Pros

  • Easy driving distance to all of Orlando's major attractions
  • Rooms have flat-screens, coffeemakers, marble bathrooms, and docking stations
  • Sunny, circular outdoor pool with central fountain, loungers, umbrellas, and hot tub
  • Bistro, tapas restaurant, steakhouse, and trendy cocktail lounge
  • 24-hour fitness facilities with cardio and weight-lifting equipment
  • Day spa with massage and beauty treatments
  • Business center, meeting, and banquet facilities
  • Free morning coffee and afternoon cookies in the lobby
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
  • ATM and coin-operated laundry available on-site
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Cons

  • Decor veers from Bavarian chic to heavy and outdated
  • Fewer on-site activities (no water sports) compared to other properties
  • Fee for parking and shuttle service
  • No babysitting or child services
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Bottom Line

The four-pearl, 214-room Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection is conveniently located near I-4 and the Orange County Convention Center, a short drive to the area's major theme parks. It offers the appeal of a boutique hotel -- including original artwork, quirky decor, and freshly baked cookies in the lobby -- plus, as a Marriott property, all the features of a major chain, such as a spa, pool, 24-hour gym, and meeting and event facilities. While it does draw families, the Castle Hotel is notably adult-oriented and missing some kid-friendly amenities, like childcare services. And unlike the nearby Hyatt Regency, also an upscale hotel, it doesn't offer tennis courts or extensive water-sports facilities on-site, but The Castle does boast a great bar for hand-crafted cocktails.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection

Scene

A modern, sometimes over-the-top castle drawing couples and families -- despite a lack of kid-friendly amenities

True to its name, Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection, has a modern-looking exterior of smooth white walls topped by turrets. Inside it's a different story, where velveteen fabrics and bejeweled light fixtures compete for attention. The signature deer-horn logo is omnipresent, in antler-covered wall hangings, a chandelier and sconces, and even woven into the carpet pattern. The color purple is also in heavy rotation, sparkling on walls, furnishings, and in two enormous, aubergine-tinged geodes that flank the gift shop. Meals and drinks can be enjoyed outside in The Rose Garden, which -- being outside between the pool and the lobby -- returns to the sleek modern, airy atmosphere. Despite luxury touches that scream "don't touch with sticky fingers," and restaurant menus not geared toward children (think Brie finger sandwiches instead of Mac and Cheese) the hotel provides cribs free of charge, and does draw families. A rooftop deck offers gorgeous nighttime views, particularly of the Orlando Eye, but can be a bit warm in the daytime and, with only a couple of chairs and a table, doesn't invite more lingering than the time it takes to snap a selfie.

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Location

Wonderfully close to all the major attractions

Location doesn't get more central than The Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection, which is just a 17-minute drive from the airport, 13 minutes from SeaWorld, and 18 minutes away from Walt Disney World. On foot, you can reach The Orange County Convention Center, on a pleasant 26-minute walk, the Orlando Eye in six-minutes, or Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Odditorium, in just eight minutes. While it's not walking distance to local theme parks, the hotel's location slightly away from those attractions provides a buffer from traffic. And while central Florida isn't known for its beaches, it does offer nearby hiking, canoeing and kayaking at the Oakland Nature Preserve, about a half hour away by car. Do note, there are fees for parking and/or shuttle service to attractions, including to and from the airport.  

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Rooms

Ornately decorated rooms with iPod docks, Starbucks coffee, and marble bathrooms

In keeping with the Bavarian theme, guest rooms are decorated with every flourish in mind. As part of its castle-esque style, these spaces feature brocade curtains, gilded mirrors, carved wooden headboards, and even drawer pulls that mimic the antler theme. For guests seeking a more modern feel, Executive Rooms bring additional square footage and sleek tufted headboards, but otherwise the embellishments abound throughout. All the rooms feature pillow-top mattresses, 37-inch flat-screen TVs with premium channels, coffeemakers, safes, iPod docking stations, and free Wi-Fi. Tazo teas and Starbucks coffee are welcome luxury touches. Some rooms have window-seating, in particular the corner turret rooms that come with a settee. Marble-clad bathrooms with roomy vanities and a generic shower/tub combo are also across all room levels. They're stocked with hairdryers and the hotel's own toiletries.

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Features

Chic outdoor area by the pool, restaurants, meeting rooms, a spa, and fitness center 

One of the highlights at the Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection is the Garden Bistro near the pool, which is furnished with stylish resin-wicker chairs underneath a canvas canopy. The nearby circular pool features a playful dolphin fountain and outdoor hot tub. Dining options include the bistro, tapas restaurant, or a steakhouse, and there's a trendy cocktail lounge, all of which are open to the public. Wellness facilities include a fitness center with free weights, ellipticals, a stationary bike, and treadmills, in addition to the Poseidon Spa, which features massages and treatments. There's a small business station that includes a fax, printer and  public computer, but the main offering for business travelers are the meeting rooms, which total 8,400 square feet of space. Small pets are allowed for a fee. Though the hotel lacks in water-sport facilities and babysitting services, extra touches like free cribs, free mini-fridges and in-room air purifiers on request make it attractive to families in need of these additional details. 

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Things You Should Know About Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection

Also Known As

  • Holiday Inn Resort Orlando - The Castle

Address

8629 International Dr, Orlando, Florida 32819, United States

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection

Scene

A modern, sometimes over-the-top castle drawing couples and families -- despite a lack of kid-friendly amenities

True to its name, Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection, has a modern-looking exterior of smooth white walls topped by turrets. Inside it's a different story, where velveteen fabrics and bejeweled light fixtures compete for attention. The signature deer-horn logo is omnipresent, in antler-covered wall hangings, a chandelier and sconces, and even woven into the carpet pattern. The color purple is also in heavy rotation, sparkling on walls, furnishings, and in two enormous, aubergine-tinged geodes that flank the gift shop. Meals and drinks can be enjoyed outside in The Rose Garden, which -- being outside between the pool and the lobby -- returns to the sleek modern, airy atmosphere. Despite luxury touches that scream "don't touch with sticky fingers," and restaurant menus not geared toward children (think Brie finger sandwiches instead of Mac and Cheese) the hotel provides cribs free of charge, and does draw families. A rooftop deck offers gorgeous nighttime views, particularly of the Orlando Eye, but can be a bit warm in the daytime and, with only a couple of chairs and a table, doesn't invite more lingering than the time it takes to snap a selfie.

See More Scene

Location

Wonderfully close to all the major attractions

Location doesn't get more central than The Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection, which is just a 17-minute drive from the airport, 13 minutes from SeaWorld, and 18 minutes away from Walt Disney World. On foot, you can reach The Orange County Convention Center, on a pleasant 26-minute walk, the Orlando Eye in six-minutes, or Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Odditorium, in just eight minutes. While it's not walking distance to local theme parks, the hotel's location slightly away from those attractions provides a buffer from traffic. And while central Florida isn't known for its beaches, it does offer nearby hiking, canoeing and kayaking at the Oakland Nature Preserve, about a half hour away by car. Do note, there are fees for parking and/or shuttle service to attractions, including to and from the airport.  

See More Location

Rooms

Ornately decorated rooms with iPod docks, Starbucks coffee, and marble bathrooms

In keeping with the Bavarian theme, guest rooms are decorated with every flourish in mind. As part of its castle-esque style, these spaces feature brocade curtains, gilded mirrors, carved wooden headboards, and even drawer pulls that mimic the antler theme. For guests seeking a more modern feel, Executive Rooms bring additional square footage and sleek tufted headboards, but otherwise the embellishments abound throughout. All the rooms feature pillow-top mattresses, 37-inch flat-screen TVs with premium channels, coffeemakers, safes, iPod docking stations, and free Wi-Fi. Tazo teas and Starbucks coffee are welcome luxury touches. Some rooms have window-seating, in particular the corner turret rooms that come with a settee. Marble-clad bathrooms with roomy vanities and a generic shower/tub combo are also across all room levels. They're stocked with hairdryers and the hotel's own toiletries.

See More Rooms

Features

Chic outdoor area by the pool, restaurants, meeting rooms, a spa, and fitness center 

One of the highlights at the Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection is the Garden Bistro near the pool, which is furnished with stylish resin-wicker chairs underneath a canvas canopy. The nearby circular pool features a playful dolphin fountain and outdoor hot tub. Dining options include the bistro, tapas restaurant, or a steakhouse, and there's a trendy cocktail lounge, all of which are open to the public. Wellness facilities include a fitness center with free weights, ellipticals, a stationary bike, and treadmills, in addition to the Poseidon Spa, which features massages and treatments. There's a small business station that includes a fax, printer and  public computer, but the main offering for business travelers are the meeting rooms, which total 8,400 square feet of space. Small pets are allowed for a fee. Though the hotel lacks in water-sport facilities and babysitting services, extra touches like free cribs, free mini-fridges and in-room air purifiers on request make it attractive to families in need of these additional details. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.