I am a world traveller and have stayed in many diffrent rated hotels.I never expect more than what I pay for.
OK! This trip was a leisurely one for myself and 15 year old daughter to the Orlando theme parks.We also booked this vacation six months in advance.
First off, we checked into the hotel and we specifically asked for a room not to be next to the elevators or staircases for noise reasons of course?
Well!!! It seemed these were the only rooms available but after waiting about ten minutes or so the hotel manager found a room that had just been cleaned by the maids. We proceeded to the room to find the room was right next to the elevator???? We called down to the front desk and the manager told us to come back down to the lobby for another room to be assigned.The manager once again began to search for another room on the computer umming and ahhing like I was asking for the world or something. Definitely NOT a good way to start a guest off on a vacation .My patience was drawing thin by this point seeing that it seemed the manager made me feel like I was putting her out and NOT treating us like the guest??? She finally found us a room. We finally got upto the room and found it was quite nice for like any avergae hotel room BUT we did however notice the safe deposit box was in a cabinet and NOT bolted down to anything???. Anyone could just lift it up and take it with them like a piece of luggage.It seemed to only weight ten pounds or so.I immediately called down to the front desk again asking if the safe deposit box problem was just in our room and if so could we have another room but I found out the entire hotels rooms had the same issue. Safe Deposit boxes NOT fastened down at all??? WOW! That isnt right???? I brought this to the managers attention and told her where could I keep my passports and extra money? She informed me that I could leave it in the lobbies safe deposit box but found that those also looked very shakey and looked like they also could be scooped up by anyone getting behind the lobby counter. I decided to keep my passports with me always for our whole trip.Anyway! Back on track here.The room itself was very comfortable BUT they had sensors for the airconditioning unit.When you leave the air turns off??? I like to come back to a cool room but always came in to find my air was off until the sensor senced us and turned on automatically???The fridge in our room decide to break during our stay but maintance came and fixed it.The beds were comfortable but I have slept on better.(MGM Grand in Las Vegas beds are nicer) The hotel was nice and quite which I really liked. People seemed to be respectfull when walking in the hallways and keep their trap SHUT! Not many kids in this property which was nice seeing it was March Break.I liked the little breakfast bar set up every morning. Myself and daughter are not big morning eaters but its nice to have this option when leaving for the morning and being able to grab a coffee or bagel. They had scrambled eggs, sausage, toast,bagels,cereals,milks,teas,juices,muffins etc.......All in all a nice selection for a hotel lobby.
To wrap things up:
PLUS'S OF HOTEL:
Hotel was what we paid for,good location if you have a car,quite the walk to Universal Studios though? I dont think Id like to go to a theme park all day and have to walk back to here. if you do not have a car I recommend International Drive area.
Beds were above average for comfort.
Maid service is excellent and they are very friendly.There paid attention to what you used and re plenished it two fold.
Quite at night. Could not here an traffic noise.
Breakfast in lobby was a nice touch and lots to choose from.
There seemed to be enough parking .I have stayed at many hotels in this area before and found many hotels do NOT have sufficient parking space for their guest???? This hotel did.

MINUS'S OF HOTEL:
Upper Management needs to definitely spruce up there people skills .I was NOT asking for alot on check in (room away from elevator ) but management made me feel like I was asking for the world .
Safe Deposit boxes?If you have alot of valuable belongings and intend on using a safe deposit box dont stay here????

Would I stay here again? No! Only because of the way I was treat and the safe deposit box issue???! The property itself was comfortable and was acceptable to us as our home base for the week but Ive seen better around that area and stayed in better Thanks for reading and I hope this helps some make their decision into chossing or not choosing this property

Mike and Family from Canada

I have nothing but great things to say about this hotel. The front desk staff are very friendly and helpful. The rooms are very clean and nice. I absolutely loved the soft, fluffy, and cozy bed. The flat screen TV is very nice to have as well. The bathrooms were clean and had and updated. The breakfast was yummy and lasted until 10am, so you dont have to wake up extremely early. The hotel has coffee available 24/7 in the lobby/breakfast area, which I really enjoyed. I feel it was very convenient to all major attractions. Universal is VERY close. I felt very safe at this hotel. In fact, the front doors (slide glass doors) are locked after a certain time and you must swipe your room key to enter. We even order delivery pizza one night, and the front desk called our room to ask if it was ok to send the delivery man up. I highly recommend this place and you cannot beat the price and have such great amenities. Great place and great stay!!
Will stay again.

Hotel positives:

* close to Universal Studios theme park
* free hot breakfast
* clean rooms, excellent houskeeping service. We were on the 3rd floor.
* Shuttle service to Universal
* Right next to an IRide trolley stop. (Orlando public transportation)


Hotel negatives:

*shuttle runs limited times

* rooms are kind of small

* pool is outdoors and very small. There is no hottub to soak in after long days at the park.

If you have your own transportation, it's a great place to stay. The rooms & lobby were clean. Beds comfortable. Plenty of hot water. The staff was friendly. They had a complimentary breakfast with pasteries, cereal, fruit, eggs and sausage, muffins, and drinks each morning that was very good. It is close to Universal. The hotel said it was within walking distance...and it was...about six LONG blocks, and while we did walk it in the mornings, I would definitely NOT walk it at dark. The Hampton sits back off the main road and the most direct way there didn't look very safe. There are some good restaurants around within walking distance, but again, I wouldn't want to walk to them after dark. The 'shuttle' service that was provided to any of the attractions was a joke. Yes, it is offered, but you share this shuttle with about 5 or 6 other area hotels. Its a first come first serve basis and this Hampton is the last to be picked up and the very last to be dropped off from anywhere!! Needless to say the 6 block trip at night is easily a half hour trip and you have to get to the shuttle stop early so that you get a seat!! It's wasted time. A taxi from Universal to this place will run six to eight dollars. Add to that there was ONE shuttle at 8a.m. (which is why we walked there in the a.m.), one at 11 a.m. one at 5 p.m to get to Universal. There was only one departure from Universal depending on the park closing time....usually a half hour from the evening end. Coming back from Sea World was worse; the park closed at 7 p.m. but the last shuttle to the Hampton left at 5:30....which meant you had to be waiting by 5 p.m. to ensure a seat!! You lost 2 hours at the park! So, if you don't rely on the shuttles to get you anywhere, this was a good stay for the price. I would stay here again, but I would have to check into the car rental prices verses the taxi fares.