Navigating the hotel v villa conundrum for families in Orlando
With so much choice on offer, it can take a little work to match family accommodation in Florida’s theme park capital to your clients’ needs. We discover how a family suite in a hotel compares to a villa with resort facilities
It’s a common conundrum facing parents planning an Orlando getaway with the kids: how do you ensure you’ve got enough accommodation space while staying within budget and close to the theme parks?
Depending on clients’ budget, it is possible to have the best of both worlds, with either a villa-style stay within a short drive of the theme parks, or a hotel experience right next door to the fun.
PROPERTY ONE: THE VILLA
MARGARITAVILLE RESORT ORLANDO
Location: Cheerful rainbow cottages line the manicured streets of Margaritaville Resort Orlando. Just a 15-minute drive from Walt Disney World, this Kissimmee resort extends the “magic” feel, despite not being a Disney property. This is the place to come in Orlando for an “island getaway” vibe, with the benefit of a convenient location. From here, access to the 192 highway, with restaurants and shops in abundance, is a five-minute drive. The resort is a 40-minute drive from Orlando International airport and the same distance from Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld.
Space: Margaritaville Resort offers the choice of a 186-room hotel or individual cottages, which are set out in a series of charming streets. These rainbow villas are ideal for longer stays or extended groups. The cottages range from one to eight bedrooms and all offer full kitchens, spacious dining and living areas. Each cottage has its own style, varying from detached Caribbean beach houses to townhouse-style villas and condo-style apartments.
Benefits: Unlike standard villa options in the Orlando and Kissimmee areas, the Margaritaville cottages are part of a larger resort, meaning benefits including a 24-hour front desk, huge resort pool, live entertainment, bars and restaurants on property, plus a free shuttle around the grounds. Parking at your front door is a bonus, especially with Disney-tired children to carry in. The pool is impressive, supported by the Fins Up Beach Club. This includes a full bar, poolside service and cabana rental as well as live music throughout the day. There are also fun activities for children, such as games, face painting, crafting and bike rentals. The Euphoria Lounge has nightly entertainment, in walking distance from cottages.
Value for money: Margaritaville is a premium property with all the benefits of a resort hotel, plus your own private space. Clients in larger groups or those planning on some down time during their Orlando trip will certainly benefit from the luxury of a cottage. Agents may find booking villa-style accommodation better value for money than multiple hotel rooms, helping create the best-priced deal. However, it’s worth remembering that theme park tickets will be priced separately. For clients already requesting villa accommodation, the perks of Margaritaville Orlando provide a good incentive for an upgrade to the security of a bigger resort. Throw in the luxuries of on-resort dining and entertainment with a lively poolside atmosphere, and you could be on to a winner.
Why Helen would recommend this: As soon as we arrive, the children are thrilled with our new “house”, picking bedrooms, scattering possessions and turning on all the TVs (each bedroom has its own flatscreen). For children, a home-away-from-home to explore is as much of a novelty as the holiday itself. Having separate rooms for different-aged kids is invaluable, plus a lounge area for parents eradicates that “sitting in the dark, in silence” hotel curse. Some cottages even have private hot tubs – is this the parent equivalent of having it all? Room to spread out is a luxury in itself, but having a full kitchen can also save clients money by enabling them to cook meals at the cottage, with grocery orders stress-free to arrange.
Book it: Gold Medal offers seven nights at Margaritaville Resort Orlando, with Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow and seven-day car hire from £1,229pp. Price is based on two adults and two children aged 2-17 sharing a two-bedroom private cottage, with departure on 6 May 2023. goldmedal.co.uk; margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-resort-orlando
PROPERTY TWO: THE HOTEL
UNIVERSAL’S ENDLESS SUMMER RESORT: DOCKSIDE INN AND SUITES
Location: Universal Orlando Resort has eight hotels ranging from budget-friendly to luxury. Just minutes from the rides and attractions, Universal’s Endless Summer: Dockside Inn and Suites is a modern hotel with breezy interiors. For clients on a budget, it’s the most affordable theme park hotel in Orlando. The hotel benefits from multiple on-site perks, such as early park admission and free transportation to the theme parks. The hotel is 25 minutes from Walt Disney World and just five from both Seaworld and The Mall at Millenia. Dining and entertainment hub Universal Citywalk is served by the free bus service.
Space: For families, the two bedroom suite option ticks a lot of boxes for as little as £120 per night. We stay here with a grandparent taking the second room, and two adults, a toddler and a baby in the main room – a snug but comfortable arrangement – and there are clever storage solutions. There is a decent-sized bathroom, a small kitchenette and a dining table. It’s not possible to cook full meals, but the microwave, fridge and coffee machine are adequate for breakfast. The hotel has a buffet-style cafeteria, Pier 8 Market, serving options from pizza to burritos and burgers, and there is a Starbucks in reception. There’s also a huge, heated pool, complete with a bar serving great cocktails, which elevates the hotel way above its budget label.
Benefits: As well as being theme park-adjacent, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort is in a great position for exploring wider Orlando. Staying at a theme park resort hotel also has the appeal of keeping you in the “bubble”. Florida’s theme parks are renowned for their customer service, and the same standard is evident at the hotels. For clients worried about too much theming, the hotels at Universal Orlando Resort are owned and maintained by Loews, so there is no kitsch decor.
Value for money: When it comes to value for money, this resort (and its near-identical sister hotel, Surfside Inn) can’t be beaten. A kitchenette is a good compromise to staying in a villa with a full kitchen, especially for clients who don’t plan on cooking often. The difference in price will likely make up for the lack of self-catering, with pizzas at Pier 8 Market starting from $11.50 and easily big enough to feed four. If your client’s priority is budget over luxury, Endless Summer will be a hit. For those who want to spend more for the luxuries of a resort with on-site live entertainment, fine dining, pool service and perks like a spa, upgrading to a Margaritaville cottage or villa resort may be more suitable.
Why Helen would recommend this: For visiting Universal theme parks, the price and location of this resort cannot be bettered. However, early park admission is the game-changing perk. We are able to enter the park and take a seat on the most popular rides before general admission even opens for the day. This can mean an extra ride or two per day, as well as avoiding the biggest queues.
Book it: Gold Medal offers seven nights at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort: Dockside Inn and Suites, with British Airways Gatwick flights, private transfers and Universal Orlando 3 Park Explorer tickets from £1,369pp. Price based on two adults and two children sharing a standard pool view room for a 14 June departure. goldmedal.co.uk; universalorlando.com
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