Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village

The mid-range Fairfield is one of three Marriott properties (the other two are the Courtyard Marriott and Springhill Suites) set in the Marriott Village, a gated complex with a huge centerpiece fountain in front of of the entrance. It's a little more family-oriented than the sister properties. Expect a casual, contemporary lobby featuring low ceilings and recessed lighting. Modular blue sofas and matching ottomans sit on a large area rug in front of circular coffee tables, and there's a bright breakfast area in the back. A wooden reception desk sits off to one side and while the lobby is cozy enough for lingering, most guests tend to either hang out poolside or leave for the day to hit up one of the many nearby Disney theme parks. Note that because this property is the most family-focused of the three brands in the Marriott Village, it tends to get a lot of young kids -- and ensuing noise. 

The Fairfield Inn and its surrounding Marriott Village are located in Lake Buena Vista, in an area with tons of chain restaurants (Red Lobster, Chevys, McDonald's) and a few big supermarkets. It's around a five-minute drive from Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets. The Village is particularly convenient to Disney attractions: Disney Springs is a 10-minute drive from the hotel, as is Epcot. Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom takes closer to 15 minutes to reach by car. Nearby golf courses include Falcon's Fire and the Waldorf Astoria course, each about 10 minutes away by car. Farther afield, it's a seven-minute drive to SeaWorld, around 10 minutes to Universal's theme parks, and 20 minutes to downtown Orlando and the Orlando International Airport. It takes just over an hour to get to Cape Canaveral or the Kennedy Space Center by car.

Rooms here are bright and pleasant, and range in size from 330-square-feet (30-square-meter) Guest Rooms clear up to one-bedroom Family Suites, which feature bunk beds and measure 370 square feet (33 square meters). Connecting rooms are available depending on availability. All rooms share a similar decor scheme, including black-and-turquoise patterned carpets, matching aquamarine accent walls with colorful abstract art pieces, and a mix of medium and dark-wood finish furniture paired with soft lamp lighting. Standard amenities include coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and microwaves. Bathrooms are simple, with off-white tiling, granite countertops, and shower/tub combos (or roll-in showers in ADA rooms). Paul Mitchell toiletries and hairdryers are provided.

Amenities here are geared toward leisure travelers and include a free breakfast served in a large breakfast room. While hot and cold items like Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles are available, some past guests have complained that the food is on the mediocre side. There's also a small shop in the lobby with snacks and basic toiletries for sale. At the base of the Fairfield is the Village Food Court, with a pizza place, an ice cream shop, and a main restaurant. However, it was closed for renovations during our visit. When it reopens, it will add a playground with two play structures just out front.Recreation features include a large outdoor swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs, plus a whirlpool and a tiny children's splash park. A pool table and a ping-pong table are situated under a shaded awning nearby. Guests can also use the pools at the two other Marriott Village properties, including the gorgeous indoor/outdoor pool at the Courtyard, complete with fountain features. There's also a modern fitness center (opened in 2017) on one side of the Courtyard building that's shared with all three hotels in the complex and features a good mix of treadmills, weights, and resistance-training machines. Right next to it is a privately owned gift shops selling Disney memorabilia and luggage. The Marriott Village offers a smattering of activities geared toward children, including movie nights and sidewalk chalk sessions. There are also a few computers in the lobby along with a printer for boarding passes and Disney tickets. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Daily parking costs a fee, but there's free shuttle service to the Disney parks. Shuttle times vary depending on the season.