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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 72 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.
From the welcoming lobby to the well-appointed suites (with dishwasher, microwave, pots, pans, dishes) and the parklike atmosphere around the pool, this hotel is a great choice if SeaWorld, Aquatica, I-Drive shopping, Universal, or the convention center are on your to-do list. A huge laundry is a boon for families.
In the middle of all the I-Drive activity, and a short walk from ICON Park, this resort offers families a home away from home with plenty of amenities at a reasonable price; rooms and public areas are decorated in mid-century chic, and the large pool has a children's play area, a sandy beach with volleyball court, a shuffleboard court, and a bar and grill.
If swimming and sliding are among your family's top vacation desires, and your budget gets happy with value prices, this colorful resort with its on-property, 14-slide, three-pool water park could be the perfect destination.
If Universal's roller coasters and Harry Potter's Diagon Alley are your destinations, these homey accommodations just outside the park should fit the bill with budget-priced rooms that offer a kitchenette with microwave, refrigerator, and coffeemaker; some even have dining tables.
Combining low, bungalow-style buildings and a 17-story tower, this Bali-inspired hotel creates a warm welcome and a comforting escape—lush linens, tranquil guest rooms, three pools, and tropical landscaping—from hectic I-Drive.
Focused on families and just ½ mile from Disney Springs, this high-rise property features comfortable accommodations equipped with microwaves, refrigerators, and flat-screen TVs. Other perks at the property include free, hot breakfast, a complimentary afternoon reception with food and drinks, a saltwater pool, and numerous on-site dining options including a Pizza Hut.
Five miles from Orlando International Airport, and midway between it and I-Drive, this hotel is connected to the upscale Florida Mall—with major department stores, an Apple Store, hundreds of specialty shops, the Crayola Experience, and currency exchange—so stays here are a treat if you like to shop.
Staying at this hotel directly across the street from Universal could be a savvy budget move as the value price includes things like Wi-Fi and free kids meals.
Youngish, high-tech-consuming business travelers and vacationing families find value here because of the location and amenities, such as 42-inch flat-panel HDTVs, work areas with computer access panel, wet bar with mini-refrigerator, and heated pool.
Located 130 kid-steps away from the entrance to the LEGOLAND Florida theme park, this hotel is, as you can imagine, a LEGO builder's dream come true—one featuring in-room scavenger hunts, nightly kids entertainment, free breakfast, and separate kids sleeping areas in rooms that have various LEGO themes.
This 300-acre, island-themed resort pays homage to the late, great Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville lifestyle, with accommodations ranging from typical guest rooms to eight-bedroom cottages. Margaritas are never far away at the three sandy beach and pool areas, the onsite St. Somewhere Spa, and the resort's multiple dining options. Don't miss seeing the resort's lobby chandelier made of 311 margarita glasses.
In the center of the entertainment triangle bounded by I-4, Florida's Turnpike, and the Beachline Expressway, this all-suites resort is close to Universal, outlet shopping malls, I-Drive attractions, and the convention center, making it a good option for family vacations, romantic getaways, and business travel.
With a 10-story atrium full of ponds and palm trees, this SeaWorld neighbor features a wine bar in the lobby, as well as rooms that feature a king or two queen beds, sectional couches, flat-screen TVs, lush bedding, and ergonomic work areas.
