Where to Stay in Orlando

Best Hotels in Orlando for:

The Disney option is the Four Seasons
• Universal: Loews Portofino Bay
• For Families: Four Seasons
• For Couples: Hyatt Regency
• Airport: Hyatt International Airport

The Best Areas to Stay in Orlando

Orlando is globally recognized as America’s theme park capital, home to Walt Disney World,Universal Orlando Resort,SeaWorld, and others. However, there is more to it than just this – Orlando is actually a large, sprawling city with a contemporary downtown, a refined culinary scene, and fascinating museums. In addition to encompassing the region`s commercial center, the urban core of downtown Orlando flows into several artistic neighborhoods – Milk District, Mills 50 – as well as the museum hub around Loch Haven Park.

Southwest Orlando is where all the theme parks are centered, anchored by International Drive (I-Drive) and a string of huge shopping centers. Disney and Universal are so large they have their own mini downtown areas, Disney Springs and CityWalk respectively.

North of downtown Orlando lay two very contrasting neighborhoods, the upscale enclave of Winter Park and the historic African-American community of Eatonville, the childhood home Zora Neale Hurston.

• The most convenient way to navigate Greater Orlando is by vehicle – it’s straightforward and cost-effective to lease an automobile (taxi and Uber fares can rapidly accumulate owing to Orlando’s considerable distances).
• Shuttle transport is regularly accessible to and from Disney World and Universal Studios – for trips focused solely on these theme parks (or I-Drive), personal vehicle travel isn`t necessary.
• The conditions in Orlando are relatively sunny for most of the year, with mild winters and hot summers; average highs are in the low-90s°F in the summer and high-60s°F in the winter, making it a great vacation spot at any time. Late summer (late July–September) is the rainiest season in Orlando and the most unpredictable for weather, although it will rarely rain for more than a few hours on any given day.
• The primary tourism website for the city of Orlando is visitorlando.com.

The Best Places to Stay in Orlando

• Best Luxury Hotels in Orlando
  Four Seasons Resort located at Walt Disney World” “, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel situated at Universal” “, Grand Bohemian” “, Hard Rock Hotel at Universal” “, Hyatt Regency” “, Universal’s Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
• Best Boutique Hotels in Orlando
  Alfond Inn • Castle Hotel • Delaney Hotel
• Best Midrange/Cheap Hotels in Orlando
  Inn near Universal Resort • The Eo Inn • Inn & Suites near theme parks

Where to Stay in Orlando for…

• Best Neighborhood in Orlando for First Timers: Southwest Orlando/I-Drive
  International Drive (aka I-Drive) is tourist central in Orlando, and for most visitors, where the action is. The Universal Resort and Walt Disney World have their own array of on-site accommodations for those wishing to concentrate on just one theme park, but there are plenty of cheaper motel and hotel options all long I-Drive, within easy reach of SeaWorld,WonderWorks,Ripley’s Believe It or Not!,Madame Tussauds, and the rest. Though having access to a car is useful, you don’t really need one here since most hotels offer free shuttles to the major parks, and the I-RIDE Trolley zips up and down the whole strip for just $2 per ride ($5 day pass).
• Most Romantic Neighborhood: Winter Park
  Winter Park is just a short distance from central Orlando and I-Drive but offers an elegant shopping and dining scene along its beautiful tree-lined main road, Park Avenue. Lodging options are limited right in town, however the Alfond Inn is one of the top boutique hotels in the area. Various romantic activities are available for couples as well. Get Up and Go Kayaking provides scenic sunset kayak tours passing through Winter Park`s canal system and lakes using transparent kayaks (night tours using LED lighting are also an option). Alternatively, scenic boat tours of the same route can be enjoyed from the comfort of a pontoon boat with Scenic Boat Tour. Several upscale bars are located in the town where one can dine and socialize at night, such as VINIA Wine & Kitchen which offers live jazz on Thursdays alongside a quality wine menu
• Best neighborhood for nightlife activities: Downtown Orlando.

Though Disney Springs and Universal’s CityWalk offer a vast array of bars, restaurants, and live venues catering to the theme park visitors in Southwest Orlando, we reckon Downtown Orlando is the best place for nightlife. Wall St. Plaza, is a complex of 7 bars on the main drag, Orange Avenue, while redeveloped Church Street District features bars and clubs. Motorworks Brewing is one of the best craft brewers in the region and there are several other microbreweries nearby: Orlando Brewing,Sideward Brewing, and Ivanhoe Park Brewing among them. Another favorite spot is the plush One80 Skytop Lounge, atop Amway Center, home of the Orlando Magic. Downtown is also known for its “speakeasy” style cocktail bars – The Courtesy,Hanson’s Shoe Repair, and Mathers Social Gathering are top examples.

• Best Neighborhoods for Food and Restaurants: Downtown Orlando and Disney Springs
  Orlando`s culinary offerings are surprisingly diverse, with high-quality options found throughout the city and several neighborhoods standing out. Central Orlando presents a decent range of upscale modern American restaurants, such as Artisan’s Table and Ace Cafe Orlando, along with The Stubborn Mule and The Boheme. Staying near Disney Springs in Southwest Orlando has the advantage that eateries are much closer together and easily accessible without a vehicle; this is also where one can indulge that celebrity chef fantasy. Jaleo by José Andrés,Morimoto Asia,Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’,Guy Fieri’s Chicken Guy!,Frontera Cocina by Rick Bayless, and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill are all located here
• Best Neighborhood for Shopping: Southwest Orlando (I-Drive)
  Though parts of Downtown and Winter Park feature independent boutiques and specialty stores, the Southwest Orlando (and I-Drive) area is the best location overall for shopping in Orlando. Major shopping destinations include the Mall at Millenia,Pointe Orlando and the giant open-air Florida Mall. Deep discounts are available at Orlando International Premium Outlets,Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, and Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets. Also in Southwest Orlando, Disney Springs and Universal’s CityWalk are packed with retail establishments.
• Prime Quarter for Local Flavor: Eatonville
  To escape the busy environment of theme park Orlando, spend an afternoon in Eatonville, one of the nation’s earliest self-governing African-American towns. Grab a plate of southern-style fried fish with Cajun grits at Soul Food Fantasy, check out the exhibits at Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts (which commemorates the famous author who grew up here), learn about pioneering history at the Moseley House, and mingle with locals over a sweet treat at DaJen Eats Cafe & Creamery.
• Unsafe Areas of Orlando
  The neighborhoods situated directly to the west of Downtown Orlando tend to report the highest crime rates (such as Mercy Drive, Malibu Groves, Johnson Village, and Carver Shores), though there’s really no reason to go anywhere near these locations. Winter Park, Southwest Orlando, and I-Drive are relatively safe – overall, the crime rate is relatively low compared to the rest of urban Florida, but take the usual precautions at night.

The 6 Best Neighborhoods in Orlando for Tourists

1. Downtown Orlando

The historic center of the city, Downtown Orlando is a beautifully located modern business region on the western shore of Lake Eola. It was here that earliest settlers initially came to in the mid-1800s, with Orlando officially incorporating as a town in 1875. In addition to a scattering of sky-high buildings, the district features the antique Church Street Station, now transformed into a dining and nightlife hub, Wall St. Plaza, a bar complex, the arts region, and the Orange County Regional History Center, housed in the stately 1927 Orange County courthouse. The Amway Center is home to the Orlando Magic, while the Exploria Stadium hosts the Orlando City SC of the MLS. Neighboring Downtown, Loch Haven Park is home to several major museums, including the Orlando Museum of Art and Orlando Science Center. Just east of downtown, the Milk District – named after the T.G. Lee dairy works – is an upcoming neighborhood of eateries, bars, and live music hubs, while the smaller Mills 50 district – a developing nightlife spot – clusters around the junction of Mills Avenue and State Road 50 (aka Colonial Drive)).

• Highest Quality Accommodations: Aloft Downtown – The Delaney Hotel – Grand Bohemian Hotel – Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown South – Medical Center – Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown
• Best Budget Hotel: The Eo Inn

2. Walt Disney World

Most visitors to Orlando come to experience Walt Disney World, located roughly 28 kilometers southwest of downtown Orlando. Since opening in 1971, it has expanded from the original Magic Kingdom theme park and famous Cinderella Castle to include four additional “worlds” – Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (home of “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge”), each deserving at minimum a full day of exploration. There’s also Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, 4 golf courses, and Disney Springs, an area resembling a “downtown” with restaurants and malls. With over 25 official hotel options on Disney property, park and lodging packages can help lower the substantial costs involved – and make it tempting never to depart the resort (cars are definitely unnecessary)

• Highly Recommended Hotels: Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Disney’s Beach Club Resort – Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Best Budget and Mid-Range Hotels:Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

3. Universal Orlando Area

A major competitor for Disney World emerges in the form of the Universal Orlando Resort, another enormous theme park complex located midway between Downtown Orlando and Disney. The resort features 3 principal sections – Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure (containing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter split between the two), and Volcano Bay (an astounding waterpark), with CityWalk acting as a shopping and diversion plaza (somewhat akin to Disney Springs). Analogous to Disney World, Universal incorporates several on-site hotels but we`ve also surveyed a number of independent facilities nearby.

• Guests at an official Universal Orlando get early entrance (one hour prior to general admission).
• Shuttle or water taxi transportation is usually provided free-of-charge by most hotels to the main parks.

• Top Hotels: Hard Rock Hotel at Universal • Home2 Suites By Hilton Near Universal • Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal • Universal’s Loews Royal Pacific Resort • Universal’s Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
• Quality Mid-range/Budget Hotels: Best Western Plus Universal Inn • Clarion Inn & Suites near Universal Resort • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Nearest Universal

4. Southwest Orlando/International Drive

East Memphis is home to some of the best shopping centers in Memphis, starting with the boutiques at Laurelwood Shopping Center. Independent bookstore Novel is here, while La Maison Antiques is a little further along Poplar Avenue, home to over 40 craft and antique stalls. Oak Court Mall is just across from Laurelwood, best known for fashion boutiques like Aéropostale and H&M as well as department stores like Macy’s and Dillard’s. A short drive northeast lies the massive Wolfchase Galleria and the posher Shops of Saddle Creek in Germantown

• Highly Regarded Accommodations: Aloft Lake Buena Vista – Castle Hotel – Hampton Inn Lake Buena Vista – Hyatt Regency – Marriott’s Harbour Lake – Marriott’s Imperial Palms Villas – TRYP by Wyndham
• Best Midrange/Budget Hotels: Holiday Inn & Suites – International Dr South • La Quinta Inn & Suites IDrive Theme Parks

5. Winter Park

Situated around 6 miles northeast of downtown Orlando, Winter Park is considered the area’s most upscale neighborhood, with tree-lined, paved streets, fine cuisine, and an assortment of intriguing museums and galleries. The primary thoroughfare is Park Avenue, which runs north-south through Central Park to Rollins College at the southern end, home to the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. Additional highlights include the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, featuring an extensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens. Taking the Scenic Boat Tour provides the best vantage to appreciate Winter Park’s chain of lakes (there are around 12 major ones). There are only a handful of places to stay in the center – most people visit as day trips or stay out near I-4.

• Top Hotels: The Alfond Inn • Hilton Garden Inn Winter Park
• The Best Budget Hotel is the Motel 6 – Winter Park

6. Eatonville

Historic Eatonville, located just northwest of Winter Park and around 7 miles north of downtown Orlando, is a fascinating town. Incorporated in 1887, it`s one of the earliest self-governing African-American municipalities in the country. It`s renowned for being the childhood home of acclaimed author Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960), commemorated at the Zora Neale Hurston Museum of Fine Arts and the annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities (also known as Zora! Festival). We also enjoy the restaurants here: Soul Food Fantasy and DaJen Eats Cafe & Creamery are favorites.

• Highly Recommended Accomodations: Courtyard by Marriott Altamonte Springs Maitland – Homewood Suites by Hilton North Maitland – Sheraton North – Thurston House