Help with I-drive Suite / Resort recommendations and current bookings

[wendlle]

As most of you know I've been to Orlando a lot but still need advice sometimes especially with hotels

We have a varied trip coming up with a fair bit of moving about the only part I'm struggling with is my I-drive portion of the trip.

I currently have two resorts booked but am not overly keen on either of them.

I've got the Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando at SeaWorld booked for $905 and I've also got the HGVC at Seaworld for $1163
I like the idea of the Fairfield as it has free breakfast and with the Aussie dollar so low it's really imparative that we save $$

The HGVC has a washer and dryer in the room which is going to be very much needed.

BUT, neither of these places are near the restaurants that we enjoy, I like to visit the usual American restaurants while we are in the USA like TGI Fridays, Olive Garden etc

Can anyone recommend anything in this price range or cheaper closer to the middle of I-drive?

We need a 1BR with a king bed and a sofa bed (must be separated by a door) free breakfast and at least have an onsite laundry (in room would be better)

Dates are May 9-16 2025. 2 Adults and 2 Kids (6 and 9yo)


I booked these rates around 5 months ago so they've probably gone up a lot since.
Any advice welcome on the ones I have booked or on any others in similar price range.
I don't mind also being closer to Disney Springs as we do enjoy the restaurants there too.

We will be using Uber to get around - no car and yes we have a mipro portable booster for the 6yo that we use when in the USA.

We are going to be visiting Seaworld, Discovery Cove, Aquatica, Gatorland and the Malls during this week.

 

[ibob52]

Homewood Suite Hilton 1 & 2 Bedroom Breakfast
Residence Inn Marriott 1 & 2 Bedroom Breakfast
Embassy Suites Hilton 1 & 2 Bedroom Breakfast *

omelet cooked to order *

 

[wendlle]

Homewood Suite Hilton 1 & 2 Bedroom Breakfast
Residence Inn Marriott 1 & 2 Bedroom Breakfast
Embassy Suites Hilton 1 & 2 Bedroom Breakfast *

omelet cooked to order *

thank you. have you had any experience with any of them personally? and which ones are they, when I google I get 5 different hiltons and homewood suites in the area.

 

[ibob52]

Homewood Suites I-Drive/Convention Center * Hilton
8745 International Drive, Orlando, Florida, 32819, USA,

Embassy Suites I-Drive/Convention Center * Hilton
8978 International Drive, Orlando, Florida, 32819, USA

Residence Inn Convention Center * Marriott
8800 Universal Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32819 USA

I would and have stayed at all three of them thru-out the USA

The Embassy Suites has the Bathroom outside the Bedroom so we can make a one bedroom work for us there and the Breakfast is better imo.

 

[HopperFan]

Homewood Suite Hilton 1 & 2 Bedroom Breakfast
Residence Inn Marriott 1 & 2 Bedroom Breakfast
Embassy Suites Hilton 1 & 2 Bedroom Breakfast *

omelet cooked to order *

thank you. have you had any experience with any of them personally? and which ones are they, when I google I get 5 different hiltons and homewood suites in the area.

We have stayed at Embassy Suites International Convention Center. Liked it very much. Great location for walking. The breakfast can not be beat anywhere else. We fill up and grab some fruit to go. They have an evening reception with snacks and free drinks, even alcohol. I like the setup and size of the rooms and have stayed at 4 different Embassy in Orlando.

We have stayed at the Homewood Suites International Drive Convention Center a couple times. Smaller hotel and suites were smaller than most Homewood Suites. Has more of a kitchen if you want to cook any. They have a free hot breakfast, basic kind but good enough. Also a walkable location.

We have done laundry at Embassy Suites, I can't imagine there isn't laundry at most name brand hotels. But for sure you might want to check that.

 

[wendlle]

awesome info thank you. I really like to hear from people who have actually stayed at the hotels that are recommended.
we are fine with basic breakfast, at home we eat toast or cereal so don't need a fancy full hot breakfast or anything like that.

 

[Cazbucket]

Stayed at Embassy suites Icon Park on I drive for the last week of our trip last year. 1 bedroom suite with sofa bed in living area. Yes there is a door to the bedroom and the free breakfast was good. Loved the location, wasn’t so keen on the sofa bed but would stay there again

 

[wendlle]

Stayed at Embassy suites Icon Park on I drive for the last week of our trip last year. 1 bedroom suite with sofa bed in living area. Yes there is a door to the bedroom and the free breakfast was good. Loved the location, wasn’t so keen on the sofa bed but would stay there again

thank you. I'm tossing up between the Icon park and the Convention centre one. Only a $90 difference between the two. I think the convention centre has more restaurants surrounding it and is slightly closer to seaworld and discovery cove.

The sofa bed will be fine for our kids - they'll sleep on anything LOL

 

[HopperFan]

thank you. I'm tossing up between the Icon park and the Convention centre one. Only a $90 difference between the two. I think the convention centre has more restaurants surrounding it and is slightly closer to seaworld and discovery cove.

The sofa bed will be fine for our kids - they'll sleep on anything LOL

I would stay at the Convention Center one. The area is much nicer. The other is very close to the very big Nightclub that is rocking to 5 am. I also would avoid the ICON park vicinity in the evenings. With young kids I think the Convention area is a more upscale nicer area.

 

[wendlle]

I would stay at the Convention Center one. The area is much nicer. The other is very close to the very big Nightclub that is rocking to 5 am. I also would avoid the ICON park vicinity in the evenings. With young kids I think the Convention area is a more upscale nicer area.

Ok great I’ve booked that one just now
Ill keep looking to see if rates drop for it and surrounding hotels

 

[Mle8308]

I would stay at the Convention Center one. The area is much nicer. The other is very close to the very big Nightclub that is rocking to 5 am. I also would avoid the ICON park vicinity in the evenings. With young kids I think the Convention area is a more upscale nicer area.

Agree!

 

[Pluto777]

As most of you know I've been to Orlando a lot but still need advice sometimes especially with hotels

We have a varied trip coming up with a fair bit of moving about the only part I'm struggling with is my I-drive portion of the trip.

I currently have two resorts booked but am not overly keen on either of them.

I've got the Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando at SeaWorld booked for $905 and I've also got the HGVC at Seaworld for $1163
I like the idea of the Fairfield as it has free breakfast and with the Aussie dollar so low it's really imparative that we save $$

The HGVC has a washer and dryer in the room which is going to be very much needed.

BUT, neither of these places are near the restaurants that we enjoy, I like to visit the usual American restaurants while we are in the USA like TGI Fridays, Olive Garden etc

Can anyone recommend anything in this price range or cheaper closer to the middle of I-drive?

We need a 1BR with a king bed and a sofa bed (must be separated by a door) free breakfast and at least have an onsite laundry (in room would be better)

Dates are May 9-16 2025. 2 Adults and 2 Kids (6 and 9yo)


I booked these rates around 5 months ago so they've probably gone up a lot since.
Any advice welcome on the ones I have booked or on any others in similar price range.
I don't mind also being closer to Disney Springs as we do enjoy the restaurants there too.

We will be using Uber to get around - no car and yes we have a mipro portable booster for the 6yo that we use when in the USA.

We are going to be visiting Seaworld, Discovery Cove, Aquatica, Gatorland and the Malls during this week.

Hey there, any reason why you decided not to go with Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando at SeaWorld? Looks like a very nice deal to me walking distance to Seaworld & free breakfast at such a low price..

 

[wendlle]

Hey there, any reason why you decided not to go with Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando at SeaWorld? Looks like a very nice deal to me walking distance to Seaworld & free breakfast at such a low price..

I have kept the reservation in case I change my mind it’s a great deal but there is nothing walkable in the area besides the parks
I’d like to be closer to restaurants for dinner

I’d rather Uber to the parks than to dinner

 

[Pluto777]

I have kept the reservation in case I change my mind it’s a great deal but there is nothing walkable in the area besides the parks
I’d like to be closer to restaurants for dinner

I’d rather Uber to the parks than to dinner

So the parks do seem to be in walking distance as I see the map and there are also some chain restaurants nearby from (again from how it appears on the map to me). In addition inside the parks there are places to eat, and it also appears there are some chain restaurants in walking distance as well. Again, it's your call as to what you like, but from where I am sitting it looks like a great value deal.

 

[wendlle]

So the parks do seem to be in walking distance as I see the map and there are also some chain restaurants nearby from (again from how it appears on the map to me). In addition inside the parks there are places to eat, and it also appears there are some chain restaurants in walking distance as well. Again, it's your call as to what you like, but from where I am sitting it looks like a great value deal.

I couldn't really see much in walking distance, not restaurants anyway.

 

[HopperFan]

I couldn't really see much in walking distance, not restaurants anyway.

Parks are walkable BUT it is a 30 minute walk to SeaWorld as there is no back entrance. You have to walk to the front and back. Discovery Cove & Aquatica about 15 minutes each way.

The restaurants in that area are primarily fast food, I don't think there is much in the way of table service dining.