Planner13

I have a meeting at the convention center in Orlando, Florida, in July and the block rate for our group is still very expensive at the host hotels at/near the convention center.
Any suggestions for a hotel on International Drive you had a positive experience at?

sludick

What are the host hotels (so I won't duplicate)?

stumpworks73

Residence Inn, Hampton Inn, and Springhill Suites are neighbors on Universal just north of the Convention Centers. Both buildings are walking distance. All three are safe and reasonably new.

If you google Orlando Convention Center hotels map, you will have many to choose from. Shuttle buses service International Drive. Most conventions have shuttle bus routes around the convention hotels.

The further north you go on International, the closer you get to Harry Potter at Universal and are staying with amusement park families. Your rates increase the closer you get to Universal as well.

321go

"is still very expensive" Give us a hint - what dollar amount are we trying to beat here?

Planner13

The host hotels are $200+ (Hilton Orlando and Rosen Plaza, which is not bad considering the properties. Unlike my colleagues, I have to subsidize all of my expenses to attend and the registration for the meeting alone is $700. Even looking at the map, my concern was I would book at a hotel that was dated or too far to walk.

321go

OK, those (along with the Peabody) are some of I'Drive's nicer properties, but you'll find decent properties on Universal Blvd (parallel to I-Drive) that are newer, having been built in the last 7 or 8 years. I'll second the recs stumpworks gave you upthread.

The Convention Center is huge, so most hotels are too far to walk (especially in the summer) but you can easily get on the I-Drive trolley http://www.iridetrolley.com/maps.asp to get to and from your hotel.

BlueSwimmer

Planner- When I went to a convention that my work didn't cover, my colleague and I stayed at a condo off International Drive about a minute from the convention center for a much better rate.

It was fabulous- we each had our own room and bathroom, plus a comfy living room and a kitchen for breakfast, wine, and snacks. We enjoyed downtime at the pool and walking around the lagoon behind the property for exercise.

The community is called Vista Cay and I think they have a rental office. We found our unit on VRBO (Listing #169772) and the owner was great to work with.

I think we paid around 125 a night compared with 200 a night to share a double room at a hotel. We felt like we got a great deal. The decor was nice and practically brand new.

We did have a rental car- that area isn't too pedestrian friendly but in a pinch you could do it. Nearby, we loved the funky restaurant Cafe Tu Tu Tango for tapas, art, and belly dancing and Bahama Breeze for decent chain food with nice outdoor seating. There is also a supermarket right near the condo to purchase breakfast items and snacks.

Planner13

BlueSwimmer:
Thank you for the fabulous tips. Have made contact with them already.