My company attends a convention at the Orlando Convention Center every year and we always stay at the StayBridge Suites. There are 2 locations in the Disney/Universal area- one on International Drive and one in Lake Buena Vista.
The location on International Drive is hands down the nicer of the two (imo). A great location for convention goers as they really treat the business guests well. The rooms look fresher and the hotel grounds/common areas are well maintaned. The hotel rooms, while technically on exterior (open air) hallways are designed so that rooms are in somewhat of a large circle around the interior pool. Rooms either face the inside (pool) or are across the hall (which is covered) from the pool-view rooms and face the outer side of the hotel. This location does have elevators. They have a free nice continental breakfast every morning, and a cocktail type hour several days a week. Within walking distance of Pointe Orlando (tons of restaurants, shops, theater).
The LBV hotel (which we had to stay at for our convention this year as the I-Drive location was full) is nice, but not as nice as the I-Drive. The rooms are in many stand alone buildings with completely exterior halls (no elevators), they appeared slighty more tired than the other property. The continental breakfast at this location was (in my opinion) better than I-drive's breakfast. Located off of 535 slightly north of the Hotel Plaza Blvd entrance to DTD along a side street with several hotels. A few chain type restaurants within walking distance.
The rooms are spacious at both locations and include a full kitchen (fridge, stove, microwave, sink). The living room area has a sofa and chair along with a small table and chairs. There is a TV in both the bedroom and the living room. Thought the beds were comfortable at both, but after a long day on your feet at conventions and then the after-hours events, crawling into any bed feels good!! The staff at both locations has always been friendly and welcoming.
We book with corporate group rates, but I have seen even better rates than our corp rate online for these at sights like Orbitz.
Hope that helps!!
Just got back from a week at Lake Buena Vista and very happy. We will go back. Less than 10 minute drive to any Disney park and less than 15 to get to Universal the back roads.
