Decent hotel near Universal Hard Rock hotel for one night

[Disneylover99]

We're driving down and may be arriving a day early.

Any recommendations for a reasonably priced hotel near Universal for one night? We don't need anything fancy.

Thanks!

 

[Upatnoon]

We're driving down and may be arriving a day early.

Any recommendations for a reasonably priced hotel near Universal for one night? We don't need anything fancy.

Thanks!

Drury Inn is new, close and very nice. Includes lots of free food and some drinks as well.

 

[Grumpy92]

Drury Inn or Hyatt Place

 

[writerguyfl]

It depends on what you mean by "near". There are several hotels that are within walking distance to the Hard Rock Hotel/Universal (roughly 0.6-0.8 miles). The closest would be the DoubleTree Universal and Holiday Inn Universal. Those places are at the intersection of Kirkman Rd and Major Blvd. Slightly further you'll find Hyatt Place, La Quinta, Best Western Plus, and others.

If your definition of "near" is 3-5 miles, you'll have dozens of options along International Drive and Universal Blvd.

 

[Disneylover99]

It depends on what you mean by "near". There are several hotels that are within walking distance to the Hard Rock Hotel/Universal (roughly 0.6-0.8 miles). The closest would be the DoubleTree Universal and Holiday Inn Universal. Those places are at the intersection of Kirkman Rd and Major Blvd. Slightly further you'll find Hyatt Place, La Quinta, Best Western Plus, and others.

If your definition of "near" is 3-5 miles, you'll have dozens of options along International Drive and Universal Blvd.

I was thinking, not more than roughly 3 miles away, but that's my problem, I'm completely overwhelmed with the number of hotels in that area. Really, I'm just looking for clean at around the $100 mark.

 

[Princess Leia]

Last summer we stayed our first night at the Fairfield Inn and Suites near Universal. It was a really reasonable price and very close to Universal. It also had a breakfast included. It had free wi-fi and parking. They also did a free shuttle to Universal.

 

[writerguyfl]

I was thinking, not more than roughly 3 miles away, but that's my problem, I'm completely overwhelmed with the number of hotels in that area. Really, I'm just looking for clean at around the $100 mark.

I totally understand that point of view. Sometimes having too many choices is worse that just a few options.

Rates at non-Disney hotels tend to fluctuate greatly. Any chance you can provide the date of your stay? That way, we can look at actual prices and (perhaps) point you in the right direction.

 

[Disneylover99]

I totally understand that point of view. Sometimes having too many choices is worse that just a few options.

Rates at non-Disney hotels tend to fluctuate greatly. Any chance you can provide the date of your stay? That way, we can look at actual prices and (perhaps) point you in the right direction.

Sat. Aug. 13th is the night I need. And you're right about rate fluctuations. I just double checked the price of the Drury Suites Orlando hotel and it's cheaper today then yesterday. Right now with the Canadian resident discount it's $80.74 for the night, which seems like a great price to me.

 

[writerguyfl]

I just checked Orbitz and a few hotel chain websites and didn't see amazing deals. All of the International Drive hotels I would personally recommend (because I've stayed there) are either sold out or $130+ for that night.

As for the Drury Inn, I do see an "eSaver" rate of $80.74 on the their website, but it does have a $25 cancelation fee. If you can get a Canadian discount for the same rate that doesn't have a cancelation fee, I'd book it. (Or, if you're comfortable with that cancelation fee.) I've never stayed there, but it does get glowing Trip Advisor ratings and it comes with extras like breakfast and free parking.

That hotel is in a good location for Universal. I used to live in Orlando and I went to the gym in the adjacent shopping area. Getting to Universal from there is very, very easy.

 

[Disneylover99]

I just checked Orbitz and a few hotel chain websites and didn't see amazing deals. All of the International Drive hotels I would personally recommend (because I've stayed there) are either sold out or $130+ for that night.

As for the Drury Inn, I do see an "eSaver" rate of $80.74 on the their website, but it does have a $25 cancelation fee. If you can get a Canadian discount for the same rate that doesn't have a cancelation fee, I'd book it. (Or, if you're comfortable with that cancelation fee.) I've never stayed there, but it does get glowing Trip Advisor ratings and it comes with extras like breakfast and free parking.

That hotel is in a good location for Universal. I used to live in Orlando and I went to the gym in the adjacent shopping area. Getting to Universal from there is very, very easy.

Thanks for checking! I appreciate the input. I did book the Drury. I can cancel til 12pm on check in day without a fee with the Canadian discount, which works out nicely.

Now I keep thinking I should dump the Hard Rock and book all my nights at Drury. My dates with that same price are available. I would save a ton of money. But I really want Express Pass. Decisions. Decisions.

 

[Upatnoon]

Thanks for checking! I appreciate the input. I did book the Drury. I can cancel til 12pm on check in day without a fee with the Canadian discount, which works out nicely.

Now I keep thinking I should dump the Hard Rock and book all my nights at Drury. My dates with that same price are available. I would save a ton of money. But I really want Express Pass. Decisions. Decisions.

If we are doing a short, cheap trip we like to stay at Drury, as we won't be spending that much time at the resort and the free food also saves a ton of money for our family of 5.

If you want the full resort experience, obviously the Hard Rock would be nicer, but you pay a lot more, of course.

To me it would depend on how much time you are going to spend in the resort --- the more resort time, the more likely i would want to stay at the Hard Rock.

On Express Pass, you can still buy it if you stay at Drury. You may not even need it if the crowds are low.

 

[Disneylover99]

If we are doing a short, cheap trip we like to stay at Drury, as we won't be spending that much time at the resort and the free food also saves a ton of money for our family of 5.

If you want the full resort experience, obviously the Hard Rock would be nicer, but you pay a lot more, of course.

To me it would depend on how much time you are going to spend in the resort --- the more resort time, the more likely i would want to stay at the Hard Rock.

On Express Pass, you can still buy it if you stay at Drury. You may not even need it if the crowds are low.

Thank you for the Drury recommendation. We're excited to try it!

I think we'll stick with the Hard Rock for our remaining nights. We may not need the express pass, but since we're first timers, I don't want to risk not having it. I priced out buying express pass, but it wouldn't be worth it for us.