Where to stay offsite - villa with pool or apartment complex?

[Cinderella]

We are doing two weeks next August, first week WL and second week offsite. In the past we have spent way too much time in Disney so in the second week we're hoping to do Universal and explore Orlando a bit more, instead of just visiting Universal while we are staying in Disney.

But I've noticed there are few villas in the Universal area. We will use a car some of the time, and also taxis if we are eating out at night. There will be three of us travelling - possibly four, so we are hoping for somewhere with at least two bedrooms.

So far I have looked at villas in Emerald Island, and Windsor Palms. I also like the look of the suites/apartments at the Pointe Orlando, and Floridays. But Orlando is so huge and I can't work out if we would be better off going with an apartment or a villa for this part of the trip. Any recommendations please?

 

[london75]

As far as I've ever seen, you're right, villas are few and far between near universal.

The closest we've stayed is in apartments on i-drive, the Sheraton Vistana Villages Resort and I wouldn't hesitate recommending them as they were very nice and the pool was great. Location was really good but probably still a reasonable distance from Universal (20 minutes or so although Google maps say 12 minutes!). It depends who you book with and when, a 2 bed can be had for 100 per night or even cheaper but generally it's been more like 150 per night which I realise is pretty pricey. I know Hotels.com have a voucher code for 20% at the moment so if it's compatible with Sheraton and your dates that might bring it down.

 

[Cinderella]

Thank you. That helped a lot, *** it can be overwhelming trying to find properties on the map. I have checked out Sheraton Vistana Villages and they look ideal and the location is good. I also searched near there and I like the look of Floridays, Marriott Grande Vista and Marriott Harbour Lake too. But the rates at Vistana and Floridays are much lower.

I checked into the villa thing and the lack of centrally located villas has something to do with zoning laws and short term rentals.