The Florida Hotel & Conference Center
1500 Sand Lake Rd., at S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida, 32809, United States, Orlando, Florida, USA
Why We Like It
Proximity to the airport and the fact that it is connected to the Florida Mall makes staying in this lodging a practical choice at the end of a stay. You can delay buying souvenirs or gifts until the last minute, as shopping is easy with a mall right outside the door. The airport and your homeward bound flight are only a quick drive away.
Fodor's Expert Review
Five miles from the airport gates, the hotel is midway between Orlando International and I-Drive, and if you like to shop, you're in for a treat. The large hotel is directly connected to the huge Florida Mall, with seven major department stores and 250 specialty shops. A white-tiled lobby welcomes guests with marble floors and fountains. A restaurant and lounge are on-site. A state-of-the-art fitness center ensures that energy levels remain ready for shopping. Bright and airy rooms are decorated in neutrals, and all have refrigerators, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, workstations, and deluxe bedding.
You Should Know The hotel charges a daily resort fee, which covers self-parking, in-room bottled water, use of the fitness center, and high-speed internet.
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Room
Decorated in green, rust and gold, the rooms' queen beds feature pillow top mattresses and crisp, duvet style bedding. A mini-fridge, Wi-Fi, and a 42” flat-screen TV join a work desk with ergonomic chair.
You Should Know Ask for a room away from the elevators if you are easily disturbed by noise.
Bathroom
A silver and black vanity accents a bathroom with beige wall-covering and beige marble tiled bath/shower. Bath amenities are provided, along with ample lush white towels.
Lobby
A grand two-story open lobby, crowned with an arched glass ceiling and crystal chandeliers welcomes you. Escalators flank the check-in and concierge desks, and clubby seating groups provide space to relax or to wait for check-in. A Starbucks Café and a well-stocked grab and go store provide speedy snacks in the morning.
A grand two-story open lobby, rich with golden color and dotted with crystal chandeliers await you. Escalators flank the check-in and concierge desks, for your convenience and comfort. There is a Starbucks Café and a quick purchase store for guest use.
Pool
The plain, rectangular pool area is well supplied with lounge chairs, and a hot tub removes all the stresses of shopping or theme park hopping. The pool is heated and lit at night.
Spa
The hotel has no full-service spa but does offer a variety of in-room massage treatments.
Gym
The fitness center is well appointed with treadmills, free weights and weight benches, balance balls, stationary bikes, elliptical and rowing machines, and workout stations.
Dining
Marcelo’s Bistro offers casual, family-friendly dining, including a breakfast buffet, and a wide range of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees for lunch and dinner. Dinner reservations are required. For early morning fare, a Starbucks Café in the main lobby offers the usual pastries and coffee.
Drinking
Cricket’s Bar, adjacent to the pool, offers wine, beer and cocktails and all of the food available at the in-house restaurant.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
The hotel offers no scheduled shuttle services to any parks, so a car, taxi or ride-share service is necessary unless you are just in Orlando to shop for bargains, which is true for many of your fellow guests.
Restaurants
The Florida Mall contains some chain eateries that will fuel your shopping sprees, and there are a few more just outside the mall property, such as Outback Steakhouse and Red Lobster. If you are looking for something a little more substantial, you'll have to drive west on Sand Lake Rd., to International Drive (12-minute drive) where dining choices run the gamut, from Tapa Toro, a vibrant Spanish eatery featuring paella, to Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar, a picturesque purveyor of Cuban fare, to The Oceanaire Seafood Room, serving Florida seafood.
Bars
Just outside mall property, Exile Restaurant & Lounge (8-minute walk) offers a full bar in a casual atmosphere, with pool table and a daily happy hour.
Photos
Quick Facts
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