Holiday Inn & Suites Universal Orlando Main Gate 50% off w/entertainment card rate

[djm99]

This may have already been listed on this board, but I wanted to pass on this deal to others. The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites MAIN GATE TO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO has 50% off suite rates - using the entertainment card rate. Entertainment books are now $10 and sometimes even free shipping. It doesn't matter which book/state you have. I went on Tripadvisor and found some really bad reviews and some really good ones. I called the this hotel directly and was told that the suites have ALL been completely renovated. So, I decided to book a 2 bedroom suite that has 2 separate bedrooms (1 with a king bed and the other with 2 double beds), 2 Bathrooms, a living room area with sofa sleeper, working desk with data port, free wireless, cable TV with on-demand movies and video games for the kids. The suites also have a Kitchenette equipped with full-size refrigerator, microwave oven, toaster, dishwasher and dishware. And its directly across from Universal - some say within walking distance - but I would not walk - especially with children.

 

[maggiew]

So, what is the rate?? I may be interested.

Maggie

 

[djm99]

So, what is the rate?? I may be interested.

Maggie

For Sun - Thurs I got $89.50. Fri and Sat is $99.50. With taxes the estimated total is $720.83 (7 nights) - not bad for a 2 bedroom 2 bath suite that doesn't require a timeshare presentation.

 

[Jobie]

I have stayed at that hotel twice, once for my honeymoon and once just for a vacation. The first time I stayed there our rates was only $50/night and the room was great. It was big, clean, they have a good size pool with a bar outside and a TGIFriday's next to it, I thought it was a good deal. The next time I went, the rate was like 65$/night. The hotel was ditry and had a bad smell. We went through two rooms becuase of it. Also, they do allow pets in their suites, so if you are allergic to that, that may be a no no. Last I have checked the going rate was $100+ nightly. Now for me to pay that much a night, they would have to have done a glorious remodel. It is a decent hotel, but I do not know for that much.
It is within in walking distance, but it is a walk. Good walk in the morning before the sun is in full affect, but after a long day at the parks it can be a long walk back to the hotel.

I hope this helps some.
jobie

 

[djm99]

I have stayed at that hotel twice, once for my honeymoon and once just for a vacation. The first time I stayed there our rates was only $50/night and the room was great. It was big, clean, they have a good size pool with a bar outside and a TGIFriday's next to it, I thought it was a good deal. The next time I went, the rate was like 65$/night. The hotel was ditry and had a bad smell. We went through two rooms becuase of it. Also, they do allow pets in their suites, so if you are allergic to that, that may be a no no. Last I have checked the going rate was $100+ nightly. Now for me to pay that much a night, they would have to have done a glorious remodel. It is a decent hotel, but I do not know for that much.
It is within in walking distance, but it is a walk. Good walk in the morning before the sun is in full affect, but after a long day at the parks it can be a long walk back to the hotel.

I hope this helps some.
jobie

Thanks for the info - My cousin just stayed there over the MLK holiday and told me that the suite she stayed in was nice/clearn - and she'd stay again. So I called the hotel directly to see if my cousin just lucked up on a nice room - or had they rehabbed - and I was told that all the suites were fully rehabbed - thats why the price went up so much I guess.

 

[maggiew]

For Sun - Thurs I got $89.50. Fri and Sat is $99.50. With taxes the estimated total is $720.83 (7 nights) - not bad for a 2 bedroom 2 bath suite that doesn't require a timeshare presentation.

Hmm. That seems like a really good deal. My kids love to stay in suites.

If I estimate correctly, we could do 4 nights for around $100 with tax + 4 of the $99 tickets. For a total of around $800. Sounds like a decent deal.

Last time we went we stayed on site and loved the FOTL priviledge. I wonder if its worth another $400 or so to stay onsite?

Have you stayed both on and off site and can compare? We are going in June, so that might make a difference.

Maggie

 

[JBCB]

The prices at the Holiday Inn-Convention Center on Universal Blvd. is cheaper ($54 w/ card) and only a little further away, although it is too far to walk.

 

[maggiew]

The prices at the Holiday Inn-Convention Center on Universal Blvd. is cheaper ($54 w/ card) and only a little further away, although it is too far to walk.

Wow. I checked out this place too. The regular rate for my dates was $149 and the Entertainment card rate was $54.50. It looks like a decent hotel too. Are all the rooms suites? I couldn't tell from the pictures. The show many pictures of rooms with kitchens, but I couldn't tell what type of room those were. There wasn't an option of "suite" when I tried the Ent. Card rate. It shows 2 queen room, one king w/sofa bed and deluxe room. Which would be the suites?

If we stayed here, I calculate it would be about $200 for tickets (just read about the bogof bonus passes) and $200 or so for hotel!! That's a bargain! Right now I have 4 nights at Disney booked for $2000 (with dining plan). But I am seriously thinking about changing.

Thanks OP for the great deal and thanks also to JBCB. You have both given me lots to think about.

Last time we went to Universal, we stayed at Portofino for $155 per night. I can't find anything like that this time.

Maggie

 

[bamajill]

Wow, this looks like a great deal...but the reviews on tripadvisor.com are SOOOOO bad it makes me very wary. Especially since some of them are from Jan. 2006.

I love the idea of 2 bedrooms for our family of five. But not in a stinky mold pit, lol.

What to do, what to do?

Has anyone on this board actually stayed there recently?

ETA that the other Holiday Inn mentioned in this post (convention center, I think) is showing no availability on the dates I need so that wouldn't be an option for us.

 

[maggiew]

Wow, this looks like a great deal...but the reviews on tripadvisor.com are SOOOOO bad it makes me very wary. Especially since some of them are from Jan. 2006.

I love the idea of 2 bedrooms for our family of five. But not in a stinky mold pit, lol.

What to do, what to do?

Has anyone on this board actually stayed there recently?

ETA that the other Holiday Inn mentioned in this post (convention center, I think) is showing no availability on the dates I need so that wouldn't be an option for us.

Wow. I read the trip advisor reviews too. I am wondering if the bad reviews were from the unrenovated rooms. There was a good review recently and she was on the 2nd floor, I believe. Maybe they are working their way up??

There were good reviews for the Convention Center Holiday Inn, though.

Maggie

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

Has anyone stayed recently in the 2bdrm suite???? Just would hate to book and it not be so great!!

 

[rockin_rep]

- using the entertainment card rate. Entertainment books are now $10 and sometimes even free shipping. It doesn't matter which book/state you have.

As a newbie to the entertainment book, how do you get the rate once you buy the book? Do the books have a coupon or code needed? Do you call the hotel directly (or the 800 national number) and ask for the rate, then present the coupon, or do you present a card of some sort?

 

[w770496]

I got a $89 rate for Presidents Week, but I chickened out and am staying at pop century instead. Wish I had seen more positive reviews on Tripadivsor.

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

As a newbie to the entertainment book, how do you get the rate once you buy the book? Do the books have a coupon or code needed? Do you call the hotel directly (or the 800 national number) and ask for the rate, then present the coupon, or do you present a card of some sort?

You can book online through the holiday-inn site but click Entertainment as your discount option. The rate will show up. Make sure you have your card when you check in.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

we know someone at the maingate that books us for a sub-twenty dollar rate when they have openings. it's convenient when we go during the week, and having the Friday's is nice. but the hotel is tired-looking and dirty. it's not horrible, all we want is a room for the night. but it needs a major refurb.

 

[stal]

Stayed here in Oct 2003 for $50 a night and were upgraded to a suite... no complaints and its a very short walk to the parks... we did it there and back every day

 

[maggiew]

we know someone at the maingate that books us for a sub-twenty dollar rate when they have openings. it's convenient when we go during the week, and having the Friday's is nice. but the hotel is tired-looking and dirty. it's not horrible, all we want is a room for the night. but it needs a major refurb.

I thought the OP said that it had just been refurbed?? Does anyone know?

Maggie

 

[Sylvester McBean]

the suites are refurbed. the rest of the property hasn't been.

 

[maggiew]

the suites are refurbed. the rest of the property hasn't been.

Thanks. Maggie

 

[bamajill]

Is there a specific "Entertainment Book" that is needed and if yes, can someone provide a link to where it can be bought.

I called the hotel directly and the girl wasn't very helpful. She said she didn't know what book it was but I would have to have the card to get the rate. Err, thanks!