Hotels near Orlando airport?

[MaryAnnDVC]

I've got a list and distances from the airport, but was wondering if anyone can tell me what's good and what to avoid. DD and I will be going two days before the rest of the family to look at a school, and then spending one night near the airport. DH, other DD, and DS will be arriving 9 AM the following day, so I want it to be convenient to pop over and pick them up. Also want easy parking. I have no idea what time we'll be arriving at the hotel that night, and probably don't have to worry about dinner...we'll stop and grab something on the way there. Just really looking for a decent, safe, convenient place to sleep and get to the airport early in the morning.

Thought about spending the night at the Hyatt in the airport, but it's close to $200 for the night, plus convenience is of the essence. I want to be able to hop into our car, drive up to arrivals, pick everyone up, and head to WDW. Don't need breakfast...we'll do breakfast/lunch together at Disney.

Still thinking maybe we might do the Hyatt (despite that $200 ), because we always thought it was kind of cool there, but is parking convenient? And getting to our car? I just picture hauling everything around the airport again.

TIA

 

[pamjb]

We stayed at the Hyatt in October '08. I used "Name your own Price" on Priceline and got it for $65 a night after Priceline fees & taxes. We are again taking the last flight out for our June trip and I did Priceline again. I got the Marriott Airport (it is about 5 minutes away from MCO). I needed 2 rooms and got them both for $104 (not each).
I used biddingfortravel.com as a guide. According to that, the Hyatt and the Marriott have been won for between $40-$50 a night. That is before fees & taxes, that adds another $10-$15. Both are listed as 3.5 stars.

The only downside, is you must prepay for your reservation and you don't know which hotel it is till after you pay.
We did not have a car, but I recall the Hyatt had a parking garage attached to it. Self parking is $12 a day.

 

[richmo]

There's a loop just above MCO's North Exit, just on the other side of the Bee Line (FL-528) that is called Augusta National Drive. There are about 5 hotels on this loop and they're all in a great location. I stayed for a week at the Marriott there and walked to a class I was taking at the hotel next door (it was Sheraton Suites at the time, not sure if it still is). Anyway, there are 4 or 5 hotels on that loop and they all look to be nice and have ample outdoor parking. Since you've got a locator map, you'll be able to figure out which ones.

If you're looking to save a few $$$, the airport area is one where Priceline works pretty well. Check that "bidding for travel" site and you'll get an idea of what is going for how much. I stayed at the Marriott, which was beautiful, for $29 a night (OK, it was 2003, but still!)

 

[thepwa]

I like staying at the Springhill Suites at the airport.

Nice big rooms, airport shuttle which allows me to dump rental car early, and usually a pretty reasonable rate.

There are lots of choices nearby, and I havn't stayed at all of them, but here are some options that I would consider OK:

Sheraton Suites Airprot
Holiday Inn Express
Marriott Orlando Airport
Fairfield Inn Orlando Airport
Hampton Inn Airport
Courtyard by Marrott Orlando Airport
Renaissance Airport
Hilton Garden Inn Airport.

I am sure there are others, but I don't think you can go wrong with any of these.

 

[Lewisc]

I'd use PL. The 3.5 and 3* hotels are all good. You probably won't get the Hyatt. Booking direct will let you select a suite hotel or get a hotel with a free breakfast--makes sense if you have a family of 4 or even 6 but the OP is a single traveler.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Never occurred to me to use Priceline. Thanks! I'll take a look at that. Or DH will. He used it once, years ago, for D.C. and got a great deal on two rooms, now that I think about it.

It will just be DD(20) and me, for one night, and leaving early to pick up the rest of the family, so no, we don't need a suite or breakfast.

 

[ibela]

I've used Hotwire in the past. I just recently got the Hyatt for $68 (+ fees was $80), when I checked it would've been $160 (+ taxes) if I had booked direct.

Last year we got one of the nearby hotels right past that loop (don't remember which now, sorry) but it was nice, clean, did include breakfast, and I think we paid $55 total for it.

I'd definitely recommend Hotwire, select airport area, and I'd go with 3.5*

Good luck!

 

[pamjb]

The Hyatt can be had...., but it is a crap shoot. Check out the forums for Orlando under biddingfortravel.com. It will show what the airport hotels have been going for.
When I got the Hyatt, I bid only about 5 days before I traveled. They may hold rooms in inventory hoping to sell them at rack rate to displaced travelers...

 

[Lewisc]

You used to be able to identify the Hyatt on Hotwire 100%, they were the only airport area hotel that didn't display the shuttle icon. Check betterbidding, it's no longer that easy.

I wouldn't count on getting the Hyatt on PL, I agree with pp, many successful bidders seem to get the hotel a few days before their stay.

 

[snowbunny]

I'd use PL. The 3.5 and 3* hotels are all good. You probably won't get the Hyatt.

I stayed at the Hyatt MCO last Thursday on a $45 successful priceline bid. But it was only a week or so before my stay. And right, don't count on it - be okay with whatever you get, obviously the key to priceline.

 

[Traveliz]

I have gotten the Hyatt at the airport through Hotwire at a great price before.

I have also stayed at the Renaissance and a Courtyard near to the airport. I did those because I have the Marriott points and like more points. We really liked the Renaissance and the Courtyard was fine as well - both were easy to get to and from the airport.

Honestly though I would stay wherever you want and just drive over to the airport that morning.

Have a great trip.
Liz