International Drive location near plenty of tourist-friendly outposts
Drive to Universal Studios in 10 minutes
Among most affordable hotels in the area
Free scheduled shuttle to and from Epcot and Universal
Simple rooms feature free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and
coffeemakers
Free continental breakfast and parking
Outdoor pool refreshing on hot days
Well-stocked gift shop
Park tickets and tours can be purchased on-site
Coin-operated laundry room for guests
Cheap, motor lodge feel to the place
Rooms pick up noise from neighbors and traffic
Free breakfast options are paltry
Formerly known as the Travelodge Orlando International Drive,
the two-pearl Heart of IDrive is 10 minutes from Universal
Studios by car. The 114 rooms are simple and straightforward, and include a mini-fridge and microwave -- but the industrial carpeting and tube-style TVs look dated. The
hotel offers freebies like Wi-Fi, a continental breakfast, parking, and a small outdoor
pool, but don't expect much in the way of charm or ambience. Facilities and rooms pale in comparison to the nearby Holiday Inn Express, though the Heart of IDrive is one of the cheapest in the area.
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.
Scene
Three-story motor lodge for theme park visits on a budget
This three-floor property looks like a typical motor lodge
with all rooms accessed via an outside corridor overlooking the small pool. The
reception area is open, with a couple of tables and chairs along with a tour
desk corner, but it could use a little more furniture. There is a surprisingly
nice gift shop next to the reception desk that sells a large variety of Disney
souvenirs along with everything from snacks to suitcases. The overall vibe is fine for guests who don't plan on spending much time hanging out on site or in their rooms, and many of those passing through are families traveling on a budget, though some guests are workers from nearby projects on longer-term stays.
Location
On busy International Drive near chain restaurants and mini-golf
The property sits directly on Orlando's International Drive and there
are other hotels in the immediate area and lots of chain restaurants, including a Pizza Hut next door. International Drive is a heavily trafficked strip that can be noisy at night and throughout the day. Directly across the street is Magical Midway, a small
fun park with a giant slingshot, go-carts, and arcades. Wet 'N Wild water park is just a two-minute drive or 10-minute walk from the hotel. There is a bus stop directly
outside with regular buses running up and down International Drive to reach all of the other tourist-friendly businesses lining the road. Universal
Studios and theme parks are a 10-minute drive away, while SeaWorld and Walt Disney
World are about a 15-minute drive away. Orlando International Airport is a
25-minute drive from the hotel.
Rooms
Simple style with blend of modern and dated decor
Rooms have been given a bit of love and are a bit brighter and are a bit more modern than many other motels in the area, with red and orange accent
walls and dark wood headboards, dressers, desks, and nightstands. Abstract art is framed on the walls and rose-pink coverlets add a pop of color to the beds. There are some budget holdovers, though, including navy blue industrial carpeting lining the floors and tube-style TVs. Coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and microwaves in each of the rooms are nice perks for families, and Wi-Fi is free as well. Basic white tile bathrooms include a shower/tub combo, basic toiletries, hairdryer, and a hanging rod. Traffic can be heard in
certain rooms as the hotel sits between the interstate and a busy main road.
Features
Pool plus freebies including shuttle to Universal and Disney, Wi-Fi, and breakfast
Apart from a free scheduled shuttle to and from Epcot Center and
Universal Studios, this budget hotel offers free outdoor parking and free Wi-Fi access in rooms. A basic continental breakfast of cold cereal and toast is included in the room price, but expect to pay extra for waffles and sausages. The property
features a small but clean outdoor pool and a well-stocked gift shop that sells snacks, drinks, and travel necessities as well as Disney souvenirs and
suitcases. There's a coin-operated laundry room on-site and the front desk sells tickets to the theme parks at the front desk.
