Best Western Plus Orlando Convention Center Hotel

This is likely the highest rating I will give to a hotel in a decade. That is not to say that this is the «best» hotel on an absolute scale — I have stayed at much more luxurious hotels by, obviously paying a lot more money. This hotel gets the highest score because at slightly less than 100 dollars per night, it made a difficult plan work out perfectly.
I was with my children for a trip dedicated to disney, universal and sea world. It is understandable why I did not also want to deal with a car. The fact that we were here for more than just disney was significant, because that is why we do not want to stay at a disney resort which makes going to other places intentionally difficult (and I am a budget traveler too). A stroke of good fortune, my wife (who could not be with us on the trip) found this hotel that provides free shuttle to all the parks we want to go to.
Because the space here (or anywhere, let me know if I am wrong) cannot handle the full length review I wrote in Word, I have to break it into many pieces and post at different places. For a detailed review of the shuttle service, please see (
). But the bottom line is that the shuttle worked, very well. So Best Western — continue to keep your drivers happy because this is a huge boost for your hotel.
The shuttle was a key to our plan, but I would not have given the hotel such a great score for just the shuttle. The other reviews I read before I booked were right — the inn keepers were nice, very nice. I would like to single out one gentleman, Derek, who was not just chatty nice, but who went out of his way to give stressed, exhausted travelers a genuine gesture of care and kindness. He made this otherwise lackluster chain a unique place, the first hotel (after having traveled through 3 continents) that I feel a personal attachment toward — a home away from home. As a matter of fact, I feel compelled to write a thoughtful review (which my busy schedule usually keeps me from doing) because of Derek — I would feel terrible if I did not give Derek credits. On our departure day, I was running into some expected conundrum traveling with multiple children, and Derek let us check out late as needed, with no fuss, all smiles. Best Western — you are fortunate to have Derek, and I bet that you do not pay him enough, so give it some thought.
Almost all the other people were very nice too. Ally, and the gentleman that always works the same shift as her, were great at recommending restaurants within walking distance. The restaurants were not as great as the hotel, but again, having them within 100 steps was key to our plan (Shiraz grill was good but overpriced, Village inn was nothing special food-​wise but a good price and friendly). The hotel breakfast staff were surprisingly attentive — maybe the goal was so guests would not make a big mess of the waffle maker, but we all appreciated the waffles coming our way automatically. I befriended a lady that lived in Taiwan for many years, and the next thing I know she was rescuing me when my daughter spilled a whole cup of hot chocolate. The breakfast items do not all taste great — the waffles and pancakes look great but taste artificial. But my assessment is that it was not a lack of effort, just reasonable limitations of budget and choice of equipment. After all, the breakfast was free and on-​site (again key to catching the morning shuttle), there was a decent espresso machine (though my wife would say my opinion can only be amateur), and fresh fruit, yogurt, toast and scrambled eggs were all very acceptable.
I know I am breaking the record for length of a single review, but I wanted to write a review that I wish were there before I went on this trip. So while it is not directly about the hotel, it is directly about the kind of trip that I think this hotel is perfect for.
First of all, if you are paying about the same price for each park ($ 100 a piece), skip Sea World. I will post the details directly on Unilocal/​sea world because again I am cut down by the word limit here.
Second, disney park hopper is a waste of money, unless you buy 5 days or more (because by then the average price per day dips down) ( Unilocal/​Epcot).
Third, Universal ticket window staff was incredibly high pressure in selling us the two-​park ticket, and scornful (in front of my kids) when I refused. My advice: refuse him ( Unilocal/​universal studios)
So for anyone traveling on budget, not driving, with the goal to hit the best of Orlando for young first-​time goers in a relatively short time (as long as you are energetic and excited about fun packed plans), here is my advice as well as my future plan: stay at Best Western Plus Orlando, day 1 Magic Kingdom stay for fireworks, day 2 Epcot must stay for the best fireworks and buy souvenirs here after park closes, day 3 Universal Studios and day 4 fly back relatively early.

We needed a hotel closer to the parks, but not on top of the whole mess and also affordable. This was a great fit — the rooms were clean, although small and the breakfast area was descent. Check in and out was clean, service was quite fast.
One star taken off because the fire alarm went off and they couldn’t figure out why for a long time.

Was looking for a «cheap» hotel in Orlando, close to the parks, clean, and comfortable.
I looked through Unilocal reviews, not bad, so I made the reservation online, requesting late check in since we would be at the park all day.
The day before arriving, I called the hotel, to make sure they had us as a late check in and didn’t give our room away.
Guy on the phone was really friendly, confirmed our reservation and wished us a fun day.
Around 11pm we arrive and there’s two girls at the counter. Once friendlier than the other but the check in process was fast. We got parking pass, were directed to our rooms immediately and were told breakfast (included with the room) was until 9:30am. Express check out is an option, so no need to go to the counter again.
Room was clean, bed was comfortable, stand up shower (always prefer these to tubs), TV, desk & chair… a bit small but comfortable. Perfect for the one night we were staying.
8:30am we go down to breakfast. It was busy but we were able to get tables for all 10 of us. They offer coffee, tea, juices. They had a corned beef hash, egg omelet with cheese, bagels, toast, some pastries, yogurt, pancakes, and mickey shaped waffles. All tasted good, warm and lines to get food flow in organized manner. The Waffles are the most popular but still line moves fairly fast.
While waiting for everyone to be ready to head out, I waited at the lobby and saw how helpful, welcoming, and friendly the morning staff was.
Giving people directions to the attractions, wishing everyone a good day, thanking them for staying at the hotel…
Location is great, 15 minutes away from Disney Parks and Downtown Disney, and just minutes away from I-​4 where there’s plenty of restaurants to chose from.
If you are not staying «inside» Disney, and are looking for a more economic option for just a night’s sleep, I recommend this place.

Very nice. The staff is amazing. The rooms are small but very clean. Breakfast area is small and crowded but we will definitely come back. The fridge in the room is the coldest fridge ever! Love it!

I figured to stay here since the Fort Lauderdale location was pretty okay. So before arriving, I called to confirm my week old reservation only to be told 3x it was non-​existent. Really? Also, the worn out clerk was sick with a cold. Worse place ever, if you love the repugnant smell of mildew breathing into your lungs from inside the room. Unbelievable!!!
Most of all, the free brukfast – no typo here – was prepared by a worker with sore bumps around the mouth. What the heck? Also, the person had the nerve to be yelling at a paying international patron. Boy, the perfect welcoming with a 2015 red bang! Once I saw the act, I threw my «powdered» eggs in the trash, nibbled on a toasted bagel and walked out to drive to Starbucks.
In addition, the floor supervisor did not understand why you can’t offer advice to solve the dilemma to the mildew smell. Yet, Derek was kind, as I am sure he has heard the complaints before that stands on the management’s DEAF ears! Excuses, excuses, excuses is all I can say.
To sum it up, like the Monopoly board «pass at your own risk or go to jail!» So, my advice? Go straight ahead to Doubletree or the Hyatt Regency, no matter the cost to prevent salivating at their images from the window in your room. Hopefully, this hotel can be revived before we all land on Mars. Glad to be home and alive!

I was tardy to the hotel booking party for the AONE nursing conference. The rest of my group was at the Hilton so I looked for something near by.
This is a small hotel a couple blocks off of the touristy International drive. The lobby is tiny, as is the breakfast area. It is clean– the entire hotel smells like bleach. There is a small gym and outdoor pool. It was almost a mile walk to the convention center.
The room was also very small. My room had 2 double beds and a tiny bathroom with a shower. The bed was comfy and the room was pretty quiet.
Unfortunately there is not much in this area. There is a generic looking «family restaurant» and a run down strip mall with a gas station and Subway. no decent coffee for miles unless you go into another hotel.
To sum it up, thus place is fine. I wish it had a few more perks, but I had a decent stay.

We stayed at your hotel in November 2013. It was OK. Some of the issues were:
we kept calling the front desk from the room for 20 minutes and it was busy the whole time, the light by the desk did not work, even after plugged in, the printer did not work at the business center and I was not able to log out of my Facebook account for 20 minutes. I kept getting error messages. Also, when we checked in to our room, it was freezing cold. Someone left the high a/​c on for a long time.

I spent a couple of nights at Best Western while attending a pharmacy conference this past December and found it quite convenient through the bus system (I-​ride).
There is not much to do in the area vs. International Drive, but the perks are great and it’s quiet and I don’t have to deal with honking cars.
There is– Free wifi. Microwave downstairs. Breakfast. Free parking. Gym. An office to get some things printed. A swimming pool. Refrigerator. Friendly staff. Clean rooms.
The only complaint I had was that the elevator wasn’t working the one day I arrived, but it wasn’t a major problem — since I just had to use a second elevator down the hall. Other than that, I would definitely stay again if my travels bring me back to sunny Orlando.

Stayed here a total of 5 nights and was pretty happy with my overall experience (It was kind of pricey $ 90−110/night for a double room in early December). It’s not your normal best western, definitely lived up to its best western plus name.
Booking was straight forward online (use the AAA discount!)
Rooms: Double sized beds are full and the room size might be a little tight for 4 people. They give you a fridge, coffee maker, huge tv and closet.
Toiletries in room: Ask them in front for conditioner and extra shampoo. What little they give you won’t be enough. There is no tub in the bathroom and the sink kind of awkwardly jets into the room.
Wifi: can be decently fast or decently slow. It’s nice that it is free
AC: nice and cold! It’s a wall unit, but it’ll make you feel better from all the humidity
Cleanliness: house staff keeps the place pretty clean and they keep your room in good shape each day with bed making, fresh towels, more cup.
Staff: polite and nice. I didn’t interact with them too much. Only when I needed toiletries, printer paper and help in the business center. Each interaction was good.
Amenities:
Pool: water is extra chilly even if it’s 90 degrees outside. There are tables and chairs to lounge by the pool. People in the parking lot can peek into you though.
Business Center: saved my butt on printing amusement park tickets and resumes for a conference! The staff didn’t give me issues for printing a lot of things, they were super nice when I asked for more paper or had technical issues. The computer isn’t like your normal computer though. (there are 3 computers for guests total).
Gym: treadmill, eliptical, and stationary bike. Weights are lat pull down bar and some leg stuff. Not much if you’re looking to lift. But good for cardio or while you are away.
Hungry?: no restaurant, but there is a vending machine and ice machine in the lobby. Walk next door to village in.
Elevators: painfully slow. Stairs: don’t go in there, there’s no ventilation and it is extremely muggy in the stairwells.
Free Breakfast:
Hot breakfast: sausage (greasy but it’s sausage), pancakes (pancake machine, pretty cool), eggs scrambled (rubbery) plus continental goodies (yogurt, fruit, bagels), juice, coffee (watered down). You can eat in their small dining room or there’s a patio. Breakfast is 6:30 — 9:30 every morning and free.99 !
Overall: I’d stay here again. (If it were cheaper than the rate I paid, it’d give me even more incentive to stay here in the future.)

You know what– this place may be «just» a best western, but it does the job and the staff are extremely pleasant and accommodating. We stayed here 4 nights for a conference at the Orlando Convention center and couldn’t have had a better experience. It was clean, there is a complimentary breakfast and there’s a pool. The trolley runs right past the hotel as well so it is in a very convenient location. It’s about ¾ mile away from the convention center but we usually caught a shuttle there. All the rooms have free wifi, but it might be a little slow.
Derek was very accommodating. He seemed to want to go out of his way to make sure our needs were met. I doubt you will get that at any of the larger, more exclusive hotels. All of the staff were extremely helpful, I just can’t remember their names.
There aren’t many restaurants around here– I suggest hopping on the trolley towards international drive and checking out the variety they have there. BUT I do suggest going to Village inn– what a great breakfast. And I can’t get enough of their pies (Wed is free pie day with a purchase of any meal).

Stayed here one night before moving to a Disney Resort after arriving a day earlier than expected. We reserved the room about fifteen minutes before arrival and were welcomed by a very friendly staff. We were able to go up to our room right away.
The rooms were very clean and comfortable, very clean white towels (a plus), and free breakfast.
For $ 67 a night we were not expecting much but we were extremely happy with our choice. If we are ever in Orlando again we will definitely stay at this Best Western!

I give this hotel four stars because the value is great, and features are to my expectations. I just stayed at the Hilton Orlando down the street for three nights at $ 299 plus tax per night, but tonight I had to transfer here to Best Western because the Hilton was booked. It cost me $ 90 to stay here tonight, and while its much cheaper than the Hilton, there are some things they seem to do better. The room is significantly cleaner and there is a mini fridge. Also, the staff is very nice and friendly and not too busy to help you out or answer questions. Some things could be improved: the fitness center is small with no cardio theaters, the cabs that Best Western calls for you have outrageous fees, the lobby and breakfast room is small, and the mattresses are not of great quality. It is not a five star hotel, but for the cost, they’re really doing a great job.

It’s a Best Western man… look, they’ve got a pool, they’re close to all kinds of Orlando touristy stuff, they offer free hot breakfasts every morning, the beds were OK. I don’t know what else to say. Will it be the best place to stay in the area? No, are you on a budget? It’ll work.

I stayed in this hotel for a few nights during the past holiday weekend. Based on prior experience with this particular brand, I was expecting good things. While that expectation was mostly met, I do have a few gripes. Starting with the negatives, I found our room and the common dining area to be a bit small. The common dining area was so small that it was difficult to move around in the morning. Fortunately, there is a patio area which provided additional tables and seats. As for the breakfast itself, the selection was quite ordinary.
Something I found a little disturbing is the aftertaste of the water. I had noticed a burnt taste while using the water to brush my teeth during my first night there. I also tasted the same burnt taste from the apple juice during breakfast the next morning. Later on, I found that this aftertaste was not unique to this hotel alone but was stronger and weaker in other places. In any case, it made the apple juice unpleasant to drink.
On the positive side, this place looks newly renovated as online research showed that this place used to go by a different name. The free shuttle to the parks were helpful too as we didn’t rent a car. There is a city bus stop right outside the hotel so it was simple to get here from the airport. The only drawback for the hotel shuttle is that the only pickup time from Seaworld was 7PM but Seaworld currently closes at 10PM. Fortunately, Seaworld is within walking distance so we simply walked back.