Trying to find where to stay in Orlando? The largest city in Central Florida, Orlando has several great areas to stay all with unique attractions and different vibes. For new visitors though, sorting through the best hotels in Orlando can be overwhelming.
The best areas in Orlando for travelers fall close to the city’s most popular tourist destinations. The most common neighborhoods are in the city center and near International Drive. Both of these districts are perfect for nightlife and exploring the city. For family holidays, choosing a hotel in Lake Buena Vista, closer to Walt Disney World, is also a great option.
Not sure where to begin your Orlando accommodation search? Get started with this complete guide to the best places to stay in Orlando, FL.
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other hotel & accommodations guides and our Florida Travel Guide for recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Best places to stay in Orlando, FL
With its popularity and wide sprawl, choosing where to stay in Orlando can be challenging for travelers. The city is spread out over many different districts & neighborhoods, giving you several options for your visit.
For first-time visitors, Downtown Orlando and International Drive are the best areas to stay. They’re 30 minutes or less to all the top tourist attractions in Orlando and close to the theme park district. Plenty of restaurants are also within walking distance from hotels in these areas.
Lake Buena Vista is also an excellent choice if your vacation plans mostly revolve around visiting the Disney parks. Hotels in Florida Center give you quick access to the Universal theme parks.
Staying in Winter Park, on the other hand, allows you to experience more of a local part of Orlando. North of Downtown, the suburb offers great budget lodgings options and is still within a short drive of the city center.
The best areas to stay in Orlando are:
Downtown Orlando
✓ Best area to stay in Orlando for sightseeing & culture
Looking to add a dash of culture to your Central Florida visit? Book a hotel in Downtown Orlando. Conveniently in the heart of the city center, Downtown Orlando is also home to the Orlando Magic and the Amway Center. If you’re visiting on a short 1-day Orlando itinerary, there’s no better place to stay than Downtown.
Lake Eola Park is Downtown’s top attraction. Featuring a jogging trail just under a mile, it’s a great place to stay fit during your vacation and get some sunshine. Lake Eola is surrounded by restaurants and breweries. Enjoy a cold one after spending some time outside. There’s also a small rental fee for paddle boats and concerts during the weekend in the amphitheater.
From Downtown Orlando, you can reach Harry P. Leu Gardens in less than 10 minutes and the Orlando Science Center in less than 20. For some nightlife, hit up Church Street for some amazing bars and clubs.
Recommended hotels in Downtown Orlando
AC Hotel by Marriott Orlando Downtown
Representing the sophisticated style of AC Marriott hotels, their downtown option is right in the middle of the city. All rooms are European-inspired with a sleek and modern design. Check out the SkyBar Rooftop Terrace for an amazing city view during the day and nighttime. The hotel is within walking distance of Foxtail Coffee and the SunRail station.
Aloft Orlando Downtown
Celebrate your style at this incredibly chic and modern hotel. It’s just a few minutes’ drive from the World Camping Stadium, Dr. Phillips Center, and the Amway Center. Unlike some chain hotels, this hotel is about style, casual elegance, and giving you ample opportunities to meet new people. They also have large walk-in showers, an amazing spa, and a 24-hour fitness center.
Embassy Suites Orlando Downtown
Located just minutes from Lake Eola, this hotel gives you incredible views of the water and the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s also close to many entertainment venues such as the Sak Comedy Lab and the World Camping Stadium. They have a variety of amenities including continental breakfast, a communal pool, and a golf club on-site.
Grand Bohemian Hotel
Searching for a luxury hotel in the heart of Orlando? The Grand Bohemian Hotel is beautiful with dark wood furnishings, an incredible fully-equipped bar, and live jazz music. They also have a heated pool located on the rooftop to give you amazing views of the city. The hotel also features an art gallery, a business center, and valet parking.
Lake Buena Vista
✓ Recommended area in Orlando for Walt Disney World Resort
Booking a family Disney vacation? Lake Buena Vista is located in Southwest Orlando and is the best area for keeping you close to all the theme parks. It also has incredible options for family fun & entertainment. If you are traveling with children, Lake Buena Vista is also an amazing area to stay.
Walt Disney World Resort and its famed Magic Kingdom Park are also located in this popular Orlando neighborhood. At night, you can take a shuttle or drive to Disney Springs to visit the shops and buy souvenirs for the family.
Lake Buena Vista has a wide variety of accommodation options. You’ll find several options clustered close to Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld Orlando. The neighborhood is located in Orange County, often known as Disney World County among locals. Disney hotels also have several amenities that other top Orlando hotels can’t compete against.
Recommended hotels around Lake Buena Vista
Hyatt Place Lake Buena Vista
Trying to find a great hotel close to Walt Disney World Resort and Orlando’s most popular family-friendly attractions? Hyatt Place Lake Buena Vista is a great Florida resort for getting close to everything. With incredible facilities such as a luxury pool, fitness center, and pet facilities, this hotel gives you everything you need to have an incredible vacation.
Holiday Inn Disney Springs
If you want to be within walking distance of Disney Springs, this option by Holiday Inn is incredible. Holiday Inn Disney Springs also offers a standard hot breakfast and is one of the top affordable options for staying near the theme parks. Free shuttles are also offered to all the Disney theme parks which means you don’t have to pay for parking or gas. If you plan to just chill at the hotel, they also offer free WIFI, private terraces, and barbecue facilities.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Searching for luxury on your Disney vacation? This Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is one of the best luxury hotels in Orlando for families. The hotel gives you access to amazing amenities such as the Jack Nicklaus Golf Course, a lagoon pool, and an award-winning spa. The outdoor pool has natural waterfalls, a water slide, a rope bridge, and caves you can swim through. They also have a 24-hour gym, free bicycles for rent, jogging, and nature trails all throughout the hotel and tennis courts.
JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa
Located in close proximity to all the major parks, this JW Marriott resort is a great hotel for families or couples. Their outdoor swimming pool has a splash pad, giving young children a safe place to play. They also have a rooftop terrace that’s perfect for viewing Magic Kingdom Park’s nightly fireworks. They also offer a delicious breakfast to prepare you for your long day trekking through Disney World with your family.
Florida Center
✓ Best neighborhood to stay in Orlando for Universal Orlando Resort
Planning to visit all of Orlando’s world-famous theme parks? Florida Center is the best place to stay in Orlando for theme-park hopping. Many of the hotels in the neighborhood are part of Universal Orlando Resort. You’ll enjoy having the option to take a free shuttle or bus to Universal Studios Orlando.
Located in Universal Resort, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Islands of Adventure are the most popular attractions in the Florida Center area. The parks offer roller coasters for thrill-seekers and smaller rides for children.
RELATED: When to Visit Orlando
Aren’t interested in amusement park rides? Volcano Bay is a great water park where you can cool off from the hot summer Florida sun. Go tubing down lazy rivers or slip down one of the park’s many slides.
Recommended hotels in Florida Center
Wyndham Garden Orlando Universal / I Drive
Wyndham’s I Drive location is the ideal place to stay if you want to be right in the middle of the action. It’s less than a 30-minute drive to Orlando International Airport and just a few minutes from Walt Disney World and Universal Resort. They offer basic modern rooms with a saltwater pool and free parking.
Universal’s Aventura Hotel
Located within walking distance to Volcano Bay, this hotel has modern and simple rooms. The outdoor pool has amazing views of the Universal theme parks, all within a few minutes’ driving distance. Universal’s Aventura Hotel also has a free shuttle service to Universal Orlando. You’ll also get other theme parks perks if you buy a ticket package from them.
Universal’s Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Traveling with the whole family and need some spacious family suites? Loews Royal Pacific Resort has all the amenities and accommodations you need for large parties. The resort has an amazing swimming pool with a special kid’s area and a 5,000-square-foot fitness center. The self-serve laundry facilities are easy to use and perfect for doing large laundry loads for the whole family.
International Drive
✓ Best place to stay in Orlando for resort-hopping
One of the main strips in Orlando, International Drive is located close to all the theme parks. It’s a great place for families to stay. Staying around I-Drive, you can visit all the major attractions without having to drive or walk too far.
To get the full International Drive experience, make sure to visit the Wheel at ICON Park. Also known as ICON Orlando, the 400-foot wheel will give you an incredible view of the city.
For more excitement, Madame Tussauds Orlando wax figure museum, SeaWorld Orlando, and Discovery Cove are all located less than 10 minutes from hotels on International Drive. I-Drive also has delicious restaurants, including popular chains and locally owned hotspots.
Recommended hotels near International Drive
Hampton Inn & Suites International Drive North
Located just two minutes from Universal and a few minutes from I-4, Hampton Inn’s location at International Drive North has one of the most convenient locations. The fitness center has everything you need for a simple workout before heading off to one of the parks. With an outdoor swimming pool and simple rooms, this hotel has all the basic amenities you need.
Embassy Suites by Hilton International Drive Convention Center
Featuring evening concerts, an indoor and outdoor pool, and a hot breakfast, this Hilton Orlando hotel gives you quick access to the Universal theme parks. It’s just one mile from the Orange County Convention Center. They also have pet-friendly rooms, an on-site restaurant, and a shuttle you can use for a small fee.
Hyatt Regency Orlando
For luxurious comfort for the whole family, look no further than Hyatt Regency. All of I-Drive’s main attractions are located less than 2 miles from this hotel. The kids will especially love the huge pool complete with a water slide and waterfall. There’s also a special zero-entry kiddie pool that’s perfect for keeping your children safe.
Winter Park
✓ Top neighborhood in Orlando for art lovers
A lesser-known suburb of Orlando, Winter Park is perfect for art lovers and travelers wanting a quieter stay. The neighborhood is home to several popular museums such as the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art and Cornell Fine Arts Museum. Winter Park’s galleries offer some of the largest collections of art in the city.
Take a stroll down Park Avenue to shop in local boutiques or sip a drink at one of its many coffee shops. The area also has some of the best restaurants in Central Florida. Try Briarpatch for brunch and Boca for happy hour and dinner. Both are located across from the Morse Museum.
Recommended hotels in Winter Park
Hilton Garden Inn Winter Park
Another fantastic Hilton hotel, this location in Winter Park is just a short drive from Park Avenue and the dining district. The restaurant serves hot breakfast and dinner every day. Room service every evening is included with the price of your room. The hotel is smaller, giving you a quieter ambiance.
Park Plaza Hotel
Representing the classic European style of Winter Park, the Park Plaza Hotel is conveniently located on Park Avenue. They offer free continental breakfast and private terrace rooms to overlook the cobblestone streets below. This hotel is charming and historic in a boutique setting.
The Alfond Inn
For the ultimate luxurious stay in Winter Park, look no further than The Alfond Inn. Featuring a conservatory and courtyard, the Inn is perfect for those who love to enjoy their downtime outdoors. They also have a large pool and fitness center. The Alfond Inn is most frequented by business travelers and those just wanting to relax.
