Sea World...Where to stay?

[Atchley]

A friend of mine called and asked me about where to stay at if she took her daughters to Sea World. I am more of a WDW person myself and could answer any of those questions, but I don't know a whole lot about Sea World.

She is wanting to go around 5 days.
They will need hotel accomodations.
There are five people. Dad, Mom, and 3 daughters ranging from 16-13.
She is flexible with the dates over the summer and wants to pick a week that is not as crowded. (Meaning not July 4 week)

She was looking into the specials on the Sea World website and was asking me for advice.

Can anyone help me out. Give me clues on best places to stay. Best Deals. Etc;.

Anything would be much appreciated as I am at a total loss.

Thanks

 

[waverunner1]

I have been researching this myself since DS has asked for Sea World not Disney. The Renaissance is right across from SW. You have to pay for parking. You can walk to SW, though. I have heard it is a hike since you have to cross the parking lot.

The Hilton Grand Vacation Club is close also. It has more condo-type accomodations.

There is a Hilton Garden Inn. It has free bkfst and parking.

There are two new properties to open in June. Springhill Suites and Fairfield Inn. Both have free bkfst and parking.

Hope this helps. I am having a terrrible time deciding, though!

 

[waverunner1]

I forgot, there is also a Residence Inn. Free bkfst and parking.

SeaWorld's website has some vacation packages available on their website. They don't really apply to us because we're only there two nights and we want to do Discovery Cove. They might be worth checking out, though.

 

[Gingernut]

We stopped at the sheraton world - now called something else can't remember what sorry about 3 years ago. it was fine for what we wanted and we walked to seaworld a few times. Took about 10 mins pushing a buggy. Was great for seaworld and no parking to pay. there were 3 pools and a few places to eat and you can sit near reception with a drink and a seat. we enjoyed it, theres a few restaurants across from there also, denny;s etc. DH liked it *** he could have a drink instead of driving.

 

[scootch]

Can you walk from the Hilton garden inn??? or do they have a shuttle to Sea World???

 

[dolphingirl47]

We stopped at the sheraton world - now called something else can't remember what sorry about 3 years ago. it was fine for what we wanted and we walked to seaworld a few times. Took about 10 mins pushing a buggy. Was great for seaworld and no parking to pay. there were 3 pools and a few places to eat and you can sit near reception with a drink and a seat. we enjoyed it, theres a few restaurants across from there also, denny;s etc. DH liked it *** he could have a drink instead of driving.

The Sheraton World is now called the International Plaza Resort and Spa. We have stayed there a number of times because of the proximity to Seaworld. The last time we stayed there, they were transforming at least part of the hotel into a condos hotel.

dolphingirl47

 

[disneyohbear]

What about Vista Cay? Its a sister resort to Windsor Hills but is suppose to be close to Sea World. I haven't been there yet but with 5 people I would think that might be an alternative to hotels. Course it most likely requires a car but its a thought.

We are staying at Windsor Hills and driving to Sea World for our upcoming trip because we got an unbeatable deal there for a condo. It adds some time to our day but well worth the savings to us.

 

[waverunner1]

She can also check out tripadvisor for reviews of the properties listed. It did help me narrow down my list.

 

[the_princess]

I have stayed at the Renaissance which is right next to SW. It's such a nice hotel. We are staying there again next time we go to SW. You can see pictures of the hotel in my Seaworld report in my siggie. It's called Killerwhales, manatees and backstage tours.

 

[Janet Hill]

The Marriot timeshares are close by if she can get a rental here.

 

[dolphinslady]

Sea World is towards the end of south I drive...so any hotels toward that way would work...unless you wanna 'walk' there. Then you would def. have to stay at the hotels above.

Nick Suites is also pretty close if you have younger ones and they have deals on travelzoo right now.

Parking at SW is now around 13 I think...crazy. It's an awesome park though, can't wait to go again!

 

[waverunner1]

Princess, thank you for the post with your trip links. The pics were great! Your review of the Renaissance may have convinced me to stay there!

 

[summerrluvv]

We are staying at the Marriott Harbor Lakes and from what I understand, it's very close to SW. It looks very family friendly!

http://www.travelpost.com/hotels/Marriott_s_Harbour_Lake/hid41328/t-photos/#userphotos

 

[Atchley]

I have stayed at the Renaissance which is right next to SW. It's such a nice hotel. We are staying there again next time we go to SW. You can see pictures of the hotel in my Seaworld report in my siggie. It's called Killerwhales, manatees and backstage tours.

After looking over everything for her family, this is the hotel I recommended. I'm glad to hear positive comments on it.

 

[the_princess]

Princess, thank you for the post with your trip links. The pics were great! Your review of the Renaissance may have convinced me to stay there!

After looking over everything for her family, this is the hotel I recommended. I'm glad to hear positive comments on it.

I'm glad you like it. I love this hotel. I know it cost at bit to stay there, but it's worth the money. Beside it's stil cheaper then a Disney hotel

 

[MissionMouse]

You can walk to SW from the Hilton Garden Inn but it is a little further than the Rennaissance. Personally, we prefer the Rennaissance over the Hilton for both room accommodations and restaurants...which the Hilton has only one...and it is not that good.

I do have a few photos of the Rennaissance in my SW photo link below. If you stay at the Rennaissance you should keep on checking rates on their site up until you leave. We found they run a variety of discounts between the time we initially booked and we arrived and I was able to change my reservation twice and saved hundreds of dollars.

 

[waverunner1]

If your friend booked a package, she might want to call Marriott reservations direct. I called about my JW Marriott reservation to ask a question, and they got me a better deal. I am a reward member. I don't know if that made a difference or not.

 

[FINFAN]

we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn about 7 years ago...I would avoid it if possible. We had a decent rate and were only staying for 3 nights, otherwise I would have bolted. We were there over NYE , wanted to be close to SW because traffic on I-4 was horrendous during the holiday break, and we were able to walk to SW, cutting through the parking lot.
As fo rthe HGI, Questionable "evening" guests hanging in the parking lot/back door area, people would prop the back door open , allowing anyone access and the elevators are right there so the front lobby would not see anyone coming in ( unless on camera) paper thin walls,thin mattresses, pool was small, no landscaping really...if you are looking for a place to lay your head, maybe, but not for a family vacation. We were a family of 4, kids were 11 and 7 at the time, I was nervous haing them stay there, did not enjoy it at all. They goofed up our frequnet traveelr points, dirty lobby area. I am hopeful things have improved, but I would not recommend it to anyone based on our experience, esp w/kids. We spent our free time at the Rennaisance checking it out, food was high there, but atrium was beautiful.

 

[JaxJags08]

we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn about 7 years ago...I would avoid it if possible. We had a decent rate and were only staying for 3 nights, otherwise I would have bolted. We were there over NYE , wanted to be close to SW because traffic on I-4 was horrendous during the holiday break, and we were able to walk to SW, cutting through the parking lot.
As fo rthe HGI, Questionable "evening" guests hanging in the parking lot/back door area, people would prop the back door open , allowing anyone access and the elevators are right there so the front lobby would not see anyone coming in ( unless on camera) paper thin walls,thin mattresses, pool was small, no landscaping really...if you are looking for a place to lay your head, maybe, but not for a family vacation. We were a family of 4, kids were 11 and 7 at the time, I was nervous haing them stay there, did not enjoy it at all. They goofed up our frequnet traveelr points, dirty lobby area. I am hopeful things have improved, but I would not recommend it to anyone based on our experience, esp w/kids. We spent our free time at the Rennaisance checking it out, food was high there, but atrium was beautiful.

We stayed here a couple of months ago and they seemingly have fixed the issues you mentioned. We didn't notice anyone hanging around the parking lot. The hotel was full of families and business travelers and the lobby was clean. Check it out on tripadvisor - the reviews are all quite good.

I think another poster mentioned free breakfast, but it is no longer free - $10pp. We didn't try it, so I can't comment on the quality.

We got this hotel for $33/night on priceline and were totally pleased. The cheapest rate we could find on any other site was $110/night.