GO AGAIN - DEFINITELY! (Holiday Inn Orlando Disney)

Member Name: tink660

Product:	Holiday Inn Orlando Disney
Date:	14/05/05 (140 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Located right in the heart of International Drive

Disadvantages: Ground Floor Rooms may have a problem with insects

As a family of two adults and two teenagers, we have stayed twice now in this hotel, on two consecutive years. This year being our third on the trot holidaying in Orlando. We booked this hotel on our second trip and we so pleased with it we intend to go back again and again (if possible)!

The first time we stayed in the tower which has fourteen floors and is adequately serviced by lifts. The room was very large, with two large beds, bathroom with shower over bath, microwave, safe, coffee maker, satellite tv, hairdryer, iron and board etc. The standard of cleanliness was excellent. The only drawback was that, with American Hotels being different to ours, our first impression was that it looked a bit like a tower block of flats, but you soon adapt and get used to it.

The hotel is in the heart of International-Drive, with all the shops, restaurants and attractions that it has to offer, and the trolley bus that runs up and down I-Drive stops virtually outside the hotel. The hotel also runs free transport to and from the major theme parks if you dont want to drive.

It has a very clean tropical feel swimming pool that is fantastic for kids and adults and you can easily spend a relaxing day around the pool when the parks get too much! The pool bar does great smoothies!) We have looked at a few other hotel swimming pools on International Drive and this has to be the best by far. It also has a small but well equipped gym, shop (bit expensive - preferred to go over the road to shop), hair and beauty salon, bar, restaurant and internet access. In the foyer you can buy tickets to attractions and get some helpful advice on transport etc. Dollar car rental desk is also in foyer.

Getting on to the second time we stayed, we were allocated a room in the ground floor buildings around the pool. These rooms looked older than those in the tower and were slightly smaller, but weighing up the advantages of being around the pool with the great view when you got up in the morning we decided not to change. There was one problem with being on ground level though, we came across a couple of small creepy crawlies which we werent sure what they were, until we found their mother in the bath one night. Cockroaches! To be fair, though, as soon as we reported the problem it was swiftly dealt with and we never saw any more throughout our stay. The security is very good, we even had a knock on the door to let us know we had left the door ajar when my son had just popped around the corner to get a drink from the machine!

Both times we have stayed at this hotel as part of a package which, the first time cost £1873 for 2 adults and 2 teenagers for 2 weeks booked through First Choice over the internet. The second time was more expensive at £2368, but we flew with Virgin and the holiday was slightly longer, 17 nights. In my opinion the Virgin flight made all the difference and the baggage allowance was bigger, you can really get stung for being overlimit on your baggage as we have found out! Also you can check in your baggage at Downtown Disney on the morning of your departure leaving you free to enjoy the rest of the day as the flights home are normally in the evening. You can also leave for the airport later as you dont have the hassle of checking in luggage at the airport.


All in all, this was a fantastic family friendly hotel, the staff were all very helpful and VERY friendly, and at family friendly prices too!

Maybe we will see you there next year!

Summary: Fantastic family friendly hotel with great pool