Restaurants

[WAKEY GIRL]

We are staying at the Hard Rock Hotel for 14 days in July - I just wondered if other than the parks and City Walk is there any restaurants or shops nearby.

Also which shopping mall is the best to go to - The Florida Mall or Mall at Millenia and how far from the HRH we are not having a car so would be using cabs

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

The Hard Rock Hotel is adjacent Universal Studios so you're very close to the Mall at Millenia which is only 2-3 miles away as the crow flies and a little bit longer by taxi. You could walk it but with the heat in July you'd be miserable. Check with your hotel to see if they offer a free shuttle. You're also very close to the Prime Outlets at the north end of International Drive. This is under heavy renovations right now but the stores are open and you can find some good discounts. The Festival Bay mall is also at the north end of I-Drive.

There are lots of restaurants within walking distance on Kirkman Road, just off site from Universal. And there are dozens more along Internatational Drive. I believe you can walk to I-Drive by following Universal Blvd over I-4 but again, probably too hot outside to be practical. The Hard Rock does offer a free shuttle to Wet'n'Wild which is at the corner of I-Drive and Universal Blvd. If you use the shuttle then you may want to purchase a pass for the I-Drive Trolley which goes up and down International Drive on a regular basis. That would allow you to connect to Prime Outlets/Festival Bay at the north end or head south down I-Drive to Sea World and the (even better) Orlando Premium Outlets.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Girlsontour]

Check out the last couple of days of my trip report (link below) - we always stay at the HRH for the last 4 days of our holiday. DD went to a Mall - caught a taxi and i think it cost her about $7 each way. You will love the HRH

 

[CoralCayTownhome]

We love Sweet Tomatoes - corner of Kirkman Road and International Drive I think (north end of I drive anyway). It has a fabulous fresh salad bar, homemade soups & breads and pasta - lots of locals seem to go there too which is always a good recommendation Really good value for money too.

Tracey

 

[WAKEY GIRL]

Thanks for the Info - have enjoyed reading Girls on Tour trip reports.

Your photo's are great and HRH looks lovely on the pics

 

[UKDEB]

Both the Mall at Millenia and Florida Mall are very easy to get to from Universal, but MaM is closer, so it will be cheaper in a taxi (but please don't even consider trying to walk it - it's really not an option). I love both, but Mall at Millenia is my favourite. It is a swanky, upscale mall which combines designer stores with more regular offerings. It also has Bloomingdales, Macy's and Neiman Marcus. Florida Mall is bigger and boasts JC Penney's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom (love this one) amongst its Department Stores, as well as a Macy's.

Both malls offer a food court, as well as standalone restaurants. Again, I prefer the offerings at the MaM. The Cheesecake Factory has a gargantuan menu - truly something for everyone. Brio Tuscan Grill, PF Chang's China Bistro and McCormick and Schmick's are also good choices. There are also some satellite eateries including Mimis. At Florida Mall, we've enjoyed Buca de Beppo (a delightfully kitsch Italian) and Salsa Taqueria. Nearby (in the car park) is a branch of the Orlando Ale House, a sports bar, which is hard to beat for cheap beer and American bar food (just love their Zingers - boneless chicken wings).

You are within a short taxi ride of "restaurant row" on Sand Lake Road. We especially like Ruth's Chris Steakhouse - an upscale eatery which looks surprisingly unassuming from the outside. Another favourite is Salt Island Chophouse and Fish Market, just south of Sand Lake Road on I-Drive. Texas de Brazil, a unique dining experience, is opposite Festival Bay at the nothernmost end of I-Drive. There are several other options at both Sand Lake Road and Festival Bay, as well as hundreds more along I-Drive. Pointe Orlando, at the opposite end of I-Drive (a quick hop down Universal Boulevard, avoiding the melee of I-Drive), has been redeveloped. There aren't loads of shops, but there are plenty of eating options.