Howard Johnsons on W. Irlo - is it okay?

RamseyTrio

DIS Veteran
Joined
Apr 8, 2001
Messages
504
I feel like a complete pest - I think I've asked about 5 or so places by now - if only the search function worked!!!

Anyway, How is this HoJo? I'm looking at the room with the kids partition section. The price is good...any other info is greatly appreciated!

:)
 
I cant be absolutely certain it's the right property, but on my last trip to Orlando last October, I visited a HoJo on W Irlo - about a mile past Orange Lake Country Club as I recall - to look at a room, as they had a reduced rate deal on. I know the area pretty well and it's the only HoJo aound there I can think of.

I wasn't impressed. The room we saw was rather shabby - not dirty per sé, just run-down, very basic and definitely overdue for a refurbishment (I vaguely recall the room we were shown even had a hole in one wall). Looking around, that seemed to be the case for much of the grounds too - OK, but could be much better. The whole place just had an air of the owners doing the absolute minimum to keep the place viable.

Even the reception area was dingy and unwelcoming - a minor point I know, but it certainly doesn't create a good first impression.

If I had to find a place in a hurry, say on a long drive for an overnight stop, it'd be accceptable, no more - I certainly wouldn't choose to stay there unless the rate was truly exceptional.

As a comparison, I usually stay at what was the Sheraton Foupoints Lakeside Inn (now a La Quinta property), about 2 miles further East on W Irlo. I really like it, and think it would be a 3 star rated property, maybe 4 at it's best. However, I've seen quite a few people on here rate it as a good 2/moderate 3 star at best (we all loolk for different things in a hotel room). The HoJo I visited was a considerable step down from that, distinctly lower 2 star to me.

You might even want to consider the Lakeside as another option - it changed hands this year, I dont know if anyone can tell you about it since it became a La Quinta Inn, but I have had 10 or so terrific stays there before the change-over.

Of course, the HoJo may have been totally renovated by now, and could be a paradise compared to then - I'd try to find out if you can. If it hasn't been done over, I'd look elsewhere - I looked at cheaper places (I think the rate offer was at around $40 pn) that were as nice if not a good bit nicer.

Sorry to be so negative, but I hope this helps you out.


:Pinkbounc :eek: :crazy: ::yes:: :bounce:
 














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