Doubletree at the Entrance to Universal Orlando

[DrewAlmighty]

has anyone stayed here before?

Is it good? Me and some friends are thinking about taking a trip down there Christmas time and HRH wants 354 a night, not happening. When we did the book online, this hotel, the passes, etc. between 4 of us, was roughly 345 a piece. We would just need airfare after that.

So, is it worth it? And how far of a walk is it to CityWalk?

 

[horseshowmom]

You might also check into the Holiday Inn Universal (www.hiuniversal.com). They have some pretty good packages that include tickets. They also have standard rooms, 1 BR suites, and 2 BR suites (they'll upgrade the packages to a suite for additional money).

Good luck!

 

[Melisa1]

I did not have a good experience when I stayed there about 2 years ago. We had a room that smelled really bad and was dirty, the transportation was not what I was told when I made the reservations, and the staff was very rude. (hopefully its better now)
I would recommend the holiday Inn next to it or the Sheraton Studio City. What about RPR? Did you look at the prices there?
Good Luck!

 

[robvia]

I've heard mixed reviews about the Double Tree, recent reviews have been positive. I think they recently did a renovation. It's one of the closest hotels to the park. You walk across Kirkman road, and you're in the parking garage. You can see a picture of it here.
http://www.nogodforme.com/offsite.htm
Now the Holiday Inn Universal is one most stay away from. Why? Because it's part of the vacation packages, so the hotel is full no matter what. After some complaints, they got the message and are trying to do better. I think they also did a renovation, so if you go there, ask for a new room.

 

[kevgret]

Good Morning:


I just got back from 5 days at the Double Tree Hotel located at the entrance to Universal Studios. My wife and I were there from Thursday 9/21 to Monday 9/25.

Overall we did not really enjoy the hotel. We were made to feel like we were not wanted on the property. The hotel seems geared more to the business traveler than the vacationer. Here are some examples why:

1) The hotel advertises a Starbucks on premises but while we were they it closed early every day. We asked why starbucks would close early and we were told “we were slow so we decided to close.” It must be nice to just close whenever you want. Sometimes after walking back from the park it’s nice to have a starbucks iced tea. Too bad we never had that option.

2) One of the nights we went down to the pool at 10:00pm. The pool’s hours were until 11pm. When we got down to the pool area we found that there were no clean towels. We asked someone for towels and we were told “the pool is going to close so there’s no towels. Bring your own next time.” I then went to the front desk and asked for the manager who apologized to me and made sure we had some towels out by the pool.


3) We did not get our room cleaned till about 4:00-5:00pm everyday. After walking through the parks all day all we wanted to do was come back and take a nice bath and relax but we couldn’t because we had no clean towels, etc etc. We called down to the front desk and asked why it takes so long to clean our room everyday but we didn’t really get an answer.

4) There is a concierge desk in the main lobby. Every time we wanted to get directions or help from this desk we were sold a Hilton timeshare. After the third time being asked “How long are you here for” “did you get your free gift yet?
It makes you very angry. Even on our last day as we were leaving someone ran up to us and told us to come downstairs for our free gift. Why do they label the desk as a concierge desk if it’s really disguised as a timeshare desk? I did get my questions everytime I asked, but I had to cut them off after and tell them I don’t want to buy a timeshare.

Don’t get me wrong, the hotel is close to the parks, it has a nice big pool (no Jacuzzi- it is being renovated from the ground up) and the price was right ($59 a night). But if I had to do it again, I probably would not stay there again.

 

[aztecgoods]

yeah from what i've seen you couldn't beat it for 59 a night, if it was 159, might be a different story, on the internet it looks really nice for 59, thats cheap

 

[robvia]

Thanks for posting an honest report. The hotel I've been telling everyone to visit is the Best Western, located right next door to the Double Tree. They have free breakfast, and the hotel is clean.

If you have more money, then the Amerisuites is the mid range choice. Slightly farther to walk, but it can be done. The breakfast at the Amerisuites is really nice.

 

[aztecgoods]

I've done the Best Western, and I think its ok, but if you can get the Double tree for 59 a night, my guess would be thats a much better choice. The BW was a little motel 6 ish, if the prices are the same, just by judging the DT in my hometown, its a no brainer, the DT here is really really nice, but its also about 150 a night, which is high for this area. Cant speak as authority for never donw the DT there, but just the chain and the looks on the internet, it probably will be one of my choices next visit, if I don't stay on site, or maybe during disney time.

 

[Operamom]

I must disagree with Kevgret, I had a great experience the exact same dates he was down there, Sept 21-25.

I would highly recommend the Doubletree, but it depends what your priorities are. I didn't expect a resort atmosphere. It was obvious not everyone was there for the parks. There was a wedding there that weekend as well.

I don't drink coffee so Starbucks closing down early didn't bother me. Come to think of it, I hardly saw anyone in there in the morning.

We went down to the pool late at night and there were always fresh towels. Unfortunately patrons would throw the wet ones in the clean bin and the dry ones would get a little buried.

I was worried that since I booked through Travelocity I would get a crummy room. ( I had learned that can happen through these boards ). Not the case, in fact we were upgraded to a larger corner room. There was plenty of space. The bathroom had a large marble counter and shelves to store things. There was a large mirrored closet in the room, a couch and a nice size desk. And most importantly it was clean. The coffee maker needed a little attention but I find thats always the case. ( My husband drinks coffee and I made oatmeal with the hot water.)

I'd like to mention that we arrived at 10:30 AM and were able to get in our room right away. I also asked the front desk if we could check out at 1:00 instead of 11:00. There was no problem. They also give you warm chocolate chip cookies upon arrival. We asked the front desk for more a couple days later and were happily obliged. By the way, through Travelocity I got my room for $40 a night.

The walk to the park was very easy and pleasant. It took 15-20 minutes with our 5 and 8 year olds. We didn't go through the parking garage though. We took a really nice path with lots of plants and flowers and those little lizards. We ended up at the valet parking area. Took the escalators up and voila! Citywalk. Once we even took the boat back to PBH and walked from there. It seems that hardly anyone took this path, very quiet and private.

I can't comment on the time the room was cleaned because we never got back before 5:00. The room was always ready for us.

Never did I feel the need to go to the Concierge desk. If we needed directions, we asked the Bellman.

The Shuttle times were very limited, we only used them to Wet'n Wild. You don't need them for the parks though. My kids never complained about the walk, which I thought was unusual. Must have been the entertaining lizards.

Yes I would stay there again. But I came during the off season when there were short lines in the park. How important is FOTL to you? I know your already used to it. I certainly wouldn't stand in a long line for "Jaws" BLECH!

I'm from Chicago and I used to work at the Fairmont Hotel. No it is not of that calliber but I found everyone that I dealt with to be pleasant and helpful. Sometimes it's just how you approach a situation. That's my honest report.

 

[kevgret]

I must disagree with Kevgret, I had a great experience the exact same dates he was down there, Sept 21-25.

I would highly recommend the Doubletree, but it depends what your priorities are. I didn't expect a resort atmosphere. It was obvious not everyone was there for the parks. There was a wedding there that weekend as well.

I don't expect a resort atmostphere but I do expect the advertised hotel perks to be there when I want to use them (pool, starbucks, etc).

I don't drink coffee so Starbucks closing down early didn't bother me. Come to think of it, I hardly saw anyone in there in the morning.

Kevgret: Thats not the point really. If you advertise hours of operation then I don't care who is in there. You say you are open until 6 PM then stay open until 6 PM.


We went down to the pool late at night and there were always fresh towels. Unfortunately patrons would throw the wet ones in the clean bin and the dry ones would get a little buried.

Kevgret: Well if the manager had to come out to the pool and personally hand me and my wife 6 fresh towels I would say that this is a problem.


Never did I feel the need to go to the Concierge desk. If we needed directions, we asked the Bellman.

Kevgret: So are you saying I shouldn't have gone to the concierge for directions? Last time I checked, that's where you go to for any sort of hotel help. Can you please explain to me what the purpose of a conciege desk is if it is not for directions?

If my problems were not valid, the manager would not have apologized to me and my wife, given us free buffet coupons, and allowed us a late checkout.

Again, this is my honest opinion.

 

[DrewAlmighty]

Thanks for the input. Looks like we will be staying here.

If we were to walk to the parks? how long is it? and I know the parking lot has the escalators to CityWalk. How would we go about getting into the lot?

 

[Operamom]

I'm sorry you had a bad time Kevgret, I was just giving my opinion of the hotel. I didn't mean to get you bent out of shape. We just had 2 completely different experiences.

I guess we both look at a glass differently. I'm so glad the manager allowed you a late checkout, all we had to do was ask.

Drew: There is a great path that goes down Major Ave. Follow the signs and you will have a nice scenic walk by the river. It leads to the valet entrance. Its very easy to find.