Orlando is a city built around visiting: hotels stand on nearly every corner, and accommodation ranges from hostels to five-star resorts. Many families who come for the theme parks choose to rent a private villa instead, for the extra space and private facilities, and plenty of visitors base themselves in the surrounding cities and towns rather than in Orlando itself.
For a visitor, the practical question is which corridor to base yourself along, because that decides how much time you spend in traffic between the parks, the convention centre and the restaurants. The areas below are the ones the source material identifies by name, each with what it is like and who it suits. This guide covers areas only, not individual properties.
Best areas to stay in Orlando
1. International Drive
International Drive is the main accommodation corridor, with hotels of every level along it and around its side streets. It suits first-time visitors who want to be close to the attractions and to a wide choice of dining and entertainment, and it works for families and for business travellers attending events at the Orange County Convention Center, which sits on the same drive.
You will find budget properties, mid-range chains and large resorts here, including all-suite and villa-style options with kitchens. Note that the drive is long and spread out, so pick your stretch with care: some addresses sit beside SeaWorld's entrance, others near the convention centre, and some are within walking distance of Universal Resort.
2. Universal Boulevard and Major Boulevard area
This cluster of streets sits close to Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld, and is served by properties that run complimentary scheduled shuttles to the parks. It suits visitors whose main purpose is the Universal parks and who want to keep transfers short.
Accommodation here leans to mid-range and upscale hotels and suites, several with multiple restaurants, pools and fitness centres, and some with substantial meeting space. The practical advantage is proximity: some addresses are less than a mile from Universal Studios, and others are within a couple of miles of Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure and the outlet malls.
3. Lake Buena Vista and the Walt Disney World Resort entrance
The area around the entrance to the Walt Disney World Resort, off Palm Parkway and nearby, is where you base yourself if Disney is the focus of the trip. It suits families in particular, and the accommodation reflects that: resort hotels, condo-style suites and villas with full kitchens, often with pools, activity centres and playgrounds.
Expect larger units and self-catering layouts rather than small rooms, and expect to rely on a car or a shuttle for everything beyond the resort. Some properties here are official hotel partners of the parks and run free scheduled shuttles.
4. SeaWorld and Central Florida Parkway area
South of the convention centre, around SeaWorld and along Central Florida Parkway, the tone shifts to resorts and villa complexes set back from the main strip. It suits travellers who want space and quieter surroundings while staying within easy reach of the parks.
This is where you find all-suite and villa accommodation with full kitchens, washer-dryers and resort facilities, plus golf and spa resorts. Several properties are within a mile of SeaWorld, and some run free scheduled shuttles, but you will generally need a car for dining and shopping.
5. Downtown Orlando
Downtown, around Orange Avenue and Livingston Street, is the alternative for visitors whose trip is not built around the theme parks. It suits business travellers, event-goers and anyone who prefers a city centre base with restaurants and nightlife within walking distance.
Accommodation here is more limited and more conventional, with central hotels rather than resort complexes. The trade-off is distance: the parks and the convention centre are a drive away, and one hotel in the wider east side of the city sits well out from downtown near the university area.
6. Orlando International Airport area
Staying at the airport itself suits very short stays, early departures and layovers. A hotel within the terminal provides business facilities and direct access to flights, which is useful if your visit is a stopover rather than a holiday.
This is not a base for sightseeing: you are removed from the parks, the convention centre and the restaurant strips, and you will need transport for everything.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: hostels and simple hotels, including properties along International Drive and Canada Avenue, with basic rooms and few extras.
- Mid-range: chain hotels and suites, often with free breakfast, shuttle service to the parks, pools and, in some cases, kitchenettes or full kitchens.
- Splurge: resort hotels and all-suite properties with multiple restaurants, large pool areas, fitness centres and spas, convention facilities, and villa-style units with full kitchens and laundry.
- Alternative: private villas, which many visiting families prefer for the extra personal space and private facilities.
Best area for a first visit
International Drive is the safest first base. It puts you on the corridor with the widest range of accommodation at every level, close to the attractions and the convention centre, and within reach of the restaurant and entertainment options that line the drive. Choose your exact stretch according to whether Universal, SeaWorld or the convention centre matters most to you.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay in Orlando or in a surrounding town?
Both are viable. The source material notes that there are a lot of lodgings in the surrounding cities and towns, so if you have a car and prefer a quieter base, staying outside the city is a normal choice.
Is a hotel or a villa better for a family?
Many visiting families prefer to rent a private villa, because villas usually provide more personal space and their own private facilities. Hotels and all-suite properties with kitchens are the other common option.
Do I need a car if I stay near the parks?
Not always. Several properties near Universal and SeaWorld provide complimentary scheduled shuttle service to the parks, and some run free shuttles to the outlet malls. Elsewhere, expect to drive.
Where should I stay if I am attending a convention?
The International Drive area, which includes properties beside the Orange County Convention Center, is the practical choice, and some larger hotels in the area offer extensive meeting space.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide.