My friend and my two young sons stayed here from April 4-9th. I chose this hotel because we were on a budget and it was a last minute trip during spring vacation, the price was ideal and the location seemed right for Universal.
I am not picky and did not expect four star accommodations for a two star fee, but this place should not even be operating, as it is a health hazard. I hope that you will take all of this into consideration when contemplating booking your stay here. The location is ok, not the best. If you won't drive, I recommend staying closer to Ripleys Believe It or Not.
When we arrived, they could not find my reservation and had to wait almost an hour for them to get their act together. There was a long line of sour, unhappy looking guests who had different complaints to voice. Not a good way to start out with but I was excited to be in Orlando, so I told myself it will be ok, it's only four nights.
We were given room 341. The smell almost knocked me off my feet, mold everywhere on the walls, in fact the ceiling and the four walls were separating on top there was an inch gap between it filled with black mold. There were no windows to open and even attempt to air out the room. The bathtub spout and showerhead ran a water all the time (not dripped, ran) the toilet was leaking from behind unto the floor every time you used it. The toilet had not been cleaned, there was urine and pubes stuck to it. The sink spout came off every time you touched it. The shelf in the bathroom was falling off, I was afraid to put anything on it, so we basically lived out of our suitcase the whole time.
The boys were told not to play on the carpet, or touch it as I can only imagine what is on it. My friend developed a rash on the second night that we told ourselves was due to food allergy, but it turned out to be bedbugs. The breakfast buffet does not include any drinks except for water (they do not tell you this), it's $8 per adult (tax is separate) and 5 for kids (tax separate). For two kids and two adults with one juice or cup of milk each we paid $30. A fee of $7.50 a night will be added to your nightly stay, too. There is one complimentary shuttle leaving and one coming back from selected parks.
Universal's leaves at 8:55 am and returns at 6pm (universal closes at 10 pm) If you miss it, they will call you a cab from Town & Country who will rip you off you. Expect to pay $3 over what it should be (around $5) The Swan gets a kickback from Town and Country. Call Ace instead.
There is no children's park. Nothing, not even a sandbox. The "children's pool" is a foot deep and it is the size of a blowup kiddie pool you can buy at Toys r Us. The one pool that is used by some adults is sometimes heated, sometimes not. And, last bust not least: the two "queen size" beds are really two squeaky full beds, the difference between a suite and a room is a small fridge that you will never use or may or may not operate and the main picture of this hotel featured isn't real.
I must have come across (or walked by) a dozen guests who were arguing with the personnel about what they have found upon arrival, who wanted to check out immediately and who were told that they would be charged the length of their entire planned stay end would have to take it up with them later.
The only good thing was that towels were replaced daily and the room was tidied. But the sheets were not, because the same pink smudge was to be found on mine five days in a row. We were allowed to use the pool while waiting for our room. I paid $30 for late checkout so that I can wash the clothes we will be wearing back home so we don't smell like dampy mold on the plane.
I guess it's a good deal for someone who lives under these conditions to begin with, or is accustomed to accommodations that rent a room by the hour. For all others, especially with children don't do it. You will not allow them to take showers when you see what you have for the length of your stay. It will sour your experience in Orlando. After long days at the parks you will feel like you have a brown box on the sidewalk to go to. I hope this helps, because I read all the reviews and still decided to go for it. The whole time there that is all I could think about: I should have listened. I would have changed to another hotel but there was nothing else available under $200 a night on such short call.
I am convinced after this experience that anyone writing a good or decent review on this dump is on the inside. In fact I called the Dept. Of Health, this place should not be operating and if it is at the very least should be truthful about what they are offering. Don't trust the pictures!