Heading to the theme parks and need a place to stay? Check out my Orlando Hotel Review (2) – one near Universal and one near Disney.
Crowne Plaza Orlando – Universal
7800 Universal Boulevard, Orlando Florida, 32819, United States
Orlando Hotel Review:
This hotel is located 10 minutes away from Universal Orlando theme parks. It’s easy to find and is very modern, clean and beautiful.
Using a complimentary Chase Anniversary night at this hotel, I found availability 1 week out for a Saturday night. Keep in mind, this was in Feb when it’s not a peak time.
There is a heated pool, jaccuzzi, on-site gym and restaurant. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to try them out.
The only con from my stay was the $14 nightly parking charge. This is more a result of IHG changing what their Platinum elites get as part of the program. In the past, Plats got free parking and lounge access (regardless of upgrade). Now, with their new changes, only Spire Elite (highest loyalty tier) gets comped parking and lounge access.
In the executive lounge, there is typical Crowne Plaza layout with a modern, clean and beautiful view. Breakfast is mostly continental fare. It would have been nice to have some hot items like scrambled eggs or waffles. For evening, they had hot items like jalepeno poppers and mini cheese quesedillas.
Recommendation:
Overall, I would stay at this hotel again as the rooms are very comfortable and the hotel is very clean. The staff was also very welcoming and gracious. Also, the hotel is very, very close to the Universal theme parks.
Crowne Plaza - Orlando Universal
Universal Orlando
Holiday Inn – Lake Buena Vista South (Orlando, FL area)
3484 Polynesian Isle Boulevard, Kissimmee, Florida 34746 United States
Orlando Hotel Review:
I have stayed at this hotel several different times, using award points, while visiting Walt Disney World. Although only 2.5miles away from Disney, I always got lost. For whatever reason, I always found it difficult to find. I was also driving around after midnight (when the park closed) so maybe that’s part of it. Make sure you have GPS.
I found the rooms to be standard for Holiday Inn. I don’t have any complaints as my room was clean, etc. It is what you would expect HI to be.
However, where this hotel shines is the breakfast spread. It’s better than some Crowne Plaza hotels that I’ve stayed at (Universal above). Good/large selection (eggs, pancakes, pastries, coffee) that is often replenished.
Parking is free. The website says there is a heated pool and on-site gym. However, I didn’t try these out myself.
Recommendation:
I would stay here again if going to Disney parks. If going to a different area of Orlando or Universal, I would chose a different hotel as this one would be considered out of the way.
