Hotel Reviews Archives - Page 3 of 9

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Review

May 15, 2024 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Today, I’m finally highlighting the remaining moderate resort at Walt Disney World, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort!

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a sprawling tropical paradise. Its size and moderate category designation makes it similar to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Disney Port Orleans Riverside Resort. However, one big difference here is the addition of the Skyliner! In fact, this resort is the Skyliner hub where everyone has to get off and switch lines. So, it makes it really convenient to head to Hollywood Studios and Epcot!

This resort has a very laid back vibe. There are several sandy beach areas and vibrant hues around every corner. It’s perfect for the beach fan who is visiting a theme park.

Standard Room

I’ve had the pleasure of staying at this resort several times. My mom loves the beach, so she really enjoys the theme and landscaping here. I like the access to the Skyliner. However, we dislike how spread out the resort is. There’s an internal shuttle as well as multiple bus stops. If it wasn’t for that, we’d probably pick this resort more often.

The rooms here are pleasant enough. It’s a pretty typical moderate resort room to be honest. Nothing particularly exciting in terms of room decor. They used to have Pirates themed rooms and I was supposed to stay in one back in 2022. However, a hurricane forced me to cancel those plans. Now, they have some Little Mermaid themed rooms in that area of the resort. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, you can’t specifically book one of those rooms. I’ve heard that you can increase your chances of receiving one by booking a 5th sleeper room (standard or pool/water view) and then requesting to be near the Skyliner. I’m sure it’s a very popular request though.

Here are a few pictures of a standard room from my last stay at this resort in 2018.

Pros

Skyliner – I love taking the Skyliner for park transportation. It’s much quicker and easier than taking a bus.
Beautiful theme – who doesn’t a enjoy a Caribbean theme?
Sebastian’s Bistro – I haven’t eaten at this restaurant since the pandemic, however I enjoyed a lovely solo meal here in 2019. I’d love to go back and it seems to be a good value as far as Disney dining goes (for paying out of pocket).

Relaxing – It’s quieter than a value resort and doesn’t host as many groups as Coronado does.
On-site perks – I love being able to just hop on a bus (or the Skyliner) and arrive at the parks! Also, being able to book dining 60 days out is helpful!

Cons

Spread out resort – It’s another sprawling resort. In fact, you may end up closer to Riviera Resort than to the lobby of this resort.
Multiple bus stops – If you are headed to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs, then you will have to ride a bus. That means multiple bus stops here. So, allow extra time to reach your destination.
Theme may bore some – The standard rooms are pretty low-key in my experience. If you have kids, consider booking the 5th sleeper and requesting the Little Mermaid rooms. Otherwise, your Disney character loving folks might not appreciate the simplicity of this Caribbean escape.

Is Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort worth it?

As I’ve said in most of my hotel reviews, I think “value” is highly subjective. However, this is a great choice for people who want to use the Skyliner for transportation. It’s also good for beach loving folks who can’t afford Beach/Yacht Club.

Have you ever stayed here? What did you think?

Universal Orlando Resort Hotels Guide

April 30, 2024 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Having stayed at most of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels, I thought I would post a little guide to help people decide where to stay.

Universal Orlando Resort Hotels

As of March 2025, UO has 10 on-site hotels. Two new hotels recently opened next to Epic Universe while a a third one connected to the park will open with the park in May 2025. This post will focus on the first 8 until I update it after future trips in 2025 and beyond.

There are now three tiers of hotels at Universal. First up, there’s the Signature Collection: Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific, Sapphire Falls, and Helios Grand Hotel (opening in May 2025). They are the most expensive resorts. Select resorts (Portofino, Hard Rock, and Royal Pacific) come with skip the line privileges called Express Pass at the two original parks. Four of them come with boat transportation to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure: Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, Royal Pacific, and Sapphire Falls. Helios Grand will have its own dedicated park entrance to the new theme park, Epic Universe while providing bus transportation to the other parks.

Next is the Prime Values: Aventura, Stella Nova, and Terra Luna. They are considerably cheaper than the Signature Collection while being more upscale than the Values. They are more akin to moderate resorts or more middle of the road in terms of pricing and amenities.

Last but not least are the Values (a.k.a. cheapest) consisting of Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and Endless Summer – Dockside and Surfside Inns. Those three hotels are going to offer the cheapest rooms on property.

Portofino Bay

This is currently the top tier hotel at Universal. It’s themed to the lovely Italian village, complete with several restaurants and a bay. In my Portofino Bay Hotel review, I gushed over it as it’s truly a lovely place. It’s very luxurious and relaxing. It is currently the most expensive place to stay on property. However, it also comes with Universal Express Unlimited, which helps explain some of the hefty price tag. This is the ideal resort for a couple’s trip or an adults only vacation due to its relaxing vibes.

Hard Rock Hotel

Typically, the Hard Rock Hotel is the second most expensive hotel on property. It’s filled with lots of neat music memorabilia and is perfect for any music fan (I mean who doesn’t like music?). It’s the most lively of the Signature Collection hotels and is a good choice for folks with kids who want the Universal Express Unlimited. However, I prefer the Royal Pacific for the price.

Royal Pacific

Typically Universal’s Loews Royal Pacific Resort is the cheapest (not cheap though) of the three resorts that offer Universal Express Pass. Royal Pacific is my second favorite resort on-property with its nice tropical paradise. It’s a good option for folks who want that Universal Express without paying as much. The theme also makes it a great option for someone who is pining for a beach/tropical getaway.

Sapphire Falls

Sapphire Falls used to be considered a moderate, but is now part of the Signature Collection. I think it’s a good compromise for accommodations and price, depending on the season. It’s a step up from the Prime Values in terms of theme and restaurant options (it has a sit-down restaurant) but isn’t as nice as the other Signature Collection hotels. It’s in between in practically every way. Sapphire Falls is the hotel where I took the picture used for this blog post seen above. It doesn’t provide Express Pass, but it does have boat transportation to USF and IoA.

Aventura

Aventura is the Prime Value tower hotel beside Sapphire Falls. It’s a tech-centric tower with smooth lines in the design. It’s definitely meant for younger adults on a budget. Technically, you can walk over to Sapphire Falls to enjoy their restaurants and boat transportation to the parks too. I like it, but it was louder than the Signature Collection hotels.

Cabana Bay

Cabana Bay Beach Resort was previously a Prime Value, but is now considered a Value. It’s across the street from Aventura and Sapphire Falls. It’s also much bigger and spread out. There are lots of different room configuration options here making it ideal for larger families or groups. It’s also a good bit cheaper than the hotels listed above. However, it is limited in food options and has only bus transportation. Although, it is right next to Volcano Bay if you plan on visiting it.

Endless Summer – Dockside and Surfside Inn and Suites

Last but not least we have Endless Summer – Dockside Inn and Suites and Surfside Inn and Suites. Endless Summer is technically two sister resorts across the street from each other. Surfside is a good bit smaller and has fewer people. I prefer it to Dockside just because it’s less crowded and chaotic. However, they both have thin walls and attract tour groups/sports teams due to the prices. They feature a bedroom suite for larger families as well. These hotels are ideal for people on tight budgets and larger groups. They are both considered Value Resorts, along with Cabana Bay Beach Resort.

Universal Orlando Resort Hotels

Well, those are the 8 hotels I’ve stayed in thus far. I think there’s probably a good fit for every situation and budget. It all really depends on what you value in a resort and what your budget is. My personal ranking is:

Portofino Bay
Royal Pacific
Sapphire Falls
Hard Rock Hotel
Aventura
Cabana Bay
Surfside Inn
Dockside Inn

So, do you agree with my rankings or not? What is your favorite hotel at Universal Orlando?

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando Review

April 18, 2024 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

On my most recent visit to Universal Orlando Resort, I finally checked off staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel! So, it’s time for a review!

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is a Signature Collection resort at Universal Orlando. It’s themed after the Italian village complete with its own harbor! It is typically the most expensive resort on property (with Helios Grand Hotel expected to be more expensive when it opens in 2025) but is also considered the most luxurious.

It’s one of three resorts on property to come with free Universal Express passes. It also has boat transportation to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. It will provide bus transportation to Epic Universe.

Standard Room

My mom and I stayed in a standard two queen room. There was construction going on across the hall, but we didn’t hear too much noise. It was a pretty quiet stay, especially when compared to the rooms at Endless Summer. The beds were very comfortable with luxe bedding. Again, the difference between the comforter here and the thin cover at Endless Summer was noticeable. The details were classy and simple.

The bathroom was huge, particularly when compared to the other hotels. Although, I was a touch disappointed with the toilet paper quality here. I expected better toilet paper for the price, but it appeared to be the same cheap stuff you get at the other hotels. It also carried the same toiletries found at Royal Pacific.

Pros

Gorgeous resort – I loved just walking around this resort and feeling fancy. It truly feels like Italy to me (although, I’ve never actually been to Italy).
Boat transportation – It was amazing to walk down to the harbor and catch a boat over to the parks. Although, it did storm once and we had to take a bus back to the resort. That was less tranquil, but free park transportation is still a great perk.
Free Universal Express Unlimited – Your room key is your way to skip the lines in the parks. That sometimes makes the select Signature Collection hotels offering this benefit worth the higher price.
Relaxing vibes – I just felt so relaxed and peaceful here. I don’t get those vibes at places like the Hard Rock Hotel or Cabana Bay.
Several restaurants – We enjoyed Mama Della’s Ristorante as well as the Gelateria. Next time, I’d like to try Bice and Sal’s Market Deli.
On-site spa – I didn’t have a chance to experience it, but there is a spa on site here. It sounds lovely.
Three pools – This hotel is large and has three pools to spend time in.

Cons

Expensive – This is typically the most expensive resort on property. I used an AP discount and it was still around $300/night! If it wasn’t for the price, I would be staying here every trip!
Big resort – Thankfully, our room wasn’t much of a hike. However, the resort is sprawling and I can see getting lost here.
Theme not for everyone – This is the perfect resort for an adults only stay. However, I think children may find it to be a boring resort.
Limited AP discounts – This resort is technically owned/operated by Loews. As such, you can’t use your AP discount in the gift shop upstairs and at some other locations at the resort.

Is Loews Portofino Bay Hotel worth it?

Given the big price tag, I can’t recommend this hotel to everyone. However, if it’s in your budget, I say go for it. It’s now my favorite UO resort. However, the price is cost-prohibitive for many return stays. Also, I think people with children might prefer Cabana Bay or the suites at Endless Summer given the theme and pricing.

Have you ever stayed at Portofino Bay?

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Review

April 2, 2024 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Having recently given my opinion on the Gran Destino Tower, I thought I would do an overall review of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort!

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

As a quick refresher, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a sprawling moderate resort at Walt Disney World. Its decor has touches of Spanish, Mexican, and Southwest American flair. There’s even a conference center here! It also boasts a surprising number of restaurants!

Standard Room

On my very first trip to Walt Disney World in 2014, my mom and I stayed in a standard room here. I loved the pretty turquoise color used in 2014, but the current theme is nice as well. The rooms here are comfortable and lovely. They are perfect for an adults only trip.

Pros

Lovely theme – This resort has a romantic theme that would be great for a couples getaway.
Recently refurbished – You know the rooms should be nice here as they have been refurbished in the past several years.
Lots of food options – Since this resort hosts conventions, it has more than the average number of food options on site. So, you don’t have to leave the resort to eat.
Awesome pool – I know lots of people love the main pool here with its gigantic pyramid!
Quieter – If you aren’t staying during a convention or sports event, it tends to be a quiet place.
On-site perks – I love the free park transportation and 60 days advance dining reservations that staying on-site provides.

Cons

Large layout – This is my biggest gripe about most of the moderate resorts at Walt Disney World. They are huge! This can make for a long walk at the end of a long day.
Multiple bus stops – There’s only bus transportation available here and there’s multiple bus stops around the resort. So, pack your patience when you stay here.
Simple theme – While I think the theme is beautiful, it’s not too exciting for kids. There aren’t many Disney touches around this resort.
Crowds – I urge you to consult crowd calendars for sports events and/or conventions before booking here. We got lucky because we were staying in between cheer and dance competitions. However, we got to see big crowds leaving on our arrival day and big ones arriving when we were departing.

Is Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort worth it?

While I love the Gran Destino tower here, I don’t intend on spending money to stay in a regular part of the resort again unless I get a good deal. I love the Skyliner access at Pop Century or the small size of the French Quarter. However, it is a good resort. It would really come down to preferences and price for me.

So, have you ever stayed here? What did you think?

Gran Destino Tower – Disney Coronado Springs Resort Review

March 13, 2024 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

On my most recent visit to Walt Disney World, I stayed in the Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Resort with my mom. Here’s a look at that experience.

Gran Destino Tower

Back in 2014, my mom and I visited Walt Disney World for the first time. While there, we attended a blogging conference held at the Coronado Springs Resort. We disliked how big and spread out everything was there, so we hadn’t returned in the decade since. However, back in 2019 Disney opened the Gran Destino Tower at this resort. So, when we spotted a deal on a room in the tower for our early February trip, we decided to try the resort again.

The Coronado Springs Resort celebrates Spanish, Mexican, and South American cultures. It’s a sprawling resort built around a beautiful body of water. Its size and resort classification (moderate) remind me of Disney Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Both resorts feature a lovely/romantic vibe but have totally different theming.

Standard Room

We stayed in a standard view room with two queen beds. Our room was on the front of the building and we had a view looking out at Hollywood Studios as well as the parking lots. I thought it was a nice view.

My mom and I were immediately impressed with the room upon entering it. In fact, I pulled up my email from when we booked to double check the price. Ha! We paid $220/night for the room and we definitely thought it was worth it! Everything still looks shiny and new. The room has modern upscale touches that make it easy to relax. In fact, we had a non-park day this trip and found this to be the perfect place to just chill.

Also, worth noting is how quiet this resort was. We didn’t have an adjoining room and rarely heard other people.

Pros

Park Transportation – It is only via bus, but it is still a great perk of staying on-site.
Close to bus stop – The bus stop for this area is right in front of the tower. This is a huge improvement over the last time we stayed here!
New – The tower is new, so everything looks sleek and pretty!
Close to food – This resort has lots of food options. There’s a restaurant at the top of the tower (Toledo). Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to try many of the foods here. However, I’d love to go back to explore those options.
Quiet – This was one of the quietest resort stays I’ve had. I loved it.

Cons

Multiple bus stops – The tower doesn’t change the fact that the resort is large and spread out. Sitting through multiple bus stops at the end of the night isn’t ideal.
Convention crowds – Since this is the only moderate to have a convention center attached, it can be a busy resort. The center probably increases the amenities available but it can also lead to crowds and higher prices during certain times of the year.
Bus only transportation – There’s no access to the Skyliner here or monorail. So, if you want to go somewhere, you have to take a bus. Also, this resort is kind of removed from several of the parks.
Not overly Disney themed – There are some nice touches, like a picture of Walt in the lobby and some Mickey’s in the wallpaper pattern in the room. However, this is definitely a more adult-themed resort. I enjoyed it, but if you have children, you may want to look elsewhere.
Few tubs – We had a lovely shower. However, I know people with children prefer tubs. I’m not sure how many rooms have tubs but that is something to request or inquire with the hotel about if it’s important to you.

Would I stay in Gran Destino Tower Again?

As I stated above, I hadn’t stayed at Coronado Springs Resort in a decade. However, I was very impressed with the tower. Since my trips are all adults only, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay in the tower again. Have you ever stayed in the tower?