TaraPA
Can't live without a ticker!!!!
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2000
- Messages
- 16,570
Just back from a trip to Spring Hill Suites (Universal Blvd. - not the one in the Marriott Village). I'll start by saying I'm a Disney snob - I usually only stay onsite or at the Swan or Dolphin - but DH had a conference at the convention center & his company wa paying for the room, so I went along for the free ride!
The hotel is only 15 min. max from the airport. There is no hotel/airport shuttle. A taxi was $40 each way to/from the airport. The hotel is on a "strip" of about 5 hotel chains, but very neatly presented. The staff was very nice & the hotel was clean & orderly. The room was very nice - a small suite - living room area with chair, couch, tables, TV & desk; a kitchenette (microwave, small fridge, sink & coffee maker); 2 beds with a dresser, closet & another TV; a dressing area with sink, and the bathroom which was quite large. The suite is one space - there is no door to close off the sleeping area from the living area. Everything in the room was clean & nice.
Like I said, being a Disney snob, I'm very used to the Disney transportation system. So being at the mercy of the Disney shuttle provided by the hotel took some getting used to. They have 3 shuttles in the morning - 7:40am, 10:05am and 12:30pm - and they only take you to Epcot, to the charter bus area (beyond the regular Disney transportation area). Spot C19 to be exact. So you have to allow an hour to get to another park, since you then need to change to a Disney transportation bus, or hop on the monorail. The return shuttle times are 6pm, 8pm & 10:30pm, agian only from Epcot. You do need to have a reservation on the pm buses - you either sign up when you get on the bus in the morning, or have the front desk call it in.
This shuttle is shared with Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn and another Marriott - so they can be quite full. Thankfully Spring Hill Suites was the last for pick-up on the way to Epcot, and the first to be dropped off, so my ride to/from Epcot was only 20 min. I heard other passengers say it was an hour ride for them. I only took the 10:05am pick up & 10:30pm drop off. Twice it was standing room only on the pick up, and I imagine the 7:40am bus is quite packed. The bus itself is quite run down & shabby, and the drivers weren't very outgoing.
The hotel offers basic toiletry items. There is an iron, ironing board, hair dryer & coffee in the rooms. The free breakfast was great, many choices, and open from 6:30-10am. You can fill a plate to take back to your room as well. The kitchen staff was very nice.
The pool was basic - open from 8am-11pm (I think). It only has sun until about 2pm. There was never anyone else there. There is a guest laundry, game room, small business center with 2 computers & a printer, and a vending machine area. Also a small "market" store - this was very cheesy - looked like they bought out Dollar Tree & then re-marked everything $5.99. Non-licensed Disney items, snacks, drug store items. There is also a Disney ticket & info counter.
Overall I would recommend this as a hotel if you need to be offsite for the Convention Center, or are splitting your stay between Sea World, Universal & Disney - but I would never stay here just for a Disney vacation. The shuttles were too infrequent, and a taxi one way to the parks was $42 (I missed the last shuttle on my arrival day & had to take a cab to MK).
To answer a few questions that were asked - yes you can walk to the Convention Center from this hotel. There is only the Hampton Inn & a field between SHS & the CC. It's a walk in full sun though, I wouldn't attempt it in heels or a suit! There is a sidewalk the entire length between them, and the CC is on the same side of the road as SHS.
Yes you can walk out the back of the hotel to restaraunts (Bahama Breeze) & convenience stores as well. I didn't need to do this, but DH & his co-workers did this every night.
The hotel is only 15 min. max from the airport. There is no hotel/airport shuttle. A taxi was $40 each way to/from the airport. The hotel is on a "strip" of about 5 hotel chains, but very neatly presented. The staff was very nice & the hotel was clean & orderly. The room was very nice - a small suite - living room area with chair, couch, tables, TV & desk; a kitchenette (microwave, small fridge, sink & coffee maker); 2 beds with a dresser, closet & another TV; a dressing area with sink, and the bathroom which was quite large. The suite is one space - there is no door to close off the sleeping area from the living area. Everything in the room was clean & nice.
Like I said, being a Disney snob, I'm very used to the Disney transportation system. So being at the mercy of the Disney shuttle provided by the hotel took some getting used to. They have 3 shuttles in the morning - 7:40am, 10:05am and 12:30pm - and they only take you to Epcot, to the charter bus area (beyond the regular Disney transportation area). Spot C19 to be exact. So you have to allow an hour to get to another park, since you then need to change to a Disney transportation bus, or hop on the monorail. The return shuttle times are 6pm, 8pm & 10:30pm, agian only from Epcot. You do need to have a reservation on the pm buses - you either sign up when you get on the bus in the morning, or have the front desk call it in.
This shuttle is shared with Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn and another Marriott - so they can be quite full. Thankfully Spring Hill Suites was the last for pick-up on the way to Epcot, and the first to be dropped off, so my ride to/from Epcot was only 20 min. I heard other passengers say it was an hour ride for them. I only took the 10:05am pick up & 10:30pm drop off. Twice it was standing room only on the pick up, and I imagine the 7:40am bus is quite packed. The bus itself is quite run down & shabby, and the drivers weren't very outgoing.
The hotel offers basic toiletry items. There is an iron, ironing board, hair dryer & coffee in the rooms. The free breakfast was great, many choices, and open from 6:30-10am. You can fill a plate to take back to your room as well. The kitchen staff was very nice.
The pool was basic - open from 8am-11pm (I think). It only has sun until about 2pm. There was never anyone else there. There is a guest laundry, game room, small business center with 2 computers & a printer, and a vending machine area. Also a small "market" store - this was very cheesy - looked like they bought out Dollar Tree & then re-marked everything $5.99. Non-licensed Disney items, snacks, drug store items. There is also a Disney ticket & info counter.
Overall I would recommend this as a hotel if you need to be offsite for the Convention Center, or are splitting your stay between Sea World, Universal & Disney - but I would never stay here just for a Disney vacation. The shuttles were too infrequent, and a taxi one way to the parks was $42 (I missed the last shuttle on my arrival day & had to take a cab to MK).
To answer a few questions that were asked - yes you can walk to the Convention Center from this hotel. There is only the Hampton Inn & a field between SHS & the CC. It's a walk in full sun though, I wouldn't attempt it in heels or a suit! There is a sidewalk the entire length between them, and the CC is on the same side of the road as SHS.
Yes you can walk out the back of the hotel to restaraunts (Bahama Breeze) & convenience stores as well. I didn't need to do this, but DH & his co-workers did this every night.
