Holiday Inn and Suites Across from Universal Orlando

Chris

This Courtyard by Marriott has clearly just undergone a full remodel, and it shows everywhere. From the moment I checked in, the experience was top-tier. I was thanked for my Titanium Elite status and pleasantly surprised with an upgrade to a spacious 2-bed suite, along with a 4pm late checkout, which was greatly appreciated. The room felt completely brand new: new carpet, modern furniture, fresh drawers, and extremely comfortable beds and pillows. The layout was roomy and well thought out, making it easy to relax or get work done. Everything was spotless and had that “new hotel” feel. Housekeeping was excellent. The room was refreshed daily with clean towels and fresh sheets, which isn’t always guaranteed anymore, so that really stood out. Location is another huge plus. The hotel is walking distance to Universal, and they also offer free shuttle service, making it incredibly convenient whether you’re visiting the parks or just nearby attractions. Overall, this was an outstanding stay modern, clean, comfortable, and well-run. Between the upgrade, service, and location, this hotel easily earns 5 stars, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting the area. I’ll definitely be back.

LAUREN COMSTOCK

Let me start off by saying that I read the reviews the day before I checked in. I saw all the negative 1 star reviews and decided to call to see if I could change to another Holiday inn. I was informed that they aren't Holiday inn anymore, but Courtyard Marriott so I wasn't able to change the location. I ended up keeping the reservation and figured I would share my experience. I was pleasantly surprised that the construction everyone was complaining about was done. The entrance looks really nice. Staff was nice and helped me when I needed it. The room, pool, and arcade were clean and really no complaints from my end. I also liked the shuttle rides to universal, but do know that you need to reserve your shuttle spot with the vacation planner by the lobby. What could use some work? The bar/food that they offer. They are very overpriced and it really wasn't that great. Let's talk fees. There is a parking fee $33 (with taxes) per night. $20 per night refundable deposit. No continental breakfast. Overall it was a nice stay and would stay here again.

Haley Stevenson

This is such a great hotel. They were completing renovations while we visited so there was some dust and construction but it wasn’t a problem for our stay. Front desk staff was very helpful and friendly. The gift shop is a nice touch for any odds and ends. The game room kept my kids happy for a whole evening and they had great things to say. Lastly, considering this hotel is literally across the street from universal studios, for a fraction of the price of a universal hotel, we were pleasantly surprised at how decent of a hotel it was. We would definitely stay here again.

Manny Suarez

I had an amazing experience at Courtyard by Marriott Orlando Near Universal Orlando Resort, and a huge part of that was Lyndsay behind the bar. From the moment I sat down, she was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely engaging. She has that rare ability to read the room perfectly whether you want to chat or just unwind, she meets you right there with great energy. Her drink recommendations were spot on, and everything was made perfectly. You can tell she takes pride in her craft and really cares about giving guests a great experience. It is not just about the drinks, it is the whole vibe she creates. If you are staying here or even just passing through, do yourself a favor and grab a drink from Lyndsay. She is a big reason I will be coming back.

Reece Pugh

This hotel is a mixed bag for me. For the positives I could list, it is very close to the Universal parks, and this is a huge benefit. the hotel also had mostly clean rooms and the accommodations were comfortable enough. The prices were also very decent for the area if you booked early, and the staff was kind and courteous. However, there are also some negatives. For one thing, the hotel is under EXTENSIVE renovation and construction. As others have said, this was not made clear to us before or after booking but we found out when we arrived, though they did disclose that certain amenities like the pool would be closed. But many other rooms were empty or were under renovation. For example there is no men's restroom in the lobby at all, but there are two women's restrooms. Much of the lobby, first floor guest areas, hallways, and even elevators are under renovation. There is exposed wiring, missing wall and ceiling tiles, construction paper, tools, boxes, and numerous other things strewn about even in the "finished" areas. The construction workers were nice but the work was almost constant it seemed. In addition to this, some of the hallways smelled as if there was a sewage leak. On top of all this, the walls were very thin, so much that you could easily hear pipes through the walls and hear nearby guests doing "activities" in their rooms next to yours or even across the hallways. The rooms also had some small issues, like scuff marks on furniture and spots on the carpets. My room in particular had a dirty towel with black spots on it on our first night, while my friend's was missing a microwave. It is also worth mentioning the big parking issue. The hotel uses a paid parking system that charges $30 a day and it is NOT included with the price you already pay for staying there. It uses a very inconvenient app and a tollbooth style gate that charges you for an entire day's worth of parking even if you just left for an hour and came back. So expect to pay top dollar just to park at the hotel you already paid for. I understand they want to keep non-guests from parking there and that there is a premium for being within walking distance of the Universal Parks, but there has to be a better and fairer way to treat hotel guests than this. Maybe introduce a pass or voucher system for guests or something because $30 a day on top of everything else is extreme. I understand that hotels have to stay open even during construction to continue to make money and stay afloat, but this is definitely an unfortunately case, and there are some clear measures they could have taken to improve.