Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort is at Disney’s Doorstep

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort has the features of a resort and the convenience of close proximity to Walt Disney World Resort of Florida.

Location

Within the Walt Disney World Resort property, a premium subsection called Bonnet Creek houses a number of hotels and resorts. Waldorf-Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort share an expansive area with views of nightly fireworks from the parks just 3.6 miles from Epcot Center.

Address: 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, Orlando, FL 32821 USA

Phone: +1 (407) 597-3600

Google Maps Link

An Official Walt Disney World® Hotel

For visitors to Orlando with the express purpose of heading to the Happiest Place on Earth, they will find Hilton benefits, off-property prices and all the benefits of being an official Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Prior to March, 2019 this was a good neighbor neighbor hotel, the “upgrade” in status is evident throughout the property.

Some perks of being a Walt Disney World® Hotel are:

• Access to WDW’s “Extra Magic Hours”
• Access to Disney Fast Pass Plus 60-days prior to arrival
• Magic Bands at the property
• Close proximity to the parks
• Character breakfasts (not at all properties)
• Shuttle service to Disney properties

Many of these benefits are limited to official Walt Disney World® Hotel.

This official Walt Disney World® Hotel is part of the Hilton Honor program. Be sure to read our article – Everything You Wanted To Know About Hilton Honors.

Facilities – Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort has something many other hotels near Walt Disney World Resort do not – exceptional facilities. In addition to plenty of restaurants and bars for families and adults, the property has access to an 18-hole golf course, full gym, and impressive pool area.

The water facilities are shared with Waldorf-Astoria Orlando and feature a Lazy River, fountains, zero entry-pool, plenty of deck chairs and loungers, as well as a restaurant and bar with poolside service.

For those that have days buffering their trip without a trip to the park, there is plenty to keep the whole family busy on-property.

The lobby of the hotel is wide and open. To the right of the entrance is concierge followed by a bank of reception check-in counters. To the left of the entrance is bell staff, a small quick-service food store, and access to the adjoined Waldorf-Astoria Orlando. At the back wall opposite the entrance doors is a sports bar with floor-to-ceiling windows looking over the pool area, golf course and nightly fireworks.

Standard Room and Suite Difficulty

Good news on this property as they have done extensive upgrades and design improvements. The fresh clean feel and streamlined room decor really creates an atmosphere of luxury and relaxation. See the comparison photos below of the rooms, layout, and bathroom to understand.

I have stayed at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort three times and despite traveling in both low season and high season, during the week and over the weekend, I have not once been able to secure an upgrade to a suite. That’s a disappointment.

The rooms are configured in what I call, “The Standard Hotel Rectangle.” Visitors to US hotels will understand what I mean when I describe a room the has an entrance off the hallway with an immediate bathroom to the right, followed by a closet before opening up to beds; desks/dressers line the left wall and windows at the back of the room stretching across the end. The room next door will be the exact same with everything on the opposite side.

The rooms were adequate, though I was able to see a refurbished room with the same layout but refreshed decor. The photo below is the old design before the refresh was complete. I have included the new design and decor in the photos below these.

Here is what the new rooms look like now, quite impressive and much more stylish.

Here is what the old desk and dresser looked like….

And the new refreshed version with a significantly larger television and more usable desktop space.

The bathroom at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort was a little disappointing. Bathtubs are convenient for families with a shower over the top for adults. The vanity was long with a toilet at the end wall.

Toiletries during our stay were initially bars of soap, though upon request they will send up body wash from Peter Roth as other Hiltons offer standard in the room.

These photos are of the property before the refresh, below are the new bathroom photos.

Here is a new photo showing the bathroom after the hotel refresh was completed. While similar, the lines are clean and the space is brighter with a lighted mirror opening up the space.

Hilton’s Global Service

While I have yet to experience an upgrade as a result of my Hilton Honors Diamond status, the property offers a nice midway point for breakfast. Gold and Diamond members can get a start on their day in the hotel restaurant that features a patio opening to the pool as well as inside dining.

The letter of the law is that these elites have a comped “continental breakfast” though most Hilton properties offer something limited in the lounge or the full breakfast in the restaurant. Hilton Bonnet Creek allows these elites to upgrade their breakfast to the full buffet for $8/person/day at the table.

This is a nice option and we gladly took the property up on their offer. The hotel also offers Hilton Honors Gold & Diamond members a breakfast to go option including hot breakfast sandwiches, pastries, fruit, yogurt and more.

As we are updating this post in 2021 it should be noted that the buffet breakfast has been suspended until further notice. If you are a guest here and see otherwise please let us know in the comments below.

Another perk for all Hilton members regardless of status is a waived resort fee on award stays and free nights. Paying guests will add $25/night to their stay but Hilton Honors members staying on points avoid this extra expenditure. It has a few perks like free wifi (Hilton Honors perk too) but adds items like bottles of water in the room, handy for taking to the parks.

I also earned status and points for my stay as a member. For more information on the Hilton Honors loyalty program, see this post.

Value

The hotel typically charges between $200-220/night though I have seen it as low as $115 (when Walt Disney World closed for Coronavirus) and as high as $300 during peak travel seasons. This property, unfortunately, should really price below $200 due to the small room size and lack of included benefits with added costs of a resort fee. However, Extra Magic Hours at Disney parks can make all the difference in the world and enhance our experience exponentially.

For Hilton Honors members, prices vary from 40,000-60,000/nt for a standard room. The Waldorf-Astoria Orlando ranges from 65,000-80,000/nt but cash room rates are much higher. If staying for five nights (fifth night free for award stays) at the lower end of the range (40,000), the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort can be a good value. At the higher end, guests would be better served staying next door.

Get the family to Disney even sooner with points. Here is an article on Why Every Traveler Should Have A Hilton Honors Credit Card to help you get started.

Conclusion

The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort offers guests a lot for their money, but it’s not cheap. Its added value is really in being a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel and Hilton Honors advantages. While the property is beautiful and a great option for Honors members with plenty of points looking for a Disney stay, it’s not as good of a value as other properties in the area.

What do you think? Have you stayed at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort? How was your experience?