Universal Partner Hotels

[divawife]

I didn't know where else to ask this so here goes:

I do not think we can afford to stay on-site so which closest (like within a mile) Universal Partner hotel does everyone suggest for 2 nights? We are going to Universal first and then for 4 days at Disney. We need 2 rooms.

Things we are looking for is a moderate with a decent shuttle to Universal and Islands of Adventure, since this will be February the pool doesn't matter. It should be clean and have good reviews from you all.

Does it really matter if a hotel is an official Universal Partner? Is it because of the shuttle?

Any suggestions or information you can give is appreciated.

Thank you very much

 

[divawife]

anybody have any suggestions?

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I'm in the same boat, but check out the thread regarding stay longer, save more (or something like that). There are some discounts to be had through AAA too. Just an FYI

 

[divawife]

wow, mabye I posted in the wrong place? Help!

 

[02134_HHN]

wow, mabye I posted in the wrong place? Help!

I don't get why you're not getting lots of replies!
I KNOW people here have opinions!

Before we decided on staying in the park at Royal Pacific (btw, we got a rate of $145 p/n for a 7 night stay because of the Stay More Save More savings!) we checked out TripAdvisor.

DoubleTree seemed to have great reviews and a good price. But if you're looking to go really low in price, I know people that swear by the Days Inn. It hasn't got lots of flash, but it's clean and cheap, and perfect if you just plan on basically sleeping there!

These are other people's opinions so I can't personally vouch, but these were going to be out back up choices, so there you go FWIW!

Good luck!

 

[tink1957]

We stayed at the Doubletree Universal in Dec 07 and it's the closest to Universal without staying onsite. We already blew our budget this year on our May visit, staying at RPR, purchasing APs and buying all the WWOHP souveniers... so our Sept trip will be offsite at the Doubletree. We got a $75 per night rate for a Universal view room with 3 adults.

 

[bubba's mom]

We stayed at the Doubletree Universal in Dec 07 and it's the closest to Universal without staying onsite. We already blew our budget this year on our May visit, staying at RPR, purchasing APs and buying all the WWOHP souveniers... so our Sept trip will be offsite at the Doubletree. We got a $75 per night rate for a Universal view room with 3 adults.

Across the street from DoubleTree is Holiday Inn Express....prolly even more economical.

The nice thing about the DoubleTree and HIE is you can walk to the parks from those hotels. You can at least walk to the PBH and hop on their boat to the parks at CW. Be warned tho: at closing time, if the boats are full, sometimes they will ask to see a room key to verify you are a guest there....but, I doubt they ask often.

After walking around the parks all day, another 10-15 minute walk to the hotel from the PBH is nothin. We prefer to walk vs worry about catching a shuttle.

 

[damo]

We stayed at the "Holiday Inn Express Nearest to Universal Orlando" for one night last week. The room was small but clean with comfortable beds. Breakfast was nice. We didn't use the shuttle since we were just staying there overnight and checking into Royal Pacific the next morning.

Most people who post on this board are staying at the onsite hotels, so you won't get a ton of opinions. I've heard other people say that the Hyatt Place is nice. It is also quite cheap in February. Doubletree charges $12/night for parking, so you might want to watch that.

 

[crostorfer]

I am right there with you. I had originally booked at the HRH, but I don't think we can afford it. I am looking at the 4 Points by Sheraton Studio City and the Doubletree at the Entrance to Universal, both with the Harry Potter Package. For 2 days/nights with base tickets for 2 people and adding in the cost of two Universal Express passes its going to be just under $500, (like $480) at either hotel. The Sheraton gets a better room review than the Doubletree does and looks to have a nicer pool. But then again, the Doubletree has a Starbucks in the lobby....hmmmm.

 

[divawife]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate it. I wish I could afford on-site but probably not. When you say you can walk to the theme parks from the Doubletree is it across a road or highway or anything?

 

[bubba's mom]

Yes...you have to cross Major Blvd (i think that's the name of the road). There is a light and crosswalk.

 

[PrincessOp]

There is a site I swear by called travelzoo.com -- search under "Universal Orlando" and it will give you the right area. So far I've booked three stays, Country Inn and Suites, and Hampton Inn twice, all for under $50 per night (they also include pretty good breakfast buffets!). no catch - it's legit! Right now they are offering the Doubletree Castle at $49 per night (book before June 21) -- I believe it's a mile or two farther up the road from Universal than the other Doubletree, but shuttle service to Universal and IOA is still available (also, check out the Funspot shuttles - they will take you to universal from any area hotel and work just on tips - no fee! we use them exclusively) -- anyway, travelzoo is what I do for "Budget" trips when we can't stay onsite. Good luck!

 

[crostorfer]

Thanks for the tip!

 

[SnowWtch]

We stay at the La Quinta on Universal Blvd. It's a Universal Partner hotel. It's a nice place. Free continental breakfast, fridge and microwave as well as local calls. We usually get it for between $60-$70 a night depending on the time of year. Not sure about shuttles though since we drive.

 

[black562]

I'm doing a package at the hilton garden inn since on site was too expensive for my budget. I'm buying the express passes but since its a partner hotel, I still get early entry into Harry potter, which is nice.

 

[divawife]

Thank you everyone! The shuttle system sounds pretty decent and some of the hotel choices should work out. Wish Universal had a value motel!

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Just some more info - I just booked the Doubletree across the street from Universal for the 3 nights after Thanksgiving (Friday, Sat, Sunday) and each night came out to be $79+ tax (with AAA discount). I booked this through DU and then went to the Doubletree site to see what that cost is. Guess what - everything else being equal, the price was $130+ per night! So if you're looking at Doubletree, check out a travel agent to see if you can get a better deal (like DU).

Good luck!

 

[ky07]

just to warn you the doubletree castle now charges a fee for thier shuttles to universal

 

[bubba's mom]

just to warn you the doubletree castle now charges a fee for thier shuttles to universal

maybe to cover the gas?

dumb...because it IS so close to walk...

 

[damo]

Thank you everyone! The shuttle system sounds pretty decent and some of the hotel choices should work out. Wish Universal had a value motel!

With the unlimited express access given to onsite people, it wouldn't be financially sounds for them to offer value hotels. With my annual pass, I am getting Royal Pacific for $134/night. That, to me, is pretty value! Add to that, my platinum member food and beverage credit of $100, and it is really value!