While other Disney resorts feel either too small and crowded or too grand and difficult to navigate, Old Key West's size feels just right -- 761 studios and large, kitchen-equipped condos, a great gym, and numerous pools (including a waterslide) all set in a beautiful, riverside setting, near Epcot and Downtown Disney.
While other Disney resorts feel either too small and crowded or too grand and difficult to navigate, Old Key West's size feels just right -- 761 studios and large, kitchen-equipped condos, a great gym, and numerous pools (including a waterslide) all set in a beautiful, riverside setting, near Epcot and Downtown Disney.
The 650-room upscale Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort is a fun, funky, rock-and-roll-themed hotel that offers priority access to the Universal theme parks. Designed to give guests the "rock-star feeling," there are tons of kid-friendly activities, including a kids' club, arcade, and children's pool. For adults, there are a huge resort-style pool, extensive fitness center, and a Fender guitar lending library. Guest rooms are big, spotless, and contemporary, with lots of extras and modern bathrooms. The nearby Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando is a touch more luxurious (and expensive).
The 650-room upscale Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort is a fun, funky, rock-and-roll-themed hotel that offers priority access to the Universal theme parks. Designed to give guests the "rock-star feeling," there are tons of kid-friendly activities, including a kids' club, arcade, and children's pool. For adults, there are a huge resort-style pool, extensive fitness center, and a Fender guitar lending library. Guest rooms are big, spotless, and contemporary, with lots of extras and modern bathrooms. The nearby Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando is a touch more luxurious (and expensive).
Hyatt Regency Orlando is a giant upscale business hotel that's directly connected to the Orange County Convention Center by a skybridge. The hotel offers 1,641 spacious rooms and suites, all with simple business-style decor and a solid set of amenities like large flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers with Starbucks coffee, iPod docks, and even in-mirror TVs in the bathrooms. Everything here is big, from the 100-plus inventory of meeting space to the sprawling outdoor lagoon pool (with its own waterslide) to the huge fitness center with separate cardio, core, and spinning rooms. While guests can access most of the facilities and the Wi-Fi free of charge, the hotel tacks on a hefty resort fee, plus parking is pricey. Guests might want to compare rates to the neighboring Hilton Orlando, which has similar features.
Hyatt Regency Orlando is a giant upscale business hotel that's directly connected to the Orange County Convention Center by a skybridge. The hotel offers 1,641 spacious rooms and suites, all with simple business-style decor and a solid set of amenities like large flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers with Starbucks coffee, iPod docks, and even in-mirror TVs in the bathrooms. Everything here is big, from the 100-plus inventory of meeting space to the sprawling outdoor lagoon pool (with its own waterslide) to the huge fitness center with separate cardio, core, and spinning rooms. While guests can access most of the facilities and the Wi-Fi free of charge, the hotel tacks on a hefty resort fee, plus parking is pricey. Guests might want to compare rates to the neighboring Hilton Orlando, which has similar features.
La Quinta Inn Orlando - Universal Studios is a two-and-a-half pearl hotel that's a 10-minute drive (or free shuttle ride) from the theme parks at Universal Studios. The 134 rooms here are spread across two buildings, and have bright, colorful decor that's a bit nicer than what one usually finds in budget hotels. All have flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and mini-fridges; some have sofa beds. Amenities include two outdoor swimming pools, a free hot-and-cold breakfast buffet, and coin-operated laundry facilities, but the lack of a gym might put some travelers off from staying here. Comfort Suites Universal Studio Area located just next door might be a better option, and offers a gym and a minimart.
La Quinta Inn Orlando - Universal Studios is a two-and-a-half pearl hotel that's a 10-minute drive (or free shuttle ride) from the theme parks at Universal Studios. The 134 rooms here are spread across two buildings, and have bright, colorful decor that's a bit nicer than what one usually finds in budget hotels. All have flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and mini-fridges; some have sofa beds. Amenities include two outdoor swimming pools, a free hot-and-cold breakfast buffet, and coin-operated laundry facilities, but the lack of a gym might put some travelers off from staying here. Comfort Suites Universal Studio Area located just next door might be a better option, and offers a gym and a minimart.
The 123-room Quality Suites Lake Buena Vista is a budget hotel located off the I-4 highway. Spacious, somewhat bland suites include separate living rooms and fully equipped kitchens, though appliances and decor are a bit dated. There's a small outdoor pool and a hot tub, as well as a barbecue area. The hotel also has a business center and small fitness room, plus it offers free shuttles to the Walt Disney World theme parks and free daily breakfast, though guests have complained that the breakfast area often gets crowded. There are several other all-suite properties in the area, such as Embassy Suites Orlando/Lake Buena Vista Resort and the Homewood Suites by Hilton Lake Buena Vista - Orlando, so travelers might want to compare rates.
The 123-room Quality Suites Lake Buena Vista is a budget hotel located off the I-4 highway. Spacious, somewhat bland suites include separate living rooms and fully equipped kitchens, though appliances and decor are a bit dated. There's a small outdoor pool and a hot tub, as well as a barbecue area. The hotel also has a business center and small fitness room, plus it offers free shuttles to the Walt Disney World theme parks and free daily breakfast, though guests have complained that the breakfast area often gets crowded. There are several other all-suite properties in the area, such as Embassy Suites Orlando/Lake Buena Vista Resort and the Homewood Suites by Hilton Lake Buena Vista - Orlando, so travelers might want to compare rates.
A mid-range hotel near Universal Studios, the Four Points by Sheraton International Drive is a no-frills option ideal for families or business travelers. Its 301 rooms are bland and generic, but they feature sleek bathrooms and sufficient amenities such as flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and hairdryers. Note that not all rooms have mini-fridges. An outdoor pool and tiny fitness center are added perks, plus Wi-Fi and parking are both free. The immediate neighborhood surrounding the hotel is somewhat seedy, so travelers who’d prefer to be closer to Universal should consider the pricier Hyatt Place Universal Studios.
A mid-range hotel near Universal Studios, the Four Points by Sheraton International Drive is a no-frills option ideal for families or business travelers. Its 301 rooms are bland and generic, but they feature sleek bathrooms and sufficient amenities such as flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and hairdryers. Note that not all rooms have mini-fridges. An outdoor pool and tiny fitness center are added perks, plus Wi-Fi and parking are both free. The immediate neighborhood surrounding the hotel is somewhat seedy, so travelers who’d prefer to be closer to Universal should consider the pricier Hyatt Place Universal Studios.
The 247-room Grand Bohemian Hotel is a stylish upscale property located in Downtown Orlando, near dining and nightlife. The hotel is known for housing an extensive art collection of over 150 works, which can be found in public areas and in the art gallery. Rooms have trendy, retro-modern decor: purple velvet drapes, tall buttoned headboards, Java wood, and wonderful beds with pillow-top mattresses and down duvets. Amenities include big flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi (for a fee), well-stocked minibars, and Starbucks coffee. The hotel features a small heated outdoor pool, a boutique spa with ocean-inspired treatments, and a popular bar with live entertainment. The hotel hosts many private events, and has extensive meeting space, a large ballroom, and helpful staff that can help organize everything from a family celebration to a corporate event.
The 247-room Grand Bohemian Hotel is a stylish upscale property located in Downtown Orlando, near dining and nightlife. The hotel is known for housing an extensive art collection of over 150 works, which can be found in public areas and in the art gallery. Rooms have trendy, retro-modern decor: purple velvet drapes, tall buttoned headboards, Java wood, and wonderful beds with pillow-top mattresses and down duvets. Amenities include big flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi (for a fee), well-stocked minibars, and Starbucks coffee. The hotel features a small heated outdoor pool, a boutique spa with ocean-inspired treatments, and a popular bar with live entertainment. The hotel hosts many private events, and has extensive meeting space, a large ballroom, and helpful staff that can help organize everything from a family celebration to a corporate event.
The downtown Orlando branch of the trendy Aloft chain is located across the street from the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts. It mostly attracts business travelers and groups looking for easy access to downtown attractions and offices, since its location is 30 minutes from Universal Studios. This three-and-a-half-pearl boutique-style property features 118 spacious rooms, all with Bliss toiletries and large flat-screen TVs. Many have excellent city views. Features are typical of what one might expect from the Aloft chain, and include a grab-and-go snack bar as well as a bar with regular live entertainment, a small outdoor pool, a 24-hour gym, and a range of meeting and event spaces. The nearby Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, Autograph Collection is more upscale with a larger pool, full spa, and full restaurant for around the same rates.
The downtown Orlando branch of the trendy Aloft chain is located across the street from the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts. It mostly attracts business travelers and groups looking for easy access to downtown attractions and offices, since its location is 30 minutes from Universal Studios. This three-and-a-half-pearl boutique-style property features 118 spacious rooms, all with Bliss toiletries and large flat-screen TVs. Many have excellent city views. Features are typical of what one might expect from the Aloft chain, and include a grab-and-go snack bar as well as a bar with regular live entertainment, a small outdoor pool, a 24-hour gym, and a range of meeting and event spaces. The nearby Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, Autograph Collection is more upscale with a larger pool, full spa, and full restaurant for around the same rates.
Quality Inn & Suites Winter Park Village Area is a two-pearl budget hotel located just off the 4 freeway, a 10-minute drive north of downtown Orlando. The 199 rooms feature typically uninspired motel decor but have convenient perks such as microwaves and mini-fridges -- some units also have whirlpool hot tubs. Amenities here aren't half bad for a budget property and include a sunny outdoor pool, a small fitness center, coin-operated laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi and parking, and a free hot breakfast buffet with waffles. While it's close to downtown Orlando, there are much more convenient choices for travelers in town to visit theme parks. Those wanting budget digs near Universal may want to consider Clarion Inn & Suites At International Drive, which also has nicer rooms and an Indian restaurant.
Quality Inn & Suites Winter Park Village Area is a two-pearl budget hotel located just off the 4 freeway, a 10-minute drive north of downtown Orlando. The 199 rooms feature typically uninspired motel decor but have convenient perks such as microwaves and mini-fridges -- some units also have whirlpool hot tubs. Amenities here aren't half bad for a budget property and include a sunny outdoor pool, a small fitness center, coin-operated laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi and parking, and a free hot breakfast buffet with waffles. While it's close to downtown Orlando, there are much more convenient choices for travelers in town to visit theme parks. Those wanting budget digs near Universal may want to consider Clarion Inn & Suites At International Drive, which also has nicer rooms and an Indian restaurant.
The two-pearl Parc Corniche Condominium Resort Hotel is a good budget option for families who want relatively fast access to Disney World and SeaWorld. Condo-style rooms include modern full kitchens and balconies. Bedding and some of the bathrooms are a little worn, and it costs extra to get full housekeeping services. A heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, plus a small fitness center round out the on-site features. Continental breakfast is free at the Calypso Bar and Grill, which also serves a la carte lunch and dinner. It may be worth comparing rates at the nearby two-and-a-half-pearl Enclave Hotel & Suites which offers better pools.
The two-pearl Parc Corniche Condominium Resort Hotel is a good budget option for families who want relatively fast access to Disney World and SeaWorld. Condo-style rooms include modern full kitchens and balconies. Bedding and some of the bathrooms are a little worn, and it costs extra to get full housekeeping services. A heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, plus a small fitness center round out the on-site features. Continental breakfast is free at the Calypso Bar and Grill, which also serves a la carte lunch and dinner. It may be worth comparing rates at the nearby two-and-a-half-pearl Enclave Hotel & Suites which offers better pools.