4 star hotel on I - Drive

[London Calling]

Hi

Ive booked to come to Orlando in may staying the first week on site and the second week at the Holiday Inn resort on I-Drive. My concern is about the holiday Inn as i have read a number of mixed reviews and the hotel has recently been downgraded by my tour operator.

I was therefore after some advice won which hotel to replace this with. As we wont have a car, and will be travelling with two young kids, location is of paramount importance (hence we chose Hol Inn cos has good location for Universal and outlets). We are further restricted by the hotels that our hoiday company offer, and this basically bolis down to the following either the Crowne Plaza Universal or the Wyndham Orlando resort. Another hotel fgellow vrits have suggested is the Rosen Centre.

Anyone been to any of these ? Anyone care to ffer any advice, remembering that we wiont havea car and I want a decent hotel as close to I Drive as possible.

Thanks

 

[Lorix2]

try www.internationaldriveorlando.com for more information.

 

[spiceycat]

we stayed at Wyndham Resort on IB - I won't consider it a 4 star - however my major complaint was something that had nothing to do with the hotel - it was the traffic - it was a pain driving anywhere from this hotel.

however since you are taking the bus -you might be fine.

 

[mark&sue]

Hi London Calling

We are from London and we are staying at Holiday Inn on International Drive in a party of 14, including 6 children and 2 seniors. We are staying in May too!! When will you be there?

Last October we were staying at the Grand Floridian at WDW and drove by to check it out. The location seemed excellent with loads of restaurants and things to do in the evening. There is a liquor store which is minutes away by foot. I could not get any bottles of vodka at WDW at all!! Apparently they had sold out!

I walked into the front of the hotel and took some leaflets to give to my friends when we got back. It did look a bit grotty from the outside (as it is a funny green colour and not white as in the brochures). I have read that the rooms are big with microwaves and fridges. There is a shuttle to Universal and all all the theme parks. I must admit it looked a bit Southendish or Benedormish, but we like there being lots to do within easy walking distance.

I didn't know it was downgraded? Which operator has downgraded it.

I am sure if you are staying on-site for a week you will be fine. We are DVC members and are quite looking forward to staying on International Drive for a change.

Let us know if you change your reservation. I didn't know that it could be done?



Susan

 

[ducklite]

I wouldn't think of any of those mentioned as four star. Solid three, but not four.

The Peabody is a four star hotel.

Anne

 

[WDWBetsy]

We stayed at the Wyndham Orlando back in November 2002. Like Ducklite, I would classify it as 3 star. The resort itself has beautiful landscaping, nice pool, restaurant, etc. - appears to be well-kept. Lots of walking depending on which building your room is in; overall comfortable, clean, spacious room. Generally safe area of town from what I could tell - although it's right at the intersection of International Drive and Sand Lake Road - very busy if you try to walk across that intersection - drivers were pretty scary! I think we paid $40 something per night with Priceline if I recall. Has complimentary bus service to Universal, Wet & Wild, and SeaWorld. Not the best bus schedule but better than nothing; would definitely choose renting a car if I stayed here again. We missed one of the return buses from Universal and it was a big pain.

We utilized the I-Ride Trolley service for the week we were there (it actually goes to SeaWorld, too!). It pretty much ran all along International Drive, but was great for us to go out to dinner and shopping; great weekly price. Lots of restaurants nearby. A grocery store not too far away. Ripley's Believe It or Not is next door to hotel - we used a buy one get one free Entertainment book coupon. Would not tour that again - not worth the money.

All in all a decent place to stay. You can view a few photos if you click my profile and then visit my webshots homepage.

Hope this helps!

 

[Immelman]

the peabody is the best you're going to get on I-Drive