Orlando Metropolitan Resort is a two-pearl motel and resort hybrid across from the Orlando Eye. While its location is great, its 298 rooms are not, with worn furniture and subpar housekeeping. The hallways are even filthier, though the lobby is nice and features a decent coffeeshop with Starbucks coffee and a good variety of light snacks for sale. The major redeeming factor here is that guests get free access to the adjacent YMCA, which has a great fitness center and an Olympic-size pool. Still, there are plenty of better places to stay in the area, including the Baymont Inn & Suites Orlando Universal Blvd, which has nicer rooms (renovated in late 2017) and free Wi-Fi.
Orlando Metropolitan Resort is a two-pearl motel and resort hybrid across from the Orlando Eye. While its location is great, its 298 rooms are not, with worn furniture and subpar housekeeping. The hallways are even filthier, though the lobby is nice and features a decent coffeeshop with Starbucks coffee and a good variety of light snacks for sale. The major redeeming factor here is that guests get free access to the adjacent YMCA, which has a great fitness center and an Olympic-size pool. Still, there are plenty of better places to stay in the area, including the Baymont Inn & Suites Orlando Universal Blvd, which has nicer rooms (renovated in late 2017) and free Wi-Fi.
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Orlando Airport is a three-pearl chain hotel with a homey ambience and easy access to the nearby Orlando airport, a free six-minute shuttle ride away. The 136 rooms and suites here are homey and quaint, with microwaves and mini-fridges plus flat-screen TVs. Amenities abound, and include an outdoor pool (heated year round), a whirlpool hot tub, a fitness center, and a computer station with free printing. There are also a couple of conference rooms for rent. While the hotel offers a free hot breakfast buffet every day, it doesn't have a restaurant for lunch and dinner, though there is a small shop selling frozen meals in the reception area. Travelers may want to also consider the Best Western Airport Inn & Suites, which offers similar amenities for slightly cheaper rates.
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Orlando Airport is a three-pearl chain hotel with a homey ambience and easy access to the nearby Orlando airport, a free six-minute shuttle ride away. The 136 rooms and suites here are homey and quaint, with microwaves and mini-fridges plus flat-screen TVs. Amenities abound, and include an outdoor pool (heated year round), a whirlpool hot tub, a fitness center, and a computer station with free printing. There are also a couple of conference rooms for rent. While the hotel offers a free hot breakfast buffet every day, it doesn't have a restaurant for lunch and dinner, though there is a small shop selling frozen meals in the reception area. Travelers may want to also consider the Best Western Airport Inn & Suites, which offers similar amenities for slightly cheaper rates.
The 756-room, upper-middle-range Walt Disney World Swan Resort has an excellent location behind the Disney Boardwalk and offers free transportation to parks. Rates are largely affordable, though the high daily resort fee and extra fees for things like parking are notable downsides. The Swan is a split property with adjacent Dolphin Resort, where most of the shared restaurants, pools, and resort features are located. Rooms are contemporary, though showing some wear despite 2016 renovations. All have coffeemakers, desks, and flat-screen TVs. Between the two resorts, guests can expect a full-service spa, good 24-hour gym, five heated pools -- including a popular waterfall pool with slides -- 12 restaurants and eateries, and a more adult-friendly vibe than most Disney hotels. Travelers wanting more Disney decor should consider the Disney Boardwalk Villas, though rates are higher.
The 756-room, upper-middle-range Walt Disney World Swan Resort has an excellent location behind the Disney Boardwalk and offers free transportation to parks. Rates are largely affordable, though the high daily resort fee and extra fees for things like parking are notable downsides. The Swan is a split property with adjacent Dolphin Resort, where most of the shared restaurants, pools, and resort features are located. Rooms are contemporary, though showing some wear despite 2016 renovations. All have coffeemakers, desks, and flat-screen TVs. Between the two resorts, guests can expect a full-service spa, good 24-hour gym, five heated pools -- including a popular waterfall pool with slides -- 12 restaurants and eateries, and a more adult-friendly vibe than most Disney hotels. Travelers wanting more Disney decor should consider the Disney Boardwalk Villas, though rates are higher.
Travelers who want to be within walking distance of Disney Springs can find solid mid-range offerings at the Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Area. The hotel’s 394 rooms are stylishly decorated with colorful, contemporary decor, and the inviting lobby provides plenty of communal gathering space that's convenient for groups traveling together. Features include an outdoor pool, a 24-hour mini market, multiple sports courts, and a small fitness center. Plus, the hotel offers Disney perks, like frequent character breakfasts at the restaurant, free park shuttles, and Extra Magic Hours. Unfortunately, there's a daily resort fee that covers parking and Wi-Fi, and breakfast is not included in nightly rates. It’s worth considering the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando — Disney Springs Area, though the atmosphere is more adult-oriented than family-friendly.
Travelers who want to be within walking distance of Disney Springs can find solid mid-range offerings at the Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Area. The hotel’s 394 rooms are stylishly decorated with colorful, contemporary decor, and the inviting lobby provides plenty of communal gathering space that's convenient for groups traveling together. Features include an outdoor pool, a 24-hour mini market, multiple sports courts, and a small fitness center. Plus, the hotel offers Disney perks, like frequent character breakfasts at the restaurant, free park shuttles, and Extra Magic Hours. Unfortunately, there's a daily resort fee that covers parking and Wi-Fi, and breakfast is not included in nightly rates. It’s worth considering the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando — Disney Springs Area, though the atmosphere is more adult-oriented than family-friendly.
The four-pearl Las Palmeras, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club caters equally to leisure and business travelers, and is located across from the Orange County Convention Center, just 10 minutes' drive from SeaWorld. All of its 315 spacious, modern rooms have private furnished balconies, kitchenettes, and furnishings that were updated in 2016. There's no spa, but the outdoor pool and hot tub are set in a pretty brick sundeck. Dining options are limited as there's just one restaurant serving Italian cuisine, but there are both a lobby and poolside bar. The resort and parking fees, plus the hotel's lack of a spa are notable downsides. Travelers looking for more amenities need not look farther than the nearby Hilton Orlando, though rates are a bit higher.
The four-pearl Las Palmeras, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club caters equally to leisure and business travelers, and is located across from the Orange County Convention Center, just 10 minutes' drive from SeaWorld. All of its 315 spacious, modern rooms have private furnished balconies, kitchenettes, and furnishings that were updated in 2016. There's no spa, but the outdoor pool and hot tub are set in a pretty brick sundeck. Dining options are limited as there's just one restaurant serving Italian cuisine, but there are both a lobby and poolside bar. The resort and parking fees, plus the hotel's lack of a spa are notable downsides. Travelers looking for more amenities need not look farther than the nearby Hilton Orlando, though rates are a bit higher.
This 91-room, mid-range Best Western Plus Convention Center Hotel has free shuttle service to and from theme parks and is a 10-minute walk to the Orange County Convention Center. The hotel provides a pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and a small business center. The free breakfast buffet, though basic, does offer indoor and outdoor patio seating. The rooms, beds, and bathrooms are small, especially for a chain hotel such as this, and strong smells and maintenance issues in rooms may be bothersome to guests. Check rates at the nearby Hyatt Place Orlando/Convention Center for nicer rooms.
This 91-room, mid-range Best Western Plus Convention Center Hotel has free shuttle service to and from theme parks and is a 10-minute walk to the Orange County Convention Center. The hotel provides a pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and a small business center. The free breakfast buffet, though basic, does offer indoor and outdoor patio seating. The rooms, beds, and bathrooms are small, especially for a chain hotel such as this, and strong smells and maintenance issues in rooms may be bothersome to guests. Check rates at the nearby Hyatt Place Orlando/Convention Center for nicer rooms.
Hyatt Place Orlando / Lake Buena Vista is a mid-range hotel with a central location in Orlando. It's conveniently located for accessing the several nearby theme parks, and Disney World is only a three-minute drive. The 169 rooms are spacious and come with amenities like flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Family Rooms have bunk beds. There's a free buffet breakfast each morning along with a restaurant and bar service. Business travelers will appreciate the four meeting rooms and business center. Other features include an outdoor swimming pool, laundry room, and fitness center. The free shuttle to Disney World and Universal Studios is a bonus. Travelers looking for a more family-friendly resort can also consider Sheraton Vistana Villages - International Drive which has more pools and entertainment programs.
Hyatt Place Orlando / Lake Buena Vista is a mid-range hotel with a central location in Orlando. It's conveniently located for accessing the several nearby theme parks, and Disney World is only a three-minute drive. The 169 rooms are spacious and come with amenities like flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Family Rooms have bunk beds. There's a free buffet breakfast each morning along with a restaurant and bar service. Business travelers will appreciate the four meeting rooms and business center. Other features include an outdoor swimming pool, laundry room, and fitness center. The free shuttle to Disney World and Universal Studios is a bonus. Travelers looking for a more family-friendly resort can also consider Sheraton Vistana Villages - International Drive which has more pools and entertainment programs.
The four-pearl Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is a lovely destination resort near Orlando’s most popular attractions. It’s within walking distance of Epcot and a short drive or free shuttle ride to most other top parks. The massive complex has 17 restaurants, five pools, a beach, and a large convention center. It’s in the midst of a $125 million renovation that's making over all of the 2,267 rooms. The renovated rooms have a bright, sleek decor, but those awaiting an upgrade, while clean and well-maintained, are dated and tired-looking. While rates are competitive for a resort of this caliber, a daily resort fee and pricey parking add hefty surcharges. Travelers might want to also check out Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, which has lower rates and similar amenities.
The four-pearl Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is a lovely destination resort near Orlando’s most popular attractions. It’s within walking distance of Epcot and a short drive or free shuttle ride to most other top parks. The massive complex has 17 restaurants, five pools, a beach, and a large convention center. It’s in the midst of a $125 million renovation that's making over all of the 2,267 rooms. The renovated rooms have a bright, sleek decor, but those awaiting an upgrade, while clean and well-maintained, are dated and tired-looking. While rates are competitive for a resort of this caliber, a daily resort fee and pricey parking add hefty surcharges. Travelers might want to also check out Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, which has lower rates and similar amenities.
Diamond Resorts Grand Beach is mid-range apartment-style hotel with plenty to keep kids and families busy. It's situated on lovely Lake Bryan, within a 15-minute drive of the Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World. The 156 rooms consist of one- to three-bedroom units with full kitchens, though there are no restaurants or bars on site. With outdoor pools, mini-golf, paddle boats, basketball, and lots of kids activities, the concept is similar to the nearby Sheraton Vistana but much smaller in scale. The Grand Beach is best-suited for families who want a comfortable and affordable lakeside vacation near Disney World.
Diamond Resorts Grand Beach is mid-range apartment-style hotel with plenty to keep kids and families busy. It's situated on lovely Lake Bryan, within a 15-minute drive of the Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World. The 156 rooms consist of one- to three-bedroom units with full kitchens, though there are no restaurants or bars on site. With outdoor pools, mini-golf, paddle boats, basketball, and lots of kids activities, the concept is similar to the nearby Sheraton Vistana but much smaller in scale. The Grand Beach is best-suited for families who want a comfortable and affordable lakeside vacation near Disney World.
Marriott's Cypress Harbour Villas is an upper-middle-range property with 510 Two-Bedroom Villas off International Drive. It's a 10-minute drive to SeaWorld, and around 20 minutes to the Magic Kingdom by car. The grounds are well-maintained and lush, with a large lake in the center of the property. Villas are modern and spacious, and have full kitchens plus screened-in outdoor spaces. On-site dining is available at four casual spots, and there are two bars as well. The recreation and activities list is long, including fishing in the lake and plenty of poolside events, though the lack of a theme-park shuttle is disappointing. Travelers looking for a similar features at lower rates could consider the nearby Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld, where there's a free shuttle to the parks, but smaller rooms.
Marriott's Cypress Harbour Villas is an upper-middle-range property with 510 Two-Bedroom Villas off International Drive. It's a 10-minute drive to SeaWorld, and around 20 minutes to the Magic Kingdom by car. The grounds are well-maintained and lush, with a large lake in the center of the property. Villas are modern and spacious, and have full kitchens plus screened-in outdoor spaces. On-site dining is available at four casual spots, and there are two bars as well. The recreation and activities list is long, including fishing in the lake and plenty of poolside events, though the lack of a theme-park shuttle is disappointing. Travelers looking for a similar features at lower rates could consider the nearby Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld, where there's a free shuttle to the parks, but smaller rooms.