Comfort Inn Orlando - Lake Buena Vista is a two-and-a-half-pearl chain hotel situated adjacent to a strip mall. It's a short drive (or free shuttle ride) away from all of the area's Disney parks. The 200 rooms here are simple and have dated decor, but are nonetheless kept in good repair. All have flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and coffeemakers. Most also have balconies. However, it's the amenities that really stand out here: these include a fitness center, a lovely (but unheated) outdoor pool with a waterfall slide feature, and a great free breakfast, complete with famous Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles. While it's one of the best values in the area, travelers wanting to be closer to the Universal Parks may want to consider Days Inn Orlando International Drive South of Universal.
Comfort Inn Orlando - Lake Buena Vista is a two-and-a-half-pearl chain hotel situated adjacent to a strip mall. It's a short drive (or free shuttle ride) away from all of the area's Disney parks. The 200 rooms here are simple and have dated decor, but are nonetheless kept in good repair. All have flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and coffeemakers. Most also have balconies. However, it's the amenities that really stand out here: these include a fitness center, a lovely (but unheated) outdoor pool with a waterfall slide feature, and a great free breakfast, complete with famous Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles. While it's one of the best values in the area, travelers wanting to be closer to the Universal Parks may want to consider Days Inn Orlando International Drive South of Universal.
Orlando Continental Plaza Hotel is a run-down two-pearl motel just off the 4 freeway, a five-minute drive from the Universal Studios theme parks. The 192 rooms here are dark and about as basic as they come, with worn furnishings and old carpets, but the beds and pillows are comfortable. Amenities include a swimming pool that's heated all year round, a free shuttle to area parks, coin-operated laundry facilities, a microwave for guest use, and a small breakfast cafe serving a variety of microwavable items (think frozen corn dogs) along with coffee and tea. The only Wi-Fi available is in the lobby. There are plenty of better budget options in the area, such as the Baymont Inn & Suites Orlando Universal Blvd, which has nicer rooms and free Wi-Fi throughout.
Orlando Continental Plaza Hotel is a run-down two-pearl motel just off the 4 freeway, a five-minute drive from the Universal Studios theme parks. The 192 rooms here are dark and about as basic as they come, with worn furnishings and old carpets, but the beds and pillows are comfortable. Amenities include a swimming pool that's heated all year round, a free shuttle to area parks, coin-operated laundry facilities, a microwave for guest use, and a small breakfast cafe serving a variety of microwavable items (think frozen corn dogs) along with coffee and tea. The only Wi-Fi available is in the lobby. There are plenty of better budget options in the area, such as the Baymont Inn & Suites Orlando Universal Blvd, which has nicer rooms and free Wi-Fi throughout.
This three-pearl DoubleTree outpost may be a 45-minute drive from the city’s theme parks, but it’s a tasteful and quieter option for business travelers and families, and a three-minute drive to the University of Central Florida campus. Common areas throughout are simple, yet contemporary and sophisticated. Similarly, the 242 modern rooms don’t have many frills (i.e. no mini-fridges), but they’re clean, come with coffeemakers, and many have lake views. Amenities are solid, including a spacious gym, a pleasant outdoor pool, and an airy restaurant, plus free Wi-Fi and parking. Breakfast is pricey, though, and there are no shuttles available. For a more tourist-friendly location, the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando-Lake Buena Vista is closer to the Disney theme park and even more affordable, but it does get noisier and more crowded.
This three-pearl DoubleTree outpost may be a 45-minute drive from the city’s theme parks, but it’s a tasteful and quieter option for business travelers and families, and a three-minute drive to the University of Central Florida campus. Common areas throughout are simple, yet contemporary and sophisticated. Similarly, the 242 modern rooms don’t have many frills (i.e. no mini-fridges), but they’re clean, come with coffeemakers, and many have lake views. Amenities are solid, including a spacious gym, a pleasant outdoor pool, and an airy restaurant, plus free Wi-Fi and parking. Breakfast is pricey, though, and there are no shuttles available. For a more tourist-friendly location, the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando-Lake Buena Vista is closer to the Disney theme park and even more affordable, but it does get noisier and more crowded.
The 118-room Econo Lodge International is a value hotel off the I-4 highway and close to many attractions. Basic, no-frills rooms have mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and flat-screen TVs, but the bathrooms are dated with old tile and dim lighting. A lovely outdoor pool has an attached picnic area with greenery, and there's a free daily breakfast. Both the front desk and the business center are available 24/7, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. This property has a mandatory daily resort fee, however, which includes a shuttle to theme parks. Travelers seeking budget properties in the area might want to compare rates with the Howard Johnson Inn Orlando or the Floridian Express Hotel.
The 118-room Econo Lodge International is a value hotel off the I-4 highway and close to many attractions. Basic, no-frills rooms have mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and flat-screen TVs, but the bathrooms are dated with old tile and dim lighting. A lovely outdoor pool has an attached picnic area with greenery, and there's a free daily breakfast. Both the front desk and the business center are available 24/7, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. This property has a mandatory daily resort fee, however, which includes a shuttle to theme parks. Travelers seeking budget properties in the area might want to compare rates with the Howard Johnson Inn Orlando or the Floridian Express Hotel.
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.
Disney's Pop Century Resort is an enormous, 2,880-room budget hotel that was built as an homage to 20th-century pop culture. The property is brimming with giant colorful installations, and three outdoor pools paying tribute to different decades. There are a big indoor arcade and a self-serve food court, but few other facilities. The small rooms have mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs, but the worn furnishings and lack of coffeemakers are a letdown. It's still worth considering this resort as a value option given its convenient location near Epcot and free shuttle access to the theme parks, but budget travelers should note that the mediocre self-serve cafeteria has captive audience prices, much higher than similar cheap eats along International Drive. It's worth comparing rates at the nearby Disney's Art of Animation Resort, which has more amenities.
Disney's Pop Century Resort is an enormous, 2,880-room budget hotel that was built as an homage to 20th-century pop culture. The property is brimming with giant colorful installations, and three outdoor pools paying tribute to different decades. There are a big indoor arcade and a self-serve food court, but few other facilities. The small rooms have mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs, but the worn furnishings and lack of coffeemakers are a letdown. It's still worth considering this resort as a value option given its convenient location near Epcot and free shuttle access to the theme parks, but budget travelers should note that the mediocre self-serve cafeteria has captive audience prices, much higher than similar cheap eats along International Drive. It's worth comparing rates at the nearby Disney's Art of Animation Resort, which has more amenities.
Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort is a three-and-a-half pearl property located a 10- to 15-minute drive from the main Disney parks. Unsurprisingly, it attracts lots of vacationing families. The 486 rooms have contemporary decor and balconies, and some have sofa beds and bunk beds for kids. Other features include two gorgeous lagoon pools, one with a 79-foot waterslide and the other with a games section for volleyball, not to mention an excellent, modern fitness center open around the clock and a small spa. There's also a poolside restaurant/bar along with a main restaurant, and room service is available. Expect to pay a daily resort fee and extra for parking. Overall, it's a good choice for families wanting a great pool and easy access to Disney attractions, but adults (particularly business travelers) may prefer the nearby and quieter Courtyard by Marriott instead.
Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort is a three-and-a-half pearl property located a 10- to 15-minute drive from the main Disney parks. Unsurprisingly, it attracts lots of vacationing families. The 486 rooms have contemporary decor and balconies, and some have sofa beds and bunk beds for kids. Other features include two gorgeous lagoon pools, one with a 79-foot waterslide and the other with a games section for volleyball, not to mention an excellent, modern fitness center open around the clock and a small spa. There's also a poolside restaurant/bar along with a main restaurant, and room service is available. Expect to pay a daily resort fee and extra for parking. Overall, it's a good choice for families wanting a great pool and easy access to Disney attractions, but adults (particularly business travelers) may prefer the nearby and quieter Courtyard by Marriott instead.
The three-pearl Drury Inn & Suites Orlando offers easy access to Universal Studios Orlando Resort and a plethora of freebies. There's a free hot buffet breakfast, free afternoon snacks, free shuttle to Universal Studios (with advance reservations), free Wi-Fi, and three free drinks and a light meal each evening. There's a connected indoor/outdoor pool and a small 24-hour fitness room. Business travelers have access to flexible meeting and conference facilities. The 238 rooms are mostly generic and plain, though they do have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges. Many families stay here, but there's little for kids to do. Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa has a Disney character breakfast on Sundays and a more happening pool for similar rates.
The three-pearl Drury Inn & Suites Orlando offers easy access to Universal Studios Orlando Resort and a plethora of freebies. There's a free hot buffet breakfast, free afternoon snacks, free shuttle to Universal Studios (with advance reservations), free Wi-Fi, and three free drinks and a light meal each evening. There's a connected indoor/outdoor pool and a small 24-hour fitness room. Business travelers have access to flexible meeting and conference facilities. The 238 rooms are mostly generic and plain, though they do have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges. Many families stay here, but there's little for kids to do. Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa has a Disney character breakfast on Sundays and a more happening pool for similar rates.
A typical example of the Fairfield Inn & Suites brand, this three-pearl hotel is a pleasant and casual chain option for families wanting easy access to Disney parks (there's even a free shuttle). The 388 rooms are bright and spacious and many have bunk beds, making them a good fit for families traveling with children. Amenities include an excellent fitness center open around the clock, a good-size outdoor pool (plus a splash area for kids), and a free breakfast with Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles, though some guests have complained of mediocre food quality. There's also a food court with pizza and ice cream, but it was under renovation during our visit. Travelers wanting something a bit quieter and more adult-oriented may want to consider booking a stay next door at the Courtyard by Marriott instead.
A typical example of the Fairfield Inn & Suites brand, this three-pearl hotel is a pleasant and casual chain option for families wanting easy access to Disney parks (there's even a free shuttle). The 388 rooms are bright and spacious and many have bunk beds, making them a good fit for families traveling with children. Amenities include an excellent fitness center open around the clock, a good-size outdoor pool (plus a splash area for kids), and a free breakfast with Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles, though some guests have complained of mediocre food quality. There's also a food court with pizza and ice cream, but it was under renovation during our visit. Travelers wanting something a bit quieter and more adult-oriented may want to consider booking a stay next door at the Courtyard by Marriott instead.
Modeled after the real Portofino Bay on the Italian Riviera, this 750-room Loews hotel has nightly singers in the piazza, great Italian restaurants, and a waterslide that resembles a Roman aqueduct. It's the most expensive of Universal's four resorts, but that's because of its bigger, more beautiful rooms, gorgeous spa, and three pools, including two quieter ones for couples.
Modeled after the real Portofino Bay on the Italian Riviera, this 750-room Loews hotel has nightly singers in the piazza, great Italian restaurants, and a waterslide that resembles a Roman aqueduct. It's the most expensive of Universal's four resorts, but that's because of its bigger, more beautiful rooms, gorgeous spa, and three pools, including two quieter ones for couples.