We list the best hotels, hostels, B&Bs and guesthouses in Orlando as recommended by travel experts from CNN, Lonely Planet, Frommer’s, Fodor’s, New York Times and more. All hotel recommendations have been referenced with customer reviews and we only listed places with at least a 4 out of 5-star customer review rating.
Best cheap hotel in Orlando: Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando East
Best luxury hotel in Orlando: Four Seasons Orlando at Disney World
“Probably the most complete resort campus near Disney, the stepped tower packs every conceivable amenity into a lush 1,500-acre campus located practically within Walt Disney World.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Orlando.
“Downtown Orlando’s most luxurious and elegant option has marble floors, a stunning art-deco bar with massive black pillars, weekend jazz and rich urban rooms. The small rooftop pool echoes 1950s Miami Beach.”
“Contemporary white-walled elegance, a low-key welcoming vibe, colorful interiors in well-appointed rooms give this Winter Park gem a distinct style. There’s a lovely rooftop pool and an excellent restaurant that serves locally sourced food on courtyard tables.”
“This huge, Mediterranean-style, award-winning resort lies in remote countryside six miles south of Disney, and a 45-minute drive to LEGOLAND. It includes a 1,200-acre golf club with two Greg Norman–designed courses, a David Leadbetter Academy and a sports field complex.”
“The Modern Caribbean-inspired Sapphire Falls is clean and understated. It’s also my favorite of Universal’s moderate options because the service is strong, parking is sheltered, the price is never too crazy, and you can take ferries or walks to the parks.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Orlando.
“Newly expanded and remodeled at a cost of $450 million, the 1,641-room Hyatt Regency (formerly Peabody Orlando) offers luxury accommodations — and the famous twice-daily duck parade.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Orlando, Florida
“Undeniably luxurious, Rosen Shingle Creek avoids the ‘pretentious’ trap with a casual-elegant ambiance that encourages visitors to be as swanky or as touristy as they like. There is an emphasis on outdoor pursuits, but pampered relaxation takes centre stage, too, making for a glorious mix of indulgences in one resort.”
“This lovely option comprises four buildings, all different, from a historic home (1883) to an art-deco gem. The spacious rooms are decorated according to their era. It has enchanting gardens and genteel breakfast.”
“The 17-room Eõ Inn and Spa is a budget boutique on swan-infested Lake Eola, a perfect base for exploring Orlando beyond the theme parks. It has a sun terrace with hot tub and an adjoining spa.” Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Orlando, Florida
“With the original terrazzo floors, marble walls and 10-foot floor-to-ceiling windows. The Aloft is conveniently located across the street from the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Orlando.
Recommended by:
Frommers, Fodors, Lonely Planet, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet, Fodors, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet, New York Times, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Fodors, Lonely Planet
Recommended by:
Frommers, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Telegraph
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet
Recommended by:
New York Times
Recommended by:
New York Times
The city of theme parks, Orlando, lies at the heart of Florida. It is one of the most visited family destinations around the world. The city of Orlando is all about imagination and creativity. Orlando is known for the Universal Studios, the Magic Kingdom, and Epcot.
Baldwin Park
A typical American neighbourhood, Baldwin Park is majestically charming. There are several jogging alleys, and the area is peaceful in itself. Soccer fields can be spotted in the area. It is a family-centric locality and is absolutely warm and welcoming.
College Park
This area will lend you a small-town feel. It is an adorable locality with a mix of students and families residing here. Soda Fountain, Lock Haven Park, Orlando Museum, Albert park are major tourist attractions at this area. There is a small portion of the College Park locality that is reminiscent of the 1950's.
Milk District
One can spot several bars and coffee shops in the Milk District. This area gets its name from the presence of nearby dairies. The crowd here is enthusiastic, and food vans and trucks are a common sight in this locality.
Winter Garden
Winter Garden is the historic at heart area, of Orlando. It has some amazing coffee houses and breweries, and also several markets that sell plants and flowers exclusively.
Winter Park
This is an upscale and affluent neighbourhood, that lies in Northern Orlando. The main street of Winter Park locality, called Park Avenue, is quite a popular place. There are many museums and gardens in this region of Orlando.
We recommend that you also read our guide about the best areas to stay in Orlando.
If you're looking for a cheap hotel in Orlando, then book Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando East. It's an excellent budget hotel offering great value for money. It's in a good location, it's been recommended by travel experts and the hotel has excellent customer reviews. Also check out our list of the best cheap hotels in Orlando.
If money isn't a problem and you're looking for a luxury hotel in Orlando, then go for Four Seasons Orlando at Disney World. The hotel offers excellent service, it's in a top location, it has been rated very highly by previous guests and renowned travel critics have recommended it. Also check out our list of the best luxury hotels in Orlando, it's a manually curated list of the most exclusive 5-star hotels in the city.
If you're looking for a hotel with a nice swimming pool in Orlando, then try the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort. It has excellent customer review ratings for its swimming pool.
For a 3-star hotel you have to pay around $130 per night and for a 4-star hotel you would be looking at $210 per night. If you're after a luxury 5-star Orlando hotel then you can expect to pay around $500 per night.
Florida Everglades Airboat Tour and Wild Florida Admission with Optional Lunch. Escape to the wilderness of the Florida Everglades from Orlando on this airboat adventure. This exciting nature tour includes admission to the Wild Florida Airboats and Wildlife Park. Price: $30.
Kennedy Space Center: Admission Skip the Ticket Line. Bring out your inner astronaut and enjoy a full day of unique experiences at the world's most authentic space attraction - NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Price: $61.
Clear Kayak Tours in Rock Springs. A good choice for nature lovers, this tour takes you into a unique part of Rock Springs Run known as "Emerald Cut.” Price: $67.
More things to do in Orlando
Looking for the perfect destination for a long weekend? Look no further than Orlando! This vibrant city is home to incredible theme parks, gourmet restaurants, natural beauty and so much more. Orlando attracts almost 30 million visitors every year due to its wide range of activities and experiences. Whether you are looking for family-friendly attractions or a party atmosphere, this metropolitan city has something for everyone. If you’re thinking about planning a trip to Orlando soon, keep reading for some helpful information on what to see and do, where to stay, what to eat and drink, as well as insider tips from locals who live there.
What to See in Orlando
Orlando is the theme park capital of the world, and you won’t run out of options to visit while you’re in town. Some of the most popular theme parks in Orlando include:
1) Disney World – If there’s one thing that Orlando is most famous for, it’s Disney World. This is the most magical place on earth, and one of the top tourist destinations in Orlando.
2) SeaWorld Orlando – SeaWorld Orlando is home to dolphins, killer whales, seals, and so much more. You can also see many different types of sharks at this park, including a huge whale shark.
3) Universal Orlando – If you want to visit two major theme parks in one day, head to Universal Orlando. This park offers a mix of classic and modern attractions, such as Harry Potter and Simpsons-themed areas.
4) Busch Gardens – If you’re looking to visit a park with a more natural setting, head to Busch Gardens. This park is home to a wide variety of animals, and is perfect for families with younger children.
5) Gatorland – If you’re looking to experience the Florida wildlife, stop by Gatorland. This park is home to alligators, crocodiles, and snakes.
6) SeaWorld’s Aquatica – SeaWorld’s Aquatica is a more tropical version of SeaWorld, located right across the street. This park is home to dolphins, sea lions, and a variety of other marine life.
Things to do in Orlando
If you’re visiting Orlando during the summer, you’ll likely spend most of your time at the theme parks. However, there are also other things to do in Orlando that are perfect for any time of year.
Explore the Neighborhoods – One of the best ways to experience the city is by exploring the different neighborhoods. There are plenty of charming areas to visit, including Downtown Orlando, East End, Ivanhoe, Mills 50, Mills Park, and more. Some neighborhoods even host annual celebrations that are perfect for families and kids. There is always something new to do and see, whether you’re visiting during the spring, summer, or fall. We recommend that you read our guide about where to stay in Orlando. It provides an excellent overview of the most popular areas, highlighting the main attractions and hotel recommendations for each area.
Visit Natural Areas – Orlando is home to some incredible natural areas, including the Florida State Parks and the Silver Springs State Park. Silver Springs is a freshwater spring that is home to manatees, fish, cypress trees, and other important parts of Florida’s natural ecosystem. Florida State Parks are a great way to get outside and enjoy nature, with options like the Wekiwa Springs State Park, Wekiva River, or the Ocala National Forest.
Hit the Beach – If you’re visiting Orlando during the summer or fall, you’ll likely want to hit the beach. There are plenty of amazing beaches in the Orlando area, including Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, and New Smyrna Beach.
Food in Orlando
You’ll find a wide variety of different cuisines in Orlando. There are tons of chain restaurants (like Outback Steakhouse, PF Chang’s, and Carrabba’s), but there are also many unique and independent restaurants in Orlando, as well. There are plenty of upscale and fine dining options, as well. If you’re looking to try some local Florida cuisine while you’re in town, check out the following places:
1) Blue Martini – This is a great bar and lounge that serves up delicious cocktails and Asian-inspired appetizers. They also have live music on certain nights, and they’re open every day, so you can visit any time you’d like.
2) Rise – This is a popular Asian fusion restaurant that serves up steaming bowls of noodles, stir-fries, and other delicious dishes.
3) Tapas y Tapas – This is a great Spanish tapas restaurant that is open for lunch and dinner, as well as for late-night bites. They specialize in Spanish-style small plates and appetizers, and they have a wide selection of drinks, as well.
Conclusion
Orlando is the perfect place for a vacation, no matter what time of year you visit. You can enjoy gorgeous weather during the spring and fall (and often during the winter, as well), or you can visit during the summer for plenty of sunshine and warm weather. No matter when you visit, you’ll find plenty of things to do and see, as well as great food, drinks, and people.
If you like our list of hostels, B&Bs and hotels in Orlando, you should also check out our selection of recommended hotels in Miami or the best hotels in Los Angeles.