Hotels on route from Sanford to Orlando?

[greenclan67]

Hi all, this is a first flying into Sanford for March Break. We are arriving a day earlier then we are booked at Mystic Dunes. We don't land til 8 pm. So really just need someplace to sleep for the night and maybe if enough time for the kids to swim that night. Are we better off to stay in Sanford and do the drive in the morning, (I know it is not long) but we really have no plans for the first day there, because we are waiting for check in for the resort that day. Any suggestions?
Also, the day we fly back we fly black at 9 am from Sanford. I am assuming being at the airport by 7:30 (being a smaller airport) would be enough time. Would we be better off checking out of our resort a day earlier, it is already paid for, and going closer to the airport because of traffic? It is a Friday morning if that helps? Any help would be appreciated! TIA

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

There's a lot to said for avoiding the 1-hour drive after you get your luggage and rental car.

Sanford has a limited number of hotels. You won't find full-service brands, but there appear to be several good choices for an overnight stay. TripAdvisor is a good way to read opinions. (Just try to ignore opinions from people with unrealistic expectations.) See:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g34615-Sanford_Florida-Hotels.html

I've never stayed in Sanford. Springhill Suites by Marriott is one of my favorite hotels brands, so if I were looking for a hotel in Sanford, I would check availability and pricing for Springhill Suites. It's off I-4, around 5 miles from the Sanford Airport. The next day you wold have a straight shot down I-4. (Depending on the time of day, you may encounter traffic as you pass downtown Orlando.)

Now, regarding your second question...

If you've already paid for your final night at Mystic Dunes, you might as well use it instead of paying for a Sanford hotel that night. It will also make the day before your flight much more pleasant if you don't have to check out from one place and check in at another. The bad news is that you would probably want to leave Mystic Dunes before 6:00 a.m. for your 9:00 a.m. flight.

 

[travelcoupons]

My favorite hotel in that area is the Homewood Suites in Lake Mary.
The city of Sanford itself is kind of run down in areas. Lake Mary, which is right beside Sanford is a much nicer and safer area to stay.

Lake Mary Blvd is the main road that passes by the Sanford airport, just take a right turn out of the airport and follow Lake Mary Blvd to the intersection of I-4, the drive shouldn't take very long and is very easy. No navigating confusing back roads in the dark. The Homewood is located on the NE corner of the Lake Mary Blvd/I-4 interchange.

I stayed at this hotel for a month in 2009. They have one of the better complimentary breakfasts I've ever had at a hotel & there are quite a few restaurants in the vicinity of this hotel.

 

[Orlando Vic]

My favorite hotel in that area is the Homewood Suites in Lake Mary.
The city of Sanford itself is kind of run down in areas. Lake Mary, which is right beside Sanford is a much nicer and safer area to stay.

Lake Mary Blvd is the main road that passes by the Sanford airport, just take a right turn out of the airport and follow Lake Mary Blvd to the intersection of I-4, the drive shouldn't take very long and is very easy. No navigating confusing back roads in the dark. The Homewood is located on the NE corner of the Lake Mary Blvd/I-4 interchange.

I stayed at this hotel for a month in 2009. They have one of the better complimentary breakfasts I've ever had at a hotel & there are quite a few restaurants in the vicinity of this hotel.

I agree that Lake Mary has more to offer than Sanford. There are also several large hotels the next I-4 exit up (101A) at H.E. Thomas Jr. Pkwy/County road 46A. Several nice restaurants too, plus a Publix market.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

There is a Holiday Inn Express on US 17/92 in Sanford, very close to the airport.

BobK/Orlando