Hotel/Resort for one full day and night - family of 5

[Nicolia123]

We are driving down from NY in late August with a plan to stop over in Savannah and then make our way to our BCV stay with extended family. Since we wouldn’t get into the Orlando area until mid afternoon on our check in day I was thinking of leaving a day early so that we could stay over somewhere close enough that we could enjoy the full day at the parks when we check in. I am looking for recommendations for a nice hotel/resort to spend the day with just our immediate family (kids age 9, 7 and 2) within about an hours drive to the park or closer. Looking for something with a nice pool for the kids and decent place to have lunch and dinner. We don’t mind having to drive a bit the next morning but nothing more than an hour. We were also looking into staying at a value resort on property for the one night so we could get an early start on check in day but trying to weigh all options. Would like to spend about the same or less than a value resort. Appreciate any insight!!!!

 

[HopperFan]

We are driving down from NY in late August with a plan to stop over in Savannah and then make our way to our BCV stay with extended family. Since we wouldn’t get into the Orlando area until mid afternoon on our check in day I was thinking of leaving a day early so that we could stay over somewhere close enough that we could enjoy the full day at the parks when we check in. I am looking for recommendations for a nice hotel/resort to spend the day with just our immediate family (kids age 9, 7 and 2) within about an hours drive to the park or closer. Looking for something with a nice pool for the kids and decent place to have lunch and dinner. We don’t mind having to drive a bit the next morning but nothing more than an hour. We were also looking into staying at a value resort on property for the one night so we could get an early start on check in day but trying to weigh all options. Would like to spend about the same or less than a value resort. Appreciate any insight!!!!

Assuming you are coming down 95, the obvious area is Daytona Beach. After that you hit a gap of nothing-ness, then you are in the Sanford area which might not offer anything special hotel/pool wise. I drive in from St. Augustine (north of Daytona) and it's an easy drive to then do a full park day. Not that I am suggesting SA, just saying Daytona would be an easy drive in the morning and offer you way more for the night.

 

[Upatnoon]

A hour away there isn't much other than Daytona, which is probably going to be more than an hour because drive of I-4.

If you are willing to drive 2 hours, St. Augustine is a fun place to visit.

If you aren't interested in the beach or St. Augustine, I would just drive into Orlando. A fun place to stay is Cabana Bay at Universal. They have slides, a lazy river and you can visit to Universal Citiwalk.

Of course, your kids may not appreciate being so close to Universal, but not able to go in.

Just off-site, I like saying at the Flamingo Lakes Springhill Suites. This is around the price of a value or a little less and you get a much larger room and free breakfast. No parking or resort charges and short drive into Disney property. I also like staying there because you can get off I-4 in Sanford and cut over to the toll road. Via the toll road, you avoid I-4, which is worth it to me.

 

[JaxDad]

Another option is Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast:
http://www.hammockbeach.com/

 

[Nicolia123]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I will check them out.