The massive upper-middle-range Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark is one of Orlando's best options for families outside of a theme park. Its 777 stylish suites, all with kitchens or kitchenettes, are spacious and well designed to sleep families. Even better, there's a huge range of kid-pleasing features including two water parks, an enormous arcade, and a "4D Experience" theater, making this resort an attraction onto itself. While the resort provides plenty of entertainment on-site, it also offers shuttles to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld, though -- unlike Disney's Pop Century Resort -- it doesn't provide any park perks.
The massive upper-middle-range Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark is one of Orlando's best options for families outside of a theme park. Its 777 stylish suites, all with kitchens or kitchenettes, are spacious and well designed to sleep families. Even better, there's a huge range of kid-pleasing features including two water parks, an enormous arcade, and a "4D Experience" theater, making this resort an attraction onto itself. While the resort provides plenty of entertainment on-site, it also offers shuttles to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld, though -- unlike Disney's Pop Century Resort -- it doesn't provide any park perks.
Orlando World Center Marriott is an enormous four-pearl convention hotel located in southern Orlando, a 10-minute drive to Disney World. There's a total of 2009 rooms and suites, all with furnished balconies and many with pull-out sofa beds -- though decor is bland. Facilities include 74 meeting and event spaces (including the largest pillar-less ballroom in the country) along with multiple swimming pools, two waterslides, a well-equipped fitness center, and a good selection of activities and amenities for children. There's also an 18-hole golf course with its own steakhouse, plus a number of other restaurants serving American, Italian, and Japanese cuisine. While it's hard to beat this hotel in terms of conference facilities, business travelers may want to also consider the Hilton Orlando, which has direct skybridge access to the Orange County Convention Center.
Orlando World Center Marriott is an enormous four-pearl convention hotel located in southern Orlando, a 10-minute drive to Disney World. There's a total of 2009 rooms and suites, all with furnished balconies and many with pull-out sofa beds -- though decor is bland. Facilities include 74 meeting and event spaces (including the largest pillar-less ballroom in the country) along with multiple swimming pools, two waterslides, a well-equipped fitness center, and a good selection of activities and amenities for children. There's also an 18-hole golf course with its own steakhouse, plus a number of other restaurants serving American, Italian, and Japanese cuisine. While it's hard to beat this hotel in terms of conference facilities, business travelers may want to also consider the Hilton Orlando, which has direct skybridge access to the Orange County Convention Center.
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a sprawling, upper-middle-range property that falls into Disney’s Moderate Resort Hotels category. Centered around a giant lake, the hotel’s meticulously kept grounds feature fake boulders, adobe-style buildings, and plenty of cacti, reflecting its southwestern theme. Its 1,921 rooms are decorated with subtle southwestern flair, and guests can upgrade to multi-bedroom suites. The resort offers up four pools, and the kid-friendly Dig Site has its own water slide. Coronado Springs has a handful of dining options, but the food isn’t a standout, especially compared to other Disney properties. The hotel’s massive convention center is a big draw, too, so business travelers are also in the mix. Be aware that Coronado Springs will be undergoing a refurbishment until the summer of 2019; construction noise should be expected. By comparison, Disney’s Port Orleans - French Quarter serves better food, though it only has one pool.
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a sprawling, upper-middle-range property that falls into Disney’s Moderate Resort Hotels category. Centered around a giant lake, the hotel’s meticulously kept grounds feature fake boulders, adobe-style buildings, and plenty of cacti, reflecting its southwestern theme. Its 1,921 rooms are decorated with subtle southwestern flair, and guests can upgrade to multi-bedroom suites. The resort offers up four pools, and the kid-friendly Dig Site has its own water slide. Coronado Springs has a handful of dining options, but the food isn’t a standout, especially compared to other Disney properties. The hotel’s massive convention center is a big draw, too, so business travelers are also in the mix. Be aware that Coronado Springs will be undergoing a refurbishment until the summer of 2019; construction noise should be expected. By comparison, Disney’s Port Orleans - French Quarter serves better food, though it only has one pool.
The Grande Dame of Disney, the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, is a Victorian stunner that pays homage to the Atlantic coast’s golden era. With gorgeous architecture, meticulously kept grounds, and a multi-story lobby with turn-of-the-century grandeur, this luxury property is a destination all its own. The resort's two pools, on-site monorail and boat transportation, and firework-view rooms are great for families, but the hotel also appeals to adults with its Senses Spa and high-end on-site dining. The 867 guest rooms are elegantly decorated, but they don’t feel incredibly luxurious, especially when considering the hotel’s exorbitant nightly rates. For a comparable price, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is a truly luxurious experience, though it’s farther from the Magic Kingdom.
The Grande Dame of Disney, the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, is a Victorian stunner that pays homage to the Atlantic coast’s golden era. With gorgeous architecture, meticulously kept grounds, and a multi-story lobby with turn-of-the-century grandeur, this luxury property is a destination all its own. The resort's two pools, on-site monorail and boat transportation, and firework-view rooms are great for families, but the hotel also appeals to adults with its Senses Spa and high-end on-site dining. The 867 guest rooms are elegantly decorated, but they don’t feel incredibly luxurious, especially when considering the hotel’s exorbitant nightly rates. For a comparable price, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is a truly luxurious experience, though it’s farther from the Magic Kingdom.
An upscale resort that seamlessly blends business savvy with family-friendliness, the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes is a solid option for all kinds of Orlando travelers. Located midway between Disney World and Universal Studios, the JW Marriott appeals to families, and its massive lazy river pool is great for kids. With over 100,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel also attracts business travelers, and is a popular spot for conventions. The nearly 1,000 guest rooms are tastefully decorated and include mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs. Varied dining options, Starbucks, a lovely spa, and an 18-hole golf course are other standout features, and guests are welcome to use all amenities at the adjoining Ritz Carlton. Expect to pay a resort fee and extra for parking. The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is located within Walt Disney World, and offers Disney related perks, but rooms aren’t as upscale.
An upscale resort that seamlessly blends business savvy with family-friendliness, the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes is a solid option for all kinds of Orlando travelers. Located midway between Disney World and Universal Studios, the JW Marriott appeals to families, and its massive lazy river pool is great for kids. With over 100,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel also attracts business travelers, and is a popular spot for conventions. The nearly 1,000 guest rooms are tastefully decorated and include mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs. Varied dining options, Starbucks, a lovely spa, and an 18-hole golf course are other standout features, and guests are welcome to use all amenities at the adjoining Ritz Carlton. Expect to pay a resort fee and extra for parking. The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is located within Walt Disney World, and offers Disney related perks, but rooms aren’t as upscale.
A five-minute drive from Disney World theme parks, this 1,335-room convention hotel is a great value for budget-minded families. The trade-offs for those who can overlook the dowdy decor include large suites, ample dining options, and features like an enormous pool and a two-story fitness center. Travelers looking for more modern rooms (with private balconies) might prefer Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress -- where the pool's waterslide is 50 feet longer than Caribe Royale's -- though rates are higher.
A five-minute drive from Disney World theme parks, this 1,335-room convention hotel is a great value for budget-minded families. The trade-offs for those who can overlook the dowdy decor include large suites, ample dining options, and features like an enormous pool and a two-story fitness center. Travelers looking for more modern rooms (with private balconies) might prefer Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress -- where the pool's waterslide is 50 feet longer than Caribe Royale's -- though rates are higher.
One of Disney's least expensive resorts, the 1,920-room All-Star Movies Resort is one of three adjacent, virtually identical All Star properties. Small, worn rooms, scarce food options, two fairly ordinary pools, and Disney's standard set of free services -- not bad, for the price, but the similarly priced Pop Century has faster access to most of Disney's theme parks.
One of Disney's least expensive resorts, the 1,920-room All-Star Movies Resort is one of three adjacent, virtually identical All Star properties. Small, worn rooms, scarce food options, two fairly ordinary pools, and Disney's standard set of free services -- not bad, for the price, but the similarly priced Pop Century has faster access to most of Disney's theme parks.
Popular with families visiting the Universal Studios theme parks, Loews Royal Pacific Resort is a 1,000-room, four-pearl resort with a Pacific Island/Balinese theme. Modern rooms here range from Standard units to Suites, and some have kid-pleasing decor themes such as Jurassic Park. As one might expect from a theme park resort, most of the amenities here are geared toward families, from the huge lagoon pool to the busy kids' club. However, there are also plenty of restaurants with food that adults will enjoy (think sushi and sashimi), plus a business center and lots of meeting space. Visitors may want to compare rates and amenities at one of the other Universal hotels, such as Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando, which has an on-site spa.
Popular with families visiting the Universal Studios theme parks, Loews Royal Pacific Resort is a 1,000-room, four-pearl resort with a Pacific Island/Balinese theme. Modern rooms here range from Standard units to Suites, and some have kid-pleasing decor themes such as Jurassic Park. As one might expect from a theme park resort, most of the amenities here are geared toward families, from the huge lagoon pool to the busy kids' club. However, there are also plenty of restaurants with food that adults will enjoy (think sushi and sashimi), plus a business center and lots of meeting space. Visitors may want to compare rates and amenities at one of the other Universal hotels, such as Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando, which has an on-site spa.
Marriott's Harbour Lake is a mid-range, family-friendly resort with 900 rooms off of International Drive, on the outskirts of Orlando's main tourist area. It's a short 10-minute drive to Disney World, and a 15-minute drive to Universal Studios, though shuttles aren't offered. Highlights include a large natural lake, activities, and numerous sports features plus a kid-friendly water playground and pirate-themed outdoor pool. Guest rooms and villas are clean and spacious, if generic and a bit dated, and villas include kitchens. A pool-side grill restaurant is also open for (paid) breakfast and serves American dishes. For a stay closer to the Disney parks, try Disney's Art of Animation Resort, which is good value and located right within Walt Disney World Resort, though it lacks a gym.
Marriott's Harbour Lake is a mid-range, family-friendly resort with 900 rooms off of International Drive, on the outskirts of Orlando's main tourist area. It's a short 10-minute drive to Disney World, and a 15-minute drive to Universal Studios, though shuttles aren't offered. Highlights include a large natural lake, activities, and numerous sports features plus a kid-friendly water playground and pirate-themed outdoor pool. Guest rooms and villas are clean and spacious, if generic and a bit dated, and villas include kitchens. A pool-side grill restaurant is also open for (paid) breakfast and serves American dishes. For a stay closer to the Disney parks, try Disney's Art of Animation Resort, which is good value and located right within Walt Disney World Resort, though it lacks a gym.
Bluegreen Fountains Resort is a huge three-and-a-half-pearl time-share spread out over 54 acres, a 12-minute drive from Walt Disney World. It features a whopping 569 two- and three-bedroom apartments, all with full kitchens and washer/dryers, for up to eight guests. The emphasis here is heavy on leisure, with three pools (one with a pair of waterslides), a huge game room, and all sorts of activities for all ages, from fitness classes to special activities for kids. However, guests really need a car, as there's not much within walking distance. Travelers may feel less isolated staying at Hilton Grand Vacations Suites on International Drive, a 10-minute walk from the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets.
Bluegreen Fountains Resort is a huge three-and-a-half-pearl time-share spread out over 54 acres, a 12-minute drive from Walt Disney World. It features a whopping 569 two- and three-bedroom apartments, all with full kitchens and washer/dryers, for up to eight guests. The emphasis here is heavy on leisure, with three pools (one with a pair of waterslides), a huge game room, and all sorts of activities for all ages, from fitness classes to special activities for kids. However, guests really need a car, as there's not much within walking distance. Travelers may feel less isolated staying at Hilton Grand Vacations Suites on International Drive, a 10-minute walk from the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets.