Orlando City Guide - Hotels

The Orlando area is second only to Las Vegas for its concentration and number of hotels, and they come in all shapes, sizes and budgets. Virtually everything is family friendly and many are elaborately themed, with some very competitive deals at off-peak periods. With more hotel rooms than New York City, Orlando's accommodation offerings are vast and, thus, daunting. There are 500 hotels, 26,000 vacation homes, 16,000 vacation rental units, and a fair number of campgrounds. And these numbers are always on the rise: over the next few years, resorts and condo-hotel developments by InterContinental, Four Seasons, Sonesta, Mona Lisa, and Waldorf Astoria will be added to the mix. Generally speaking, the closer to Disney, the higher the price. Walt Disney World Resort itself boasts some of the best and most fun hotels anywhere, and they range from deluxe to budget in price; Universal Orlando Resort also has three highly impressive themed hotels. All the big-name groups can be found here, from Red Roof Inn and Motel 6, through Howard Johnson, Radisson and Marriott to the Ritz-Carlton. Sales tax varies from 6 to 7%, depending upon which county you are in.

The hotels below have been listed alphabetically and classed into four pricing categories:
$$$$ (over US$250)
$$$ (US$150 to US$250)
$$ (US$100 to US$150)
$ (up to US$100)
The prices quoted below are the starting prices for a double room per night, including VAT but excluding sales tax, lodging tax and breakfast, unless otherwise specified.


Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
This magnificently themed resort is a real slice of Africa, complete with a 13-hectare (33-acre) wildlife reserve out the windows of the 1,293 rooms in the six-storey luxury resort. Rooms are laid out in a horseshoe shape after a kraal African village design.

2901 Osceola Parkway, Walt Disney World Resort, Bay Lake
Tel: (407) 938 3000.
Website: www.disneyworld.com  
Price: $$$$

Disney's Pop Century Resort
The best and newest of Disney's budget-priced hotels, with 2,880 rooms that pay tribute to 20th-century pop culture and great pool amenities.

1050 Century Drive, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista
Tel: (407) 938 4000.
Website: www.disneyworld.com  
Price: $

Portofino Bay Hotel
This re-creation of an Italian fishing village is in the heart of Universal Orlando Resort, complete with fine restaurants and shops.

5601 Universal Boulevard
Tel: (407) 503 1000.
Website: www.loewshotels.com  
Price: $$$$

Renaissance Orlando Resort
This beautiful resort-style hotel is right opposite SeaWorld, with great rooms and restaurant choice; superb value in this price range.

6677 Sea Harbor Drive
Tel: (407) 351 5555.
Website: www.marriott.com  
Price: $$$

Sheraton Safari Resort
Larger than average rooms, a great pool and an ideal location just outside Walt Disney World Resort make this a good family choice.

12205 Apopka Vineland Road
Tel: (407) 239 0444.
Website: www.sheratonsafari.com  
Price: $$

Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin
The former operated by Westin and the latter by Sheraton, these are the archetypal fancy Disney hotels with all the attendant allures. Between the two hotels, there are 2,267 luxury rooms and 254,000 sq ft of meeting and exhibition space. They share 17 restaurants and lounges, four swimming pools, two health clubs, and a wide array of recreational activities.

1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista
Tel: (407) 934 4000 or 1 888 828 8850.
Website: www.swandolphin.com
Price: $$$