So what's wrong with the Howard Johnson's?

[cd&kids]

I saw that the Howard Johnson Main Gate got some BAD votes! Obviously, websites can be misleading, but I looked at the site....saw the three pools....I see the location....and most of all, I see that I can get TWO rooms for our family of five for less than 100 bucks a night (including all taxes.) I don't know....a 5-night stay for under 500 bucks at a place where I don't expect to spend much time anyway, since we're park hopping....sounds kind of tempting.
Please tell me what the big bad secrets are about this place!!! (Thank you!)

 

[jtopicz1]

Howard Johnsons, along with Days Inns/Suites, in the entire Orlando themepark area are pretty much known to be filthy. Many have reported roach/rodent infestations, stained sheets/carpets, filthy bathrooms, rude service, non-working A/C, etc.

Will every room be bad? Probably not. Would I chance staying there? Absolutely not, not even for one night.

Orlando is a city with SO MANY hotel rooms, that finding bargains is pretty easy. For $100/nt, you can get 2 rooms just about anywhere, and be MUCH happier.

For instance, I just bid the WDW area on priceline, 3*, 2 rooms and recieved the Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort. In downtown Disney, and paid $82/nt, including both rooms AND all taxes. THis hotel was just remodeled, getting great reviews, and some rooms have a view of the Epcot fireworks.

THe Country Inn and SUites also gets good reviews, and they often have rooms for less than $50 on their site.

Hope this doesn;t discourage you, and is at least somewhat helpful,
Jim

 

[sln88]

I don't know if the Howard Johnsons is good or bad, but it is very easy to get an off site hotel for less than $50 a night

I am staying at a 2 bedroom condo through Skyauction for $35 a night(includes taxes)

I am staying a Amerisuites Calypso Cay for $44 a night. This is a semi suite. This is through Hotelkingdom

I can't use priceline myself, but alot of people do and are very happy with it. Look at biddingfortravel.com for tips

You could also try Hotwire- you can get an idea of what hotel you are getting by looking at betterbidding.com

Travelzoo also has great deals. They have the Courtyard for $49

When are you going?

 

[kilee]

I haven't stayed at this particular hotel. I have stayed at some of the ones that have a huge, bad reputation on this board. The problem being most people HAVEN'T stayed at them. Do they have any frills? No. Do they go out of their way to make this an extra special stay? No. Were they clean and pretty modern? Yes. Was the pool area clean? Yes. I will say the laundry room and arcade were dirty though. We have stayed at one of the infamous Day's Inn (next to Old Town). I didn't see one single bug in my room-- or on property for that fact. Our blankets and sheets were clean and changed every day. I have actually stayed here twice. The first time was w/ a rate of $19.99 a night. The pool was always warm, there were plenty of clean nice lounge chairs. The TV and lamps were all in good working order. I don't actually have any complaints. I didn't expect the Hyatt or Marriott. I knew going into it, it was a budget hotel. If you are looking at the Howard Johnson's thougn, your rate should be under $30.00 a night. I have seen these hotels for $20.00 something a night all the time. When on a "buget" vacation-- I'm looking for clean, modern and safe and so far I haven't been disappointed. BTW-- I mean Really, Really Clean!! Like they better vaccum everyday, change the linens, clean the sink, toliet and tub. I look for these things--- I won't stay anywhere that is even remotely dirty.

 

[cd&kids]

All I can say is...WOW! What an eye-opener...and thank you all so much!
We have stayed on site (nothing better than that...but a real bank-account buster!) We have also stayed at Silver Lake Resort twice. Absolutely loved it. Without going into great personal detail, it was at a tremendous rate thru a friend for a 2-bedroom villa. But, it looks like that's history....so now, we're looking at other lodging for a planned stay next year. (Flexible dates...probably fall...off-season always!!)
We spend so much time at the parks, that we don't need a lot of luxury....but between my wife and I and our kids 14, 10 and 6...we really need two "motel rooms" if we go with an off-site
place that's not a condo.
And please help....all these "skyauction"...."priceline"...."hotelkingdom"...websites. I know nothing at all about them. Are they free? Do you simply just log on, pick a place and you're in? I never registered on those websites because I always felt like I was trapping myself into something that will end up being bad!!

 

[sln88]

for Skyauction, you have to register before you can bid. The best deal is to bid on a ready, set, go auction. These can be won for around $50, and they add on $210 in fees. This is for a week at a 2 bedroom condo. You have to check availability to see if there is a place you like for the dates you are going. If the search is working, use it on the DIS and you will see that others have had success using it. We used it last year and are using it again this year. I also used it this summer for a 2 bedroom condo in Wisconsin Dells. They may even have Silver Lake?

Hotelkingdom- no fees, no registration. I think there may be a cancellation fee of $10. You can book them on the web or they have a toll free number.

Priceline- I have not used them because I like to know that I have a fridge and micro in my room. Lots of people on these boards have used them and get great deals. Go to biddingfortravel.com, and you will be able to see what hotels people have been winning, and all the ins and outs on how to get what you want. You do have to register to bid, and I think there is a $6 fee they add on to your total.

Hotwire- kind of like priceline with a twist. You don't get to see what hotel you are getting, but they show you the amenities, and from that it is pretty easy to figure out what hotel it is, so you know before you bid. I think they add on a $6 fee to your total.

Travelzoo also has great deals.

I am registered at all of these websites, and have not had any problems, so no worries

It may be a bit early for you to get the really good prices. We are going in 2 weeks, and I find that the closer we get, the more deals show up. You can always make a ressie(cancellable) and then switch if something good comes up.

I have never gotten in on this one, but the last 2 years, the Courtyard by marriot has had deals from Aug-mid October for $20 weeknights. You could try calling them next summer to see if they are offering it. It is limited availability, so you have to get in on it early. It is usually all over these boarsd when it is offered.

Any more ??, just ask.

 

[tiggere]

So what's wrong with the Howard Johnson? I guess it was OK for $29/night in January 2002 when we stayed there and got robbed. Our door was slightly defective and either the maid didn't shut it completely or she ripped us off herself. The management offered nothing more than a 'sorry'. Good thing we didn't get that much taken. That was the one day that we took all our good stuff with us, as we took a day trip to see family in Indialantic Beach. The most expensive thing we got stolen were our Universal passes. We had to make a trip down there but they re-issued them since I had written down the serial numbers as I always do. I did feel that it was pretty unsafe around the Howard J though. The first night we were there, we heard someone jiggle the door handle while we were in bed. The manager said a local pizza company that puts menu door-hangers on the doors of each room had had some "questionable" people hired to do this service! WHATEVER! Honestly, this could happen anywhere. But, it was a large hotel with not too many people staying there so we felt isolated in a bad way. I might actually stay there again for $29/night though! My husband would NOT. That trip was full of awesome deals. We got a rental car for $12/day. Can't complain! Won't complain! We had a great trip.

 

[CarolA]

I stayed at this hotel.
My room was not dirty. It was old, but in good shape. However, it was also HUGE! The hotel does have a new section also which I understand has little frigs and microwaves. With a family I would ask for one of those even if they cost a few more dollars. Plus the new section has more people in it which might help you feel more secure.

However, I felt safe and I travel a lot and feel like I am pretty good at scoping out the situation. Common sense covers a lot of ground at some of these hotels. I was actually near the back which might be good.

The pools were clean, but did not have life guards. (I mention this because late in the evening as I was walking around, a man came out looking for his daughter at a deserted pool. As a former life guard my heart stopped when I saw him walk to the empty pool and I trotted over. Lucky for him his daughter had gone to the pool where all the people were over by the new section! She was about 8 and should NEVER have been allowed to swim at night without an adult in my belief. Things happen too fast even to good swimmers! SORRY. off my soapbox!)

Personally I would stay at this hotel over the Comfort Inn that I got for the same price any day. Just avoid the ticket people in the lobby, it is really a timeshare. After I checked in I just ducked under the ropes to leave a different way so I did not even have to walk by them. (Made them MAD! It was late so I heard them and laughed!)

 

[crazelion]

Here's a site you don't how to registation for to see hotel reviews on Orlando hotels. It's call tripadvsior.com you can get hotel reviews from all over the world. The best part it's free to use. Travelocity.com is another good site to use for hotel reviews which don't how to registration for.

I hope that helps.

 

[ncbyrne]

CarolA.....just wondering - you mentioned that the HoJo was better than the Comfort Inn. I was thinking of Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista for a few nights at the beginning of our next trip. Why is one better...aren't these both budget motels. The CI has a deluxe cont. breakfast included and price with the Orlando Magicard is only $35.

 

[Kevenswife2]

And don't forget valuetrips. No registration, and no fee if you cancel.

If looking for a nice place for little money try Amerisuites Disney Eastgate (LBV south) or Country Inn & SuitesMaingate East, both at Calypso Cay Way (it's like a small resort) through Hotel Kingdom. $43.88 a night with breakfast included! A room at Amerisuites will hold 6, so you may only need one and can use the saved money for something fun! Also has a microwave and minifridge. Two regular pools and one with a small twisting slide and zero entry. Shuttle service isn't bad either.

 

[BarryHom]

I think most people think that if you don't spend big $ on a hotel, you'll end up with the Bates Motel! Believe me, I've spent some time in cheap hotels. Some were dives. Most were clean and safe, which is what I really want out of a hotel. I may not get free massages, candy on my pillow, or butler service, but I'm too busy enjoying myself somewhere else anyway.

 

[kilee]

I think the biggest problem is in comparison. The HoJo is going to be nothing like a Disney resort. It's comparing apples to oranges. They are not in the same class. So, I think it's really all in one's expectations. Well, getting robbed shouldn't be in anyone's expectations-- but truthfully that CAN happen in any hotel. Even the Gaylord Palms.