Where to stay for one night before our night at Portofino

[cpl100]

We (myself and two teenage sons) plan to arrive (by car) late on a Friday and need a cheap place to stay prior to going to Portofino. Since it is my first time driving, I am not sure exactly when I will arrive (or even if I will make it on that day, but I should be able to make it that day). So, I was thinking I'd like to priceline a cheap (but clean!) and decent hotel that first night. I noticed in researching at bidding for travel that two hotels seem to consistently come up at about $25 (Airport Marriott and BW Lake Buena Vista). I certainly would not feel too badly if I'd wasted only $30 for the room and didn't make it that day.

Does anyone have experience with either of these hotels? Any other recommendations. I would think the Marriott would be a much nicer hotel but the BW would definitely have a better location should we arrive by late afternoon, early evening.

I am interested in all suggestions/opinions, so please fire away!

 

[hercamore]

Hi, I have stayed at both hotels.

The Marriott is probably a little more upscale but about 20 miles away from dt disney, which is where the BW is located.

You can't go wrong with either place.

Which direction/road are you traveling from?

herc.

 

[cpl100]

I am originating in MA, but hope that I will be leaving from Florence S.C. in the morning and arriving in Orlando sometime that day/evening. How does that sound?

Actually I wouldn't mind staying near Universal on a Priceline bid either but haven't seen one of those come up for such a good rate as the above two. One did come up at $38, though, a little while ago--the Universal Radisson Barcelo. I am not familiar with it, but how bad can a Radisson be?

 

[prncess674]

i would make a back up cancellable reservation at a hotel that you find acceptable. Bid the Universal zone so you can head to PBH early to check in and get your room keys for FOTL. I would even consider going as low as 2.5 stars. You are only going to be there one night and you will be leaving early the next morning to check into the Portofino. All the 2.5 stars are very acceptable hotels. They are not up to the PBH standards but they are all very clean safe hotels.

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by hercamore
Hi, I have stayed at both hotels.

The Marriott is probably a little more upscale but about 20 miles away from dt disney, which is where the BW is located.

You can't go wrong with either place.

Which direction/road are you traveling from?

herc.

I will be driving down I95 to I4 I believe. Do you know where the airport is in relation to Universal? I will be headed to Universal to check in early the next morning.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by cpl100
I will be driving down I95 to I4 I believe. Do you know where the airport is in relation to Universal? I will be headed to Universal to check in early the next morning.

It took us 20 to 25 minutes to drive from the airport to Universal studios. Personally I wouldn't stay in Downtown Disney or the Airport if you final destination is USO. The hotels (2.5* and greater) that come up in the Universal Zone are all perfectly decent hotels for a one night late stay. You won't be using all the amenities of the hotel so you are really only looking for a place to lay your head. You don't want to be fighting morning traffic so go ahead and stay as close as possible to USO/IOA, you will be glad you did.

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by prncess674
i would make a back up cancellable reservation at a hotel that you find acceptable. Bid the Universal zone so you can head to PBH early to check in and get your room keys for FOTL. I would even consider going as low as 2.5 stars. You are only going to be there one night and you will be leaving early the next morning to check into the Portofino. All the 2.5 stars are very acceptable hotels. They are not up to the PBH standards but they are all very clean safe hotels.

These are the known Priceline hotels for the Universal area:


Universal/Seaworld Area

Resort
Renaissance Orlando Resort LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW


3 Star
Homewood Suites
Parc Corniche Resort LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW
Radisson Universal LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW
Rosen Centre Hotel LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW
Sheraton Studio City LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW
Sheraton World Resort LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW
Wyndham I-Drive LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW
Westgate Lakes Resort LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW
Embassy Suites
Radisson Barcelo Hotel Orlando

2.5 Star
Amerisuites Convention Center LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW
Amerisuites Universal LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW
Wingate Inn
Clarion Hotel Universal LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW


It seems like the Wyndham can be had for about $32, the 2.5 Amerisuites for about $35, the Radisson Barcello for $38 and the Radisson Orlando for $40. By comparison, the Marriott airport seems to consistently come up at $25.00.

Are you familiar with the hotels listed?

 

[prncess674]

I am very aware of the list of hotels you got from www.biddingfortravel.com

All of the listed hotels are national chain hotels with good reputations. Getting any of these hotels for under $40 is a good deal. You will be paying over $150 for the PBH. How much and where is your cancellable backup reservation? If you can get a hotel for less than the cancellable then you are "in the positive."

There is no guarantee that if you bid $25 dollars that you will get the Marriott or BW which are FAR from USO/IOA especially in morning traffic. For $10 more you could be practically right outside the gates at a well known chain hotel. I would exhaust all my options in the USO zone before venturing all the way out to the airport to save $10.

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by prncess674
I am very aware of the list of hotels you got from www.biddingfortravel.com

All of the listed hotels are national chain hotels with good reputations. Getting any of these hotels for under $40 is a good deal. You will be paying over $150 for the PBH. How much and where is your cancellable backup reservation? If you can get a hotel for less than the cancellable then you are "in the positive."

There is no guarantee that if you bid $25 dollars that you will get the Marriott or BW which are FAR from USO/IOA especially in morning traffic. For $10 more you could be practically right outside the gates at a well known chain hotel. I would exhaust all my options in the USO zone before venturing all the way out to the airport to save $10.

You make a very good point about the value of time for $10. I wasn't looking at it from the viewpoint of $10 as much as recognizing the Marriott name in particular and the fact that there is a chance that I will not make it as far as the Orlando area (driving) that day in which case I'll lose whatever I've paid on Priceline. Don't care if it's $25 but I do care if it's $70 (if that makes sense). Oh, and I've yet to make a reservation but checking online shows many rooms available.