Holiday Inn Orlando SW – Celebration Area

The hotel does boast several meeting rooms and a business center, but most guests are families in town to visit Disney on a budget. The hotel may have a somewhat removed Kissimmee location, but the tradeoff is affordable rates. The lobby area is small, but guests can be found dining in the food court, lounging by the pool, and hanging out in the game room throughout the day. Guests also meet each other while taking the hotel’s free shuttle to Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center.

Decor throughout the hotel is simple; bright wallpaper and carpets play into the kid-friendly vibe, and there’s a random smattering of Disney-themed paraphernalia. Most on-site features –- such as the business center, fitness center, and game room –- can be found just off the lobby.

This Holiday Inn is located in Kissimmee, but most guests are nonetheless in town to visit Orlando’s attractions, such as the Disney parks, Epcot, Sea World, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports -- all of which are within easy reach. The hotel provides a free shuttle to Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center, and for a fee can also deliver guests to Sea World and Universal Studios Orlando.

Guests with cars will find plenty of free parking at the hotel, and will likely appreciate the hotel’s location right off the highway, just a 10- to 15-minute drive from Disney parks; mini-golf and chain restaurants such as Red Lobster and Checkers are also nearby. However, the street is often busy with traffic, which can mean noisy nights and a need for a close eye on children prone to wandering.

Rooms are relatively spacious, unlike those at some competitors. Notable amenities include mini-fridges and either work desks or tables, as well as coffeemakers, large flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Decor is generic but attractive, with plush white bedding and a warm, earth-toned color palette; floral accents lend a homey touch. Bathrooms are clean as well, but have an odd set-up; while the toilet and shower are enclosed, the vanity is open to the bedroom, meaning a lack of privacy while guests blow-dry their hair or brush their teeth.

Guests can also opt for larger rooms with king beds; King Leisure rooms have sitting areas as well as kitchenettes with full fridges, microwaves, and wet bars, and King Executive rooms have the same, as well as pull-out couches that are convenient for families. Families can also select suites with bunk beds, a solid option for those looking to save some money or for those who may feel more comfortable with their children in the same room versus a connecting room.

Rooms overlooking the highway can experience traffic noise, while those facing Disney parks have views of the fireworks displays.

This Holiday Inn clearly caters to families with its large outdoor pool area (featuring a heated pool, children’s pool, and whirlpool), game room, free shuttles to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot, and its playground. But adults and business travelers are also considered; the hotel includes a small business center, several meeting rooms, laundry facilities, a fitness center with a few cardio and weight-training machines, and a cocktail lounge off the lobby.

The hotel does provide room service (though not 24/7) as well as a food court, which features a restaurant-style cafe serving a daily breakfast buffet as well as fast food joints Pizza Hut and A&W. Best of all, children under 12 eat in the cafe for free (limit to two children per paying adult).

The hotel also provides plenty of free parking, as well as valet parking for a fee.