Off-site Hotel - Walking distance to Universal/IOA?

[busy mom]

Are there any resorts, other than the 3 on site, within walking distance to Universal/IOA?

 

[damo]

There are a bunch of hotels behind the Portofino that are within a walkable distance. Hyatt Place Universal is one of them. Here is a map.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Orl...98:0:::::::::/so:Hotels:::d::25::701101::1:/e

 

[Poohbug]

All those hotels on the map are within walking distance. I, for one, would not want to walk it, especially if you have kids with you. It is still going to be about a half mile walk(at least) to get to the parks and then you will be walking around the parks all day.

Yes, you can walk it but just be prepared for alot of walking. I have stayed on Major Blvd many times and love the location, but I still rent a car and drive it. It is worth it for me and my family to rent the car and save the walking for the parks themselves.

 

[Dream of a Life time]

I am also looking for a nice CLEAN comfortable hotel which is close to Universal and Sea World. It does not need to be within walking distance of Universal or Sea World but I would like it within walking distance of restaurants and shops. I am staying at the Pop Century for 10 days and want to stay closer to Universal for an additional 10 days so I do not want to pay more staying off Disney than I did to stay on Disney. I did stay at a Best Western in 2007 and was disappointed with the housekeeping efforts and the cleanliness of the room. I am not a clean freak but when there is hair on the toilet when you check in and the tub is not cleaned, the beds not changed or the floor is not vacuumed completely for the entire 4 days of our stay, you worry how clean it is when you check in. I have checked a number of websites but have found few customer comments on the hotels. Does anyone know about La Quinta Inn & Suites on Universal Blve, Holiday Inn on International Drive or Holiday Inn Express on Major Blvd. I would love to hear about these or any other suggestions anyone has.

 

[taliategan]

I stayed at the Four Points for a couple of days over this past summer and walked to the parks one day. I would not recommend walking. I though saftey wise it was OK - no major intersections to cross, sidwalks or walkways the whole way and the part of Universal Blvd that crosses over I-4 has high fencing along the railings. I would say the walk was about 15-20 minutes, which was fine in the morning-but felt very long on the way back after a long day in the parks. I obtained the Four Points on Hotwire - there are some restaurants within walking distance. The Hotel was listed as a 3* - which I agree with the rating. Its an older high rise hotel in which the rooms were fairly recently refurbished. The Hotel had an outdoor pool, fitness room, a restaurant, a couple of free computers in the lobby, a mini-golf adjacent to the hotel and is within walking distance (just a few minutes) of Wet N' Wild. Some rooms in the hotel overlook Wet N' Wild or Universal (from a distance). I though the rooms were clean, but I am not the best to give an opinion on that.

 

[Poohbug]

I am also looking for a nice CLEAN comfortable hotel which is close to Universal and Sea World. It does not need to be within walking distance of Universal or Sea World but I would like it within walking distance of restaurants and shops. I am staying at the Pop Century for 10 days and want to stay closer to Universal for an additional 10 days so I do not want to pay more staying off Disney than I did to stay on Disney. I did stay at a Best Western in 2007 and was disappointed with the housekeeping efforts and the cleanliness of the room. I am not a clean freak but when there is hair on the toilet when you check in and the tub is not cleaned, the beds not changed or the floor is not vacuumed completely for the entire 4 days of our stay, you worry how clean it is when you check in. I have checked a number of websites but have found few customer comments on the hotels. Does anyone know about La Quinta Inn & Suites on Universal Blve, Holiday Inn on International Drive or Holiday Inn Express on Major Blvd. I would love to hear about these or any other suggestions anyone has.

I have stayed at the Comfort Suites on Major Blvd three times. The location is great, rooms are big and have been clean. It takes less than five minutes to get from the hotel to the parking garage at US. I like that you get a fridge and microwave in your room and cont. breakfast. Staff has been nice. Very small game room, gym and pool but they do have a hot tub. Depending on the time of year you can get a room for $60-$70/night. The LaQuinta is right next door and it looks very similar to the Comfort Suites but I am not sure about room sizes, etc.

 

[kirbsam]

dont forget the walk from the parking garage if you drive. a 15 minute walk really isnt that bad.

 

[Dream of a Life time]

Thanks for the info. I have never tried hotwire but it was mentioned to me yesterday by a co-worker. Do you always get what you expect (stars) or are you shocked when you arrive?

 

[taliategan]

Hotwire (and Priceline) are agencies hotels use to sell off hotel rooms which they anticipate not selling through its normal booking means - you can obtain at well blow normal rates, but you do not know the name of the hotel until after you make the purchase. (The hotels do not want to adverise that they are booking rooms at that low of a rate.) The purchase is also prepaid and non-refundable. Betterbidding.com provides lists of probable hotels for both Hotwire and Priceline at different star levels in particular areas (zones). With Hotwire, but not Priceline, it is possible to identify the hotel before you make the purchase be comparing the amenity icons to previous winners reported on betterbidding.com or making a post on that site to help you identify a hotel. Not all hotel listings can be identified and some you may only be able to narrow it down to maybe two or three hotels. When I purchase through Hotwire or Priceline, I normally purchase at a 1/2 star higher than I would normally purchase, to lessen the surprise that you may get a hotel that you do not like.

 

[Dream of a Life time]

Has anyone stayed at the Clarion near Universal studios? Someone told me this was a nice clean hotel.

 

[brooker]

Four Points Sheraton Studio City is great....we stayed there from Oct 2-9. We also used Hotwire and got a steal in our opinion of $38 per night. I used BetterBidding.com in advance to make sure I know what hotel I was getting. I have used Hotwire a couple of times and have not be dissapointed so far.

 

[bobbyshawatl]

I'm staying at the Wingate on my November trip in a few weeks. It seems to get pretty good reviews on the travel sites. I can let you know what I think of that once I get there. It's on Windhover Dr, which is pretty close. I doubt I'll do the walk to the location while I'm there. From what I've read, they have a shuttle bus, but it only runs once in the morning and once after park closing.

 

[tony67]

Four Points Sheraton Studio City was just remodeled and it is available relatively cheap.

We always stay there on arrival day before we head over to the Universal Resorts since it is so much cheaper and we do not do anything on the first day.

They also have free internet and somtimes breakfast is included with the room if you book directly. Check out the hotel offers on the starwood site.

It is usually about 80-110 if you book directly. I prefer this to the uncertainty of what hotel I will get with third parties. Also if you are a member of the loyalty program you can get stays and membership benefits you do not get through third parties.

Also I would not walk.

 

[crazelion]

Fairfield Inn by Marriott on Canada Avenue is in between Sea World and US is nice and clean comes with a free breakfast.

Hawthorne Suites on Canada Avenue is nice and clean and comes with a free breakfast.

I am also looking for a nice CLEAN comfortable hotel which is close to Universal and Sea World. It does not need to be within walking distance of Universal or Sea World but I would like it within walking distance of restaurants and shops. I am staying at the Pop Century for 10 days and want to stay closer to Universal for an additional 10 days so I do not want to pay more staying off Disney than I did to stay on Disney. I did stay at a Best Western in 2007 and was disappointed with the housekeeping efforts and the cleanliness of the room. I am not a clean freak but when there is hair on the toilet when you check in and the tub is not cleaned, the beds not changed or the floor is not vacuumed completely for the entire 4 days of our stay, you worry how clean it is when you check in. I have checked a number of websites but have found few customer comments on the hotels. Does anyone know about La Quinta Inn & Suites on Universal Blve, Holiday Inn on International Drive or Holiday Inn Express on Major Blvd. I would love to hear about these or any other suggestions anyone has.

 

[jenseib]

When staying offsite, and driving how much is parking per day? Is there such a thing s a multiday pass to prepurchse? Or how about the shuttlesthe htoles have? I know some do, are they worth the hassle?