Did you know there are around 500 hotels in Orlando, Florida? Therefore, we don’t blame you if you’re having a hard time deciding where to stay. However, we’re here to help. Whether or not your Orlando trip is Disney-focused, read on for the best hotels in Orlando, Florida.
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The Best Hotels in Orlando At A Glance
- Best 5-Star: Four Seasons Resort Orlando
- Best 4-Star: The Delaney Hotel
- Best for Families: Aloft Orlando Lake Nona
- Best Affordable: Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista
Where To Stay In Orlando, Florida
Located in the “Sunshine State” of Florida, Orlando features around 500 hotels. However, the hotels are all in different areas, each of which have a different vibe. Of course, Orlando is best known for being home to the famous theme park Disney World. However, Disney World isn’t the only reason to go to Orlando. For starters, Disney is just one of many theme parks in Orlando, in addition to Legoland, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. Theme parks aside, Orlando also boasts lots of great restaurants, outdoor experiences, and other attractions. Check out our list of non-Disney related things to do in Orlando!
Please note that Disney World itself features around 25 specific hotels right on the property for parkgoers to stay at. In addition, most other theme parks in Orlando have their own affiliated hotels as well. the interest of providing well-rounded information about places to stay in Orlando, we mostly left out place-specific hotels like those affiliated with theme parks (but not entirely!) Without further ado, here are the best hotels and areas to stay in during your Orlando trip.
Best areas:
- Lake Nona
- Downtown Orlando
- Lake Buena Vista
Lake Nona
Lake Nona is a great neighborhood to stay in if you want a less touristy Orlando experience than say, somewhere near Disney World. This neighborhood is located around a half an hour drive from Disney World, and much closer to more local experiences. For example, visitors to Lake Nona can enjoy the nearby Lake Nona Sculpture Garden as well as the fun outdoor venue Boxi Park.
Therefore, if you’re visiting Orlando for mostly Disney-related reasons, Lake Nona is probably not for you. However, if Disney World is not the main reason for your trip, this trendy area might be the best place for you to stay. There aren’t as many hotel options in Lake Nona as there are in other Orlando neighborhoods, but we have rounded up our favorites below.
Best Restaurants Near Lake Nona:
- BACÁN – Upscale Caribbean cuisine | Michelin Recommended | Elegant Ambiance
- Canvas – Good for Brunch | Lake view | Fun Atmosphere
- Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen – Great Cocktails | Small pPates | Kids’ Menu Available
Top Attractions Near Lake Nona:
- Go kayaking at Nona Adventure Park
- Shop til you drop at Lake Nona Town Center
- Go on an art walk at the Lake Nona Sculpture Garden
- Enjoy food trucks and live music at Boxi Park
Best Hotels Near Lake Nona
Lake Nona Wave Hotel
$$$ | 4 Star | Outstanding Amenities | High-Tech Rooms | Great Location
Staying at the Lake Nona Wave Hotel is a luxury experience, from the beautiful decor to the rooms decked out with “smart” technology. The hotel also features amazing amenities for its guests, such as yoga classes. If you’re traveling with kids, there’s an on-site games room as well. Located around a mile from the Orlando International Airport, this hotel has two restaurants on-site: BACÁN for an upscale dining experience, and Haven Kitchen for more casual dining.
Courtyard by Marriott Orlando Lake Nona
$$ | 3 Star | Free Parking | Great Location | Awesome Amenities
The Courtyard by Marriott Orlando Lake Nona features spacious, clean rooms as well as great amenities. Among these are free parking on-site and an electric vehicle charging station. No car? No problem. This 3-star hotel offers complimentary bikes to its guests as well. In addition, it is conveniently located around a mile away from the airport. It’s also close to attractions such as Nona Adventure Park and Boxi Park, both of which are a great place to take kids if you’re traveling with children.
Aloft Orlando Lake Nona
$$ | 4 Star | Family Friendly | 24 Hour Front Desk | High Tech Rooms
We love Aloft Orlando Lake Nona for its high-tech rooms, which feature toilets with heated seats! Talk about luxury. This hotel features a 24-hour front desk in case you need anything during your stay. What’s more, the property includes board games or puzzles in every unit, making it a great choice for families. There are two restaurants located at the hotel as well.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Lake Nona
$$ | 4 Star | Modern and Clean | Free Parking | 24-Hour Reception and On-site Market
SpringHill Suites by Marriott is only a couple of years old, and guests can tell by its cleanliness! In addition, the hotel includes modern rooms that boast comfortable beds. The rooms feature a microwave and fridge as well. In addition, the hotel offers free parking, as well as a 24-hour front desk and market for late-night hunger cravings. There is also a breakfast buffet on-site, which guests say is exceptionally delicious and includes kid-friendly options. Like most of our other favorite hotels in Lake Nona, this property is conveniently located around a mile from the airport. In addition, the staff at this property is exceptionally friendly and helpful, and guests love the customer service.
Downtown Orlando
Not to be confused with Downtown Disney (now called Disney Springs), Downtown Orlando is the city’s cultural hub, and is full of many things to do. This historic area is best known for Church Street Station, also known as the old Orlando Railroad Depot. This iconic railroad station was built in the late 1800s, before Disney World even opened in Orlando.
These days, Church Street Station mostly serves as an entertainment center, brimming with many restaurants and great places to shop. Church Street Station is also home to the Kia Center sports arena, where you can catch an Orlando Magic basketball game!
Downtown Orlando is around a 30-40 minute drive from Disney World, so it isn’t that close to the theme park. If you want to experience Orlando’s arts and culture scene and stay in the center of the action, read on for our suggestions on where to stay in Downtown Orlando.
Best Restaurants Near Downtown Orlando:
- The Boheme – Bar and Restaurant | Sunday Jazz Brunch | Upscale Vibe
- Kres Chophouse — Highly-rated steakhouse | Historic Church St. Location | Great for Date Night
- Relax Grill — Views of Lake Eola | Relaxed Vibe | American Cuisine
Top Attractions Near Downtown Orlando:
- Visit the Interactive Orlando Science Center
- Catch an Orlando Magic basketball game at Kia Center
- See a ballet performance at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
- Rent a swan-shaped paddle boat at Lake Eola
Best Hotels Near Downtown Orlando:
Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, Autograph Collection
$$$ | 4 Star | On-Site Upscale Restaurant | Great Amenities
We love the Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando for its awesome amenities, such as an on-site spa as well as a picnic area. In addition, some of the guest rooms have the option to come with a cot, a work desk, and other unusual assets. This 4-star hotel is also home to the upscale Boheme bar and restaurant, which is famous for its jazz brunch! The Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando is close to the historic Church Street, which means there are many activity options nearby as well.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown
$$ | 4 Star | Daily Happy Hour | Smoke-Free | Family-Friendly
Guests love the Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown for its clean, spacious rooms as well as its amazing location, close to Church Street and less than a mile away from the Kia Center. What’s more, this 4-star hotel is smoke-free. This makes it a family-friendly place to stay. In addition, this property also offers a buffet to its guests, which includes an omelet bar and other kid-friendly food options. For the adults, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown has a cocktail happy hour from 5:30 to 7:30 pm every weekday!
The Delaney Hotel
$$ | 4 Star | Boutique Hotel | iPads in Every Room | Family Rooms and Cots Available
This modern boutique hotel has some awesome amenities, such as an iPad in every room! The rooms have a city view as well, and baby cots are available upon request. There are family rooms available too, making the Delaney Hotel a family-friendly selection. What’s more, every room includes a walk-in shower as well for maximum comfort. The Delaney Hotel is around a mile from both Church Street and Kia Center. In addition, the property is located around 3 miles from the Orlando Executive Airport. Please note that this is a different airport than the Orlando International Airport!
Lake Buena Vista
Planning on hitting Disney and other theme parks almost every day on your trip? We suggest staying in the Lake Buena Vista neighborhood. This area is located very close to Disney World and Universal Studios. In addition, it’s not far from SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove, a theme park where visitors can swim with dolphins and other sea life. Each of the aforementioned theme parks are around a 15 minute drive from most Lake Buena Vista hotels. If you don’t have a rental car, most hotels in Lake Buena Vista offer a direct shuttle to Disney World.
As the neighborhood’s name might suggest, this area includes a lake called – you guessed it – Lake Buena Vista. However, the lake is not safe for swimming. Despite this, it’s still nice to look at. The Lake Buena Vista neighborhood is also the home of Disney Springs, formerly known as Downtown Disney. The iconic Disney Springs is a huge shopping center with lots of places to eat. What’s more, as of summer 2024, Disney Springs also rolled out a brand new free drone show, Dreams That Soar. Fun for all ages, the 10-minute production showcases 800 drones that create magical images in the night sky above Lake Buena Vista, and honestly, it’s pretty impressive.
Clearly, the Lake Buena Vista area has no shortage of things to do. This neighborhood boasts many activities not related to theme parks as well, but the theme parks are the main attraction. Therefore, staying in this area will be best for couples, families, and/or Disney enthusiasts. Read on for our favorite hotels and attractions in the Lake Buena Vista neighborhood.
Best Restaurants Near Lake Buena Vista:
- Capa Steakhouse – Michelin Starred | Reservations Required | Inside Four Seasons Resort Orlando
- The Boathouse – Waterfront Seafood Restaurant | Inside Disney Springs | Fun Ambiance
- eet by Maneet Chauhan – Modern Indian Food | Inside Disney Springs | Casual Ambiance | Celebrity-Owned
Top Attractions Near Lake Buena Vista:
- Watch Dreams That Soar, a free drone show at Disney Springs at 9 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. nightly
- Tee up at Disney’s Palm Golf Course
- Shop for souvenirs at one of Disney Springs’ many stores
- Treat yourself at one of the many spas in the area – we like Vivian’s spa
Best Hotels in Lake Buena Vista
Rosen Inn Lake Buena Visa
$$ | 3 Star | Affordable Stay | Great for Families | Top-Notch Amenities
We love the Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista for its affordable price and great amenities, such as 3 pools, a shuttle service, and great views from the rooms. What’s more, this hotel is a great choice if you’re traveling with young children. Cots are available upon request in the rooms, and the hotel also includes an outdoor play area for kids. In addition, it boasts a breakfast buffet with kid-friendly options. This 3-star hotel is located around 2 miles away from Disney Springs, and around 4 miles away from SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove and SeaWorld Orlando.
Buena Vista Suites Orlando
$$ | 3 Star | All-Suite Hotel | Very Close to Disney World | Free Shuttle Service to Theme Parks
Talk about your good location! Buena Vista Suites Orlando is only a few minutes away from Walt Disney World Resort by car. (P.S. – that’s another name for Disney World, just in case you see that on the map). If you have a car, you can enjoy the hotel’s on-site free parking, and if not, the hotel offers a shuttle service to Disney World and other nearby theme parks. Also, every room in the hotel is a suite, decked out with a living room area, a private bedroom, a mini fridge, and more awesome amenities.
JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa
$$$ | 4 Star | 24-Hour Reception | On-Site Spa | Pet-Friendly
The beautiful JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa is located a little less than a 14 minute drive from Disney World. Like some of our other favorite hotels in the Lake Buena Vista, area this property provides free parking, as well as a shuttle to nearby theme parks. However, unlike some of the other hotels we mentioned, this upscale hotel features a 24-hour reception desk, as well as an on-site spa. What’s more, this resort is pet-friendly! Guests love the clean rooms and nice bathrooms. Please note that this hotel is a bit farther from the Orlando International Airport than the aforementioned ones. However, this resort is a great place to stay if you want a more luxury experience.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
$$$$ | 5 Star | Secluded Luxury | Outstanding Amenities | Disney Theme
You’re probably familiar with the Four Seasons Orlando because of the now-famous video of the “Four Seasons baby.” Heralded as one of the best luxury hotels globally, this hotel sits on 27 acres of secluded land. It includes some of the biggest rooms in Orlando, which feature luxurious marble bathrooms. The gorgeous hotel features an on-site waterpark, golf course, and Michelin-starred restaurant. What’s more, the hotel offers a luxury shuttle service to the nearby theme parks. The hotel also has a fun Disney theme, including meals hosted by people in familiar Disney character costumes! (Reservations required.) If you want a supremely upscale Orlando hotel experience, this is it.
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