Pros

  • Mid-range lakefront resort packed with fantastic kid-friendly activities
  • Large water playground with splash fountains and slide pool
  • Main pool with playful pirate theme and mock pirate boat
  • Spacious rooms and villas, all with private balconies
  • Villas come with full kitchens and multiple bedrooms
  • Tranquil lake for fishing and sunbathing
  • Extensive recreation facilities including numerous sports grounds
  • Indoor recreation facilities including 24-hour gym and arcade
  • Pool-side grill restaurant and bar plus numerous grills for self-catering
  • Recreation office dedicated to organizing fun activities for guests
  • Free private parking, free high-speed Wi-Fi
  • No resort fees
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Cons

  • Hotel may occasionally be noisy due to kids and neighboring highway
  • No shuttle service to theme parks
  • Decor verges on dated throughout
  • Some rates don't include housekeeping
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Bottom Line

Marriott's Harbour Lake is a mid-range, family-friendly resort with 900 rooms off of International Drive, on the outskirts of Orlando's main tourist area. It's a short 10-minute drive to Disney World, and a 15-minute drive to Universal Studios, though shuttles aren't offered. Highlights include a large natural lake, activities, and numerous sports features plus a kid-friendly water playground and pirate-themed outdoor pool. Guest rooms and villas are clean and spacious, if generic and a bit dated, and villas include kitchens. A pool-side grill restaurant is also open for (paid) breakfast and serves American dishes. For a stay closer to the Disney parks, try Disney's Art of Animation Resort, which is good value and located right within Walt Disney World Resort, though it lacks a gym.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Marriott’s Harbour Lake

Scene

Fun-filled resort packed with activities for kids’ and families

Marriott’s Harbour Lake is a large, manicured lakefront resort, housed in picturesque pastel-colored buildings that are reminiscent of classic Key West residences. That casually colorful vibe extends across the grounds, where the boardwalk, restaurant, and lounging areas are decorated with elegant pastel facades and white wood accents. Inside, the spaces are pleasant, if a bit dated in some places: high, airy ceilings and modern beige sofas in the lounge clash with the dated orange patterned carpeting in reception. It may not be as smart as its sister Marriott resort across the road, but it has a relaxed atmosphere, a much bigger lake, and is packed with fantastic outdoor and indoor recreational activities for families. The kids love it, according to past guests, and the hotel also ranks well with adults in departments such as customer service and cleanliness. Some areas may become noisy during peak hours, but overall, we were surprised that the resort seems to maintain a relatively peaceful atmosphere despite being packed with families during our visit.  

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Location

Near International Drive, a ten-minute drive to Disney World

This resort is located off International Drive, on the outer edge of Orlando’s tourist hotspots, and just next to Interstate 4. The only other neighbors are other hotels, and it's less built-up here than in the heart of the I-Drive development. I-Drive 360 and the Orlando Eye are about a 15-minute drive, where there are also plenty of shops, restaurants, entertainment activities, and nightlife. Disney World is just over a ten-minute drive, while Universal Studios is about a 15-minute drive. Orlando International Airport is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel. 

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Rooms

Clean and spacious, all with private balconies, but slightly dated decor -- many have kitchens

There are several different room types in the resort, broken down into traditional hotel rooms and villas with separate bedrooms. The decor is generic, with a slightly dated vibe reminiscent of timeshares, but the rooms aren't unpleasant. Different color schemes are generally paired with neutral sofas and wood furniture. A bit of tropically-influenced art hangs on the wall, though there's little in the way of Disney-inspired, child-friendly character. Traditional hotel rooms are spacious and come with sinks, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, microwaves, and cupboards filled with cutlery and tableware. Bigger One- and Two-Bedroom Villas have large kitchens, laundry rooms with washers and dryers, and separate dining areas. The sofas in all room types can be pulled out into a bed, sleeping two additional people. Bathrooms have neutral tones with white bath tiles, and come with a shower/tub combos or separate showers and tubs. All rooms have a sitting area, private balconies with patio seating, flat-screen TVs with cable channels and DVD players, air-conditioning, and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Keep in mind that not all rooms include housekeeping, so check ahead.

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Features

Lots to do for kids, including a fun pirate-themed outdoor pool and delightful splash playground

The biggest highlight of this hotel is its abundant family-friendly facilities. The pool areas have plenty of lounge space and are specifically designed for kids: Shipwreck Landing Pool has a near life-size pirate ship which doubles as a water slide. The wooden masts act as splash fountains and there are also themed characters, including plastic alligator pirates with water guns. Florida Falls is a large interactive water playground, with numerous charming splash fountains disguised as animal characters, and a slide pool with deep and shallow ends. There’s also an outdoor hot tub for adults, and outdoor sports facilities including a sand volleyball court, basketball court, grass sports pitch, a mini-golf course, kids’ playground, and a recreation station with ping-pong, pool, and foosball tables (fees required for some). The hotel even has a dedicated recreation office that organizes daily and weekly activities and is chock full of kids’ toys and board games.

For adults who prefer peace and quiet, a wooden boardwalk leads to the large natural lake where there are plenty of sun loungers for relaxing and fishing is allowed. Barbecue stations and a wood fire pit with picnic tables are available for guest use. There’s no breakfast included, but the poolside grill restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and focuses on American cuisine. There’s also a wooden kiosk that sells snacks and drinks, and a 24-hour gym with an extensive array of cardio and weight lifting machines. A guest laundry room is available for guests staying in traditional guest rooms (which don't have laundry facilities), and a small business center has two computers and a printer. There are no shuttles provided to theme parks, which means guests will need a car to get around. Accordingly the hotel has free private parking. Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and there are no resort fees, though there can be fees for housekeeping.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Marriott’s Harbour Lake

Scene

Fun-filled resort packed with activities for kids’ and families

Marriott’s Harbour Lake is a large, manicured lakefront resort, housed in picturesque pastel-colored buildings that are reminiscent of classic Key West residences. That casually colorful vibe extends across the grounds, where the boardwalk, restaurant, and lounging areas are decorated with elegant pastel facades and white wood accents. Inside, the spaces are pleasant, if a bit dated in some places: high, airy ceilings and modern beige sofas in the lounge clash with the dated orange patterned carpeting in reception. It may not be as smart as its sister Marriott resort across the road, but it has a relaxed atmosphere, a much bigger lake, and is packed with fantastic outdoor and indoor recreational activities for families. The kids love it, according to past guests, and the hotel also ranks well with adults in departments such as customer service and cleanliness. Some areas may become noisy during peak hours, but overall, we were surprised that the resort seems to maintain a relatively peaceful atmosphere despite being packed with families during our visit.  

See More Scene

Location

Near International Drive, a ten-minute drive to Disney World

This resort is located off International Drive, on the outer edge of Orlando’s tourist hotspots, and just next to Interstate 4. The only other neighbors are other hotels, and it's less built-up here than in the heart of the I-Drive development. I-Drive 360 and the Orlando Eye are about a 15-minute drive, where there are also plenty of shops, restaurants, entertainment activities, and nightlife. Disney World is just over a ten-minute drive, while Universal Studios is about a 15-minute drive. Orlando International Airport is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel. 

See More Location

Rooms

Clean and spacious, all with private balconies, but slightly dated decor -- many have kitchens

There are several different room types in the resort, broken down into traditional hotel rooms and villas with separate bedrooms. The decor is generic, with a slightly dated vibe reminiscent of timeshares, but the rooms aren't unpleasant. Different color schemes are generally paired with neutral sofas and wood furniture. A bit of tropically-influenced art hangs on the wall, though there's little in the way of Disney-inspired, child-friendly character. Traditional hotel rooms are spacious and come with sinks, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, microwaves, and cupboards filled with cutlery and tableware. Bigger One- and Two-Bedroom Villas have large kitchens, laundry rooms with washers and dryers, and separate dining areas. The sofas in all room types can be pulled out into a bed, sleeping two additional people. Bathrooms have neutral tones with white bath tiles, and come with a shower/tub combos or separate showers and tubs. All rooms have a sitting area, private balconies with patio seating, flat-screen TVs with cable channels and DVD players, air-conditioning, and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Keep in mind that not all rooms include housekeeping, so check ahead.

See More Rooms

Features

Lots to do for kids, including a fun pirate-themed outdoor pool and delightful splash playground

The biggest highlight of this hotel is its abundant family-friendly facilities. The pool areas have plenty of lounge space and are specifically designed for kids: Shipwreck Landing Pool has a near life-size pirate ship which doubles as a water slide. The wooden masts act as splash fountains and there are also themed characters, including plastic alligator pirates with water guns. Florida Falls is a large interactive water playground, with numerous charming splash fountains disguised as animal characters, and a slide pool with deep and shallow ends. There’s also an outdoor hot tub for adults, and outdoor sports facilities including a sand volleyball court, basketball court, grass sports pitch, a mini-golf course, kids’ playground, and a recreation station with ping-pong, pool, and foosball tables (fees required for some). The hotel even has a dedicated recreation office that organizes daily and weekly activities and is chock full of kids’ toys and board games.

For adults who prefer peace and quiet, a wooden boardwalk leads to the large natural lake where there are plenty of sun loungers for relaxing and fishing is allowed. Barbecue stations and a wood fire pit with picnic tables are available for guest use. There’s no breakfast included, but the poolside grill restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and focuses on American cuisine. There’s also a wooden kiosk that sells snacks and drinks, and a 24-hour gym with an extensive array of cardio and weight lifting machines. A guest laundry room is available for guests staying in traditional guest rooms (which don't have laundry facilities), and a small business center has two computers and a printer. There are no shuttles provided to theme parks, which means guests will need a car to get around. Accordingly the hotel has free private parking. Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and there are no resort fees, though there can be fees for housekeeping.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Full Kitchen

  • Gameroom / Arcade

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

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.