Red Roof Inn Orlando South - Florida Mall

This Red Roof Inn is a budget-friendly motel located in a strip mall next to a gas station. The main lobby is housed in a two-story Mission-style construction, which extends out to rooms with outside entry, all situated in a horseshoe configuration around a main outdoor pool. The lobby is bright and oftentimes busy (at least it was during our mid-day visit, with lots of guests awaiting early-arrival rooms). Big windows let in lots of natural light, and there's a business center area with plenty of tables along with brochures, a computer station, and free coffee and tea all day long. Most guests here are budget travelers -- including families and couples, along with people who live out of motels. Weekly rates are available for long-term guests.

This Red Roof is located in a busy shopping area, near the Florida Mall and amidst strip malls full of chain eateries (Arby's, Chipotle, McDonald's) and big box stores (Best Buy, Barnes & Noble) including a decent sports bar -- Orlando Ale House -- right across the street. The hotel is conveniently in between the main touristy part of Orlando and the airport (a 12-minute drive away). It's around a 15-minute drive to Universal Studios and to downtown Orlando, while Walt Disney World and Epcot take about 20 minutes to reach by car. SeaWorld takes just under 15 minutes to reach by car. Factor in around 50 minutes to get to Cape Canaveral or the Kennedy Space Center by car.

Red Roof offers smoking and non-smoking rooms with two twin beds, plus non-smoking Deluxe King Rooms with whirlpool tubs in the bathrooms. All units have fresh decor that's nicer than one might expect, with light-wood floors, burgundy-hued accent walls and bed runners, and dark-wood finish furniture including sleek desks and dressers. Standard amenities include microwaves, mini-fridges, safes, coffeemakers, and irons/ironing boards. Note that there are also rooms with kitchenettes available from the hotel, though these aren't advertised on their website and are geared towards travelers staying a week or longer (available at a discount). Bathrooms have shower/tub combos and toilets; separate vanity areas with hairdryers and large granite countertops are placed in the main part of rooms. Only soap is provided, so guests should be prepared to bring their own toiletries. Rooms get a fair bit of traffic noise, not helped by the location right on a major road.

This budget motel doesn't offer much in terms of features, but there is a swimming pool located at the back of its sunny courtyard. Unfortunately, there aren't any lounge chairs. The only other major common area (besides the lobby) is a dog walk area out back, a fenced-in grassy patch, but during our visit it was waterlogged and not ideal for keeping dogs (or owners) clean. Other facilities include a business center at the bak of the lobby with free coffee and tea, a few tables and chairs, and a desktop computer for guest use. There are also coin-operated laundry facilities on the property, along with a vending machine dispensing single-use portions of laundry soap and dryer sheets. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. There is free on-site parking, but past guests have complained that it can fill up fast.