Our Time at the Hilton Orlando Hotel and Review

My family and I had the pleasure to stay at the beautiful, luxurious Hilton Orlando located near Sea World, Universal Studios Resort, Wet and Wild Water Park, and next door to the Orange County Convention Center.  The Hilton Orlando is an AAA Four Diamond Award winning hotel in the heart of Orlando!

When I found out I would be staying at the Hilton Orlando I was thrilled and couldn't wait to tell my family!  I have stayed in a Hilton Hotel before but never have stayed in their resorts.  The Hilton has some really attractive hotels so I pretty much knew I was in for a real treat with the Hilton Orlando.

Before our trip, I gotten a chance to interview Abby Morningstar, Marketing Manager of the Hilton Orlando.  There were several questions I had for her that I wanted to learn more of her hotel.

1.  Do you offer shuttle services to the local amusement parks?  If so, which ones?

Yes, At Hilton Orlando, your SeaWorld vacation package includes a complimentary pass for the I-ride trolley. Enjoy your free ride to SeaWorld’s front gate or to many of the shopping, dining and entertainment venues in the International Drive resort area. 1 (one) iTrolley pass for each person in your SeaWorld package. You can pick up your iTrolley passes at the Concierge Desk located in the lobby.



2. What are the differences between Hilton Orlando and the Hilton Grand Vacations Suites?   

It is a completely different hotel and experience; we are a resort vs. a ‘all-suite property’ and don’t have kitchenettes, etc...  We do have a very similar location and are in the heart of Orlando, close to all the fun and excitement.  Please visit the Hilton Grand Vacations Suites site to learn more:  http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/hilton-grand-vacations-suites-on-international-drive-ORLINGV/index.html



3. What are some of the kid friendly options this hotel provides? 

Hilton Orlando features spectacular amenities:  2 pools, a lazy river with floats ready to ride, a waterslide, a whirlpool, fire pits where you can roast smore’s, spa & fitness center featuring special treatments for kids/teens, 9-hole putting green with ¼ mile jogging track, recreational courts including: volleyball, tennis, basketball, and bocce ball.

Kids will like the variety of food choices; choose from 7 unique dining options to ranging from full-service restaurants at  David’s Club, to quick-service at The Marketplace featuring Starbucks® coffee and snacks.



4. When are the best times of the year for a family to stay at the Hilton Orlando hotel?  

Weekends and Holidays are when we have the best leisure rates, which works out great for travelers.  We are full a lot of week days hosting in-house groups/meetings.



5. Does the Hilton Orlando offer kid friendly meal options?  How about gluten free meals?   

Yes and Yes.  Please be sure to check them out while you are here!  Let me know what you think.



6. I see you have several dining options.  Which one is better suited for people with children?   

All are kid friendly and have kid menus, but The Bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and Tropics is a fun outdoor pool bar and grill.



7.  I know that the Hilton Orlando is a great hotel for families, but is it also a great place for a couples retreat without kids?   

Yes, we have packages such as bed and breakfast, we have a full-service spa offering couples services, a fitness center, an adult only pool with cabanas for rent, an award-winning steakhouse: Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops and much more.



8. Is there anything else you would like people to know about the Hilton Orlando?  
 
Hilton Orlando offers an attractive location located 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport.  You will appreciate the close proximity to International Drive shopping and dining and Orlando’s main attractions: SeaWorld® (2 miles away), Universal Orlando® Resort (5 miles away), Walt Disney World Resort (7 miles away), and Wet ‘n Wild water park (4 miles away).

Hilton Orlando has over 1,400 well-appointed rooms and suites light and comfortable decorated in natural colors, soothing tones and rich textures. Hilton Orlando is 100% non-smoking.

Once my family and I arrived in Orlando, finished up with my conference for the evening, we headed to the Hilton.  Upon our arrival, we were in awe at how tall and beautiful the hotel looked from the outside, you can see the hotel from a mile away!

We drove up the drive through and was greeted by valet.  He gave us the option to have our car valet parked or use self-parking garage which is free, we chose the self-parking option.

While we parked our car and started gathering our things for check in I noticed people were beautifully dressed walking into the hotel.  I knew something had to be special going on and I wanted to find out what was the special occasion but first we needed to get our bags in the room.

We got to the front desk and was greeted by several of the friendly staff members.  Checking in was a breeze, not even 5 minutes has passed and we already had our room keys in our hands.

Our hotel room was located on the 14th floor and we had a great view of the pool area.  Our room had the lights on, soft soothing music playing from the television, and we were greeted by a wonderful thank you note that was left for me- very sweet!  

Our room was very clean with soft contemporary decor and medium light brown carpet.  There were two queen size beds with white comfy comforters and pillows that surely will help you get a peaceful night rest.  While still checking out our room we heard a knock at our door.  It was one of the staff members making sure we were ok and to see if we needed anything- now that was very nice of the hotel to do to make sure their guest is settled in and have everything they need, great customer service!

Before we took this trip to Orlando, I told my girls that the Hilton Orlando has a lazy river with floats they can lay on and float in the water.  The girls has been asking about this river constantly ever since I told them about it and when they threw back the hotel curtains and seen the pool area with the lazy river their eyes swelled with excitement that they wanted to get in the pool right then.  


The weather in Orlando was cooler than normal so we had to hold off being in the pool for the evening but we did walk around the pool area to take a look.  There were a couple of pools, one for families and the other for adults, lazy river, sauna, and water slides.  Several cabanas available for relaxing massages, a basketball court, volleyball, golf course, and my favorite the pool bar!  I couldn't resist and I found myself ordering drinks at the bar and gazing at the beautiful scenery. 

After I finished my wine and long island, my family and I walked around inside the hotel to see the restaurants and what other things the hotel had to offer.  During our walk we seen the gym, spa, salon, several different restaurants to choose from, UPS store and then seeing all those beautiful dressed people again.  My curiosity was getting the best of me so I asked someone that was at a registration desk what was going on and she informed me that there was a property management event happening. 

The night was still young and we wanted to see the shopping area nearby the hotel so we drove up the block to Pointe Orlando, a place of shopping, dining, and entertainment.  We got a quick bite to eat there, did a little shopping, and headed back to the hotel to go to bed.

It was so hard to get up the next morning because I was so cozy in my bed so I hit the snooze button 3 times before I got up to get ready for conference again.  I pretty much wanted to just lounge around the hotel and relax all day.  But I had to drag myself out of the bed and finish off the day at the conference.

After conference, we did more shopping near our hotel and then came back so the girls had a chance to experience Hilton's pools.  The girls loved the lazy river and Lauren wanted to try out the waterslide but I was too nervous for her to get on since she is rusty on her swimming skills.  The weather was still cool so we all warmed ourselves up in the sauna and then sat by the fire and roasted marshmallows.  After we were done relaxing by the fire, we ate at the David's Club inside the hotel and boy was our meals good and melted in our mouths like butter!  Our food was cooked to perfection!

I seriously wish we had more days to stay at the Hilton, it was very hard to leave.  While being at the Hilton, every staff member I came across were friendly and made sure our stay was exceptional.  They certainly go above and beyond the call of duty and I respect that a lot which makes me want to return back to this hotel time and time again!  This hotel helped me unwind, kick my feet up, and put my everyday life in Atlanta behind me.  

The Hilton Orlando is the prefect hotel to stay while visiting Orlando.  They have something for everyone and their location is near everything.  You get the same great amenities like the resorts on the amusement park's property but you'll pay way less, their price starts at $99.

Thank you Hilton Orlando for hosting my family and I at your hotel, it has been a real pleasure!

 

Have you ever stayed at the Hilton before?  If so, which one?