Holiday Inn, I Drive

[Deniseuk]

Hi. Just wondering if any one has stayed at this hotel? Any good points Bad points etc? This is our first trip so we need all the help we can get. lol

 

[JohnnySharp]

Good Points:
Very good quality hotel, nice rooms, great pool area

Bad Points:
poor location, heavy traffic at times on I-drive, very touristy area - tacky discount shops

 

[Deniseuk]

Thanks Cant have it all ways.:

 

[JohnnySharp]

Hi Denise.

Apologies if my initial post was a bit blunt.

I think it all comes down to how our tastes change over the years.
When we stayed on I-drive we wanted to be in the middle of all the hustle and bustle, with restaurants/shops all over.
This is before our son was born, due to the fact that he is Autistic we find it much better for us to rent a villa, this gives us our own private pool and most importantly the opportunity to relax when we are not out at the parks or out shopping etc..with Joshua being the way he is, although he is a wonderful happy boy, much better looking than his dad!! it is difficult to find the time to relax, hence 2 weeks of the year we try and relax in Florida.

We have stayed at several Holiday Inn's over the years and found them all to be excellent, particularly the Family Suites Hotel which is great for kids.
The one thing I can say about your hotel is that the pool area is fantastic, I am sure you will have a great time.

 

[Deniseuk]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, I did not find it blunt at all. We are just very worried about getting everything right for our trip. you and many others have helped us out no end on these forums.
I went to a site that reviews hotels and the holiday inn I drive did not have a very good write up.
Anyway at the end of the day I dont think we will be in the hotel much only to get our heads down at night,and as you say to relax by the pool, and if thats good we are well away.
Hopefull we will return to florida and book a villa next time. (funds permitting)
Thanks once again. Denise

 

[floridalol]

Hi Denise

You'll find no problems with Holiday Inn I-Drive. One thing to make sure of though is to ask for a Tower room. These are far superior to the other rooms located around the pool area. Tower rooms are large and nicely furnished, the bar is great (especially if John the barman is still working there), and the pool is superb.

We like being in the middle of the hustle and bustle, you can safely walk the Drive in the evenings and although most of the good restaurants are further down I-Drive we have never found it heavy with traffic (although we do go out of season).

We are going to the hotel for the third time in Sept/Oct this year. IMO for the price it is unbeatable value.

Best wishes

FloridaLol

 

[Deniseuk]

Thanks floridalol. We are going in July so it will be busy
I will take your tips on board and ask for a tower room. do i do this on arrival? we have to go in july because of school holidays>
once again thanks denise

 

[floridalol]

Denise,

We always book direct with Virgin and request it when booking, seeing you are going in high season it may be advisable to contact whoever you have booked with to request a Tower room as they are very popular.

Best wishes

FloridaLol

 

[sharon78]

Were saying at the Holiday Inn as well on I.D we asked for a quite room do you think that will be in the tower block?

Its our first Florida holiday as well let us know how you get on.


Its soooooo exciting

Just keep planning,just keep planning(said in Dory voice!!!)

 

[julieandco]

Hi we have booked with Virgin but I didnt know you could ask for Tower room all they said to me was high or low floor. Do you think I should ask again? Oh yes and also does anyone know how long the shuttle bus takes to get to MK and he other parks I dont fancy a long hot shuttle bus ride

 

[Deniseuk]

Hi all. We have booked with Virgin. They never asked what room we require, I will phone them Monday morning. Mind you last time I phoned them the lady on the phone was not at all helpfull. I wanted to upgrade the insurance for the carhire was told because i was not the lead name on the booking i could not do this. I booked the holiday on the internet payed the deposit in my name but when filling in the form put the hubby first, so hence he is the lead name!

I will let you know how i get on.
Thanks all once again.
Denise

 

[julieandco]

I just phoned Virgin and asked if I was in a Tower room and the woman there said they dont know. I did request a high floor but thats all she said, how helpful is that!

 

[kevin harrison]

Do yourself a favour, change hotels and book at either the Rosen Center or Rosen Plaza. There's hardly a price difference, but a massive difference in class.

Because they are mainly business hotels they are really quiet around the pool during the day as most guests are working. Also we found that they made a lot of effort because we had actually payed for our holiday unlike most of their guests. They made the biggest fuss of my daughter and when we checked in they gave us an upgrade to their presidential suite free of charge and it was the biggest hotel room I've ever seen, told us our daughter will have lots of space to play in. Then to top it they gave us free valet parking for the fortnight. I can't recommend it enough.

I've been to both and trust me you wouldn't regret it.

Feel free to contact me if you want details.

 

[JohnnySharp]

My previous posts refer and I fully agree with Kevin.

The Rosen Center is a great hotel.