The four-pearl Marriott’s Grande Vista is a sprawling, 164-acre complex that’s designed to be a self-contained resort. It’s chock full of amenities, including a golf course, an excellent fitness center, a full-service spa, and several pools and restaurants. The beautiful complex is built around a large lake where paddleboats can be rented. Its 1,616 rooms and multi-bedroom villas are clean, spacious, and designed for longer stays, each equipped with a full kitchen and screened patio or balcony. Rates are competitive, but daily housekeeping requires a surcharge, and the somewhat isolated resort doesn’t offer shuttles to area amusement parks. A good alternative with comparable rates and amenities is the upscale Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld that offers free shuttles and a spectacular 10-story atrium.
The four-pearl Marriott’s Grande Vista is a sprawling, 164-acre complex that’s designed to be a self-contained resort. It’s chock full of amenities, including a golf course, an excellent fitness center, a full-service spa, and several pools and restaurants. The beautiful complex is built around a large lake where paddleboats can be rented. Its 1,616 rooms and multi-bedroom villas are clean, spacious, and designed for longer stays, each equipped with a full kitchen and screened patio or balcony. Rates are competitive, but daily housekeeping requires a surcharge, and the somewhat isolated resort doesn’t offer shuttles to area amusement parks. A good alternative with comparable rates and amenities is the upscale Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld that offers free shuttles and a spectacular 10-story atrium.
The four-pearl Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld is built to impress, with a spectacular, 10-story atrium that features a cascading waterfall. Its location across the street from SeaWorld and free area shuttle attract droves of tourists, and 186,000 square of meeting space brings lots of business travelers, too. The 781 rooms are spacious -- even Standard Rooms are a generous 465 square feet -- and feature roomy marble bathrooms. A full-service spa, several restaurants, large outdoor heated pool, Starbucks, and excellent fitness center are highlights. Rates are attractive for its category, but a hefty resort fee and extra charges for breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi boost the final tab. The nearby, upper-middle-range Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld has lower rates, free shuttles, and rooms with kitchenettes.
The four-pearl Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld is built to impress, with a spectacular, 10-story atrium that features a cascading waterfall. Its location across the street from SeaWorld and free area shuttle attract droves of tourists, and 186,000 square of meeting space brings lots of business travelers, too. The 781 rooms are spacious -- even Standard Rooms are a generous 465 square feet -- and feature roomy marble bathrooms. A full-service spa, several restaurants, large outdoor heated pool, Starbucks, and excellent fitness center are highlights. Rates are attractive for its category, but a hefty resort fee and extra charges for breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi boost the final tab. The nearby, upper-middle-range Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld has lower rates, free shuttles, and rooms with kitchenettes.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas- Lake Buena Vista feels more like a small town than a hotel. With 1,682 apartment-style units, seven pools, three restaurants, a mini-market, and tons of on-site amenities, the property provides a fair share of fun on-site, plus it's within a 15-minute drive of local theme parks. Contemporary, homey villas have full kitchens, living rooms, and free Wi-Fi, but not all have elevator access or outdoor spaces. The Sheraton offers great value for families, but it may not be the best place for couples or business travelers, who may prefer the nearby Orlando World Center Marriott, though it tends to be pricier.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas- Lake Buena Vista feels more like a small town than a hotel. With 1,682 apartment-style units, seven pools, three restaurants, a mini-market, and tons of on-site amenities, the property provides a fair share of fun on-site, plus it's within a 15-minute drive of local theme parks. Contemporary, homey villas have full kitchens, living rooms, and free Wi-Fi, but not all have elevator access or outdoor spaces. The Sheraton offers great value for families, but it may not be the best place for couples or business travelers, who may prefer the nearby Orlando World Center Marriott, though it tends to be pricier.
An amusement park in itself, this enormous, 1800-room upper-middle-range property is inside of Universal Orlando and within easy walking distance of Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Rooms are decked out in zany colors and there are plenty of family-friendly suites with wet bars. With an enormous pool area equipped with waterslides, plus a bowling alley, arcade, and early admission to Universal, the hotel is geared toward families, much more so than the neighboring sister property Loews Royal PacificResort. Although it has a couple of bar areas and large fitness center, business guests and adults without children might find Cabana Bay a little loud and kitschy.
An amusement park in itself, this enormous, 1800-room upper-middle-range property is inside of Universal Orlando and within easy walking distance of Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Rooms are decked out in zany colors and there are plenty of family-friendly suites with wet bars. With an enormous pool area equipped with waterslides, plus a bowling alley, arcade, and early admission to Universal, the hotel is geared toward families, much more so than the neighboring sister property Loews Royal PacificResort. Although it has a couple of bar areas and large fitness center, business guests and adults without children might find Cabana Bay a little loud and kitschy.
Located midway between Disney World and Universal Studios, the upper-middle-range Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve is an excellent family-friendly option with one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. This 86-room property has an awesome pool complex with a lazy river and waterslides, as well as a casual on-site restaurant, mini-market, and fitness center. The hotel is located on the same Grande Lakes property as the JW Marriott and the Ritz Carlton, so guests have access to additional amenities and restaurants. It’s worth comparing rates at the Sheraton Vistana Resort — Lake Buena Vista, a larger property with similar rooms, though it isn’t as elegant.
Located midway between Disney World and Universal Studios, the upper-middle-range Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve is an excellent family-friendly option with one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. This 86-room property has an awesome pool complex with a lazy river and waterslides, as well as a casual on-site restaurant, mini-market, and fitness center. The hotel is located on the same Grande Lakes property as the JW Marriott and the Ritz Carlton, so guests have access to additional amenities and restaurants. It’s worth comparing rates at the Sheraton Vistana Resort — Lake Buena Vista, a larger property with similar rooms, though it isn’t as elegant.
A 10-minute drive from Walt Disney World, this mid-sized, decor at this three-pearl resort is a bit old-fashioned, but it can be a great value compared to nearby hotels such as Staybridge Suites next door. Multiple room configurations make Cypress Pointe ideal for families and big groups, and layouts range from Studios with whirlpool tubs to Two- and Three-Bedroom Condos with full kitchens and living rooms. Kid-friendly amenities include an erupting volcano feature in the pool, a huge game room, and a playground. However, most buildings lack elevators and housekeeping is only provided once per week. This is a time-share community as well, and guests have been subjected to hard sells and pitches in the past.
A 10-minute drive from Walt Disney World, this mid-sized, decor at this three-pearl resort is a bit old-fashioned, but it can be a great value compared to nearby hotels such as Staybridge Suites next door. Multiple room configurations make Cypress Pointe ideal for families and big groups, and layouts range from Studios with whirlpool tubs to Two- and Three-Bedroom Condos with full kitchens and living rooms. Kid-friendly amenities include an erupting volcano feature in the pool, a huge game room, and a playground. However, most buildings lack elevators and housekeeping is only provided once per week. This is a time-share community as well, and guests have been subjected to hard sells and pitches in the past.
This massive 1000-room upscale resort is set within the Universal Orlando complex and comes with an array of theme park perks, including free water taxis and early admission to some parks. The outdoor pool is impressive, complete with a waterslide, two sandy beaches, and kids' areas, as are the hotel's indoor spaces, which feature stylish contemporary decor with Caribbean island inspirations. Inviting guest rooms offer a solid set of mod-cons and spacious bathrooms, while suites add living rooms. Dining options include Caribbean fare in a stylish restaurant and rum tastings in a tavern, plus there's a well equipped fitness center. For something with even more features, including a spa and three pools, check out sister property Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando -- but note that rates are more expensive.
This massive 1000-room upscale resort is set within the Universal Orlando complex and comes with an array of theme park perks, including free water taxis and early admission to some parks. The outdoor pool is impressive, complete with a waterslide, two sandy beaches, and kids' areas, as are the hotel's indoor spaces, which feature stylish contemporary decor with Caribbean island inspirations. Inviting guest rooms offer a solid set of mod-cons and spacious bathrooms, while suites add living rooms. Dining options include Caribbean fare in a stylish restaurant and rum tastings in a tavern, plus there's a well equipped fitness center. For something with even more features, including a spa and three pools, check out sister property Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando -- but note that rates are more expensive.
The 250-room Days Inn Orlando International Drive South of Universal is a budget property that is well-located near the Orlando theme parks. Universal Studios is within walking distance, while others are just a short drive away. This property has free parking and a nice outdoor pool complete with lounge chairs. Other amenities include an on-site cafe, laundry room, and Internet corner. Rooms are painted in cheerful tones of yellow and coral, but some furniture is worn and cleanliness standards are deplorable. While the rates are low and may suit those on a tight budget, it's worth checking out other options nearby such as the Rosen Inn International.
The 250-room Days Inn Orlando International Drive South of Universal is a budget property that is well-located near the Orlando theme parks. Universal Studios is within walking distance, while others are just a short drive away. This property has free parking and a nice outdoor pool complete with lounge chairs. Other amenities include an on-site cafe, laundry room, and Internet corner. Rooms are painted in cheerful tones of yellow and coral, but some furniture is worn and cleanliness standards are deplorable. While the rates are low and may suit those on a tight budget, it's worth checking out other options nearby such as the Rosen Inn International.
This 214-room, two-pearl chain hotel is located within easy driving access of Orlando’s major theme parks. It's not the type of place visitors would want to spend more time than necessary, and is best used as a budget-friendly short stay option for theme park visits. Carpeting and furniture is old and in need of replacement, but all rooms have a microwave and mini-fridge and are spacious enough for families. It is considerably more affordable than nearby hotels such as the Avanti Resort, and includes free breakfast and an outdoor pool.
This 214-room, two-pearl chain hotel is located within easy driving access of Orlando’s major theme parks. It's not the type of place visitors would want to spend more time than necessary, and is best used as a budget-friendly short stay option for theme park visits. Carpeting and furniture is old and in need of replacement, but all rooms have a microwave and mini-fridge and are spacious enough for families. It is considerably more affordable than nearby hotels such as the Avanti Resort, and includes free breakfast and an outdoor pool.
Situated in a quiet, lush area off of International Drive -- but still within a 10-minute drive of Disney World -- the Monumental Hotel Orlando is a mid-range, old-school option. There's a certain faded elegance here, and the breezy tropical vibe gives this hotel a bit more character than surrounding chains, but the 94 enormous rooms are outdated (as is much of the property). There is a fantastic outdoor pool with a waterfall feature and cabanas, but there are fees for Wi-Fi and breakfast. The nearby Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa might be a better option for families, with features like a play room and basketball court.
Situated in a quiet, lush area off of International Drive -- but still within a 10-minute drive of Disney World -- the Monumental Hotel Orlando is a mid-range, old-school option. There's a certain faded elegance here, and the breezy tropical vibe gives this hotel a bit more character than surrounding chains, but the 94 enormous rooms are outdated (as is much of the property). There is a fantastic outdoor pool with a waterfall feature and cabanas, but there are fees for Wi-Fi and breakfast. The nearby Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa might be a better option for families, with features like a play room and basketball court.