DaveyO,
The La Quinta Inn Lakeside used to be a Sheraton Fourpoints property until sometime earleir this year. I haven't stayed at the hotel since it changed hands, but did so on many occasions prior - at least 10 or so - and I always had a terrific stay. I cannnot of course vouch for the service now, but for location, layout and convenience, it would still be a hard act to follow in my opinion.
The following is a review I gave of the hotel to another poster last year - it includes some local info as well, as the poster was a first timer as I recall:
"The Sheraton Fourpoints Lakeside Inn is a terrific hotel in my opinion. I've stayed there maybe 10 times now and always really enjoyed it. I'm going back in October too.
The rooms are decent sized, and are always well kept, clean and tidy. They are renovated on a regular basis and so fittings and equipment are always in good condition - I've only ever had to report a stuck bathroom door on one occasion. Most have 2 double beds, the usual things such as TV, phone, hair dryer, ironing board & iron, etc, and have a few nice little extras such as a coffee/tea maker and particularly useful, a fridge. They have a small vanity area separate from the bathroom, and clean bedding/towels are provided daily if so required.
The usual amenities are available on all blocks, such as laundry rooms, ice and vending machines, and there are a couple of shops in the main reception block, a small gift/clothes store and a small but useful grocery store for everyday requirements.
There are 2 full restaurants, one a buffet style, The Greenhouse, which had a good if none too original selection of foods and meals available for breakfast and lunch. The full service restaurant, Hurricane Sams Bar and Grill, had some very nice dishes and is a good option for those nights when you dont want to go out to eat. They also do a nice selection of snacks in the bar area, and a nice selection of long cool cocktails - I recommend the Fuzzy Navel !
As usual the price of the restaurants tends to be a little higher in the hotel restaurants than in similar places off property.
And for those post-park days when its just too much effort to leave your room, there is a Pizza Hut on property which delivers to rooms.
The 3 pool areas are all well maintained, clean and have plenty of beds and seating. Towels are provided. The pools are always clean, and the water checked regularly. At least two of the pools have Gazebo's where drinks can be purchased and food ordered from the Pizza Hut and delivered to poolside.
The staff are always courteous and helpful, even on one occasion offering to do shopping or to provide some food for me when I was ill and stuck in my room for a few days on one visit !
The hotel's location is very good for Disney in particular, being in the Maingate area, and about 2 miles from the junction of US 192 and World Centre Drive, but is far enough away that you get a nice relaxed atmosphere for those non-park days when you just want to chill by the pool.
It is also very well positioned for restaurants and shopping. Almost opposite is a shopping centre with a large Goodings store and various other smaller convenience stores including an Eckerd pharmacy. There is also a Subway, Dairy Queen and Giordano's Italian restaurant which does excellent pizza. Better still are Carrabba's, an Italian themed restaurant with excellent food, and TGI Fridays, where I always enjoy eating.
However, you needn't worry about finding places to eat close by, as there are any number of perfectly good restaurants within a few minutes walk or drive from the hotel, from the big burger chains and buffet establishments, such as Ponderosa, Sizzler and Shoneys - all good options - to rather higher quality places. I particularly recommend Key W Kool's, an open pit grill steakhouse about a quarter mile from the hotel going East on US 192, where I've always had great meals, and Charley's Steakhouse, which is also East on US192, about 2 miles away in a shopping plaza directly opposite the right turn to Celebration. Best steaks in town in my opinion, and I'm not s big steak eater.
And there are numerous shops and malls all within easy driving distance along US 192, so your retail therapy needs are catered for very nicely too !
The only small strike against the hotel is that you are a little farther away from a few attractions, such as Universal, Sea World and I-Drive, than some people might want to be, some 25 - 30 minutes drive from Universal for example. Personally I see that as an advantage as I like to be away from the hub-bub of the parks and tourist attractions when I'm chilling, those with kids might not...
So you can see, I kind of like the place, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good quality, cheap (rooms from as little as $49 a night), comfortable and safe hotel as a base for enjoying the Magic !
Now, have I forgotten anything...
"
I hope this helps !
