Clean CHEAP hotel near Universal?

[kclyn]

I've been to WDW twice and stayed on property both times. Now we are planning a Universal/Sea World trip and I have no idea where to stay.

I'm looking for something under $100 per night that is both clean and safe somewhere near Universal. Any advice?

Thx,
kclyn

 

[damo]

Check out the hotels around Major Blvd. It is a safe area and there are lots of hotels in your price range.

 

[PrincessOp]

Oh my goodness, you have MANY choices... I'm not too familiar with any hotels on Major Blvd (as stated by PP) but I have stayed in several on Universal Blvd. and International Drive. Personally, I can give my reccomendation to the Country Inn and Suites in this area, and I've also heard the Sheraton Four Points is very nice (this one is literally right at the entrance to Universal, as is a La Quinta). I know Residence Inn by Marriott has been reviewed very well, and is now offering a $49/night special through travelzoo.com. Good luck!

 

[damo]

If you go to www.googlemaps.com and type in Major Boulevard, Orlando, FL, United States you will see all of the hotels which are very close. We personally have experience with the La Quinta and the Holiday Inn Express there. Both are acceptable with the HIE being nicer than the LQ.

 

[Lewisc]

You should be able to get a good deal through PL (or even Hotwire). Check sites like biddingfortravel and betterbidding for some ideas.

My answer would be different if you're looking for a hotel within walking distance of Universal. You should be able to save more then enough money with PL to cover the cost of parking in Universal.

 

[TheWog]

1800hotels.com has the DoubleTree Universal for around $80/night. Right across from Universal entrance and seems to be a nice place. Hawthorne Suites also is under $100/night.

 

[kclyn]

I'm leaning towards the DoubleTree. Everything I've seen/read has been good - and it's walking distance to US for only $75/night. Anyone with personal experience at DoubleTree with advice would be greatly appreciated.

kclyn

 

[MPKoon02]

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express on Major back in March, and it was clean and had a nice breakfast bar included. We'll be staying there again at the end of this month, and the rate is about $70/$80 a night. Very convenient to Universal!

 

[damo]

I'm leaning towards the DoubleTree. Everything I've seen/read has been good - and it's walking distance to US for only $75/night. Anyone with personal experience at DoubleTree with advice would be greatly appreciated.

kclyn

Just remember that they charge $12 for parking.

 

[Lewisc]

Just remember that they charge $12 for parking.

Getting a hotel further away, with free parking, but paying to park at Unviersal may make more sense.

 

[kclyn]

Just remember that they charge $12 for parking.

We're flying (from MI) - so the parking won't be an issue. That's part of why I wanted something close. We already have transportation to/from the airport, but all other transportation is on our own. I was hoping to save a couple $$ by getting something within walking distance. Is the DoubleTree really within walking distance? Or does it just look that close on the map?

Other than the fee for parking, does anyone have anything good/bad to say about the DoubleTree??

 

[cmclaura]

I used to live in Orlando and worked in a building behind the Double Tree on Major Blvd. It is a safe area.

I've stayed at the Double Tree since. It's okay but a bit boring, in my opinion. We're planning another trip and will likely stay at the Days Inn on Caravan Court -- just off Major. It's right next to the Cracker Barrel and only $53.10 per night, including all taxes. That's what I call a deal.

Very easy to get to Universal, just across the street. We'll have a car -- not sure if they offer a shuttle.

 

[Sukina]

I don't know about this hotel. But it's pretty cheap. I booked 3 times this morning for 3 nights in November (10-13). First reservation, it was $185 for 3 nights on their website, $55 per night. Half an hour later, the price was adjusted to $172, ($49,$49,$55). I cancelled the first one and booked this one. Then, on Expedia.com I found it to be $131, $39 per night. Hence, I cancelled the second reservation and book through Expedia. So, forget the hotel websites, look at Expedia.com.

I think Expedia is having DoubleTree by the entrance of Universal for $66 per night. It's worth it to check it out. A lot of cheap ones on Major Blvd on Expedia. It's much cheaper than Travelocity, Hotwire, Priceline and TravelZoo for this hotel.

 

[cmclaura]

I just checked Expedia and it's $47.10 per night in January; the only difference is with taxes and all, it comes to $52.51 per night, rather than the $53.10 the hotel site says, so I would save 59 cents per night by booking through Expedia. For $1.18, I just would do it, too!

How were you able to cancel your reservations? On both the hotel site and Expedia, it says the rate is for Advance Purchase (prepaid).

Doubletree is $79 before tax in January on Expedia. I've stayed there before and don't know if I would again. The Days Inn is right across the street and less money.

I sound so cheap.

 

[cmclaura]

I've just been reading reviews on TripAdvisor.com. I'm cheap but not stupid. The reviews for Days Inn are awful and include cops telling people they don't want to be staying there and gunshots fired in the night, along with roaches and bedbugs dressing the scene.

The Doubletree is looking better to me, even at a higher cost. I'll keep reading.

Glad I didn't book it before checking.

 

[Sukina]

I just checked Expedia and it's $47.10 per night in January; the only difference is with taxes and all, it comes to $52.51 per night, rather than the $53.10 the hotel site says, so I would save 59 cents per night by booking through Expedia. For $1.18, I just would do it, too!

How were you able to cancel your reservations? On both the hotel site and Expedia, it says the rate is for Advance Purchase (prepaid).

Doubletree is $79 before tax in January on Expedia. I've stayed there before and don't know if I would again. The Days Inn is right across the street and less money.

I sound so cheap.

Not cheap at all, every penny counts.

I didn't book the "Buy Now & Save 15% Pre-payment Required", I booked the "Guaranteed Best Available Rate For All". So, the cancellation link is just in the confirmation email.
I'm happy with my reservation, from $55 ($185) per night to $39 ($130). I saved $55. Could use this money for the park to park access.

 

[ilovethemeparks]

We stayed at The Baymont Inn and Suites Orlando by the Florida Mall 2 weeks ago and we had a room rate of $29! Yea.. I know that sounds like it would be way to cheap for it to be any good but we were very surprised at the room quality.

It passed my bug-mite inspection test (check the mattress for black dots and dried blood eww!) and the bathroom was clean, it had a microwave and mini fridge which were also clean and 2 sofa's, a little worn but in fair condition. It even had a mini patio!

If you're on a budget this is a pretty good rate for a decent hotel. One downside is that it was near a train track. My hubby got woken up in the night but me, well I sleep like a log so it didn't bother me lol.

Our friend also stayed there, in the room next door to ours and his room was clean but did have a musty smell to it. Not sure whether we just got lucky with our room, but you can always switch rooms if you're not satisfied.

Overall, this is a good place if you plan to stay for a night or two.

Nothing beats staying at an on-site hotel though ;-)

Also, forgot to add if you're interested in finding good rates on hotels we always use bookit.com to book our hotel stays.

 

[maggiew]

Oh my goodness, you have MANY choices... I'm not too familiar with any hotels on Major Blvd (as stated by PP) but I have stayed in several on Universal Blvd. and International Drive. Personally, I can give my reccomendation to the Country Inn and Suites in this area, and I've also heard the Sheraton Four Points is very nice (this one is literally right at the entrance to Universal, as is a La Quinta). I know Residence Inn by Marriott has been reviewed very well, and is now offering a $49/night special through travelzoo.com. Good luck!

Thanks for the info on the Residence Inn. Right now I have Portofino booked at $157 per night for a week. I'm tempted by the Residence Inn $49 rate! I am a Marriott loyal, so this would be great! I could save nearly $1000 by staying here instead.

Maggie

 

[PrincessOp]

Thanks for the info on the Residence Inn. Right now I have Portofino booked at $157 per night for a week. I'm tempted by the Residence Inn $49 rate! I am a Marriott loyal, so this would be great! I could save nearly $1000 by staying here instead.

Maggie

Good luck, Maggie - I know that is a tough decision -- the luxury of Portofino vs. the much lower price of another hotel. I am faced with this all the time - even though I live close by (about an hour and a half away), we stay on-property at Uni sometimes, and off-property others. We have even mixed it up, in the past - for example, spending two nights at Portofino and 3 nights at the nearby Hampton Inn. That way costs are cut, but we still get the ambience and the fotl for several days. Good luck in whatever you decide!

 

[indimom]

I'm leaning towards the DoubleTree. Everything I've seen/read has been good - and it's walking distance to US for only $75/night. Anyone with personal experience at DoubleTree with advice would be greatly appreciated.

kclyn

We stayed for five days at the Doubletree at the entrance to Universal December, 2008. It was very clean and quiet (which we prefer). The pool is just a boring square, but the kids didn't mind and the hot tub was excellent and usually empty.
We had a rate of $80 a night that included a buffet breakfast each morning, and thought it was a steal. The room had a fridge, so we stocked up and did sandwiches, etc. for lunch every day. Only one meal out of pocket each day sort of compensated for that pesky parking fee.
The walk to US is about 10-15 minutes, plus another 5 or so to get through Citywalk to the parks. So figure about 20 minutes max?? Not hard, but not short either at the end of a long day. We actually did it twice a day, because we always went back to the room for lunch and a swim, so it's doable. Definitely WAIT for the red light and walk signal on the main road right in front of Doubletree (it's 8 lanes) and you can't dawdle when crossing. Traffic can be pretty heavy, but you're fine if you stick with the light. We saw a LOT of jaywalkers and it looked to risky to us.
There was a super walmart just up the road (you'd need a car for this) and plenty of places to eat within walking distance.
We would stay here again without a doubt.