downtown Orlando Hotel recommendations

[vanfam]

My 16 yo daughter is in the National Mock Trial Competition (Yeah!) which will be held at the Orange county Courthouse May 6-9. The Embassy Suites is $120 a night and the Marriott Downtown is $130. We also found Centroplex Travelodge $45 a night. Since on this occasion the hotel is not real important we are looking for the least expensive decent place.

Does anyone know if this Downtown Travelodge is OK or any other downtown recommendations or experiences?

 

[CarolA]

Don't know anything about the Travelodge, but I would be very careful.

I have seen downtown Travelodges in other cities and they don't seem very safe. Generally they are older, with outside access and not in the best sections! That price scares me for a downtown hotel....

 

[Paige3]

We have stayed at the downtown Embassy Suites and it is very nice. Remember, the price also includes breakfast. Have you tried the discount sites like hotelkingdom and expedia. They might have better prices. Also, how about hotwire. For your dates they have a 3 star hotel for $37. I've used hotwire and gotten some great deals. I would definitely shop around before deciding on the Travelodge. Good luck!

 

[vanfam]

Thanks Paige and Carol for you quick replies. The Travelodge does have indoor corridors so that is good but it is the price that scares us.
Can't get discount prices on the Embassy etc. Those dates are not available because Nat'l Mock Trial has reserved blocks of 150 rooms. We would have to pay those prices.
In looking around I found on Interval Int. Getaway weeks lots of availibility. Marriotts are great but too far away but Club Orlando is available and is closer. What to do, what to do? We have about 8 sets of parents all coming down.
Elaine

 

[flclarkkent]

I think I know which Travel Lodge you're talking about...doesn't look all that great from the outside, which never bodes well in my opinion. It says it's at the Centroplex (where the arena is, west of Interstate 4), but actually it's off of Robinson, which is really close to the court house...just a few blocks, I believe.

There's also a Courtyard by Marriott downtown too. It's just off Colonial Drive, between Orange and Magnolia avenues.

Best of luck!