You can open the smile! Orlando is the joy of travelers in the United States. To start, the question of where to stay in Orlando is easy to solve: hotel there is not a lack of it.
This is one of the most touristic cities in the U.S. and the world, so Orlando has the second largest hotel chain in the country, behind only crazy Las Vegas. Also, prices are usually very affordable. You can find good hotels in Orlando for from $80!
Anyone who can invest a little more can even have a magical experience by staying at the hotels located within the city’s parks and resorts. In this post we will explain if it is worth staying there or if there are other better regions to stay in Orlando.
Although there is a lot of hotel availability, however, you need to be aware of the pranks, even more if it is your first time in the city. As in many American cities, locomotion is a point of attention, and access to parks should be considered when choosing your hotel. Because it is quite widespread, the attractions are not very close to each other and there may be traffic at some times of the day.
But don’t worry! We explain everything you need to know when choosing your Orlando stay below here! And all you have to do is relax and enjoy your vacation! If you are lost, be sure to read our post Planning a trip to Orlando: how to start
Best Hotels in Orlando
The list below shows the best hotels in Orlando, divided by category and style of accommodation, according to the evaluation of people stayed there! Check it out!
Click here to see all the available hotels in Orlando
How much does it cost to stay in Orlando
The average price of accommodation in Orlando is 150 dollars for a double room in a single hotel near the parks.
Thus, the hotels indicated in this post were classified as follows:
- Cheap Orlando Hotels: Up to 100 USD
- Hotels with a price in Orlando: between 100 and 200 dollars
- Comfort or luxury hotels in Orlando: from 200 dollars
To better understand the geography of the city and discover the best location to stay in Orlando, continue in the post! We also give tips on the best hotels in Orlando, according to the main locations.
You go to Orlando? Read also:
Guide to Visiting Disney Hollywood in Orlando
Guide to Universal Studios Orlando
Best locations where to stay in Orlando (with city map!)
Orlando, like many large cities in the United States, grows more to the sides than up. This means that the attractions end up getting kindway away from each other. In addition, there are other cities in the metropolitan area that are part of a large Orlando and are also good places to stay, since they are close to avenues and expressways and guarantee easy access to the park if outlets.
On the map above, I have checked some of the best regions to stay in Orlando. If you notice, Downtown Orlando, the city center, is the most distant of all! This contradicts the general logic that staying in the center is the best option, for example!
The best part is looking for hotels on International Drive, the main route of Orlando, or even within the parks, if that is the main reason for your trip.
With that in mind, it’s time to decide where to stay in Orlando. The main regions are:
- International Drive
- Lake Buena Vista (hotels inside Walt Disney Resort)
- Universal Studios
- Kissimee
- Celebration
- Downtown Orlando
Let’s look at the main advantages and disadvantages of each of them.
1. International Drive
This is Orlando’s main avenue, filled with hotels, shops and restaurants. The closest part to Sea World and Universal Studios has many resorts ready to host tourists who are there through the parks. Disney parks are about 15 km from this region.
It’s also on I-Drive, as the avenue is known, which is one of the branches of Premium Outlets, the largest in Orlando. Prices are for all pockets. You can find everything from budget to luxury hotels to stay on this Orlando avenue.
If you want to stay away from the buzz of parks and outlets and get to know the “real life of Orlando” better, look for hotels located in the central part of the avenue, between Convention Way and West Sand Lake Road.
Hotels in International Drive
Economical
- La Quinta Inn by Wyndham: The cheapest options near the parks of Orlando. Have breakfast included in the rate.
- Rosen Inn International: It offers free transportation to Universal and Sea World parks. Excellent location, with good access to all parts of the city.
Values and the benefit
Comfort / High standard
- Castle Hotel by Marriot: Inspired by castles, it features an outdoor pool with beautiful fountains and is only 4 km from Universal parks.
- Hilton Orlando: The comfort and quality known of the Hilton chain, close to Sea World and International Drive stores. It has a beautiful pool area.
Find Hotels in International Drive
2. 2. Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista
This is the best region for those who will focus the trip to Orlando at Disney parks. You will stay inside the resorts of Mickey’s class and experience the magic 24 hours a day on your trips, with the right to the characters giving the faces and thematic decor.
There you will be inside the most famous amusement complex in the world. At the time of shopping, it is also easy to move to the Premium Outlets of Vineland Av., which is close.
Universal Studios is 20 minutes’ drive away. To top it off, the area is very beautiful, full of lakes on all sides.
Prices of hotels within Disney are higher than at International Drive, there are options of intermediate and luxury hotels. However, there are some advantages of staying there:
- Complimentary transportation to the complex’s parks: Hotels offer free buses at various times a day to get to and from Disney parks.
- Airport Transfer: There is also a transfer service to and from the airport, Disney’s Magical Express.
- Extra Magic Hours: It’s the possibility to enjoy the empty Disney parks. Hotel guests get a few hours overtime (before or after opening to the general public) to enjoy the attractions without the crowds. Ideal if you travel in high season.
Hotels in Disney, in Lake Buena Vista
Values and the benefit
- Walt Disney World Swan: Located in the center of Walt Disney World Resort. The hotel features an on-site beach, plus 5 outdoor swimming pools, 17 restaurants and lounges.
- Walt Disney World Dolphin: Offers water taxis to the complex’s parks, plus beautiful gardens with a 24-hour pool and fun for the whole family.
Comfort / High standard
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney: Located across Lake Magic Kindom, it has been named one of the world’s best luxury hotels by Trip Advisor. It offers breakfast in the company of Disney characters on Tuesdays and Fridays, as well as an exclusive bus.
Find Hotels in Lake Buena Vista
3. Universal Studios, International Drive
As I explained up there, Universal Studios is on one of the ends of International Drive. In addition to staying on the Avenue for easy access to the parks, as well as in Disney, it is also possible to stay inside the parks of Universal.
As it is a smaller complex, with two parks and some entertainment areas, there is less option at Universal Studios than at Disney. On the other hand, some of them are cheaper and even economic options, something we don’t see there in Mickey’s class.
The hotels are so close that you can go up to the parks. In addition, there are also exclusive advantages for those who decide to stay there:
- Free transportation: If you don’t want to walk, you can count on free transportation to Universal Studios parks, as well as other parks in the region, such as Sea World and Aquatica.
- Express Press Unlimited: All guests get a pass to skip lines unlimitedly at Universal attractions. This pass is available to all customers, but for an extra fee when buying the ticket. If you stay there, you won’t have to pay anything for it.
- Hours Extras: Just like in hotels within Disney, those staying at Universal hotels can take advantage of the parks before or after the gates open. This option is ideal for those traveling in high season to escape some of the crowds that invade Orlando every year.
- Purchase facilitation: Just show the identification of the room to have your purchases in the parks charged directly to the credit card used in the reservation.
- Priority in the restaurants of the complex: The most famous restaurants can be quite crowded in high season, but guests of Universal hotels have priority when it comes to booking.
Hotels in the parks of Universal Studios
Economical
Values and the benefit
- Universal’s Loews Sapphire Falls Resort: Option for families, has a fun boat transport to Universal parks, as well as a complex of swimming pools and entertainment for children.
Luxury / High standard
- Universal’s Hard Hock Hotel: Main hotel of Universal Studios, is 5 minutes from the City Walk, with modern and comfortable rooms with themed decoration inspired by rock.
4. 4. Kissimmee
Kissimmee is a municipality in the metropolitan area of Orlando, but it gets so close that you don’t even realize you’re in another city.
The area is close to Lake Buena Vista, so close to Disney. In fact, few people know this, but much of the Disney complex is within the territory of Kissimmee!
By car it is also not far from Universal, although the most famous shopping malls are a little far away.
Is it worth staying in Kissimmee, just outside of Orlando?
Kissimmee developed in the ride of entertainment tourism that takes so many people to the region. Therefore, the city is considered a great holiday destination for the local population.
Although the theme parks stayed for Orlando, in Kissimmee you will find nature reserves, adventure sports, golf courses, luxury spas, holiday ranches and numerous ecological activities.
But the great accommodation advantage in Kissimmee are the gated condominiums and houses for vacation rentals available in the city.
This type of accommodation provides a more private atmosphere for families and large groups who want more freedom and a stay more personal than hotels, although with less perks. In Kissimmee you find houses for rent at good prices, but there is also a good range of hotels for those who want to stay there.
Apartment Hotels in Kissimmee
Economical
Values and the benefit
Comfort / High standard
- Calypso Cay Vacation Villas: Fully equipped villas, with a common use infrastructure similar to a resort. The apartments accommodate families of up to eight people.
- Reunion Resort & Golf Club: Another option of fully equipped villas, plus access to 11 outdoor pools and a children’s water park.
Find hosting in Kissimmee
5. . 5. Celebration
Created by The Walt Disney Company in the 1990s, Celebration was thought to be the American village par excellence. This means beautiful two-storey houses with garden, tree-lined and quiet streets, children riding bicycles. All tailor-made to exhale the utopian american way of life.
The small town is beautiful and charming, even scalographic, I risk say, and has some shopping malls and restaurants. As it was built within the Disney grounds, it is in a good location for those who want to visit the park and has good hotel options.
Apartment Hotels in Celebration
Economical
Values and the benefit
- Galleria Palms Orlando: Modern rooms with mini bar and microwave. The hotel also with outdoor pool and is just minutes from the Disney parks.
- Celebration Suites: Hotel ideal for families with spacious accommodation in suite style or with full kitchen.
Luxury / High standard
- ette Luxury Hotel & Spa: Beautiful resort with restaurant, outdoor pool and fitness center. All accommodation at this 5-star hotel has a garden view.
6. . 6. Downtown Orlando
In general, the center is not the first choice of travelers when deciding where to stay in Orlando, since the city’s tourism is very much focused on the parks and outlets, which are a little far from the core of the city.
However, I think it can be a different experience, especially if you want to see what the city has to offer beyond what everyone has seen. This is also a good option for business travelers.
In this case, it is important to schedule, since access to parks and outlets will not be so easy.
Hotels in Downtown Orlando
Values and the benefit
- Hampton Inn Suites: It offers an open-air heated pool open year-round and fitness center. The rooms are modern and the hotel is one of the best rated in the region.
Luxury / High standard
- AC Hotel by Marriot: Modern, new and full of amenities for guests. It has a beautiful deck with bar and restaurant on the 18th floor, overlooking the city.
Find hosting in Downtown Orlando
Frequently asked questions about where to stay in Orlando
Here are some of the main questions of readers when choosing where to stay in Orlando.
What is the best place to stay in Orlando?
The best places to stay in Orlando are International Drive a Lake Buena Vista, for its proximity to attractions and ease of commute.
Where to stay in cheap Orlando?
A good place to find cheap accommodation in Orlando is along International Drive, especially in the farthest stretches of Universal Studios parks.
Is it worth staying at the hotels in the parks of Orlando?
Staying at the hotels and resorts in Orlando’s parks has a number of benefits, such as special events, attractions scheduling facilities, free transportation, overtime at the parks and hole-to-few tickets. However, these accommodations are more expensive, so the choice will depend on the budget and priorities of each.
More travel tips to Orlando and the United States
Before you plan your trip to Orlando, read our post also Orlando spending little: cheap trip to Disney
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