Off-site hotels

[gopens]

We will be going to Universal in August and would like to make reservations at either the Holiday Inn or Radisson (both located on Kirkman). Has anyone stayed here who can give me information about the hotels or their preference? I would really appreciate your help. Thanks!

 

[Atreyu]

I found these Trip Advisor reviews.

Holiday Inn - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...Suites_Universal_Studios-Orlando_Florida.html

I couldn't find a Radisson on Kirkman. Here's the list of the Radissons in Orlando on TA - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Search?r...rlando_Florida__2E__html&q=radisson&geo=34515

 

[robvia]

Most prefer the Amerisutes which is just behind the Holiday Inn.
A slightly longer walk, but many like it better.

If you want the newest hotel near USF, look up the Hilton Garden Inn and Hilton Home Suites on Hospitality Way. It's located at the North end of I-Drive. They just built the Garden Inn hotel at the beginning of the year. Brand new, no "hotel smell."

 

[marybdisney]

I can answer any questions you have about the Holiday Inn, as we just returned from staying there. We originally book a king size room but were upgraded to a one bedroom suite with two double beds upon checkin. Apparently they do this for Priority Club members as long a suite is available. The one bedroom suite had two separate rooms - one was the living room/kitchen area the other was the bedroom. The living room/kitchen area had a kitchen with a sink, full size refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, toaster and diswasher. They had a couple of cups, plates and silverware on a shelf for use in the room. There was a small two person table and two chairs for eating. In the living room area was a sofa, coffee table and tv. I think the sofa was a sleeper sofa but we didn't actually try it out. The bedroom was like a normal hotel room and had the bathroom attached. There are no balconys on the suites - only on the regular rooms. The rooms are good. For the price you just can't be expecting anything fancy. It has a kind of musty smell but nothing that was too offensive.

The HI has a TGI Fridays in the lobby for their restaraunt. The main desk has coupons for kids to eat free with a paying adult at the Fridays - remember to ask as they don't volunteer that information.

They run a shuttle to the park that is shared by the other hotels in the loop (I'd say it stops at maybe 5 hotels). The shuttle was running about every hour and a half while we were there - it may run more frequently during busier times. The HI is the second stop. You could walk to the park. It would take about 15 minutes as while the HI is directly across from the entrance to Universal Studios it is still a long walk back into the area where the parks are (you have to pass the Hard Rock and Portifino Hotels). If you drive to US/IOA the parking fee was $8 when we were there.

The HI pool is somewhat small and nothing fancy. They had a tiny kiddy pool. No jacuzzi. While we were there they had tons of "noodles" in the pool for kids to play with.

I'd gladly stay at the Holiday Inn again for the price we paid. Especially the one bedroom suite. The refrigerator alone would be worth the upgrade to the suite. We bought tons of snacks and stocked the frig on the first day and never had to run out to the grocery again.

I can't comment on the Radisson as I haven't stayed there. I did notice that during our stay they took down the Radisson sign and put up a Double Tree sign on the hotel so I think it changed over to a DoubleTree last week.

Post if you have any specific questions and I'll respond. As someone else mentioned there is an Amerisuites hotel right next to the HI. There is also a Fairfield Inn & Suites and a Red Roof Inn right behind the Radisson. All looked equally nice. One disadvantage to the HI was that breakfast was not included in the price as it is with most of the other hotels in that area. Again, I think the suite with the small kitchen made up for that though.

 

[missdisney]

Where there any other restaurants/stores within walking distance of the hotel?

Thanks in advance.

 

[gopens]

Thanks everyone...now it's time to research. I really appreciate your input and opinions

 

[marybdisney]

Originally posted by missdisney
Where there any other restaurants/stores within walking distance of the hotel?

Thanks in advance.

On the corner where the Holiday Inn and Amerisuites are there is a TGI Fridays in the HI and the Cracker Barrel adjoinging the Amerisuites.

In a strip mall next to the Radisson (which is across the street from the Holiday Inn) there is a Ponderosa, something called the Kobe Steakhouse (japenese grill type rest.), a chinese restaurant, a Burger King and a Walgreens. There is also a Wendys set back a block by the Fairfield Inn. You could easily walk to any of these, as well as a Dennys set back by the Red Roof Inn (two blocks from the HI). Also in the same strip mall there are several gift shops and a liquor store.

Less than a mile down is a McDonalds, a Taco Bell and a KFC. Probably too far to walk....

International Drive is only 5 minutes away and has every restaurant imaginable if you do drive.

Plus the shuttles from the hotels run later at night to City Walk so you could eat at Emirils, Motown, Nascar, or Hard Rock (just to name a few of the citywalk restaurants).

 

[Jiffy]

The Radisson on Kirkman is now a DoubleTree.

 

[missdisney]

Thanks MaryBDisney.

 

[suzysezso]

I have stayed at both the Amerisuites and the Holiday Inn at Universal- no comparison-
Holiday Inn wins hands down!!!

My suite there was very nice- a TRUE suite with 2 large rooms both with TV's, and a full sized kitchenette, as someone else described earlier- I was comfy there with my 2 kids, and the last night even had a friend and her hubby sleep on the queen sized convertible couch.

The amerisuites, on the other hand was a complete disaster start to finish- The "suite" is actually a standard sized hotel room with the 2 double (not queen) beds pushed to within a foot of each other and one bed right up against the window a/c unit. This allows for them to put up a half wall about 10 feet into the room into which the stuff a small chair, a loveseat, a desk and a counter with a mini-fridge (not even large enough to stand a 2 liter coke bottle in), a microwave, and a sink too small to wash a dinner plate. There is only one TV on a swivel base so you can aim it either the sitting area or the beds.
Add to this a fire alarm going off at 4am (thank God it was a false alarm- we got quite a jammie fashion show in the lobby!), no shower curtain, returning from the park at 11pm to find our door had been left propped open all day by housekeeping, finding an empty vodka bottle behind the loveseat, and a totally indifferent staff... well you get the idea- avoid amerisuites at all costs!
Hope this helps!

 

[gopens]

Well, sounds like the HI is becoming a better proscpect. We also looked at the Sheraton Studio City and will check that out also. Although it seems further up. Too bad we can't take a dry run to check the hotels out!!! Once again thanks and let me know of any other info.