Hotels Near Universal?

[Pooh's World]

We just got back from our Easter trip to Universal and we stayed at the:

Clarion Inn & Suites across from Universal Orlando Resort
5829 Grand National Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
https://www.choicehotels.com/florida/orlando/clarion-hotels/flc78?mc=llyxyxpx
We walked to and from the parks everyday. It was an easy 20min walk with sidewalks all the way there. The hotel was nice and quite even for being Easter week. If you want to take the shuttle you set that up the morning before. They are open 7am-11am to set up the shuttle pick up and to get your partner hotel coupons. We also was able to walk to the Orlando Premium Outlets on International Blvd to check out the Disney Character Warehouse. Our only complaint was the room was dark. They had low watt light bulbs in the room.

The Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn/ Sleep Inn/Quality Inn/Clarion) seem to have darker lighting which doesn't make it ideal if you have any work to do in the rooms.

 

[Pooh's World]

We just got back from our Easter trip to Universal and we stayed at the:

Clarion Inn & Suites across from Universal Orlando Resort
5829 Grand National Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
https://www.choicehotels.com/florida/orlando/clarion-hotels/flc78?mc=llyxyxpx
We walked to and from the parks everyday. It was an easy 20min walk with sidewalks all the way there. The hotel was nice and quite even for being Easter week. If you want to take the shuttle you set that up the morning before. They are open 7am-11am to set up the shuttle pick up and to get your partner hotel coupons. We also was able to walk to the Orlando Premium Outlets on International Blvd to check out the Disney Character Warehouse. Our only complaint was the room was dark. They had low watt light bulbs in the room.

Do you have any recommendations for which side of the hotel to stay on? I'm staying there for 1 night in a couple weeks.

 

[Leigh L]

OP, I'm not sure if you've decided by now, but I'd agree with the recommendation to go on property if you're doing more than a day or two at UO.

The first time we stayed at this DoubleTree was in 12/2019, and it was a fantastic stay. I'd gotten it in a Hotwire blind booking for a fab price during Christmas week. We loved it so much we booked it directly through Hilton last summer.
Horrible experience. The first room had a broken toilet, ants in the bed, and just overall yuck feeling to the room. The second room was fine but boy the experience left such a bad taste for us. (Also this was when FL was at the height of the pandemic and, despite signage everywhere, people either walking around maskless or pulling shirts up over their mouths when they passed you.)

We didn't find it to be a party hotel during either experience. In all honesty, I'd probably give them another shot, depending on what type of stay we were planning.

I've always wondered about Drury Inn, thanks for all the information, so glad I ran across this thread!

 

[ArielRae]

Do you have any recommendations for which side of the hotel to stay on? I'm staying there for 1 night in a couple weeks.

We stayed in room 5205. It was extremely close to the lobby. Just walked out the back door of the lobby thru the small garden area and up the stairs to the second level. Our room faced the garden area. We didn’t have any noise issues. The room was nice and clean. We did smell curry everyday as the Indian restaurant is also right there in the lobby.

 

[ArielRae]

The Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn/ Sleep Inn/Quality Inn/Clarion) seem to have darker lighting which doesn't make it ideal if you have any work to do in the rooms.

DH and I agreed we would stay here again but we would just bring or buy two brighter light bulbs for the room.

 

[shawthorne44]

That is odd about the light bulbs. They should have changed to LED lights.

 

[jimmymc]

Sapphire Falls is like the perfect Universal Moderate in my opinion. The theming, pool, and boat transportation are great.

For off-site, I've heard good things about the Crowne Plaza, but I haven't personally stayed there. If you're used to on-property at Disney and don't have a car, I think it's worth staying on property at Universal.

 

[Pooh's World]

We just got back from our Easter trip to Universal and we stayed at the:

Clarion Inn & Suites across from Universal Orlando Resort
5829 Grand National Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
https://www.choicehotels.com/florida/orlando/clarion-hotels/flc78?mc=llyxyxpx
We walked to and from the parks everyday. It was an easy 20min walk with sidewalks all the way there. The hotel was nice and quite even for being Easter week. If you want to take the shuttle you set that up the morning before. They are open 7am-11am to set up the shuttle pick up and to get your partner hotel coupons. We also was able to walk to the Orlando Premium Outlets on International Blvd to check out the Disney Character Warehouse. Our only complaint was the room was dark. They had low watt light bulbs in the room.

At the Clarion now. I don't like this one. Way too dark. They only have two night lamps in the room. No desk lamp or ceiling lamp so really too dark to use the desk or do anything work related.

I'll just use it as a place to sleep tonight and then check in to the Embassy tomorrow.

The Comfort Inn and Suites down the street is much better IMO.
If this place (Clarion) worked out the lighting issue then it would be alot better but Choice hotels in general seem to have low lighting. I think it's on purpose so you don't hang out in the hotel + saves money.

 

[shawthorne44]

We were at Drury Inn last week. The free dinner and free breakfast are self-serve once again! That means that there is more variety, like pre-lockdown. I had missed the Belgium waffles at breakfast on our August trip.

 

[olive]

Another vote for staying on site at Universal. We have stayed at three of their hotels - Portofino, Royal Pacific and Cabana Bay - and really liked all of them. We have stayed at Cabana Bay a few times, both in tower rooms and a first floor family suite. No issues with noise in either, though I would think that could be an issue in any hotel depending on who you were staying near. Cabana Bay tends to have great rates, and we always walked to the parks. They also have a shuttle, as others have mentioned. Fun pools and lazy river, too! And you can pool hop at the Universal hotels, though we actually haven't done it yet.

 

[Lewisc]

I though pool hopping was suspended due to Covid

 

[olive]

I though pool hopping was suspended due to Covid

It may be. I was speaking more generally. Definitely check with the hotels on any rules that may be in place or suspended due to covid.

One other thing - depending on how many days you plan to visit Universal, it may make sense for at least one person to get an annual pass. There are often great annual passholder discounts on the hotels available.