Embassy Suites Orlando Downtown

191 E. Pine St., Orlando, Florida 32801, USA
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Why We Like It

Centrally located but mostly convenient to downtown, the roomy suites and complimentary breakfast provide quality for travelers looking for affordable comfort.

Fodor's Expert Review

Although designed primarily for business travelers, this property, which was totally renovated in 2017/18, has nice touches for vacationers, too; many suites have views overlooking nearby Lake Eola and its centerpiece fountain, swan boats, and jogging path, and the hotel is a short walk from a half-dozen cafés and restaurants, the Orange County History Center, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and the Amway Center with its NBA basketball games and concerts. Suites have microwaves and refrigerators, and the hotel has a fitness center and pool.

You Should Know The hotel is only a couple of blocks from Interstate 4, thus the journey to the theme parks by car should be quick and easy. However, expansion work on the highway, scheduled to continue through 2020, means that drive times are seldom accurate, and congestion is a real issue. The SunRail train runs weekdays until about 9 p.m., and on some weekends, offering some relief from the congestion, depending on your destination. But the rail line doesn’t go all the way to the parks. Ride-sharing is a great option for those who don’t want to drive. Or, there is public bus transportation direct to the theme parks from the main Lynx bus station in Orlando, about two blocks west of the hotel, where for around $2.50 you can avoid the $20 parking fees at the parks.

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Room

Spacious, two-room suites feature a separate living room and bedroom space with a flat-screen TV in each room. Mini-fridges, coffee makers and microwaves come standard in these rooms, and Wi-Fi is free. The rooms have furnished balconies, letting you enjoy the hustle and bustle of city life from the comfort of your chair.

You Should Know Consider asking for a room facing the lake, as the other rooms face busy, and often noisy city streets. In addition, on-going renovations will be noisy, but management says the work will be confined to the hours of 10am to 5pm.

Bathroom

A granite-topped vanity is a nice touch in a roomy bathroom space with a shower/tub combination.

You Should Know The vanity doesn't offer much space for toiletries, particularly if you are traveling in a group or family.

Lobby

The modern, open central courtyard is filled with natural light and features lots of seating and a central bar area. The space invites relaxation as you enjoy a drink and people watch.

Pool

A perfect spot for a relaxing soak or swim after a day at the parks, or before a game at the Amway Center or a concert at the Arts Center. For those interested in sunbathing, plenty of lounge chairs are available.

Gym

The fitness center has a wall of windows allowing natural light into the space. Treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, weight machines, and free weights are available, in a generous space that won’t make you feel cramped.

Dining

Enjoy a free, cooked-to-order breakfast each morning, with omelets, meats, potatoes, fruit, pastries, and oatmeal served in the bright, warm environment of the lobby courtyard. In the evenings, enjoy a free reception with a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and light appetizers. For a sit down meal, check out Café Eola, which serves American fare with a focus on steaks and seafood offerings.

Drinking

A full service bar in the central hotel courtyard, with plenty of seating and natural light, offers a pleasant spot for a drink.

What's Nearby

Getting Around

A complimentary shuttle is available to within 3 miles of the hotel, primarily around the downtown area. The hotel is convenient to public transportation, as the free Lymmo bus stops nearby and takes you to all the major attractions downtown. The main Lynx bus station is only a few blocks away, where you can catch a bus to Disney, Universal, or SeaWorld. If buses are not your thing, you'll need a car or a ride-share or taxi service to get to the theme parks.

Restaurants

The hotel is in the middle of Downtown Orlando, where a wide variety of dining choices await. Nearest is the Harp and Celt Authentic Irish Pub & Restaurant (2-minute walk) where traditional Irish food is served up in a cozy atmosphere. Artisan's Table (5-minute walk) offers up elevated American food in a modern, hip setting. 4 Rivers Smokehouse (8-minutes walk) offers prize-winning barbecue at City Hall. The Boheme (7-minute walk) features a refined, French and European menu at the Grand Bohemian Hotel. Kasa, (7-minute walk) features Asian fusion, and The Rusty Spoon (10-minute walk) on Church Street, serves a chef-driven menu prepared by James Beard nominated chef Kathleen Osterhaus Blake. Dozens more eating choices, from hamburgers and beer to fine French cuisine, line Orange Avenue and Church Street.

Bars

Downtown's clubs and pubs offer a wide variety of entertainment: closest is the Harp and Celt Authentic Irish Pub & Restaurant (2-minute walk), where you'll find a wide variety of beers on tap. The Grand Bohemian Bosendorfer Lounge (7-minute walk) offers jazz piano and great cocktails in a sophisticated setting. You can drink and dance til the wee hours at a wide range of nightclubs within a couple of blocks, or sing German drinking songs while lifting a stein of beer at Schumann's Jager Haus (9-minute walk).

Quick Facts

HOTEL INFO

Phones: 407-841–1000;800-609–3339