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Walt Disney World | Universal Orlando Area | Orlando Metro Area
With tens of thousands of lodging choices available in the Orlando area, from tents to deluxe villas, there is no lack of variety in price or amenities. In fact, narrowing down the possibilities is part of the fun.
More than 50 million visitors come to the Orlando area each year, making it the most popular tourism destination on the planet. More upscale hotels are opening as visitors demand more luxurious surroundings, such as luxe linens, tasteful and refined decor, organic toiletries, or ergonomic chairs and work desks. But no matter what your budget or desires, lodging comes in such a wide range of prices, themes, color schemes, brands, meal plans, and guest-room amenities, you will have no problem finding something that fits.
Resorts on and off Disney property combine function with fantasy, as befits visitor expectations. Characters in costume perform for the kids, pools are pirates’ caves with waterfalls, and some, like the Gaylord Palms, go so far as to re-create Florida landmarks under a gargantuan glass roof, giving visitors the illusion of having visited more of the state than they expected.
International Drive’s expanding attractions, including The Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds, and a widening array of eateries are drawing more savvy conventioneers who bring their families along for the fun.
Many hotels have joined the trend toward green lodging, bringing recycling, water conservation, and other environmentally conscious practices to the table. Best of all, the sheer number and variety of hotel rooms means you can still find relative bargains throughout the Orlando area, even on Disney property, by researching your trip well, calling the lodgings directly, negotiating packages and prices, and shopping wisely.
Reservations
Always book your lodging months in advance in Orlando, regardless of where you stay.
Walt Disney Travel Co.
Packages can be arranged through the Walt Disney Travel Co. Guests can find planning tools on the website that allow them to customize vacation itineraries based on interests as well as age, height restrictions, and medical needs. | 407/939–5277 | www.disneyworld.com.
WDW Central Reservations Office.
You can book many accommodations—Disney-owned hotels and some non-Disney-owned hotels—through the WDW Central Reservations Office. The website allows you to compare prices at the various on-site resorts. | 407/934–7639 | www.disneyworld.com.
WDW Special Request Reservations.
People with disabilities can call the regular WDW reservations number, as the representatives are all knowledgeable about services available at resorts and parks for guests with disabilities. All representatives have TTY ability. The website is also a valuable source for specific needs. Go to Guest Services and search the word “Disabilities.” | 407/394–5277 Reservations, 407/939–7838 Parks | www.disneyworld.com.
About Our Reviews
Prices: Prices in the hotel reviews are the lowest cost of a standard double room in high season, excluding taxes, service charges, resort fees, and meal plans (except at all-inclusives). Prices for rentals are the lowest per-night cost for a one-bedroom unit in high season. Note that taxes in Central Florida can be as high as 12.5%.
Disney and Universal Resort Perks
Disney Perks
Extra Magic Hours. You get special early and late-night admission to certain Disney parks on specified days. Call ahead for details so you can plan your early- and late-visit strategies.
Free Parking. Parking is free for Disney hotel guests at Disney hotel and theme-park lots.
Magical Express. If you’re staying at a select Disney hotel, this free airport service means you don’t need to rent a car or think about finding a shuttle or taxi or worry about baggage handling.
At your hometown airport, you check your bags in and won’t see them again till you get to your Disney hotel. At Orlando International Airport you’re met by a Disney rep, who leads you to a coach that takes you to your hotel. Your luggage is delivered separately and usually arrives in your room an hour or two after you do. If your flight arrives before 5 am or after 10 pm, you will have to pick up your luggage and deliver it to the coach.
On departure, the process works in reverse (though only on some participating airlines, so check in advance). You get your boarding pass and check your bags at the hotel. At the airport you go directly to your gate, skipping check-in. You won’t see your bags until you’re in your hometown airport. Participating airlines include American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United.
Charging Privileges. You can charge most meals and purchases throughout Disney to your hotel room, using your MyMagic+ bands or cards.
Package Delivery. Anything you purchase at Disney—at a park, a hotel, or in Downtown Disney—can be delivered to the gift shop of your Disney hotel for free.
Priority Reservations. Disney hotel guests get priority reservations at Disney restaurants and choice tee times at Disney golf courses up to 30 days in advance, using MyMagic+.
Guaranteed Entry. Disney theme parks sometimes reach capacity, but on-site guests can enter even when others would be turned away.
Universal Perks
Head-of-the-Line Access. Your hotel key (except Cabana Bay) lets you go directly to the head of the line for most Universal Orlando attractions. Unlike Disney’s FastPass+ program, you don’t need to use this at a specific time; it’s always good. Hotel guests also get early admission to the often-crowded Harry Potter attractions.
Priority Seating. Many of Universal’s restaurants offer priority seating to those staying at on-site hotels.
Charging Privileges. You can charge most meals and purchases throughout Universal to your hotel room.
Delivery Services. If you buy something in the theme parks, you can have it sent directly to your room, so you don’t have to carry it around.
Free Loaners. Some on-site hotels have a “Did You Forget?” closet that offers everything from kids’ strollers to dog leashes to computer accessories. There’s no fee for using this service.
Walt Disney World
Disney-operated hotels are fantasies unto themselves. Each is designed according to a theme (quaint New England, the relaxed culture of the Polynesian Islands, an African safari village, and so on), and each offers the same perks: free transportation from the airport and to the parks, the option to charge all of your purchases to your room, special guest-only park-visiting times, and much more. If you stay on-site, you’ll have better access to the parks and be more immersed in the Disney experience.
On-Site Non-Disney Hotels
Although not operated by the Disney organization, the Swan and the Dolphin, just outside Epcot; Shades of Green, near the Magic Kingdom; and the hotels along Hotel Plaza Boulevard near Downtown Disney call themselves “official” Walt Disney World hotels. Whereas the Swan, Dolphin, and Shades of Green have the special privileges of on-site Disney hotels, such as free transportation to and from the parks and early park entry, the Downtown Disney resorts may use Disney transportation, but don’t have all the same perks.
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
$$$$ | RESORT | You’re paying for location at this sleek, modern, luxury resort next to the Magic Kingdom, as the monorail runs right through the lobby, making park hopping a breeze, and offering quick respite for families seeking relief from the midday heat. Rooms in the main tower (pricier) offer great views, including nightly fireworks and lighted boat parade. Bay Lake Tower offers one- and two-bedroom villas. For the fireworks, or a spectacular sunset view, at least one dinner at the California Grill (on the 15th floor of the main tower) is worth the tab. Perfect for families with youngsters eager to rub elbows with Mickey, the Contemporary also welcomes those on romantic getaways, and corporate travelers. Pros: monorail access; Chef Mickey’s, the epicenter of character-meal world; health and wellness suites. Cons: a mix of conventioneers and vacationers means it can be too frenzied for the former and too staid for the latter. | Rooms from: $571 | 4600 N. World Dr. | 407/824–1000 | www.disneyworld.com | 1,013 rooms, 25 suites | No meals.
Fodor’s Choice | Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
$$$$ | RESORT | On the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon, so close to the Magic Kingdom that you can see the colors change on the Cinderella Castle, this red-roofed Victorian emulates the style of the great railroad resorts of the past with beautifully appointed rooms, rambling verandas, delicate, white-painted woodwork, and brick chimneys. Afternoon high tea and a pianist at the grand piano nightly in the lobby are among the more genteel touches. Amenities include a serene spa, gourmet restaurants, and a dock from which you can rent a yacht for a romantic cruise; you can also take the free water taxi across the lake to the Magic Kingdom. Rooms with Magic Kingdom views are more expensive. Pros: old-Florida ambience; on the monorail route; Victoria & Albert’s offers an evening-long experience in dining; if you’re a couple with no kids, this is definitely the most romantic on-property hotel; right next to Disney’s Wedding Pavilion. Cons: pricey; convention clientele and vacationing couples may be more comfortable than families with young children. | Rooms from: $655 | 4401 Floridian Way | 407/824–3000 | www.disneyworld.com | 867 rooms, 90 suites | No meals.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
$$$$ | RESORT | This South Pacific–themed resort with its tropical backdrop of orchids, ferns, and palms, lies directly across the lagoon from the Magic Kingdom, on the monorail and water taxi routes, and has lots of kids activities, making it a good family choice. The resort underwent extensive renovations in 2015, including the volcano pool and slide and the Great Ceremonial House lobby, but the theme is unchanged, with plenty of drumming and chanting in the three-story atrium, and no lack of tropical drinks at the bar. The resort also added 20 bungalows built on stilts over the lagoon, which sleep up to eight. At the evening luau, Polynesian dancers perform. Lagoon-view rooms and bungalows—which overlook Magic Kingdom fireworks—are peaceful but costly. Pros: kids activities; on the monorail; great atmosphere; free Wi-Fi. Cons: pricey; lots of loud children. | Rooms from: $493 | 1600 Seven Seas Dr. | 407/824–2000 | www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts | 844 rooms, 366 suites, 20 bungalows | No meals.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
$$$$ | RESORT | The architects outdid themselves in designing this seven-story hotel modeled after majestic turn-of-the-20th-century lodges in the American Northwest, with a cavernous lobby, supported by towering tree trunks, an 82-foot-high fireplace made of rocks from the Grand Canyon, two 55-foot-tall hand-carved totem poles that pay homage to the region’s Native American culture, all lighted by enormous tepee-shaped chandeliers. The hotel’s showstopper is its Fire Rock Geyser, a faux Old Faithful that erupts with sometimes alarming regularity, near the large pool, which begins as an artificially heated hot spring in the lobby. This hotel is a good option if you’re a couple without kids looking for more serenity than is found at Disney’s other hotels, but there are plenty of family-oriented activities. Pros: impressive architecture; boarding point for romantic cruises or free water taxi to Magic Kingdom; elegant dining options; children’s activity center, free Wi-Fi. Cons: no direct bus to Magic Kingdom, no monorail. | Rooms from: $431 | 901 Timberline Dr. | 407/824–3200 | www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts | 727 rooms, 31 suites | No meals.
Epcot Resort Area
FAMILY | Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
$$ | RESORT | This brightly colored, three-story resort is a kid’s version of paradise: each of its four wings features images from Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, or The Little Mermaid, and in-room linens and carpeting match the wing’s theme. The Cars wing offers a Cozy Cone Motel complete with a Cozy Cone pool. The Finding Nemo wing has the largest swimming pool at Walt Disney World, with a giant Mr. Ray and Crush the Turtle. Suites sleep up to six and have a separate bedroom and two baths. One of the beds, in a rather cartoonish way, turns into a table during the day. Other surprises include high-tech drawing boards that animate with scenes from the cartoons as you pass.Pros: direct transportation to airport; free parking; images that kids adore; free Wi-Fi. Cons: can be crowded; standard rooms fill up fast. | Rooms from: $197 | 1850 Animation Way | 407/938–7000 | www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts | 1,984 rooms, 1,120 suites | No meals.
Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts.
$$$$ | RESORT | These big Crescent Lake inns next door to Epcot seem straight out of a Cape Cod summer, with their nautical decor, waterfront locale, airy, light-filled rooms, rocking-chair porches, and family-friendly water-based activities. The five-story Yacht Club has hardwood floors, a lobby full of gleaming brass and polished leather, an oyster-gray clapboard facade, and evergreen landscaping; there’s even a lighthouse on its pier. At the Beach Club, a croquet lawn and cabana-dotted white-sand beach set the scene. Stormalong Bay, a 3-acre water park with a pirate ship slide and whirlpools, sits between the clubs. Pros: location, location, location—it’s easy to walk or hop a ferry to Epcot, the BoardWalk, or Hollywood Studios; free Wi-Fi. Cons: distances within the hotel—like from your room to the front desk—can seem vast; remote from other parks. | Rooms from: $560 | 1700 Epcot Resorts Blvd. | 407/934–8000 Beach Club, 407/934–7000 Yacht Club | www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts | 1,213 rooms, 112 suites | No meals.
Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort.
$$$$ | RESORT | The award-winning Four Seasons presides majestically over Disney’s exclusive Golden Oak community, and its amenities and dedication to service are clear from the moment you step into the marble, flower-bedecked lobby and head for your room, which offers the option of separate quarters for nannies and/or grannies, and twice-daily housekeeping service. The resort’s lush ambience continues in the decor, neutrals with touches of teal, and marble bathrooms with soaking tubs, in-mirror TVs and a separate glass-walled shower. Generous, well-furnished balconies come with spectacular views. Two swimming pools, one for adults, one with a lazy river and Explorer Island, makes it a great choice for families. Kids are coddled at the complimentary day camp, and favorite Disney characters arrive for breakfast twice a week at Ravello restaurant. Magic Kingdom and Epcot fireworks can be viewed from the roof top, and a world-class spa and fitness center join tennis courts and an 18-hole championship golf course to keep the grownups busy. Pros: free Wi-Fi; free transportation to Disney parks; lots of on-site kids’ entertainment; no resort fee. Cons: Pricey, but then, it is the Four Seasons; long way from Universal or SeaWorld. | Rooms from: $479 | 10100 Dream Tree Blvd. | 407/313–7777 | www.fourseasons.com/orlando | 443 | No meals.
Walt Disney World Dolphin.
$$$ | RESORT | A pair of 56-foot-tall sea creatures bookends this 25-story glass pyramid, a luxe resort designed, like the adjoining Swan, by world-renowned architect Michael Graves, and close enough to the parks that you can escape the midday heat for a dip in the pool. Both hotels underwent a complete face-lift in all rooms and public areas in 2015. All rooms have either two queen beds or one king, with pillow-top mattresses, down comforters with crisp white duvet covers, and overstuffed pillows. Rooms have flat-panel TVs with an interactive resort information system, along with views of Epcot, Disney’s BoardWalk, or Hollywood Studios. The pool’s cave and waterfall are so inviting that the kids will happily leave the parks for a relaxing cool-down. Pros: character meals available; access to all facilities at the Swan; free boat to BoardWalk, Epcot and Hollywood Studios, buses to other parks; excellent on-site restaurants; MyMagic+ benefits available. Cons: daily self-parking fee; a daily resort fee; no charging to room key at parks. | Rooms from: $335 | 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd. | 407/934–4000, 800/227–1500 | www.swandolphin.com | 1,509 rooms, 114 suites | No meals.
Walt Disney World Swan.
$$$ | RESORT | With Epcot and Hollywood Studios close by, guests here can hit the parks in the morning, return for a swim or nap on a hot afternoon, and go back to the parks refreshed and ready to play until the fireworks. Disney’s BoardWalk and the Fantasia Gardens miniature-golf complex are also nearby, providing lots to do between park-hopping. Facing its sister hotel, the Dolphin, across Crescent Lake, the Swan offers the same level of service, room comfort, and food choices. Both hotels underwent a substantial renovation in 2015. They share the Grotto, a 3-acre water playground with waterslides and waterfalls. To tell which hotel is which while meandering miles of paths among immaculate landscaping, look for the two 46-foot-tall swans gracing the rooftop. Pros: easy walk to BoardWalk; free boats to BoardWalk, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios; good on-site restaurants; MyMagic+ available. Cons: long bus ride to Magic Kingdom; daily resort and parking fee. | Rooms from: $315 | 1200 Epcot Resorts Blvd. | 407/934–3000, 800/325–3535 | www.swandolphin.com | 758 rooms, 55 suites | No meals.
Animal Kingdom Resort Area
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort.
$ | RESORT | Stay here if you want the All-American, sports-mad, quintessential Disney-with-your-kids experience, or if you’re a couple to whom all that pitter-pattering of little feet is a reasonable tradeoff for a good deal on a room. (Hint: for a little peace, request a room away from pools and other common areas.) The different sections of this large resort are themed for sports—basketball, baseball, surfing, football, and tennis—and familiar Disney characters abound: Goofy is the pitcher in the baseball-diamond pool; Huey, Louie and Dewey play tennis. These are the smallest rooms in any Disney hotel, one reason for low room rates. Pros: unbeatable price for a Disney property; free Wi-Fi. Cons: no kids clubs or programs, because this is among the least expensive Disney resorts; distances between rooms and on-site amenities can seem vast; farthest resort from Magic Kingdom means you’ll spend time on the bus. | Rooms from: $170 | 1701 W. Buena Vista Dr. | 407/939–5000 Sports | www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts | 1,920 rooms | No meals.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
$$$$ | RESORT | Giraffes, zebras, and other wildlife roam three 11-acre savannas separated by the encircling arms of this grand hotel, designed to resemble a kraal, or animal enclosure, in Africa. Entering the vast atrium lobby is like entering a cathedral with a roof formed of thatch rather than marble. A massive clay chimney structure dominates the right-hand side of the four-story lobby. Cultural ambassadors give talks about their African homelands, the animals, and the often museum-quality artwork on display; evenings include storytelling sessions around the fire circle on the Arusha Rock terrace. Meals in two spectacular restaurants are African themed. Pros: extraordinary wildlife and cultural experiences; excellent on-site restaurants: Jiko, Boma, and Sanaa; breakfast buffet in Boma is a bargain. Cons: shuttle to parks other than Animal Kingdom can take more than an hour; guided savanna tours available only to guests on the concierge level, where the least expensive room is $100 a night higher than the least expensive rooms in other parts of the hotel. | Rooms from: $467 | 2901 Osceola Pkwy. | 407/938–3000 | www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts | 972 rooms, 499 suites and villas | No meals.
Fodor’s Choice | Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
$$$ | RESORT | Popular with convention-goers who need huge meeting spaces, and with families who appreciate its casual Southwestern architecture; lively, Mexican-style food court; and elaborate swimming pool, colorful Coronado Springs Resort also offers a moderate price. A 95,000-square-foot convention center and the adjacent 60,000-square-foot ballroom make this a Disney go-to convention hotel. The meeting space is in its own wing, making the resort a clever choice for families of conventiongoers, as the kids can have fun while the parents attend to business. The pool is a masterpiece of Disney imagineering, with its Mayan pyramid slide and creeping vine-covered waterfall. Pros: great pool with a play-area arcade for kids and a bar for adults; lots of outdoor activities, free Wi-Fi. Cons: some accommodations are a long trek from the restaurants; standard rooms are on the small side; as in many Disney lakefront properties, the lake is for looking at and boating on, not for swimming in. | Rooms from: $251 | 1000 W. Buena Vista Dr. | 407/939–1000 | www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts | 1,917 rooms | No meals.
Downtown Disney Resort Area
B Resort & Spa Lake Buena Vista.
$ | RESORT | The white and blue tower of the B Resort on Hotel Plaza Boulevard, formerly the Royal Plaza, is the most recent addition to the cluster of hotels just outside Disney Springs, and a stay there combines an excellent location with a reasonable price. The total makeover starts at the lobby, where stark white marble floors and walls are dotted with whimsical splashes of primary color, and the work of local artists. It continues in the bold blue and white guest rooms, where 42-inch TVs, free Wi-Fi, courtesy gaming consoles, and electrical power hubs assure even the most connected guest is happy. The high-tech digital touchscreen concierge and guide in the lobby offers information about the hotel and the theme parks; the on-site restaurant, American Q, has a varied buffet; and the full-service spa ensures comfort for those tired muscles. The pool is zero-entry, with interactive water features, cabanas, fire pits, and kids’ zone. Pros: walk to Disney Springs; kids’ activities; park shuttles. Cons: resort fee; parking fee; need a car to get to Universal or Downtown Orlando. | Rooms from: $152 | 1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd. | 407/828–2828 | www.bhotelsandresorts.com/b-walt-disney-world/ | 394 rooms, 12 suites | No meals.
Fodor’s Choice | Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort.
$ | RESORT | Only a few minutes’ walk from Disney Springs’ growing number of shops and restaurants, this towering resort with its airy lobby offers luxury linens, flat-screen TVs, and, in many rooms, a bird’s-eye view of the fireworks, all for a bargain price. You can hop a free bus at the hotel’s front door to get to the parks or—before you can say “Mickey Mouse”—shopping at Disney Springs or at the nearby factory outlet stores. All rooms have private balconies with chairs, a table, and a view over Walt Disney World and the nightly fireworks at Epcot. Pros: a quick walk to shopping and restaurants; free transportation to parks, discount shops. Cons: inconvenient to Universal and Downtown Orlando; transportation to the parks can eat up time. | Rooms from: $119 | 2000 Hotel Plaza Blvd. | 407/828–2424, 800/348–3765 | www.lakebuenavistaresorthotel.com | 325 rooms; 8 suites | No meals.
Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa.
$ | RESORT | This towering hotel, just yards from Disney Springs, caters to business and leisure guests and gets kudos as much for its on-site amenities as for its location. The pools and recreation areas were totally redesigned in late 2015, and offer lots of family fun, with water features and outdoor dining. Panoramic views from some of the guest-room balconies on higher floors reveal the scope of Disney World, including Epcot’s nightly fireworks. The lobby’s decor is echoed in the recently renovated rooms, which have deluxe linens, flat-screen TVs, work desks, ergonomic chairs, and beautifully tiled bathrooms. Free transportation to all Disney parks, Disney-character breakfasts at the hotel, and access to Disney golf courses are included. Pros: easy walk to Disney Springs; good restaurants and bars on-site; kids’ activities; pool is heated; spa is large and luxurious. Cons: inconvenient to Universal and Downtown Orlando; daily resort fee for Wi-Fi and fitness center. | Rooms from: $164 | 1900 E. Buena Vista Dr. | 407/827–2727 | www.buenavistapalace.com | 1,014 rooms | No meals.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort–French Quarter.
$$ | HOTEL | Ornate, Big Easy–style row houses with wrought-iron balconies cluster around magnolia- and oak-shaded squares in this relatively quiet resort, which appeals to couples more than families. Lamp-lighted sidewalks are named for French Quarter thoroughfares, and the rooms are decorated in Mardi Gras colors. The food court serves Crescent City specialties such as jambalaya and beignets, and to give it even more New Orleans flavor, Mardi Gras parade-float props are scattered around and there’s an intimate jazz club on property. Pros: authentic—or as authentic as Disney can make it—fun, New Orleans–style; moderate price; lots of water recreation options, including boat rentals; free Wi-Fi. Cons: even though there are fewer kids here, public areas can still be quite noisy; shuttle service is slow; food court is the only on-site dining option. | Rooms from: $246 | 1251 Riverside Dr. | 407/934–5000 | www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts | 1,008 rooms | No meals.
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in the WDW Resort.
$$ | HOTEL | Price and location make this all-suites, Hilton-owned hotel a good choice for families and business travelers, as there are amenities for both, and it’s a quick, free bus ride to any of the Disney parks. The front of the hotel faces the treelined Hotel Plaza Boulevard on Disney property, within walkable distance to Downtown Disney; the back faces the busy intersection of Interstate 4 and State Road.535. Suites offer one or two bedrooms, each with two flat-screen TVs. Some suites have an eight-person conference table in the dining area, and the hotel has a free business center and fitness center. Guests also have access to Disney golf courses. Pros: family and business traveler amenities; restaurants on-site; adult pool and splash pad for kids, adults; free shuttle to Disney attractions; quick access to I–4. Cons: of the properties on Hotel Plaza Boulevard, this is the farthest away from Downtown Disney; inconvenient to Universal and Downtown Orlando; daily fee for parking, Wi-Fi. | Rooms from: $199 | 2305 Hotel Plaza Blvd. | 407/934–1000, 800/222–8733 | www.doubletreeguestsuites.com | 229 units | No meals.
Universal Orlando Area
Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels were built in a little luxury enclave that has everything you need, so you never have to leave Universal property. In minutes, you can walk from any hotel to CityWalk, Universal’s dining and entertainment district, or take a ferry that cruises the adjacent artificial river.
The newest Universal lodging, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, with 900 family suites and 900 standard rooms, is so close to Islands of Adventure, you may see the spires of Hogwarts Castle from your room. This more affordable, motor court–style resort is designed to evoke 20th-century driving vacations with a hip, retro look.
A burgeoning hotel district across Kirkman Road and down to Sand Lake Road offers convenient accommodations and some even less expensive rates. Although these off-property hotels don’t have the perks of the on-site places, you’ll probably be smiling when you see your hotel bill.
Fodor’s Choice | Drury Inn & Suites Orlando.
$ | HOTEL | This reasonably priced, centrally located hotel is really shaking up the competition in Orlando with free Wi-Fi, free parking, free hot breakfast, free long-distance and local phone calls, and free hot food and cold beverages in the late afternoon. The sunny, marble-floored lobby; well-appointed rooms; and sincere, cheerful service give the impression of a much pricier hotel. Only a mile from the back gate of Universal, this hotel is also a quick drive from SeaWorld and Aquatica, very near the restaurant and shopping districts of I-Drive and Sand Lake Road, and about a 20-minute drive down Palm Parkway to Disney. Pros: free everything; central location; reasonable price. Cons: if Disney is your destination, this might be a little far afield. | Rooms from: $129 | 7301 W. Sand Lake Rd., at I–4 | 407/354–1101 | www.druryhotels.com | 238 | Some meals.
Hard Rock Hotel.
$$$$ | HOTEL | Music rules in this mission-style building, from the darkly amusing Hotel California quote above the entrance, “You can check out any time you like.But you can never leave,” to public areas decorated with rock memorabilia, including an Elvis jump suit, Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” costume, and Elton John’s boots. Guests can live like rock stars in stylishly modern, newly renovated rooms, with deluxe bed linens, an entertainment center with flat-panel TV, and lots of accessible media device plugs. The rock and roll artwork in the rooms includes a wall mirror etched with the heights of famous musicians and drumstick graphics. Hotel key cards allow guests to enter parks early and skip the lines. Pros: shuttle, water taxi, or short walk to Universal Parks and CityWalk; preferential treatment at Universal rides; charge privileges extend to the other on-property Universal hotels. Cons: rooms and meals are pricey; resort fee for parking, gym, and in-room Wi-Fi; loud rock music in public areas, even the pool, but that’s why you’re here, right? | Rooms from: $464 | 5800 Universal Blvd. | 407/503–7625, 800/232–7827 | www.hardrockhotelorlando.com | 650 rooms, 29 suites | No meals.
Fodor’s Choice | Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando.
$$$$ | HOTEL | The charm and romance of Portofino, Italy—destination of Europe’s rich and famous—are conjured up at this lovely luxury resort, where part of the fun is exploring the waterfront “village” from end to end and not knowing what you’ll find around a corner or down some steps. The illusion is maintained by the details: cobblestone streets, variegated row houses lining the boat-dotted “bay,” and inviting archways that lead to narrow, shop-lined alleyways, stairways, and piazzas, but made slightly surreal by the sounds of screams from Universal roller-coaster riders. Well-appointed rooms are decorated in cool, modern aqua and cream, with deluxe beds, and flat-screen TVs. Three pools offer aquatic fun or peaceful sunning. Pros: Italian villa atmosphere; large spa; restaurants on-site; short walk or ferry ride to CityWalk, Universal; guests skip lines at Universal rides; kids’ activities; shuttles to SeaWorld. Cons: rooms and meals are pricey; daily fee for parking. | Rooms from: $479 | 5601 Universal Blvd. | 407/503–1000, 800/232–7827 | www.loewshotels.com/Portofino-Bay-Hotel | 750 rooms, 49 suites | Breakfast.
Fodor’s Choice | Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando.
$$$$ | RESORT | The entrance—a broad, covered footbridge high above a tropical stream—sets the tone for the Pacific Rim theme of this hotel, which lies amid 53 acres of lush shrubs, soaring bamboo, orchids, and palms. The focal point is a 12,000-square-foot lagoon-style pool, which has a small beach, a sea-plane, and an interactive water-play area. Lots of kid-friendly activities. All guest rooms have bright, tropical bed coverings, bamboo accents, 32-inch flat-screen TVs. Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant, Tchoup Chop, draws crowds. The hotel hosts Polynesian-style luaus every Saturday. Pros: preferential treatment and early admission to Universal; character dining; shuttle to CityWalk and parks; free Wi-Fi; serene, Zen-garden vibe. Cons: rooms can feel smallish; fees for parking. | Rooms from: $404 | 6300 Hollywood Way | 407/503–3000, 800/232–7827 | www.universalorlando.com | 1,000 rooms, 51 suites | No meals.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
$$ | RESORT | Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort takes guests back in time to a 1950s Florida beach town with a modern, ironic twist, and offers families a less expensive option to staying on-site at Universal. Mid-20th-century flair appears everywhere, from vast gleaming swaths of terrazzo floor, outdoor walkways, primary colors, and neon building names, to the interior of the resort’s 1,800 guest rooms. Retro Danish-modern wood with nesting tables and turquoise-and-orange decor set the rooms deep in the ’50s, but with modern touches, such as an in-wall charging station, microwave, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Besides offering a moderate price for an on-property hotel, a stay at this resort offers a 10-lane bowling alley, Jack LaLanne fitness studio, early park admission, two pools, one with slide, lazy river, poolside activities, and complimentary shuttle buses to and from Universal parks and CityWalk and to nearby Wet ’n Wild, SeaWorld, and Aquatica. Pros: early and easy access to Universal parks; food court on property; two swimming pools. Cons: parking fee; access to Disney or Downtown Orlando requires a car or taxi journey via busy I–4. | Rooms from: $199 | 6550 Adventure Way | 407/503–4000 | www.loewshotels.com/Cabana-Bay | 1,800 rooms, 900 suites | No meals.
Orlando Metro Area
Kissimmee, Celebration, and Points South
Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center.
$$ | RESORT | Built in the style of a grand turn-of-the-20th-century Florida resort, this huge building is meant to inspire awe: inside its enormous atrium, covered by a 4-acre glass roof, are re-creations of Florida destination icons such as the Everglades, Key West, and old St. Augustine. Vast meeting spaces mean lots of conventioneers, but families are definitely not ignored. The Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park and Splash n’ Screen movie events are just two of the family-friendly entertainment offerings, and there are two other sparkling pools. Rooms continue the Florida themes with colorful, tropical decorations. Between in-house entertainment and the huge Relache spa, the hotel connives to make you never want to leave. Pros: you could have a great vacation without ever leaving the grounds; free shuttle to Disney. Cons: daily resort and parking fee; rooms can be pricey; not much within walking distance (although the hotel is so big that you can take quite a hike inside the building); shuttles to Universal and SeaWorld are available for a fee. | Rooms from: $249 | 6000 W. Osceola Pkwy., I–4 Exit 65 | Kissimmee | 407/586–0000 | www.gaylordpalms.com | 1,406 rooms, 86 suites | No meals.
Meliá Orlando Suite Hotel at Celebration.
$$ | HOTEL | Much like a European boutique hotel in style, the Meliá Orlando is very human in scale, minimalist in decor, and is only minutes from Disney. All the suites sleep at least four and have fully equipped kitchens, including full-size fridge, dishes, and dishwasher, and pool view rooms have furnished balconies. On the edge of the Disney-created community of Celebration, the hotel is a brief shuttle ride away from the restaurants, cafés, and shops in the village. The buildings form an oasis of calm around a circular pool with a palm-tree-planted tropical island in the middle. Pros: shuttle to Celebration, Disney parks, Universal, and SeaWorld; golf privileges at Celebration Golf; spa privileges at Celebration Day Spa. Cons: busy U.S. 192 is close by; daily resort fee; need a car to go anywhere besides Celebration and the parks. | Rooms from: $199 | 225 Celebration Pl. | Celebration | 866/404–6662, 407/964–7000 | www.solmelia.com | 240 suites | Breakfast.
International Drive
Hyatt Regency Orlando.
$$$ | RESORT | This deluxe high-rise conference hotel, formerly the Peabody, offers anything a full-service resort customer could want, with richly appointed rooms, two pools with cabanas, a full-service spa and fitness center the size of your local Y, two large restaurants, and a 360-seat, glass-walled lounge overlooking the pool. The hotel is attached to the Orange County Convention Center by two covered walkways, and its conference centers and ballrooms are vast. Rooms near the top of this towering resort offer spectacular views, and bathrooms have TVs built into the mirrors. Pros: good spa; close to shops and more restaurants, on I-Drive Trolley route. Cons: check-in can take a while if a convention is arriving; long walk from end to end; daily resort and parking fees. | Rooms from: $299 | 9801 International Dr. | 407/284–1234 | www.orlando.regency.hyatt.com | 1,639 rooms, 192 suites, 5 penthouse suites | No meals.
South Orlando
JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes.
$$$ | RESORT | This lush resort, set in 500 acres of natural beauty, certainly caters to a convention clientele, but leisure-seekers and families are given equal attention: a European-style spa, a Greg Norman–designed golf course, and a lazy river–style pool complex offer plenty of family fun. Rooms have ergonomic workstations and flat-screen TVs. The organic farm supplies the restaurant with produce, the golf course utilizes eco-friendly practices, and guests can explore the area through educational eco-tours. A long hallway connects the hotel to the Ritz-Carlton, where Marriott guests may use room charge cards in restaurants and shops. Pros: pool is great for kids and adults; shares amenities with the Ritz, including huge spa; golf course; free shuttle to SeaWorld and Universal. Cons: daily resort fees for parking and in-room Wi-Fi; the resort is huge and spread out; need a car to reach Disney or shopping. | Rooms from: $319 | 4040 Central Florida Pkwy. | 407/206–2300, 800/576–5750 | www.grandelakes.com | 1,000 rooms, 64 suites | Multiple meal plans.
Fodor’s Choice | Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes.
$$$$ | RESORT | Orlando’s only Ritz-Carlton is a particularly extravagant link in the luxury chain, which shares a lush 500-acre campus with the JW Marriott, and offers exemplary service that extends from the porte-cochere entrance to the 18-hole golf course, restaurants, children’s programs, and 40-room spa. Suites have balconies, decadent white-marble baths, and deluxe bedding, and a Royal Suite satisfies even the most noble guest. Children are treated with special care in the Ritz Kids program, which offers supervised physical and creative activities. An enclosed hallway connects the Ritz to the JW Marriott next door, where you’ll find more restaurants and a kid-friendly lazy-river pool complex. Pros: truly luxurious; impeccable service; great spa; golf course; award-winning restaurants; transportation to theme parks. Cons: pricey; remote from theme parks, attractions; lots of convention and meeting traffic; resort fee. | Rooms from: $579 | 4012 Central Florida Pkwy. | 407/206–2400, 800/576–5760 | www.ritzcarlton.com | 582 rooms, 63 suites | Multiple meal plans.
Lake Buena Vista
Fodor’s Choice | Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort.
$$ | RESORT | Sitting amid 1,500 palm-filled acres just outside Disney’s back gate, this huge luxury resort hotel has a private lake with watercraft, three golf courses, and miles of trails for strolling, bicycling, jogging, and horseback riding. Tropical birds, plants, and a museum’s treasure of Asian sculpture fill the 18-story atrium, which can be viewed from the glass-fronted elevators. Rooms overlooking Disney have a spectacular view of the evening fireworks at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom, and guests can watch the giant hot-air balloon rise and lower at Disney Springs. The shuttle to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld is part of the daily resort fee, which also includes Internet access. Pros: Marilyn Monroe spa, huge pool; lots of recreation options, for kids and adults, including nearby equestrian center; free Wi-Fi. Cons: need a car or taxi to get to Downtown Orlando or Universal; steep resort fee. | Rooms from: $249 | 1 Grand Cypress Blvd. | 407/239–1234, 800/233–1234 | www.hyattgrandcypress.com | 815 rooms | No meals.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Nickelodeon Suites Resort.
$$ | RESORT | This 24-acre Nickelodeon-themed resort is so kid-friendly that you can barely take a step without bumping into images of SpongeBob, Dora the Explorer, Jimmy Neutron, or other Nick characters. The whole place is dedicated to play. Suites have separate kids’ rooms with bunk beds and SpongeBob wall murals. Two giant water-park pools have slide-towers, fountains, climbing nets, live entertainment, and daily slime fests, and they are staffed by multiple lifeguards. The resort offers character breakfasts, wake-up calls from Nick stars, and a 4-D movie theater. Parents are not forgotten: poolside bars, food court, Internet connections in rooms, room service. Pros: extremely kid-friendly; Disney shuttles included in resort fee; mini-golf course. Cons: daily resort fee of $35; not within walking distance of Disney parks or Disney Springs; way too frenetic for folks without kids. | Rooms from: $199 | 14500 Continental Gateway | 407/387–5437, 866/462–6425 | www.nickhotel.com | 777 suites | No meals.
Staybridge Suites Lake Buena Vista.
$$ | HOTEL | Just minutes from a Disney entrance, this pleasant all-suites (one- and two-bedroom, two-bath) accommodation is perfect for a big family on a small budget who want a home away from home. Not only is the hotel close to Disney, it’s only a few miles along Palm Parkway from SeaWorld, Universal, and even the airport, so the frenzy of I–4 can be avoided altogether. A free breakfast and late-afternoon cocktails and snacks on some weekdays sweeten the bargain, a large, heated pool makes swimming possible even on chilly winter evenings, and a fitness center lets guests work off any excess energy. The hotel has no full-service restaurant, but lots of nearby eateries deliver, and a supermarket is only yards away to supply well-equipped kitchens. Pros: free scheduled shuttle service to Disney; free hot breakfast; free Wi-Fi and parking. Cons: no restaurant; no shuttles to other parks. | Rooms from: $189 | 8751 Suiteside Dr. | 407/238–0777 | www.staybridge.com | 150 suites | Multiple meal plans.
Fodor’s Choice | Waldorf Astoria Orlando.
$$$$ | RESORT | While it can’t duplicate the famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, this Waldorf echoes the original with imagination and flair, from the iconic clock in the center of the circular lobby to tiny, black-and-white accent tiles on guest room floors. Rooms are decorated with understated elegance, using black-and-white highlights against rich beige-and-gold neutrals. Beds and linens are plush, and 42-inch LCD TVs have Blu-ray disc players. If you want a massage, you can relax at the Waldorf Astoria Spa. If golf is your thing, you can play the vast Rees Jones–designed course, which fills the view from the lobby, bar, or balcony rooms. The hotel connects to and shares a convention hall and meeting space with the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Pros: lavish and luxurious hotel with spa and golf, next to Disney; free transportation to Disney parks. Cons: pricey, but you knew that; if you can bear to leave your cabana, you’ll need a car to see anything else in the area; steep daily resort fee. | Rooms from: $559 | 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort La., Bonnet Creek | 407/597–5500 | www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com | 328 rooms, 169 suites | Breakfast.