Howard Johnson on Kirkman

[iluvpiglet]

Has anyone stayed at the Howard Johnson on Kirkman about a mile from UO? I have booked one night and would like to get input while I still have time to cancel. My boyfriend and I are going to the Mummy AP event and the Shrek AP event on the 22nd and the 23rd. Any information would be helpful.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jiffy]

We have stayed at the Howard Johnson's in the 4000 block of Kirkman. I believe there is another Howard Johnson's in the 7000 block. Which one are your reservations for?

The Howard Johnson's that we stayed at was comfortable enough. The staff the nights we stayed were very nice. The hotel is actually former small apartments so a suite is a real suite, which was really nice. They do have a small refrigerator and microwave in the kitchen area, but no cooking utensils or dishes.

I think that if the carpet was replaced, that would give the rooms a much needed facelift. It is obvious that the hotel has seen lots of guests.

The location is really convenient: just a few short minutes to Universal. Threre is a Publix Supermarket right across the street, along with other shops, and many restaurants in the area.

 

[iluvpiglet]

My reservations are for the Howard Johnson in the 7000 block. Thanks for the info Jiffy! I appreciate it!

 

[robvia]

I've stayed at both a few times.
The suites hotel is located a mile north at 4601 S Kirkman Road, has 2 tvs, fridge, and microwave. There's a Boston Market as you enter, and a Publix across the street. Pool is nice and they give you free breakfast each morning which is wrapped muffins/danish, bagels, and fruit. Stayed there twice, both times ok. The 2nd time the ice machine up front was broken, and the machine behind the pool was mostly empty.

The regular hotel is located 1 mile to the south at 7050 S Kirkman Road, doesn't have free breakfast. As you are facing the hotel, I'd suggest getting a room on the right side tower. My dad and I got a room in the back and it had a weird smell as an ac vent was near our room on the 2nd floor, so we moved to the side and things we're better. This hotel needs new ice machines, they are usually emtpy with only 2 working. There is hotel smell here, the carpets are worn out. After staying here a few times, I drove around the area and found newer hotels. I mean, you can do it if you want to save money (pretend you are on survivor), but may need to scrounge for ice and move to a different room if yours has a bad smell.

So I drove around the area, went to the other side of I-drive, and found a Motel 6 located at I-4 and Kirkman (5909 American Way). This hotel has been around for about a year, not as beat up, and the ice machines work because they are new. Also, the AC in the rooms is done with a central system, so there is less hotel smell. The rooms are kinda small compared to the Hojo Suites, but nice and clean. I'd stay here if I was going for the dive rate.

Now, the newest hotel on I-Drive where I would stay is the Hilton Garden Inn located at 6623 Hospitality Way (next to the Motel 6), just opened this year. Prices are higher, but that's the newest/cleanest offsite budget you can get IMHO. Probably more than you want to spend, you'll have to decide. But now you have two alternatives that are next to each other at the north end of I-drive, about 1 mile from the park.

The hojo at 7050 is probably the cheapest, but it's beat up, so you'll have to go on the web site for each hotel and decide.

 

[iluvpiglet]

That is very helpful info. I'll try for the Motel 6 and see if they have anything available.