Are you getting ready to plan a vacation to Orlando, Florida? Accommodations are often overlooked when the bulk of your time goes into planning day activities that will keep the whole family active and interested. There are a number of fun and unusual Orlando hotels and accommodations that are guaranteed to knock your socks off.
1. Nickelodeon Family Suites (Nick Hotel) by Holiday Inn
This family-themed hotel with Nickelodeon characters and a giant orange and green water park has everything a kid could ask for. Why bother with Disneyworld when you can have play dates and sleepovers with your favorite Nickelodeon cartoon characters 24/7? Nothing could be more fun for the kids than grabbing some shut-eye in a two-bedroom suite that has been modeled into something that Spongebob Squarepants or Dora the Explorer would love!
The 24-acre complex boasts two interactive pools with waterslides, water jets, a 400-gallon dump tank, climbing nets, a basketball court, a mini golf course, a shaded kids play area, live nightly entertainment, a kiddie mall, a Kids’ Spa, Nicktoons Café, an arcade, and a cocktail lounge for adults. Leave it to Nickelodeon to introduce the whole family to fun without ever having to leave the hotel.
2. The Edgewater Hotel
Staying at this unusual bed and breakfast, located on the second floor of the historic Edgewater Hotel, is like taking a step back in time. At its opening in 1927, the Edgewater was considered to be one of the most technologically advanced hotels of its time.
Since then, the hotel has been painstakingly restored to retain as much of its original state as possible. Guests can enjoy antique furnishings including sinks and fixtures as well as an original 1926 Otis elevator mingle with modern comforts such as wireless internet and climate.
The 22-mile trail located right across from the front door is a great attraction for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. Rent a bicycle, bring your rollerblades, run or walk to your heart’s content.
3. The Florida Mall Hotel
Shop til you drop knowing that you’ve only got to walk few steps before you can sink into bed. The Florida Mall – one of Orlando’s largest indoor malls – is just steps away from the main lobby of the hotel. Shopping on vacation doesn’t get much easier than this.
4. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Imagine a 33-acre wildlife preserve where over 30 species of animals roam free while you chill out in a lodge with African-inspired architecture and furniture; traditional African handicrafts, and evening campfires with storytelling. If it’s an African safari that you want to experience, look no further than Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
5. Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel
Experience what it is like to live in style in a turn-of-the-century Florida mansion with a modern twist that includes a variety of restaurants and a Canyon Ranch SpaClub. The main attractions are three gorgeous glass atriums have been recreated into environments that echo the Everglades, Key West, and St. Augustine. Likewise, the hotel’s 1,406 guest rooms are all based around these themes.
6. The Grand Bohemian Hotel
Designed with an early 20th century European/Bohemian theme, the Grand Bohemian Hotel sits in downtown Orlando. The hotel is home to one of only two Imperial Grand Bösendorfer piano’s in the world. Also on show are over 100 pieces of rare artwork from world-famous artists such as Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele.
7. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
If Italy is a place you’ve always dreamed of visiting, you don’t have to look any further than the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. Experience the sights and sounds of the Italian Riviera when you stroll through the harbor piazza. The hotel is quipped with three themed swimming pools, a Mandara Spa, and a range of dining options that are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings for Italian cuisine.
8. Hard Rock Hotel at Universal
The “Best Hotel in Orlando to spot a celebrity” is none other than the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando. It has also been voted as one of the “Top 50 Best Family Resorts in the U.S. and Canada”. There’s no better place in Orlando to party like a rock star.
9. Waldorf Astoria
The first Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Orlando – since the original 1931 Waldorf Astoria in New York City – opened in October 2009. Guests enjoy a championship Rees Jones golf course, luxury poolside cabanas, a spa by Guerlain, signature restaurants, stunning interior design, and impeccable service.
10. Ritz-Carlton
Recreational activities abound at the Ritz Carlton. Tennis courts, a life-size chess board, horse-drawn carriages, fitness center, spa, a zip line and ropes course, and a giant swing are just some of the activities on offer at the Ritz Carlton. Not to be missed are the eco-tours and on site fly fishing.
The Ritz Carlton, Orlando, Florida.
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Finding the best place to lay your head, at the best price may seem like a challenge. But then again, travelers are always up for challenges. At least Layyourheadhere.com provides you with the quality advice and suggestions you need to make sound vacation decisions. Now combine that advice and suggestions with Reader’s Digests budget travel tips and you’ve got yourself a worry-free tip. Happy travels to you from Reader’s Digest!
