Where to Stay - Walt Disney World and Orlando 2010 - page 115

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Warning: The Universal hotels (the Portofino, the Hard Rock, and the Royal Pacific)
do inexcusably gouge customers in the parking department. Self-parking (almost always
free at most Orlando hotels, including the Disney ones) at all of the Universal properties
is a steep $15 per day.
5601 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819. & 888/322-5541 or 407/503-1000. Fax [phone]. www.
loewshotels.com/hotels/Orlando or www.universalorlando.com. 750 units. $274-$559 double; $529-
$2,500 suites and villas. Extra person $25. Children 17 and younger stay free in parent's room. AE, DC,
DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $22; self-parking $15. From I-4, take the Kirkman Rd./Hwy. 435 exit and follow
the signs to Universal. Small pets welcome ($25). Amenities: 4 restaurants; deli; 3 lounges; babysitting;
supervised children's program; concierge; concierge-level rooms; health club; 3 outdoor heated pools (1
for concierge-level and suite guests only); kids' pool; room service; spa; watersports equipment rentals;
free water-taxi and bus transportation to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk; free
shuttle to SeaWorld; transportation to Disney parks for a fee; limited Wi-Fi (free). In room: A/C, TV, CD
player, fridge (suites; otherwise upon request for a fee), game system, hair dryer, Internet (free), micro-
wave (suites; otherwise upon request for a fee), minibar.

EXPENSIVE
Crowne Plaza Universal This sleek, 15-story high-rise is conveniently located a
block east of I-Drive and caters primarily to business travelers. Although it's closer to
Universal Orlando and SeaWorld (about midway between them) than to WDW, getting
to Disney is no problem because the hotel offers free shuttles to the major parks. It's also
close to the I-Ride Trolley, which saves shoe leather for those interested in exploring
International Drive. The subdued rooms (most inside the Crowne Wing, along with the
hotel's meeting space) are well appointed and offer floor-to-ceiling windows. Some of the
pricier rooms (with Jacuzzi tubs) are in the circular Atrium Tower, where you can climb
to the top in high-speed glass elevators. Facilities include a state-of-the-art fitness center.
7800 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819. & 866/864-8627 or 407/355-0519. Fax [phone]. www.
cporlando.com. 400 units. $129-$299 double; presidential suites $450-$600. Extra person $20. Children
17 and younger stay free in parent's room. AE, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $12; free self-parking. Ameni-
ties: Restaurant; cafe; lounge; babysitting; concierge; health club; outdoor heated pool; room service;
limited spa services; free transportation to Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and Wet 'n Wild; Wi-Fi (free). In
room: A/C, TV, CD player, fridge (select rooms; suites), game system, hair dryer, Internet (fee), microwave
(select rooms).
Grande Lakes Orlando Finds This development is home to two (soon to
be three) top-level properties. Debuting back in 2003, the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes
has fast become one of the city's best destinations for deep-pocketed travelers. The posh
584-room luxury hotel features exquisitely manicured grounds, a lobby designed after an
Italian Palazzo, and a 40,000-square-foot, three-level spa with 40 treatment rooms. The
spacious rooms at this smoke-free hotel have balconies, flatscreen TVs, hand-painted
Italian furniture, and lots of other luxury perks. The level of service is exceptional. Shar-
ing quarters (and most recreational facilities, from pools to an 18-hole golf course to
several child-care programs) with the Ritz is the less expensive, slightly more casual
1,000-room JW Marriott Orlando. The smoke-free resort (with rooms ranging in price
from $305-$411 for up to four people; $399-$4,500 for suites) has a fabulous
24,000-square-foot zero-entry Lazy River pool that winds through rock formations and
small waterfalls (depth 3-5 ft.). The tiptop rooms at the Moorish-themed resort are on
par with those in Disney's “moderate” class. Ask for a west-facing room for the best views.
The major drawback: Grande Lakes is outside of the main tourist areas, a 7- or 8-mile
drive southeast of SeaWorld and about the same distance east of Walt Disney World. Free

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