Holiday Inn and Suites (across from Universal)

[drewc]

Anyone have any experience with this hotel? I'm looking for a place to stay for one night in close proximity to the Universal parks (so we can get an early start). Need space for our family of five (kids age 7, 6 and 3).

I've seen Holiday Inn and Suites for $80 per night on Expedia. It sounds like it is close by (walking distance) but that could be debateable.

Thanks!

 

[nowellsl]

My daughter stayed there last year and she really liked it. She joined their rewards program (don't know the name of it but you can check the holiday inn web site) and got a free upgrade to a suite when she checked in. They did walk to universal and I don't think it was that far - right across from City Walk.

 

[Robinrs]

I stayed there last week! I've been meaning to post a review but I've been crazy since I got back!

First of all I planned a budget vacation but still thought I'd TRY to get a suite. I found one at this hotel on Hotel Kingdom from 12/28 to 1/1 for a ridiculous $50 a night! WOW! I booked it, not expecting much.

Boy was I surprised. After staying at the Radisson, the Royal Pacific, the Hard Rock and the Portofino, I expected the HIU to be a DIVE. I was highly amazed. The suite was large and well appointed, a living room area with TV, a kitchenette with a full sized refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher and all the utensils and dinnerware you need, a completely separate bedroom with two double beds and ANOTHER TV (big plus with a 10 year old!) and, of course, a bathroom. The staff was very friendly and accommodating, from the front desk to the cleaning desk, I had a good experience with everyone we met.

The TGIF downstairs has a kid's eat free policy, one certificate per day for as many kids you have eating with one paying adult. The food is great and the breakfast bar is a very good price, $5.99 for every breakfast food you can imagine. Oh, and BTW, it's the world's largest TGIFriday's... this impressed my kid!

We were mere minutes from Universal, the adjacent street, Major Blvd leads right to the Universal parking deck. It was so easy to go in the morning, come back to the hotel and go back later in the evening. USF was open till 11pm every night and was sooo cool at night! This was our first time hanging out that late!

Again, I'd recommend this hotel on a heartbeat. Unfortunately the rate I had DISAPPEARED on Hotel Kingdom when I got back, I think the woman at the front desk who GASPED when she read my rate threatened them! It's now up to about $90, which BTW, is more like I'd expect for that kind of room.

Hope that helps!

 

[Belle1962]

I didn't stay in a suite--just a standard room. Would never ever stay again. When search comes up you can find my post from our July 2003 trip. Basically: hair in room, no parking at hotel, long lines to check in, and the police constantly there.

But again--this was a standard room not a suite.

 

[Robinrs]

Yikes, I'm sorry you had such a bad experience.

Our experience was the exact opposite, super clean rooms, attentive personnel, NO lines at all on the busiest week of the year. I'm sure the police problem was because of some guests which can happen anywhere.

DrewC, I saw plenty people walking to and from the park but it IS a hike. I probably wouldn't mind walking to but a walk like that after a day at the park would not be my cup of tea!