Looking at Hotels near Sea World

[d4est]

Hi there-

We will be in Orlando, Feb10th-18th. Currently booked for 8 nights at the Hard Rock. We are planning to visit DC, Sea World and Aquatica. I was planning to use the shuttle or taxi. We'd be going back and forth for the last 3 or 4 days. Started thinking that we could check out of HRH on Sat. the 14th and stay right near Sea World for the last 4 days. It should save a pretty penny too!

So...looking at the Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld. Looks like the location is perfect. Anyone have any experience with this place? Any way to get a good discount? I tried AAA and no rates are offered for my dates. I could try priceline, but there's a chance I'll get the Peabody, which looks nice too, but is a bit further away. From what I understand, you can walk from the Renaissance to Sea World. Not sure about DC or Aquatica.

Any other good places close?

Thanks for any info I can get!

 

[d4est]

Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

 

[lowie]

i don't know if you are looking for a nicer hotel and if you'll have transportation. we recently stayed at the country inn very close to sea world, breakfast buffet included. nice, clean hotel, very inexpensive. the breakfast was nothing to write home about but the people i saw eating there seemed happy enough. that would save you a ton of money!

 

[MissionMouse]

...So...looking at the Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld. Looks like the location is perfect. Anyone have any experience with this place? Any way to get a good discount? ...

We have stayed here in a Deluxe Atrium View Room and enjoyed our room-stay http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/showphoto.php/photo/30882/sort/1/cat/847/page/1
I was able to first book the room directly with Marriot and then periodically checked back with their site and checked their rates. I did find a huge drop in price and was able to get the same class of room too. Made the new reservation and then cancelled the old one.

It is right across the street from SW with the Sea World parking lot composing the largest component of the walk.

 

[cvjw]

We stayed at the Rosen Shingle, which was very close to Sea World. You couldn't walk to Sea World, but the drive was very easy. We loved that hotel, it was wonderful. It had a resort feeling to it, the pool area was breath-taking.

 

[d4est]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I am going to try Priceline for a 4*, which would give me the Renaissance or the Peabody. If that falls through, I am going to reserve a room at the Residence Inn Sea World (Marriott).

We want something on the nicer side, without paying a fortune, and we will not have transportation.

If I'm going to spend big bucks, I'll just keep my 8 night stay at the HRH.

Any other suggests are welcome. I won't be trying Priceline until this weekend.

Thanks!

 

[tinkerbear]

There is also a Hilton Vacation Club right across the street. On the opposite corner there is a Marriott Residence Inn. There are also 2 Marriott Vacation Clubs with pretty good rates right around the corner.

 

[tessieg]

I'm not sure if you've worke out your plans yet, but wanted to say we just got back from the Residence Inn. I asked about shuttle to Sea World when we checked in. It only ran twice a day!! At 9:40 they pick you up from the hotel and at 6 pm from SW to return to the hotel. We had our car so it wasn't a big deal for us, we just drove, but without having a car I wouldn't recommend it.
Tessie

 

[d4est]

I'm not sure if you've worke out your plans yet, but wanted to say we just got back from the Residence Inn. I asked about shuttle to Sea World when we checked in. It only ran twice a day!! At 9:40 they pick you up from the hotel and at 6 pm from SW to return to the hotel. We had our car so it wasn't a big deal for us, we just drove, but without having a car I wouldn't recommend it.
Tessie

Very good to know! Thanks. We have ressies for Discovery Cove and would need to be there way before the 9:40 pick up. I still haven't gotten a room for the Sea World/Discovery Cove/Aquatica portion of our stay...

 

[onenightonly]

I just came back from the HRH and i went to SW everyday. I prefer to stay at the Marriott right there, but it was all booked up.

It's called the Marriott Residence Inn SeaWorld/International Center. It also has free hot breakfast in the morning, unlike the HRH.

I'd say its about 20 minutes from SW. We had a car though so I'm not sure about the shuttle.

 

[d4est]

I just came back from the HRH and i went to SW everyday. I prefer to stay at the Marriott right there, but it was all booked up.

It's called the Marriott Residence Inn SeaWorld/International Center. It also has free hot breakfast in the morning, unlike the HRH.

I'd say its about 20 minutes from SW. We had a car though so I'm not sure about the shuttle.

HRH is a 20 minute ride to SW? Oy! Thought it was shorter. We definitely need a closer room!

 

[kellymonaghan]

I checked out the Renaissance for my new book "SeaWorld, Discovery Cove & Aquatica." You can walk from the front door to the SeaWiorld gate in 7 minutes at a leisurely pace.

It's a very nice hotel with some of the largest rooms in the Orlando area. Nice high ceilings, too. Great lobby bar that serves sushi.

I also stayed at (and reviewed in depth) the Peabody, Shingle Creek and Marriott Grande Vista, all excellent.

Special offer here:

http://www.intrepidtraveler.com/prepubuosw.html

 

[d4est]

Thanks for all the help and replies. I finally ended up getting the Renaissance through Priceline for $95/night. I am pretty happy with that!