8480 International Dr, Orlando, Florida, United States | (618) 248-8274
Modern, attractive apartment-style units with full kitchens
Located in the heart of Orlando with easy access to theme parks
Free shuttle to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando
Outdoor pool and hot tub with loungers
Free breakfast buffet
24-hour fitness center and mini-market
Free Wi-Fi and airy business center
Free parking
Video games room
Pet-friendly
No restaurant on-site
No special activities for kids
The 146-room upper-middle-range Sonesta ES
Suites Orlando is a modern, family-friendly apartment hotel in an excellent
location for exploring the theme parks and other Orlando attractions. The ES
Suites are also a good bet for business travelers on extended stays, with a
24-hour fitness center and a lobby bar on-site, as well as full-size kitchens in the
guest rooms. The one- and two-bedroom suites are fresh and well-equipped with
wood floors and clean, modern bathrooms. Suites are well-priced for what the property offers, though guests could also consider Floridays Resort Orlando, which has a gorgeous outdoor pool, lots of family-friendly activities, and homey condo-style units.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
A relaxed condo complex feel, with a bar, swimming pool, and TV lounge
The Sonesta ES Suites Orlando feels more
like a condo complex than a resort hotel, with ample common space for gathering
and spending outdoor time, but no organized activities. The
architecture and decor is basic Florida, with a beachy touch in the
color scheme. The breakfast room is done in muted, but mod, yellows and grays,
but there are few windows. Guests can hang out in the bright, lobby TV lounge on
comfortable spring-green couches to watch a game, but the Sonesta is more of a
place to rest up and recharge in a comfortable apartment than an Orlando
resort where the fun doesn’t stop. There's no hotel restaurant, but The Pour, the lobby's bar, is fresh and inviting; the bright white decor with turquoise and light-wood accents makes for a relaxing place to grab a cocktail at happy hour. The pool is moderately sized, but there's no shade; the deck is dotted with a few old school sun loungers, but -- as with the property overall -- this is a spot to recover after a day of sightseeing, not a place to spend the day. Guests are mainly families and some couples in town for business or to visit the theme parks.
Location
In a walkable area with lots to do, across from I-Drive 360, convenient to theme parks
The Sonesta ES Suites Orlando is
well-located for exploring area theme parks and other attractions. On the
International Drive corridor, the hotel is just across the street from I-Drive
360 and the Orlando Eye, where guests can find plenty of shops, restaurants,
activities, and nightlife. Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf is within a two-minute walk,
as are other smaller Orlando attractions such as Madam Tussauds and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. The shops and restaurants at Pointe
Orlando are a little farther, but still only a 15-minute walk from the
Sonesta. The area is great for pedestrians with good sidewalks for strolling. The I-Ride Trolley stops out front and takes
guests to SeaWorld Aquatica, Wet n’ Wild, and other spots. City and sightseeing buses also
stop just outside the hotel’s entrance. And the hotel runs a free shuttle
several times a day to Disney World, a 15-minute ride away, and Universal Orlando,
about 10 minutes away. Business travelers will find the Orange County Convention
Center a convenient five-minute drive from the hotel.
Rooms
Suites with full kitchens, fresh decor, and a condo feel
Rooms at the Sonesta ES Suites Orlando are
either one- or two-bedroom suites with full kitchens, sitting areas with sofa
beds, and spacious tiled bathrooms with plenty of counter space. Trios are also available, each with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and space for eight people. Kitchens are
furnished with two-burner cooktops, refrigerators, dishwashers, coffeemakers, toasters, and microwaves, as well as
cookware, utensils, and dishes. The decor is simple and updated, with stylish
lighting fixtures, a fresh yellow and blue color palette, and clean wood floors
throughout. Some of the bedrooms are on the smaller side, but not enough to be
claustrophobic; families will feel comfortable spreading out here. Daily
housekeeping is provided, though it's meant to be a light cleaning. Amenities include air-conditioning, pillow-top
mattresses, free toiletries, and flat-screen TVs with cable. Light sleepers should be aware that rooms facing the pool get more noise than
others. Bathrooms are bright and cheerful, with wood floors, turquoise wall panels, and shower/tub combos with wall-mounted toiletries.
Features
Free breakfast, heated pool, lobby bar with happy hour, barbecue grills, and a gift shop that stocks ice cream
The Sonesta ES Suites Orlando has an outdoor heated pool, hot tub, and sundeck with a few lounge chairs for hanging out after a day at the theme
park or outlet mall. There's a window from the pool area into the lobby bar,
The Pour, so that guests can order poolside cocktails. The Pour also hosts a
nightly happy hour for further socializing. There are barbecue and picnic
facilities around the grounds for guest use. There is a 24-hour gift and sundry shop in
the lobby that stocks groceries, snacks, and ice cream (for late-night
cravings), as well as other conveniences and forgotten items. A free daily buffet breakfast is served and includes a nice selection of hot and cold choices, such as French toast, fresh fruit and yogurt, eggs, and waffles.
