Off Site Hotel Recommendations

[DanG]

Universal/Loews can go scratch! I was just getting ready to book two rooms at the HRH for Easter Week 2002 for my family of 7 when I picked up on the FOTL thread. Without FOTL there is no reason to pay $400 per night for two rooms in a hotel that it seems 50% of the people who post on this board complain about.

So, I have read and refer back often to Kelly's book (you must buy this for any Universal trip). That said, what are the experiences of the people on this board with the local off-site hotels close to USF? Any recommendations?

DanG

 

[CPM]

I still think they are having some sort of FOTL but are calling it priority access and you will only have one shot at each ride. I love staying at the US resorts not only for the perks but they are just so lovely! This last trip we stayed at Embassy Suites Jamaican CT. It was very nice, the rooms were large & clean. We got free cooked to order breakfast & a free cocktail recetion each day. It was only $106.00 per night. But to me it still didn't compare to staying on site. I love being able to just walk back to the hotel take a dip in the pool, change if you want, have lunch then go back. IMHO.

 

[Beckles]

How much do you want to spend?

There are no hotels comparable in quality to the HRH/PBH in the Universal Area. Down by Seaworld there are a couple (Renaissance ... maybe the Peabody, though that's more of a business/convention hotel).

One you might want to consider is the Westin Bohemian in Orlando proper, that's supposed to be a very nice hotel (brand spanking new too, just opened).

Regardless of any theme park benefits, the HRH and PBH are worth the money compared to other hotels of similar quality in the Orlando area, which there aren't a lot of, but would be the Hyatt Grand Cypress, Marriott World Center, and the high-end Disney properties, along with the previously mentioned properties.

 

[BarbOKW]

I know they're making some changes to the FOTL access and there are rumors that hotel guests may only get FOTL once for each ride, but as far as I know that's still a rumor. I'd still make reservations at HR because even if you only get FOTL once, it would still save you hours of waiting time during the day. It seems to me that the line for Spiderman was at least an hour when I was there this past March.

At this point you may have trouble getting rooms around Easter. When I was checking for discounts a few weeks ago (we'll be there the 3 nights before Easter) 2 of the nights I was asking about were already completely sold out.

But if you still want off-site, two years ago we stayed at the Holiday Inn at Universal. It was a well run Holiday Inn, nothing to write home about but I didn't have any complaints either. They have bus services to the parks but if you miss it you're still close enough to walk. It takes about 15 minutes, there's no point in driving, because the parking garage for Universal is right across the street so you end up walking almost as far.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I really like Embassy Suites too. Paid about the same as CPM and really enjoyed my stay. The staff was very friendly and the cook was a real character during breakfast. If you do not stay on-site I would look into the Embassy Suites on International Dr. Both locations are mere minutes away from Universal. Have fun!

 

[Riverview]

I haven't stayed in the one in Orlando but have stayed at several other Embassy Suites and they were all great.
Riverview

 

[Robinrs]

Dan:

First of all, Easter week is very crowded and even if the FOTL is downgraded to once a day, it's WELL worth it. My son and I went in May and only rode every ride once the first two days and it was incredible. We could've gone on multiple times but there was no need. The whole park was ours!

Where are all the 50% complaints??? I know there have been a few problems but name ONE resort that doesn't have someone who is not satisfied. I stayed at the HRH in May and I found none of these complaints...but that was my experience. I read the Disney boards on this site also and someone else had a different experience that I did at the resorts there, and they charge a PREMIUM! And offer nothing even close to FOTL!

Sure, there are very nice hotels outside of the the resorts, but to get what these hotels offer would cost you at least $100 a day. Try the discounts, if offered, HRN, and see if you can get a lower rate. Easter week will be rough, though, I can imagine, but you can decide what's more important.

For my money, I'll take whatever form of FOTL they offer.

 

[nhrenee]

"...go scratch", lol, I've never heard that before, must be a midwest thing!

Anywoo, I'd have to agree with Robin but if still want to go off-site: we stayed at the Caribe Royal Resort. It's at the end of I-drive, a little further than the other hotels recommended. Probably about 15 min. They have 1 br suites and 2br villas. Great hotel, very quiet, wonderful staff.

Good luck.

 

[PurpleChick]

DanG

I agree with Robinrs. Even if the express is limited to each ride once per day it is still worth it. We just got back and only did each ride once per day anyways. It will still give you way more time to enjoy the parks.

Purplechick

 

[Molokai Gram]

I agree that staying onsite is the best way, even if FOTL is limited to once per ride per day. But if you stay offsite, the Radisson Twin Towers across the street is wonderful.

 

[XAVIER]

Another vote here for the Embassy Suites JC - we were there last year and would definitely go back again (- if we weren't going to the HRH that is )

 

[DanG]

I appreciate all the responses.

I guess our family falls in the category of folks who each like to ride a few rides (different rides for different family members) a lot of times. The one time pass helps, but its a huge step back from "FOTL all day every day." I guess I missed the qualifier that that only meant until later this year.

I think Universal, particularly with IOA, has built the best park in the world. But I can't help but feel from personal experience in prior trips and from having read the posts on this board for six months now that Universal will never get its act together with marketing and customer service. I am probably more frustrated with the apologists here who argue that it Universal is great and we're lucky to have the opportunity to give them our money and FOTL is too good to last forever so what did you expect. I expect them to step up and say here is front of the line and it is good until ____. All tickets and reservations sold after ___ will not receive the FOTL benefit. And ___ date should be six months to a year out so that people can make their travel plans knowing what they are buying.

Anyone reading this board who doesn't pickup on how negative the posts are about HRH, PBH and Universal customer service isn't paying attention.

OK, stepping off soapbox and back to the topic.

I really do appreciate all the recommendations and suggestions and value the board contributors.

DanG

 

[willydoit]

Was there 2 weeks ago and stayed at the Amerisuites across Kirkman Road just down from the Radisson Twins and Holiday Inn. Very affordable (49.00 a nite on an internet special for me), and quite convenient to the parks. Rooms and hotel were clean and well maintained, pool on the small side but never really crowded. Very friendly and a decent breakfast bar as well. They are on Caravan Court off of Major Blvd.

 

[Robinrs]

Dan:

We should expect what you're asking for from our parents, our teachers, our politicians and our employers, too.

But in the REAL world, that ain't the case.

I understand your frustration, believe me I've been on the phone with them enough times to be frustrated, but as my consumer reporter here in Atlanta says, protest with your feet. Do not support a company that makes you unhappy.

As for paying attention, that's my job here. Maybe we look for different things, but I am definitely paying attention.

A happy consumer will tell ten people, an unhappy one will tell ten thousand. If you hear complaints, I'm sure there are just as many satisfied customers, me being one of them, that just sit back in harmony.

I hope you find satisfaction.

 

[nhrenee]

Yikes!

I had to speak up. I've stayed at the Portofino Bay Hotel 3 times, soon to be 4 come Oct/Nov. I've always enjoyed it and thought it well worth the $ even before we realized what fotl was (lol! nov/99). I've also had very good experiences with most Universal employees.
But I feel I always get good value for our $ at Universal.

I just don't want people reading this thread to only hear about the negatives.

 

[Molokai Gram]

I want to go and meet Renee SOB![that is a crying SOB (with tears) and not the other LOL]

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

LOL Molokai Gram!

I too want to say that both on-site hotels are well worth the price. I have stayed at the PBH and was blown away, it really is a fantastic resort with or without FOTL. I will be staying at the HRH this OCT.(anyone wanna meet me?) and just from touring the lobby and the grounds I found HRH to be quite impressive also. I'm sure where ever you decide to stay you will have a great time but on-site is the only way for my to go now. I guess I am spoiled

 

[nhrenee]

Molokai! LOL!

 

[willydoit]

When I was there a few weeks ago (June 9 & 10), I didn't see the need for staying on-site. I had debated back and forth for quite awhile before the trip, FOTL was in full force, but IOAtech on this board had mentioned that the closing time at 7:00 PM was happening because there weren't that many people in the parks. He was correct, and with a good express pass strategy and an early start in the morning, FOTL just wasn't that important. Kudo's to Kelly's book as well for the "pre game" strategies. I know that during the peak periods all of these bets are off but it certainly worked for me while I was there.

FYI, the 6 trips I've made to Disney I've always stayed on-site and more than likely always will. Disney provides an "escape" that Universal isn't able to match, as hard as they try. On-site at Disney allows for that "escape" feeling to continue before/after the parks themselves. Had a GREAT time at USF, but never got that same "escape" feeling. IMHO, they are in fact, two different animals.

And now, I depart the soapbox!!

 

[sassyj]

We stayed at HRH in mid June and had the best time we have ever had in Orlando. I felt like a queen the entire time. The staff at the HRH went out of their way to make our stay the best. We planned to travel to N. Carolina at the end of the summer, and my kids are begging to cancel and go back to HRH lol!