Orlando Hotels

There seemed to be no end to Orlando’s hotel boom just a few years back. Almost 4,000 new rooms were added every year through 2000, and then things began to slow down. The good news (though maybe not for your pocketbook) is that tourism numbers (and hotels) are once again on the rise, with roughly 5,000 rooms added to the city’s inventory this past year alone. An additional 5,600 rooms are slated to open in 2009 with another 3,000 scheduled to open in 2010. The Orlando area now has more than 115,000 rooms, including scores of places located in or near the major-league tourist draws: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and the rest of International Drive. Disney alone has 33 resorts (a total that does not include the new Kingdom Tower at the Contemporary, rumored to be part of Disney’s Vacation Club), timeshares, and “official” hotels.

Beautifully landscaped grounds are the rule at properties in WDW, neighboring Lake Buena Vista, Universal Orlando, and on the mid- and southern portions of I-Drive. But the beauty of the area is often offset by the beast of heavier traffic and, at times, higher prices. No matter what your budget or crowd tolerance, there is something for everyone. If you’re looking for an inexpensive or moderately priced motel, check out the options in Kissimmee (though that area is no longer limited only to the budget conscious) and, to a lesser degree, on the northern end of International Drive.

Once you have decided on your vacation dates, book your accommodations as soon as possible, especially if you want to stay on Disney or Universal property. Advance reservations are an absolute necessity if you’re planning on staying at any of the preferred resorts in town, whether on theme park property or in Orlando proper.

Special Delivery — Gooding’s Supermarkets (tel. 407/827-1200; www.goodings.com or http://shop.goodings.com) offers grocery delivery service to theme-park area hotels in Lake Buena Vista, Disney, Celebration, I-Drive, and Kissimmee. There is a $50 minimum, and a $20 service charge is added to all orders. You can order groceries (but no alcohol) online up to 48 hours before your requested delivery date (delivery hours are 4-7pm). For details, see the website or call. This is a great service if you are staying in a hotel room with kitchen facilities or you want to stock your room with snacks and supplies.

Homes Away from Home

Some travelers, especially those who like all the comforts of home, prefer quiet privacy, or are traveling in groups of five or more, bypass motels in favor of rental condos or homes. Rates vary widely depending on quality and location; some may require at least a 2- or 3-night minimum. Many of these properties are 3 to 15 miles from the theme parks and offer no transportation, so a car is a necessity.

On the plus side, most have two to six bedrooms and a convertible couch, two or more bathrooms, a full kitchen, multiple TVs and phones, and irons. Some have washers and dryers. Homes often have their own private screen-enclosed pool, while condos generally have a common pool and a clubhouse.

On the minus side, they can be lacking in services. Most don’t have daily maid service, and restaurants can be as far away as the parks. (There’s another reason you’ll need a car.) And unless a condo or home is in a gated community, don’t expect on-site security. Some properties offer dinnerware, utensils, and salt-and-pepper shakers, others are fully stocked with pots, pans, and every gadget imaginable — check when you book as amenities vary widely.

Rates range from about $109 to $579 per night ($750-$4,100 per week).

All Star Vacation Homes (tel. 888/249-1779 or 407/997-0733; www.allstarvacationhomes.com) is the cream of the city’s home and condo rental crop, with a wide variety of properties to choose from — all of them within a 4-mile radius of Disney. Many of their homes feature such amenities as pool tables, personal home theaters, and Jacuzzi tubs along with private pools. Do check their website — you will be able to see the exact home you are renting, as opposed to a “typical” room — but be sure to call if you have special requirements, want a specific theme (they have a Disney-themed home if you don’t want to give up Mickey while sleeping), or want help selecting the home that meets your needs. The staff is exceptionally cordial and well-informed.

Other popular players include VillaDirect (tel. 877/259-9908 or 407/397-9818; www.villadirect.com), Holiday Villas (tel. 800/344-3959; www.holidayvillas.com), and Global Resort Homes (tel. 888/462-0472 or 407/ 387-3030; www.globalresorthomes.com), along with individual resorts including the Summer Bay Resort (tel. 888/742-1100; www.summerbayresort.com), Liki Tiki Village (tel. 407/239-5000; www.likitiki.com), Bahama Bay Resort & Spa (tel. 888/782-9722; www.bahamabay.com), Cypress Point Resort & Grand Villas (tel. 407/597-2700; www.cypress-pointe.com), Lighthouse Key Resort & Spa (tel. 866/797-0018; www.lighthousekeyresortorlando.com), and Runaway Beach Club (tel. 866/289-0238; www.mikeditkaresorts.com) among others.

Smaller Homes Away from Home — Several area timeshare resorts rent rooms or apartments to tourists when the owners aren’t using them. The Disney Vacation Club (tel. 407/939-7775; www.dvcresorts.com) offers studios and one- to three-bedroom villas at its timeshare resorts. Some have small fridges and microwaves; others have full kitchens. Rates start at about $315 per night and can run up to $2,155 per night. Outside Disney World, per-night rates begin at around $189 per night for one- and two-bedroom apartments with kitchens. As with hotel rooms, you can get major discounts off the rack rates (as low as $79 a night) for these properties if you do your homework. An especially nice choice is Sheraton’s Vistana Resort (tel. 866/208-0003; www.starwoodvo.com). Other good places to look include the Marriott Vacation Club (tel. 800/845-5279; www.vacationclub.com) and the Hilton Grand Vacations Club (tel. 800/445-8667 or 407/239-0100 for the SeaWorld location or 407/465-2600 for the International Drive location; www.hiltongrandvacations.com).

One minor caveat: Because each room and apartment that’s rented is individually owned, quality can vary, so be sure to specify your exact requirements when booking.