Clarion Universal -- AVOID THIS HOTEL

[NewEnglandCamper]

This hotel is horrible and a fine resort such as Universal should be ashamed to have their name on it. Here is my review of this hotel:

Services:
- Requested a crib during reservations. Had to call front desk twice and it took an hour before it arrived. Housekeeping seemed to be put off when I requested a blanket for the crib.
- Didn't deliver towels on day 2. Another call to the front desk

Laundry room:
- Change machine not working. Another call to the front desk. Also noone had quarters to trade in the hotel.
- Scary and dirty -- wall paper falling off, dusty
- not lighted well, very small
- Dryers are old and broken down, doesn't dry well -- you'll be either waiting a long time or be hanging clothes in your room to dry
- Not enough machines for size of this hotel -- long wait for dryers

Room:
- musty smell when AC was on
- Leaky sink
- Fan in bathroom didn't work
- Beds uncomfortable
- Intermittent hot water. Another call to the front desk for engineering to show up. In our room we had to position the knob to COLD and wait several minutes for hot water. Then you were lucky to have a hot shower for.
- Stains on bathroom celing

Hallways:
- Dark colors -- looks dirty
- Really Low celings

Positives (I'm trying here)
- Very close to Universal Orlando
- Free parking
- A nice pool and 2 hot tubs (note we didn't use this).
- Pricey snack shop in lobby
- Discounts at Universal Store (with key card)

We were only there for a few nights and most of our time was at Universal. If we were going to be here for week or so we would of switched hotels.

 

[damo]

Universal Studios has nothing to do with the Clarion. They can use the word Universal in their name if they wish and Universal Studios can do nothing about it. The two are not affiliated.

 

[NewEnglandCamper]

I'm not so sure about that. The key cards we got was Spiderman and Hulk.

They have logos of Universal Orlando all over the hotel doors. We even saved 15% off our purchases at the Universal Store by showing the key cards.

So there is some partnership agreement. What I'm saying that Universal should be ashamed to partner with this dumpy hotel.

 

[damo]

I'm not so sure about that. The key cards we got was Spiderman and Hulk.

They have logos of Universal Orlando all over the hotel doors. We even saved 15% off our purchases at the Universal Store by showing the key cards.

So there is some partnership agreement. What I'm saying that Universal should be ashamed to partner with this dumpy hotel.

I think there are several partner hotels that surround Universal. But Universal wouldn't have any say in how they run their hotels.

Perhaps you should let them know of your complaints. Trip advisor rates the hotel quite highly and that is probably why it remains on the partner list.

It is similar to the hotels in downtown Disney and their good neighbor hotels. They are affiliates but Disney has no say in their management (as you can see by the condition of some of them).

Thanks for the warning though. It is good to know these things!!!

 

[sallybrealey]

Im sorry you had a poor stay here but I used to work with British holidaymakers in Orlando in nearly every hotel on Idrive and surrounding and used to get just about the least complaints in this hotel compared to any other.

Dont get me wrong its nothing flash but generally the rooms are nice, the staff are friendly and its a good base.