Holiday Inn Universal

[sms9198]

We have booked this hotel for 11th-15th next week for a last minute trip to Orlando. We have never stayed at a hotel that isn't a resort and have never done Universal before. I'm nervous about this hotel since reading some bad postings on other sites. The car service I use even suggested switching reservations to Doubletree when the lady heard we would be staying here. So...I'm new to this board and would like honest feedback...stay with this hotel or switch to Doubletree?

 

[NeedaVacation03]

I was just looking at this same location and was wondering the same thing. They wanted $90 for my days in Aug.5-7 with AAA, so I called Doubletree and they gave me $64.50 for Universal view with the entertainment rate. I went with the Doubletree this time. I would love to hear your trip review though for future trips

 

[robvia]

The Holiday Inn is a Universal Partner hotel, which means they get business no matter what. Reviews have been poor because the hotel doesn't have to try.
A year ago they renovated a wing and tried to improve, but it's all luck of the draw at this point. If you stay, ask for a room in the newer section. When you get to your room, check everything.

The Double Tree on the other hand, has been getting good reviews. It's seems they're trying.

The place I recommend for the budget traveler is the Best Western Universal. They have clean rooms, free breakfast, and it's just as close (next to the Double Tree).

 

[funfun]

I was just looking at this same location and was wondering the same thing. They wanted $90 for my days in Aug.5-7 with AAA, so I called Doubletree and they gave me $64.50 for Universal view with the entertainment rate. I went with the Doubletree this time. I would love to hear your trip review though for future trips

That's a really great rate if it includes other fees. I paid 87 Cdn for my 2 nights for Sept. I never thought to call them.

I did a lot of reading on tripadvisor and decided to go with doubletree since it was recently renovated - the north tower and the good reviews. Also, as a non smoker I love the fact that this hotel is non-smoking rooms only, so no smoke residues, which is absolutely priceless. So, if I'm staying at a non smoking room, my room will not get contaminated by smoke from the vents from smokers in other rooms because all rooms are non smoking. This is a common complaint for some other hotels. The holiday inn does not have good reviews and you can see how disgusting it is on tripadvisor.com's photos from candid travelers. As for Best western universal I was tempted to book it until I read a review by a flight attendant that says she got bitten by bed bugs which freaked me out. I know it's just one review but she also says she has stayed at many hotels worldwide so she sounds credible. Well just to be on the safe side.