Which Fairfield Suites for Universal trip?

[belle09]

I'm planning a rather last-minute trip to Universal in August and am having trouble deciding between the Fairfield Suites on I-Drive and the one "at" Universal. Does anyone know if the one at Universal is actually walking distance to Universal, or would you still have to rely on shuttle service? Anyone stayed at both and have opinions about which is better? Currently, I-drive is about $25/night cheaper than Universal through the Universal website. It'll just be DBF and me, and we probably won't be renting a car. Thanks for your help!

 

[garmich]

last August, we stayed at the Fairfield Inn & Suites International Drive. It's actually on Canada Ave. which is one street over from I-Drive and runs parallel to I-Drive. It's a very clean and is a fairly new hotel. We have two young children so we had a King Suite. It's not huge, but it's roomier than a standard hotel room. The suite had a king bed and a sleeper sofa. I must say that the bed was one of the most comfortable I've ever slept on in a hotel. It must have been brand new. The king bed is separated from the living area by a wall which has a closet with mirrored sliding doors. The bathroom was large and appeared that it was handicap-accessible. There is a pool, and hot tub that was never crowded. And there a complimentary breakfast served every morning.
There is a free daily shuttle bus to Universal Studios, Seaworld and Wet-n-Wild. We used the shuttle to go to Universal and Wet-n-Wild, but we drove to Seaworld. When we were ready to go back to the hotel from Wet-n-Wild we waited for the shuttle, but it never came, or maybe we were waiting in the wrong place. I don't know. We ended up walking back to the hotel. It was a little far, but walkable. Universal Studios is too far to walk. Also, in the evening, we would drive to Universal, because the parking is free after 6pm.

 

[MattM]

I'd go with the one off I-Drive on Canada Ave. The other one is in walking distance, technically speaking. But it is a bit of a walk and you have to go around things.

From the I-Drive on Canada Ave, you have easy access to Universal Blvd which takes you right to the parking garages at Universal Studios. You're also very close to an obscene amount of restaurants.

I'd go for the one on Canada Ave.

 

[kirst_al UK]

I'd go for the one on canada ave to but only because its a fav of ours...we were there last year and we've just booked again to stay there next...

its a great hotel.... i don't think it gets as much credit as it should to be honest (saying that it is #1 hotel in orlando on trip advisor)...even though its a basic hotel it has everything you need...its clean, you get a free continental breakfast, room IMO are spacious )but there was only two of us and we got a suite...was just a waste so we are opting for a standard room next year...), staff are friendly, its in a great location*, the pool is NEVER crowded (well wasn't when we went in April/May) and has free towels on offer also they have the shuttles that are there if you need them if not the hotel organised us a taxi service to disney at a rate of $72 for a round trip...

*universal is actually walkable from here...

Can i just ask which is the one 'at' universal...i didn't know marriott had a fairfield over that way, thought they only had the canada ave one and the one in LBV??

 

[garmich]

*universal is actually walkable from here...

Can i just ask which is the one 'at' universal...i didn't know marriott had a fairfield over that way, thought they only had the canada ave one and the one in LBV??

It's NEAR Universal Studios at 5614 Vineland Road. It says that it's "across the street" from Universal, but it's still a long walk. I considered going to the one near Universal, but opted to go to the one on Canada Ave. We weren't disappointed with our choice.