has anyone ever stayed at this place. it rates a 4.1 out of 5 on orbitz and you can't beat the price for that kinda rating. just wanted to know if anyone's ever stayed. thanks
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comfort inn off of sandlake
- Thread starter collegesam
- Start date
Bullredchaser
New Member
The place just opened about 2 years ago and is very well kept.It's also right across from Universal Studios.It get's an A from me.Also they allow pets.
disneygirl746kt
New Member
I normally stay at Comfort Inn at Lake Buena Vista. I've been staying there for like 6 or 7 years, I believe, maybe even longer. I love it there. It's close to Disney and not that long of a drive to Wet'N'Wild and Islands of Adventure.
Well, in case anyone was interested in staying there, here's a copy of the review that I posted on tripadvisor:
I read the reviews and was wary. I normally stay in 3.5-4 star hotels on vacation, Hilton, Hyatt, Residence Inn, etc. or in a relative's timeshare in Orlando. However, we took this vacation spur of the moment b/c we were able to get a $35/night room rate and $138/pp rountrip airfare from Michigan, so we couldn't resist. Plus I know that the Comfort Inn name is generally pretty reputable.
OK, here are the important details of my stay, with the positives and the negatives.
First, the positives. Everything was generally clean. We checked the sheets, towels, sink, etc. The room smelled nice. Only problems were a stain on one hand towel and one pillow, which was remedied eventually. The room overall was clean. The lobby and public areas were clean, including the area where breakfast was served. On that note, breakfast was very good for a free breakfast. We filled up on the make-your-own waffles. There was also fruit (apples, oranges, and bananas), toast (white and Texas), white bagels and cream cheese, muffins, cinnamon rolls, english muffins, and hot and cold cereal. The juice was VERY VERY watered down though. It was a little crowded, but we were able to find a table. Also, check out the lobby lounge from noon to 11pm I believe. It's apparently a new feature. Fresh fruit smoothies which you can get an "adult" version of for a great price
, or beer and wine or soda. Also, the gift shop has tons of things from sunglasses and floaties to nail clippers and canned foods at reasonable prices, and they are helpful and open long hours. We walked to International Drive a few times to eat and just walking around. It's only a 5 or 10 minute walk and about a 15-20 minute walk to one of the outlet malls. Good exercise and not bad if you're in some reasonable shape. We didn't rent a car. You don't need one at all if you're only going to Universal, but definitely need one if you're going to Disney.
Now for the negatives. All of the ice machines were broken/out of ice or something for our entire stay (3 nights). When I say "all" I do mean ALL. We went to each floor, none worked. Even the ones on the other wing weren't working as we heard other guests complaining as well. Nothing was ever done about it. Also, housekeeping didn't get to our room until we requested it, around 4pm when we happened to be taking a break from the park. When they did the room, they left the dirty towels and washcloths on the bathroom floor (we are accustomed to having them changed daily), but they changed them all the next day. Also, there was no hot tub, which was unfortunate. The absolute most annoying thing about my stay was the staff answering questions when they didn't know the answer. Here are the 3 examples:
(1) When we checked in I asked the staff member if I could pay cash at checkout or in advance and not have them charge my card in advance so that I could keep that money free for vacation. She said no problem, they would just be making a copy of it in case I skipped out on payment, but would not bill it or put a hold on it, and that I could still pay at checkout. Yes I know most hotels will put a hold on it, but that is what she said. Of course she charged it right away. Also, I asked if they would be able to take a Michigan check. She said yes. Then upon checkout I was informed that they do not take checks at all.
(2) We asked the night we checked in what time the hotel shuttle would depart for Universal Studios and were told that it departs regularly during the day starting at 7:30am. Since the park opens at 9am and we wanted to get there right when it opened we asked if there was a 8:30 am shuttle and the employee said yes there was and that we just had to show up at 8:30. The next morning we went to breakfast at about 7:30, then at 8 went to see if we needed to sign up for the 8:30 shuttle or just show up and were told there was only a shuttle at 8 and 10am. We couldn't catch the 8am shuttle b/c our tickets and things were in our room, so we ended up taking a cab (we asked if they could wait and were told no we should take a cab).
(3) We were in Universal when they closed at 9pm and called the hotel to see what time the last shuttle left from the park. We were told that the shuttle would leave at 10pm from Universal at midnight and 2am from CityWalk. So, we hung out in CityWalk for a while then went to the shuttle pick up spot at abut 9:55pm, only to find out the actual times were 9:15, midnight, and 2am. So again, we took a cab.
Neutral info: The pool closes at 11pm. There is a small gameroom and small fitness room.
That's about it. Like I said, nothing special, just a basic, decent hotel. Definitely worth $35 a night.
I read the reviews and was wary. I normally stay in 3.5-4 star hotels on vacation, Hilton, Hyatt, Residence Inn, etc. or in a relative's timeshare in Orlando. However, we took this vacation spur of the moment b/c we were able to get a $35/night room rate and $138/pp rountrip airfare from Michigan, so we couldn't resist. Plus I know that the Comfort Inn name is generally pretty reputable.
OK, here are the important details of my stay, with the positives and the negatives.
First, the positives. Everything was generally clean. We checked the sheets, towels, sink, etc. The room smelled nice. Only problems were a stain on one hand towel and one pillow, which was remedied eventually. The room overall was clean. The lobby and public areas were clean, including the area where breakfast was served. On that note, breakfast was very good for a free breakfast. We filled up on the make-your-own waffles. There was also fruit (apples, oranges, and bananas), toast (white and Texas), white bagels and cream cheese, muffins, cinnamon rolls, english muffins, and hot and cold cereal. The juice was VERY VERY watered down though. It was a little crowded, but we were able to find a table. Also, check out the lobby lounge from noon to 11pm I believe. It's apparently a new feature. Fresh fruit smoothies which you can get an "adult" version of for a great price
, or beer and wine or soda. Also, the gift shop has tons of things from sunglasses and floaties to nail clippers and canned foods at reasonable prices, and they are helpful and open long hours. We walked to International Drive a few times to eat and just walking around. It's only a 5 or 10 minute walk and about a 15-20 minute walk to one of the outlet malls. Good exercise and not bad if you're in some reasonable shape. We didn't rent a car. You don't need one at all if you're only going to Universal, but definitely need one if you're going to Disney.Now for the negatives. All of the ice machines were broken/out of ice or something for our entire stay (3 nights). When I say "all" I do mean ALL. We went to each floor, none worked. Even the ones on the other wing weren't working as we heard other guests complaining as well. Nothing was ever done about it. Also, housekeeping didn't get to our room until we requested it, around 4pm when we happened to be taking a break from the park. When they did the room, they left the dirty towels and washcloths on the bathroom floor (we are accustomed to having them changed daily), but they changed them all the next day. Also, there was no hot tub, which was unfortunate. The absolute most annoying thing about my stay was the staff answering questions when they didn't know the answer. Here are the 3 examples:
(1) When we checked in I asked the staff member if I could pay cash at checkout or in advance and not have them charge my card in advance so that I could keep that money free for vacation. She said no problem, they would just be making a copy of it in case I skipped out on payment, but would not bill it or put a hold on it, and that I could still pay at checkout. Yes I know most hotels will put a hold on it, but that is what she said. Of course she charged it right away. Also, I asked if they would be able to take a Michigan check. She said yes. Then upon checkout I was informed that they do not take checks at all.
(2) We asked the night we checked in what time the hotel shuttle would depart for Universal Studios and were told that it departs regularly during the day starting at 7:30am. Since the park opens at 9am and we wanted to get there right when it opened we asked if there was a 8:30 am shuttle and the employee said yes there was and that we just had to show up at 8:30. The next morning we went to breakfast at about 7:30, then at 8 went to see if we needed to sign up for the 8:30 shuttle or just show up and were told there was only a shuttle at 8 and 10am. We couldn't catch the 8am shuttle b/c our tickets and things were in our room, so we ended up taking a cab (we asked if they could wait and were told no we should take a cab).
(3) We were in Universal when they closed at 9pm and called the hotel to see what time the last shuttle left from the park. We were told that the shuttle would leave at 10pm from Universal at midnight and 2am from CityWalk. So, we hung out in CityWalk for a while then went to the shuttle pick up spot at abut 9:55pm, only to find out the actual times were 9:15, midnight, and 2am. So again, we took a cab.
Neutral info: The pool closes at 11pm. There is a small gameroom and small fitness room.
That's about it. Like I said, nothing special, just a basic, decent hotel. Definitely worth $35 a night.