Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is part of a 482-acre complex -- located within the gates of Disney World -- that includes a convention center and the neighboring Waldorf Astoria. Unlike most of the resorts in Disney World, this new Hilton has a distinctly adult vibe. The lobby is pumped with subtle fragrance rather than Alvin and the Chipmunks tracks; muted color schemes don't contain a single nod to the Disney surroundings; and the waffles at the breakfast buffet don't resemble animated characters. Not surprisingly, a lot of the guests are here to attend conferences next door.That said, this is a full-fledged resort -- and the families of those poor conventioneers are no doubt having a blast at the huge lagoon-style pool with a waterslide and lazy river. Guests also have access to the facilities -- including a spa, golf course, and second set of pools -- at the adjacent Waldorf Astoria Orlando.Standard rooms are spacious -- 414 square feet -- and comfortable. Set in high towers above quiet Bonnet Creek, these are some of the most peaceful rooms within the Disney gates. (Most other resorts have low-rise buildings with exterior corridors that tend to be far less insulated from noise and surrounding activity.) Perhaps because of the heavy business clientelle, the service is a cut above, and more traditonal than, what you typically get in Orlando.The hotel's location is certainly convenient for those looking to explore the Disney theme parks. But guests do not get the special perks -- extended-hours access to certain parks on certain nights, among others -- that you get if you stay at an official Disney property.

Friendly, accommodating staff offers solid all-around service and also offers the kind of traditional, urban business-class services that you generally don't see in Orlando: 24-hour room service and a full-service staffed business center, for example. Despite its location, this Hilton does not provide the Disney park services that you get at the official Disney resorts: extended park hours, free airport transportation, and room charges at any Disney World facility. (On the other hand, the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista - Disney Springs™ Area, also in the park, does offer all those perks.)- Concierge desk open throughout the day

• Business center staffed daily
• Choice of valet and self-parking; charges apply
• 24-hour room service

The Hilton Bonnet Creek is within the gates of Walt Disney World in a relatively quiet and secluded spot off Bonnet Creek Road. It's own convention center on property is where plenty of guests spend their time, but Downtown Disney and Hollywood Studios are about five minutes by car and the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are both more like 15 minutes away. There's nothing within reasonable walking distance; renting a car is a must if you plan to get off the Disney compound -- or even if you just want to eat outside the property.- Located within the Walt Disney World property, a five-minute drive from Hollywood Studios and Downtown Disney; 10-minute drive from Epcot, and 15- to 20-minutes from the Magic and Animal Kingdoms

• Free shuttle to Disney attractions with drop-off at transportation center of each park; shuttle to non-Disney attractions like SeaWorld and Hollywood Studios are charged per person.
• Third party operated shuttle service to Universal Studios with drop-off right outside the CityWalk area
• Free parking, and plenty of it
• 15- to 20-minute drive to SeaWorld
• 20-minute drive to Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure
• 15- to 20-minute drive to spots along International Drive, a 14.5-mile road parallel to Interstate 4 that's chock-full of hotels, strip malls, outlet shops, and restaurants. In the middle of this stretch is the Orange County Convention Center, the second largest convention center in the U.S.
• 30-minute drive to Orlando International Airport

Rooms are clean, quiet, and decorated in warm, muted colors -- in other words, dramatically different from the bright primary colors and cartoon-driven decor in most of the surrounding Disney resorts. Rooms are well equipped for business travelers, with up-to-date technology, Wi-Fi, and work desks, but are also spacious enough for small families to be comfortable here.- Standard rooms are a generous 414 square feet, with the option of two queen beds or a single king.

• Hilton Signature Serenity beds have pillow-top mattress, cotton/poly blend Hilton brand sheets, and down comforters.
• 37-inch flat-screen TVs and clock-radios with MP3 connections
• Bathrooms are clean and spacious, with plenty of counter space.
• Peter Thomas Roth toiletries
• Coffeemakers and mini-fridges provided
• Daily housekeeping
• Wi-Fi is included in the daily resort fee

This Hilton is a convenient combination of business hotel and resort: The property contains 51 meeting rooms, a full-service business center, a 24-hour fitness center, and free lobby Wi-Fi, plus leisure features like a massive lagoon-style pool, lazy river waterslide, and pool deck. Additional facilities at the neighboring Waldorf Astoria property, including another small pool, a spa, and a golf club, are free. (All are less than a mile away and accessible by walking through the connected convention center that lies between; but note that the website suggests that they're all at the same hotel.)Despite being within the Disney gates, this Hilton doesn't provide park-related perks like extended park access hours, room billing throughout Disney World and free airport transfer. These services are normally exclusive to Disney resorts, but the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista - Disney Springs™ Area  does provide those extras.- Huge lagoon-style pool with a zero-entry section, lazy river, waterslide and Jacuzzi

• 24-hour fitness center is new and in great condition; 15 Precor cardio machines, several cable weight machines, free weights, all in a pleasant, clean space that overlooks the pool; towels and water are provided.
• Business center staffed daily; services include shipping, faxing, and printing, plus there are five computers and printing stations
• Disney Shop on-site, managed and operated by Disney
• Wi-Fi covered in the daily resort fee
• Free shuttle service to Disney World parks; hours change seasonally but customers complained that they are unreliable

Though you won't find a shred of cartoon paraphernalia or Rice Krispies treats at every restaurant, the actual rooms, services, amenities and food are all great for kids -- the pools alone are enough to entertain them for at least a few days. On the other hand, the decor and atmosphere is much more adult than you'll find nearly anywhere else on the Disney World property: A lobby bar and subdued decor are clearly designed to make adults feel more at home than in Disney lobbies. But the location makes it possible to get the best of both worlds: a relaxing, adult environment with great proximity to the parks. Drawbacks for families are that it doesn't offer Disney resort perks despite being within Disney World, it's far from many attractions, requiring a rental car for convenience, and the food options are generally overpriced, so added costs can be higher than at a Disney hotel nearby.- Daily fee for rollaway beds (they fit in the standard rooms that have a king bed, but not in those with two queens); cribs are free

• Large lagoon pool has zero-entry side, a waterslide, and a lazy river
• Kid-friendly menu options and prices at most restaurants
• Kids eat free at Harvest Bistro for breakfast and dinner (ages 12 and under per paying adult; Kids menu only)

Food options here range from take-away snacks and lunches to formal Italian-style dining from California's famed restaurant developer Donna Scala. All options are somewhat overpriced, as resort food tends to be, but there are fewer budget options here than at many of the surrounding Disney resorts. There are kid-friendly options on most menus, but there's no distinguished kids' restaurant or specialty foods -- just smaller portions of kid-friendly items like pizza, waffles, and burgers at lower prices.- La Luce Italian restaurant, a concept hotel designed by Donna Scala, a successful Northern Californian restaurateur

• Harvest Bistro focuses on "farm-fresh" food - essentially healthy dishes with a range of produce and meats. It serves an extensive breakfast buffet or breakfast a la carte, as well as lunch and dinner. It also sells a small selection of snacks, salads, and sandwiches to go.
• MUSE coffee shop in the lobby open mornings and afternoons, serves espresso, pastries, and snacks.
• Sena Bar & Lounge, located in the lobby, serves a full bar and overlooks the Hilton property; has a moderate crowd in the evenings.
• Beech poolside bar serves a full menu of drinks and a lunch menu that includes things like nachos, pizza, burgers, and salads (open for lunch and dinner).
• Zeta Bar serves specialty cocktails and wine and beer from around the world, as well as sushi.
• 24-hour room service