Orlando is a city made world famous by amusement parks such as Universal Studios and Walt Disney World. To accompany these parks, a lot of hotels and resorts have been built to keep up with tourism demand. There are so many hotels in Orlando to choose from that you can go as many times as you want and simply not stay in all the hotels the city has to offer. For my New Year’s trip which involves Disney Springs, one hotel popped to mind: the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort.
Free shuttle to Universal and Disney World
If you are staying at the hotel purely for the amusement parks, Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort offers free shuttle transportation to and from most parks. Upon check in, you may request a copy of the shuttle schedule – for Disney, there is no need for prior booking, just show up at the designated spot a few minutes before the shuttle is scheduled to depart and you’re good to go. You save at least 17 USD for parking fees this way, as most of the theme parks charge parking fees whenever you visit. Remember to take note of where the shuttle will pick you up when leaving the theme parks though, as they may change depending on the pickup time. On the other hand, if you have rented a car, the resort charges 15 USD for self-parking fee per day, so you may end up saving 2 USD from this privilege.
Big bedroom, small bathroom
The room is quite spacious and is very comfortable; a standard room comes with two queen beds; perfect for the little ones to stay in a separate bed of their own if you are on a family vacation. The room also comes with a set of toiletries, however, expect the sink and vanity area to be outside of the bathroom. You got that right! The bathroom sink and vanity are both outside, it’s literally what you notice first when you go inside your bedroom. It was quite odd to have a setup like that in the U.S., as it makes the bathroom seem a bit smaller compared to regular hotel rooms. It is a more efficient use of space, however, so we can perhaps give Sheraton engineers credit for this little twist!
Pool paradise for adults and kids
Let’s face it, if you hear the name Sheraton, you will think of business travelers and not much about families spending their vacation here, At least, that was what the brand Starwood led people to believe, but this particular hotel in Orlando caters to both leisure and business travelers! There are four buildings in this complex, with a swimming pool conveniently located in the courtyard area, connecting the buildings together. There are two pools: one that is shallow for children with beach volleyball amenities on the other end, and a larger adult pool that goes up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) deep. Both pools are heated, so even if it is a tad bit cooler during the winter months, nothing can stop you from heading out to take a dip! There are also two hot tubs that one can go to for a bit more relaxation after a cool swim. A large gym area is located in one of the buildings, and there are some activities that happen nightly (like movie nights or balloon sculptors) that can keep both the adults and the children occupied.
Relaxation and water fun near the theme parks
Overall, the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista is a great place to relax and unwind if you are in town for a vacation. It is also a home away from home if you are on your way to Orlando’s famed theme parks. Besides the pools, the other excellent amenities it offers include a fitness center, breakfast buffet (available for a fee), spacious rooms, cleaning service, and friendly staff members. The centerpiece of the hotel, however, is the two large pools, complete with a waterslide for kids and two Jacuzzi tubs for adults. After a long day of running around Disney World or Universal, there is no better way to unwind than to relax in the pool and Jacuzzi while gazing up at the the stars.
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