurant is also open for (paid) breakfast and serves American dishes. For a stay closer to the Disney parks, try Disney's Art of Animation Resort, which is good value and located right within Walt Disney World Resort, though it lacks a gym.
Marriott's Harbour Lake is a mid-range, family-friendly resort with 900 rooms off of International Drive, on the outskirts of Orlando's main tourist area. It's a short 10-minute drive to Disney World, and a 15-minute drive to Universal Studios, though shuttles aren't offered. Highlights include a large natural lake, activities, and numerous sports features plus a kid-friendly water playground and pirate-themed outdoor pool. Guest rooms and villas are clean and spacious, if generic and a bit dated, and villas include kitchens. A pool-side grill restaurant is also open for (paid) breakfast and serves American dishes. For a stay closer to the Disney parks, try Disney's Art of Animation Resort, which is good value and located right within Walt Disney World Resort, though it lacks a gym.
This massive 1000-room upscale resort is set within the Universal Orlando complex and comes with an array of theme park perks, including free water taxis and early admission to some parks. The outdoor pool is impressive, complete with a waterslide, two sandy beaches, and kids' areas, as are the hotel's indoor spaces, which feature stylish contemporary decor with Caribbean island inspirations. Inviting guest rooms offer a solid set of mod-cons and spacious bathrooms, while suites add living rooms. Dining options include Caribbean fare in a stylish restaurant and rum tastings in a tavern, plus there's a well equipped fitness center. For something with even more features, including a spa and three pools, check out sister property Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando -- but note that rates are more expensive.
This massive 1000-room upscale resort is set within the Universal Orlando complex and comes with an array of theme park perks, including free water taxis and early admission to some parks. The outdoor pool is impressive, complete with a waterslide, two sandy beaches, and kids' areas, as are the hotel's indoor spaces, which feature stylish contemporary decor with Caribbean island inspirations. Inviting guest rooms offer a solid set of mod-cons and spacious bathrooms, while suites add living rooms. Dining options include Caribbean fare in a stylish restaurant and rum tastings in a tavern, plus there's a well equipped fitness center. For something with even more features, including a spa and three pools, check out sister property Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando -- but note that rates are more expensive.
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.
Bluegreen Fountains Resort is a huge three-and-a-half-pearl time-share spread out over 54 acres, a 12-minute drive from Walt Disney World. It features a whopping 569 two- and three-bedroom apartments, all with full kitchens and washer/dryers, for up to eight guests. The emphasis here is heavy on leisure, with three pools (one with a pair of waterslides), a huge game room, and all sorts of activities for all ages, from fitness classes to special activities for kids. However, guests really need a car, as there's not much within walking distance. Travelers may feel less isolated staying at Hilton Grand Vacations Suites on International Drive, a 10-minute walk from the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets.
Bluegreen Fountains Resort is a huge three-and-a-half-pearl time-share spread out over 54 acres, a 12-minute drive from Walt Disney World. It features a whopping 569 two- and three-bedroom apartments, all with full kitchens and washer/dryers, for up to eight guests. The emphasis here is heavy on leisure, with three pools (one with a pair of waterslides), a huge game room, and all sorts of activities for all ages, from fitness classes to special activities for kids. However, guests really need a car, as there's not much within walking distance. Travelers may feel less isolated staying at Hilton Grand Vacations Suites on International Drive, a 10-minute walk from the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets.
An amusement park in itself, this enormous, 1800-room upper-middle-range property is inside of Universal Orlando and within easy walking distance of Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Rooms are decked out in zany colors and there are plenty of family-friendly suites with wet bars. With an enormous pool area equipped with waterslides, plus a bowling alley, arcade, and early admission to Universal, the hotel is geared toward families, much more so than the neighboring sister property Loews Royal PacificResort. Although it has a couple of bar areas and large fitness center, business guests and adults without children might find Cabana Bay a little loud and kitschy.
An amusement park in itself, this enormous, 1800-room upper-middle-range property is inside of Universal Orlando and within easy walking distance of Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Rooms are decked out in zany colors and there are plenty of family-friendly suites with wet bars. With an enormous pool area equipped with waterslides, plus a bowling alley, arcade, and early admission to Universal, the hotel is geared toward families, much more so than the neighboring sister property Loews Royal PacificResort. Although it has a couple of bar areas and large fitness center, business guests and adults without children might find Cabana Bay a little loud and kitschy.
Located midway between Disney World and Universal Studios, the upper-middle-range Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve is an excellent family-friendly option with one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. This 86-room property has an awesome pool complex with a lazy river and waterslides, as well as a casual on-site restaurant, mini-market, and fitness center. The hotel is located on the same Grande Lakes property as the JW Marriott and the Ritz Carlton, so guests have access to additional amenities and restaurants. It’s worth comparing rates at the Sheraton Vistana Resort — Lake Buena Vista, a larger property with similar rooms, though it isn’t as elegant.
Located midway between Disney World and Universal Studios, the upper-middle-range Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve is an excellent family-friendly option with one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. This 86-room property has an awesome pool complex with a lazy river and waterslides, as well as a casual on-site restaurant, mini-market, and fitness center. The hotel is located on the same Grande Lakes property as the JW Marriott and the Ritz Carlton, so guests have access to additional amenities and restaurants. It’s worth comparing rates at the Sheraton Vistana Resort — Lake Buena Vista, a larger property with similar rooms, though it isn’t as elegant.