Please help me find a great all suites hotel near IOA?

[Familyof14]

Looking for a nice suites hotel for 5 adult sized people (2 parents and 3 older children).

We have ruled out the Universal Resorts because the cost is just too much.

We want a comfortable upscale suite that will sleep 5 and be near IOA. Perhaps complimentary shuttle and breakfast. Is there a Wyndham Summerfield Suites near by? We are not interested in a condo type palce as we will only be staying 2 nights pre cruise.

We are just going to purchase the 1 ride FOTL Express Pass Plus for $135.00 (for the 5 of us) instead of having the convenience of unlimited front of the line from Portofino.

Thank you!

 

[kgilchri]

You should check out Residence Inn Sea World. They have up to 2 br suites that, I think, sleep up to 10-12. I actually just stayed there last month w/ my family. USO is just a few miles away, and really easy to get to w/o having to go on I-4. They also offer free transportation to USO and Sea World. We found a pretty good deal on Expedia for about $118/night for a one br. suite.

Hope that helps.

 

[Familyof14]

Thank you for the tip.
I have started looking in the Seaworld area even though it is futher away than we want. There are a lot of nice hotels in that area.
Anyone know how much a taxi would be from the Seaworld area hotels to Universal IOA's? Time?

 

[marybdisney]

The two bedroom suites aren't fancy but they are only $120 a night. Each bedroom has 2 double beds. Breakfast isn't include though. One plus is being across the street from US/IOA - you could potentally walk to the parks. They run a shuttle for those who don't want to walk the 15 minute hike.

 

[wendypooh]

depending on when your trip is ......... the resorts at US/IOA are around that same price with some of the discounts out there. AND fotl is beyond worth it. When are your dates??? Are there ent. rate discounts for that time?? The books for this year up until Nov. are only $10.00 now. I'd check out all the discounts before I paid around $120.00 for something off - site, + transportation, and the cost of the express pass books............

 

[Familyof14]

I know, I know! My husband is the one you need to convince.
I did call and the lowest rate they had was a AAA rate of $220 + a $15 pp extra charge for our two children over 18 + a $25 rollaway charge if we need it. That's $275 plus all the tax. We only plan on doing Universal one day and come back to the hotel for a second night before heading for our cruise. We will not be going to Universal that second day so the FOTL pass priveleges seem a waste for that second nights price tag.

 

[suzysezso]

I second the motion on the Holiday Inn-
(After you twist hubby's arm and he won't give in for on site)
2 Years ago I got a suite there for only $89 per night (granted it was right after 9/11 and they were practically giving away rooms),it is probably more expensive now, but other than staying on site I would say this would be your best bet.
The suite consisted of 2 LARGE rooms, one with with a full kitchenette (full size stove, fridge, and sink), a dining area, queen size convertible couch, lounge chair and big TV, the bedroom had 2 queen sized beds. The bathroom was big with a double vanity outside.
I was there with 2 teen kids, and the second night even had my friend and her hubby check out of their hotel to stay on our couch. There was plenty of room for all.
There is a Friday's attached that serves an acceptable buffet breakfast as well as providing reasonably priced room service for the hotel. If you are big breakfast eaters I suggest the Cracker Barrel across the street.

Hope this helps


**** PS- whatever you do- DO NOT try the Amersuites at Universal!! The location is the ONLY good thing about that place otherwise it is a total disaster!

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

www.orlandoinfo.com on this website you can print out an orlando magic card and receive great deals on many hotels. Not only does magic card give you great discounts for hotels it also gives you a 5 dollar discount on a 25 dollar order on both hard rock cafe and NBAcity. You can print out the brochure and the magic card.

 

[robvia]

Check out the Hilton Homewood Suites located at the north end of I-drive. It's brand new, just build last year.
They also have a Hilton Garden Inn next to it that just opened at the beginning of the year.
Try this link.
http://www.homewood-suites.com/en/h...3R4PWNH4YSCSGBIU2VCQKIYFC3UUC?ctyhocn=MCOHWHW

 

[WeirdEyes]

Would this be the same Familyof14 from another board I frequent (CC)?

 

[Familyof14]

Thats' me!

Thank you all for the suggestions.

We are looking at the Gaylord Palms now. It isn't that close, but a very nice hotel. We could just get a taxi to the park.

 

[Familyof14]

Out of the blue, my husband calls me and says to go ahead and book Portofino Resort for our precruise (2 nights) and the Gaylord Palms for our 1 night post cruise (for Disney).

I am thrilled, but do hesitate paying that extra money. I am also concerned that the standard Portofino rooms will not be large enough for us.

I have been doing so much searching and comparing, that I fear I have already asked this question before...but could someone please tell me about the rooms at PBH? Do the bathrooms have double sinks?

 

[SpideyHulk24]

If you are in a deluxe room they do have double sinks. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but the standard rooms have single sinks. The good news is that the PBH has the largest rooms of the three. If it's only for a couple of nights, you should be just fine. Especially if you are going to be at the parks most of the time.

 

[Familyof14]

What other difference are in the Standard versus the deluxe? I wonder how much extra that would be?


I have joined the LoewsFirst Club, so maybe we could work out an upgrade.
Do you try for an upgrade before your stay or at check-in?

I just saw a write up on the Hotel Kingdom site and they described both the Garden and Deluxe rooms as having double sinks.

 

[wdwphanatic]

... but I know a standard room at even HRH has 2 sinks. There is a small one inside the bathroom (with the toilet and bathtub) and the main one is outside the bathroom as you walk into the room... This one has the big countertop and mirrors, etc., but the other one is certainly functional. I would imagine that the PBH has at least the same, if not better!

As far as the deluxe vs. standard room question, this is what I found on one site for PBH:

Deluxe room: 476-504 sq ft, larger living space & bathroom, View of the Villa Pool and surrounding gardens or Beach Pool with Universal Orlando as the backdrop. Additional amenities include VCR, surround sound system with CD player, and fax machine. 1 king bed or 2 queen beds.

Standard room: 448-476 sq ft, Overlooks hotel grounds or piazza and harbor. 1 king bed or 2 queen beds.

Happy planning,
Sarah

 

[Familyof14]

Standard room: 448-476 sq ft
I wonder what the difference is in the sizes of the Standard. Are some standards in one building biggewr than others?

 

[Familyof14]

????