The home of SeaWorld, Disney World, and Universal Studios can be expensive, but you’re in luck! Here is our list of the 5 best budget hotels in Orlando, Florida.
Be sure to also read…
The Best Time of Year to Visit Orlando
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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando $79
Great budget hotels in Orlando are flexible and serve more than one demographic. The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando is just one of those hotels. It’s a great business property and made our list of the 5 Best Business Hotels in Orlando, it would of absolutely make our top Universal Studios Orlando list too – but it’s also offered at a great price.
The hotel has a mix of rooms and suites (for families who may want more space), each room featuring a coffee maker, access to the business centers, pool area, free parking, while remaining walking distance from Universal Orlando Resort.
For those interested, there are golf courses nearby too and of course the whole property is family-friendly.
Hilton Honors members at the Gold or Diamond level will be offered a free hot breakfast for all registered guests in their room. They can also earn and burn points for their stay.
Low season rates start at $80/nt / 2 people.
Embassy Suites by Hilton International Drive 360 $76
Consistent quality is hard to find but there’s one chain that offers that in just about every hotel across the brand. The Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive 360 has that in spades. The familiar sights and sounds of the in-lobby bar, reception, and families coming back from the parks is a homecoming for travelers familiar with the brand.
Each suite offers room for guests to spread out and separate the living room and play areas from sleeping quarters. The hotel has a unique swimming pool feature, an indoor-outdoor option with part of the water outdoors with loungers for warm sunny days, and part of it indoors so the fun doesn’t have to stop even in the rain. The hotel offers a 24-hour fitness center.
The property is located very close to Universal Studios Orlando and its many surrounding attractions. It’s a few miles north of SeaWorld as well. Park shuttles are available.
What I find so compelling about this particular property is the value for money for families. As low as $75/night in low season, many wouldn’t believe they could afford a suite for that rate from a reputable brand like Embassy Suites so close to the theme parks. Like the DoubleTree, Embassy Suites is part of the Hilton family and participates in the Hilton Honors program. Members can earn and redeem points for their stay.
Hilton Honors members at the Gold or Diamond level will be offered a free breakfast for all registered guests in their room; this often includes hot menu items.
Wyndham Garden Orlando Universal/ I Drive $76
On the opposite side of International Drive from the Embassy Suites is the Wyndham Garden Orlando. This property is even closer to the Universal Studios world of entertainment including the important entertainment district, Universal City Walk.
This is a truly premium location at a budget price. The Orlando Premium Outlet Mall – with some of the best outlet stores in the world, is also nearby. Stores that can’t be found anywhere else, including Disney character outlets or the ultra-rare luxury brand Burberry outlet.
Close to everything including world-class restaurants and the interstate for quick and easy transportation, the Wyndham offers terrific value for money.
The entire hotel is new, clean, and concise. Flat screen TVs, empty mini-fridge (great for families who bring their own snacks), and modern furniture make this a terrific value.
Amenities include a fitness center and convenience store inside the hotel. Continental breakfast is available for guests in the hotel lobby.
Low season rates from just $65/nt.
Hilton Garden Inn Orlando at Sea World $57
Another value hotel that packs a punch is the Hilton Garden Inn Orlando at SeaWorld. The property has a mix of standard guestrooms and suites and a variety of price points.
One particular strong suit of the Hilton Garden Inn is its outdoor space. As a near standard for budget hotels in Orlando, a pool is available for registered guests, but where the hotel stands out from the crowd is its other outdoor amenities. Contained, gas-lit fire pits are a perfect place for families to bond after a day at the parks, roast marshmallows and spend time together outside of their rooms.
The hotel is across the street from SeaWorld with full view of the park for guests of the hotel. Across the SeaWorld parking lot, guests of the Hilton Garden Inn can see Shamu Stadium, the Manta Ray roller coaster, and other attractions. It’s also well-located near the highway for quick access to nearby Universal Studios Orlando or a farther drive (about ten miles) from Walt Disney World Resort. Breakfast in the lobby which includes an omelet station and several hot items is available for a small charge.
The Hilton Garden Inn Orlando at SeaWorld participates in the Hilton Honors loyalty program. Members can earn and burn points for their stay. Elite Hilton Honors members at the Gold or Diamond level will be offered a free breakfast for all registered guests in their room. Low season rates have been booked from just $55/nt.
Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista $40
As the value arm of the popular Orlando Brand, the Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista gives visitors to the city an exceptional price point. This five-story property near Walt Disney World Resort theme parks has lake features, a pool with kids area, plenty of meeting space, and great proximity to local restaurants and attractions.
As a Disney Good Neighbor hotel, guests staying in the Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista have access to Disney’s FastPass skip-the-line feature up to 30 days in advance of their trip. They can also enjoy early access or later access to the park than standard guests or those staying in hotels not affiliated with the program. Those Extra Magic Hours are priceless to my family and we often get more done in the late night extensions than we would during the rest of the day.
The rooms are standard hotel guest rooms with heavy wood features. The hotel needs a bit of an update, but the Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista is in good shape with great amenities.
The property is also located a walkable distance from Disney Springs, the popular Disney food and entertainment zone.
Bonus: Drury Inn
Just down the road from Universal’s Volcano Bay water park, the Drury Inn will satisfy guests with an indoor/outdoor pool, clean rooms and good location. Standard guest rooms are offered from $70 in low season. When you think of budget hotels in Orlando you can skip the feeling of “doing without”.
The 5 Best Budget Hotels in Orlando, Florida
This article reflects that you don’t have to spend big bucks to get a great value and enjoy a family vacation to Orlando without breaking the bank. Orlando has been a case study in Harvard’s business school in flooding the market with hotels – there are more choices than most cities. That said, this is our list for the 5 best budget hotels in Orlando, Florida.
What do you think? Do you have hotels to add to this list?
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