Best Value Hotels in International Drive, Orlando

The Point Orlando Resort is an upper-middle-range option in a great location just off International Drive, close to Universal Studios. The classically sharp apartments come with kitchenettes or full kitchens, and larger apartments add washer/dryers. Some rooms have balconies with views of the Universal fireworks in the evening. The heated outdoor pool is a favorite hangout spot, and there's also a small fitness center. Dining includes a breakfast buffet, a tapas place, and a pool bar. Unfortunately, the free shuttle to Universal, Epcot, and SeaWorld isn't as frequent as many guests would like. Families looking for more kid-friendly features could check out the Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club, which has four pools, a waterslide, mini-golf, and a golf course, but it's farther from the action. 

The 652-room Avanti International Resort is a mid-range property centrally located on International Drive within walking distance of many restaurants. It provides a free shuttle to the theme parks, and an iRide Trolley stop is close by. Rooms and suites are mostly modern, and come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers, although some of the bathrooms need an overhaul. There's a casual cafe and mini-market, as well as a poolside bar. Recreation options include a large outdoor pool, volleyball, shuffleboard, a fitness center, and a game room. Resort fees are a nuisance, particularly because it's more like a large motel and some rooms can be noisy. Alternatively, the Rosen Inn at Point Orlando has two heated outdoor pools and doesn't charge a resort fee. It also allows pets. 

True to the Holiday Inn brand, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Orlando is clean and predictable but lacks distinctiveness, especially when compared with the nearby Hilton Grand Vacations or Grande Villas Resort. The pool is small, and there's no poolside bar, but the expansive meeting and banquet space is a plus for business travelers (the hotel is within three miles of the Orange County Convention Center). Suites are large enough to accommodate families and groups, and the property is close to the area's fun parks and attractions: Universal Studios is across the street, and Disney World, SeaWorld, and Wet n’ Wild are within a 15-minute drive. The hotel has free shuttle service to Universal and Disney's Magic Kingdom, the main park at Walt Disney World.

This budget-friendly property attracts both business and leisure travelers with its low rates and long list of freebies. Rooms are simple, with IKEA-like furniture, but all come with nice additions such as microwaves, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. Those who require a fitness center should look elsewhere, but there are three on-site pools and overall this hotel offers a solid value -- if nothing particularly special.

This budget-friendly, family-centric property offers plenty of freebies, making it a solid value; children eat free, there’s a free shuttle to nearby attractions (though Disney parks are not included), and parking and Wi-Fi also come included in the rates. Rooms are spacious and feature modern amenities. However, the decor is not particularly stylish and there are some quirks -- rooms have exterior entrances and odd setups with the microwaves in the bathrooms.

StaySky Suites I-Drive Orlando is a budget property with 143 rooms and suites, and a great location within a short drive of theme parks, shops, and restaurants. There's a lovely, palm tree-shaded pool, and the hotel offers free breakfast, theme park shuttles, and drinks at twice-weekly happy hour. Meeting space, a game room, and suites with full kitchens make this property a good choice for families and business travelers. Plus, it’s quieter and smarter than many of the motels on International Drive. The decor throughout is plain and, in some places, dated, but those seeking a simple place to rest while visiting Orlando attractions will find good value here. 

This value property is one of the most affordable options on International Drive, but for a reason -- features are few and much of the interiors feel distinctively budget. Aside from the low rates, the location at the entrance of Universal Orlando is the main selling point, and the hotel provides a free shuttle to several attractions, as well as a free breakfast. Updated rooms are also decent enough with microwaves, mini-fridges, and pay-per-view movies, though bathrooms need an update and rooms close to the freeway get noise. A large pool with a poolside bar is also a bonus, though the neighboring Rogen Inn also has a pool, plus a restaurant and fitness room. 

The Baymont Inn & Suites is a two-and-a-half pearl family-friendly hotel located within easy walking distance from the restaurants and attractions on International Drive. The hotel offers 230 rooms (and they're in the process of adding another 98). All rooms feature mini-fridges and large safes and many have pull-out sofa beds, ideal for families. Amenities include a large swimming pool with a separate splash pool for kids, a 24-hour fitness center, and a meeting room. While there's no proper restaurant, the hotel does offer a free and extensive breakfast buffet with all sorts of hot options. The Baymont is among the best values in the area, but charges a daily resort fee. Rates are more transparent at the nearby Clarion Inn & Suites At International Drive. 

The Enclave Hotel & Suites offers much of what other all-suite Orlando hotels offer: great location, full kitchens, and numerous swimming pools. But this is an older hotel, and the rooms do show wear and a lack of attention to detail, in terms of decor and atmosphere. For families who don't intend to spend a lot of time in the room, however, the Enclave is a serviceable budget-friendly option, with nice lake views and easy access to all the theme parks.

The mid-range Ramada Plaza Resort and Suites Orlando International Drive is a 295-room chain hotel with spacious rooms and suites, some with kitchenettes and sleeper sofas. However, there’s a big difference in the decor and general condition of the suites in the newer North Tower and Standard Rooms in the older South Tower. The hotel offers a free continental breakfast and a lobby bar, but there’s no full-service restaurant. Other features include a free shuttle to Universal Studios, Magic Kingdom, and SeaWorld plus a lovely lakefront pool and whirlpool, but the rooftop pool and bar are open only to Club Room guests. For a nearby option with even lower rates and a 24-hour cafe, consider the mid-range Rosen Inn International. 

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. 

The 221-room Clarion Inn and Suites At International Drive is a convenient pick for budget-minded families and business travelers with a location convenient to theme parks like SeaWorld and the Orange County Convention Center. The hotel stands apart from any other budget mid-range hotel in the area -- including the nearby Days Inn Orlando Convention Center that is nearly priced the same -- because it has an E-Z car rental shop on-site. There is also a stylish outdoor pool and hot tub with shaded lounge areas. Some guests with heavy luggage found the hotel to be a bit inconvenient, as there is no elevator to the second floor.

I-Drive Grand Resort & Suites, formerly Anice Inn & Suites, is a two-pearl property comparable to other budget hotels in the area. The location near International Drive and Universal Studios -- plus the often incredibly low rates -- are the real draws here. However, this is an older hotel, and the rooms and outdoor swimming pools definitely show some wear. More troublesome are the constant guest complains regarding everything from long lines at check-in to the poor cleanliness and maintenance. Free breakfast, parking, and scheduled shuttle are nice perks. Check rates at the nearby Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando -- you'll lose the fitness center but will gain more dining options and nicer rooms.