Doubletree Hotel At The Entrance To Universal Orlando Rating: 3.5 Pearls

Universal Orlando, Orlando, Florida

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This modest, 742-room Doubletree has a sleepy lobby, hands-off service, and recently renovated cookie-cutter rooms -- pretty much what you'd expect from a low- to mid-range hotel chain. The location couldn't be more convenient for those visiting Universal Studios (without staying at a Universal resort, that is). But the small courtyard pool, limited dining options, and dated, dingy fitness center are underwhelming. In fact, the available amentities seem more geared towards business travelers in town for conventions; they include a 24-hour business center, free lobby Wi-Fi, and on-site Starbucks.

That said, if you expect little more than a clean, reasonably fresh place to sleep between outings to area theme parks, this isn't a bad choice. Its 742 rooms, set in two tall towers, were gutted and redone in 2008; with floor-to-ceiling windows, they're bright, clean, and surprisingly cheery. The newly replaced furnishings are up to date and comfortable, making the rooms a great crash pad for travelers attending meetings at the on-site convention center, or visitors with cars -- other than Universal, there's not much within walking distance, and shuttle service is only available to Disney at intermittent times, for $15 per person.

The bell stand is inconsistently staffed

Check-in is the only consistent and predictable service here; finding someone to park your car or help with your luggage, for example, can be a crapshoot, even in the middle of the day. Despite using the word "Universal" in its name, this hotel is not connected to Universal Studios (or any of Orlando's theme parks), so guests don't get the special park-related services like off-hours access, free shuttle service, or charging priviledges at the parks.

• Free Doubletree chocolate chip "welcome cookies" on arrival
• Inconsistently staffed bell stand
• Concierge open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., available to help book activities and restaurant reservations
• $28-per-person airport shuttle contracted through outside provider
• On-site parking is $12 per day for self-parking; $16 per day for valet.
• Shuttle service to Disney World departs the hotel every day at 8:45 a.m. and 10 a.m., returns at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and costs $15 per person, round trip.

View on a Larger Map

The Doubletree is located next to the entrance of the Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando's second largest theme park. For guests planning only to visit Universal, or those visiting the hotel's convention center, the location is great -- but it's relatively far from Disney World and Orlando's other main attractions. There's no free shuttle service and little else to do within walking distance, so most guests will want a rental car.

• Next to Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure
• 10- to 15-minute drive to SeaWorld and Wet 'n Wild parks
• 10-minute drive to International Drive, a 14.5-mile road that runs parallel to Interstate 4 and is full of hotels, shopping malls, outlet stores, and restaurants. In the middle of this stretch is the Orange County Convention Center, the second largest convention center in the U.S.
• 15- to 20-minute drive to Disney World's main parking lots
• 25-minute drive to Orlando International Airport

A standard room

Renovated in 2008, the Doubletree's 742 rooms are clean, well furnished, and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows. Amenities and furnishings are simple, but the bright, modern décor and reasonable square footage make even the smallest rooms cheery and livable.

• Standard rooms are comfortably big, and the size is fairly typical of Orlando's midrange resort rooms: Standard rooms are about 360 square feet, Corner King Rooms are 444 square feet, and suites are 816 to 1,757 square feet
• Comfortable queen or king-size beds have down comforters and pillow-top mattresses that were replaced during the 2008 renovations.
• 32-inch flat-screen TVs with basic cable and pay-per-view movies; no DVD players
• Bathrooms are spacious and have large vanity counters and bathtub/shower units; full sets of Neutrogena toiletries are provided.
• Bedside alarm radio with MP3 hookup
• Mini-fridges in rooms, but no minibars
• Wi-Fi or wired Internet is $13 a day.

The gym

• Courtyard pool and Jacuzzi open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. -- a fine place to cool off in hot, humid Orlando, but no special features or kid-friendly features
• 24-hour business center has five Dell computers
• Small fitness center with outdated equipment
• Avis car rental desk in lobby
• Free Wi-Fi in the lobby; in-room Wi-Fi or wired Internet is $13 a day
• On-site parking is $12 a day for self-parking; $16 a day for valet.

The pool

Clean, bright rooms and a location across from Universal Resort are pros, but virtually nothing is specifically designed to appeal to kids. Multiple on-site dining options, a courtyard pool, and Pizza Hut room service are sufficient for a little down time at the hotel, but services are minimal and there aren't any activities or facilities specifically designed for families.

• Limited room types; most rooms' maximum capacity is four
• $20-per-night rollaway bed cost; cribs are free
• Kid-friendly dining, including kids' menus at Pompanos for breakfast and for room service (which includes Pizza Hut delivery)
• No free shuttles or extended access to parks

Rooms and hallways were renovated in 2008; other spaces are older but still well kept and clean.

The breakfast buffet

Starbucks and Pizza Hut are the most reliable and convenient on-site options here, with a non-chain bar and restaurant open for dinner, and a breakfast buffet available daily. Room service is available from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., but consists of a very limited menu that highlights Pizza Hut entrees.

• Starbucks located in the lobby serves coffee, snacks, and pastries; open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Pizza Hut Express located in the Palm Court Deli, open from 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Spritz and Carnivale, full bar and restaurant located in the lobby, open from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m.
• Pompanos Restaurant serves breakfast and lunch daily, including a mediocre breakfast buffet for $21 from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (restaurant open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• Lakeside Pool Bar open from 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open seasonally from March to October)
• Room service available from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., breakfast includes assortment of entrees, about $12 each; a limited all-day dining menu includes salads and appetizers, sandwiches, and Pizza Hut