More Traveller Reviews of International Plaza Resort & Spa
All you need to know about this hotel
from fatboyslick
Having just returned from 10 days at the International Plaza Spa and Resort I thought I'd pass on my thoughts. There's a number of negative reviews on this website - some warrant the bad press, but on a whole, my experience was excellent. Please note, these comments are based on a cheap room for two in September (quiet season) Pros: - Excellent Spa (best masseur I've ever had) - Friendly staff - Nice bar and good pools - Handy shop - Good internet access - Guest services was excellent and as a "Universal partnered hotel" it is highly recommended - Excellent transport to attractions - Excellent King sized bed -Excellent special offers including coupons and good seats at shows - Good taxi service is really good cars - Decor is really nice although the cocunutty smell in reception is a bit strong Cons - Slight smell of damp in the room. This is due to all the water around the hotel. It passed after a night there once we'd showered and made it homely - You can only change $100 travellers cheques per room per day - Walls are a bit thin - could hear the people upstairs showering and opening drawers. - Towels are a bit rough - Some touching up is required e.g. shower head was loose and rust around the toilet - Public phone didn't work - Internet use on their computer was pricey - TV was old and noisy All in all not bad for the price. They're currently revamping a lot of the hotel so could turn out really smart.
Great hotel
from goffy1983
I was a little concerned by some of the negative views on here about the International Plaza Resort and Spa in Orlando, FL but this place is fantastic. It's superbly located at the bottom of International Drive at the quiet end, next to Seaworld and Aquatica (both are only a 10 minutes walk fom the hotel). The I-trolley also stops right outside at stop 29, so getting around cheaply is not a problem. The hotel was maintained to a very high standard both inside and out. The room we had was in the tower and was excellent. We had two large double beds, large bathroom and big lcd tv and the room had air conditioning. The housekeepers cleaned the room daily, even though we stayed for two weeks, changing sheets and towels every day. There are three pools and although only two were open (there are some refurbishments going on close to one pool and the hotel can only have been half full at best) they were large enough to swim in and a great place to relax in the sun. There were always plenty of sunbeds, all with clean towels. The gym was ideal as well with two treadmills and free weights as well as other good quality equipment and we used it everyday. The refurbishments were very discreet and you hardly even notice it. We didn't eat at the hotel but heard lots of positive comments from people who did but we found the Max's deli very handy for snacks (they have a pizza hut concession and have other snacks and it is open until late). There is always the village Inn which is situated directly opposite the hotel which serves very cheap all day breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Bennigans diner next door seemed to have closed down however. There is also an off license, gas station, sports bar, pizza restaurant, chinese restaurant and subway right opposite the hotel. We would highly recommend Ponderosa steak house, CiCi's Pizza, TGI's and Bahama Breeze, all of which are on the south end of International Drive. Ponderosa and CiCi's both do all you can eat buffets for next to nothing!! If you like your discount shopping malls, we recommend Altemonte Springs Mall (exit 92 on the I-4), Mall at Millenia (exit 78) and Florida Mall (east on 528). The flexi-ticket is great value and permitts unlimited access to Universal Studios, Island of Adventures, Seaworld, Aquatica and Wet N Wild for 14 days for $250 and is available from guest services in the foyet. I can thoroughly recommend this hotel to anyone. Feel free to contact me if you require any further information.
Horrible housekeeping
from stefchatman
As a person who travels a lot for my job, I tend to read the review carefully on a hotel. I had stayed at the International when it was the Sheraton World Resort about 5 years ago for a conference. So I called to ask about some negative reviews that I had read aboutthe hotel now that it had had an ownership change and was assured that those issues had been addressed. I arrived and like before the grounds and the lobby were almost perfect. I have to give it to them because if your just into myspace type pictures then its the perfect place. I friendly woman handled my check -in and off I went on the long walk to the room (just a tip, ask first if they had followed your reservation requests) which is like almost a block away. Well when I got there, it was 2 twins and not a king as I had requested, so back I wallked. They moved someone else out of their spot and gave me a king room. The room was fine but lacked an iron, so I called, and was told call back tomorrow. What I'm on conference I have to be out early. The next day my room was barely cleaned: no vaccuuming, the trash was left, and the bed was half made. What's going on? My thrid day, the room wasn't even touched period! I called when I returned at 9 pm and was assured that someone would come clean immediately! I called again after a half an hour and was told "in 15 minutes" I said i'll make my own bed and take out the trash myself. I asked for the night manager and she offered to provide me with free services but I was leaving the next morning so what good would it do? Upon check-out I spoke with another manager who was extremely professional. he said he'd speak to upper management about getting something done through expedia because I was pre-paid. With all the money they are putting into remolding the resort, they still have the worst housekeeping I've ever had to deal with. I hate when staff expect to be tipped without doing something above what the job already pays them for. Its a beautiful place, but I refused to sleep under the covers because if they failed to clean my room, what had they done before that? We'll see if anything is done, I'm not expecting much but I'll never stay there again.
Don't listen to negative reviews
from j_sssLondon
Have just returned from two weeks at this hotel and can't praise it enough. We stayed in the tower and was very pleased with our room. The maid came in every day and kept the place clean and tidy and changed towels every day. Don't know what all the negative reviews are about everywhere was clean and tidy, pool area was great with towels supplied. The staff were very friendly and I agree with the last review Danny the doorman was a great guy! I would definately stay here again and would recommend it to anyone.
Fantastic Hotel ... please DONT fear !!
from ScottishEngland
I have to say it was with MUCH fear that when reading past reviews on this hotel that I was expecting the worst... ! Previous reviews stated that the hotel was under refurbishment and people had left VERY negative reviews .. I would like to say ..the HOTEL was fantastic ...the rooms ( in the Tower ) were FAB ... VERY spacious ... IMMACULATELY clean ... Worth noting that the BLOCKS previously reviewed are ACTUALLY the ones which had been refurburbished ,, blocks 9 and 10 opposite the pool ...in fact the TOWER was not the REFURBISHED part ..!!! SO all those people who stated ask for the tower should note THAT was the part which hadnt yet been done and it was EXCELLENT !! .... The staff were the BEST ...couldnt do enough for us ... a personal touch and EVERYWHERE you went on the grounds the same friendly approach was to be had ! ..The cleaning team were ACE .... !! fresh towels and laundry EVERYday .... Bathroom cleaned and spotless... we handed the maid a tip at the end of our stay..so did our son and his girlfriend who were staying in the room next door... We gave 20 dollars ... AND you should have seen the reaction,,..I suspect this is like nearly a weeks wages to these people I fear...They were ALWAYS pleasant ... had a laff and a joke in passing .... My son had a rechargabe camera and it went flat .... I suggested to ask at reception and they KINDLY put it on charge on their PCS over night...THIS was going the extra mile ... The doormen ...were EXTRA special ...we found friends !! Danny in particular recommended places to go to eat ( yes I know they might get comission BUT HEY !!) he was kind and friendly as were THEM ALL .. Cleanliness - there was not a spec of rubbish on the grounds ... they hooevered the patio for heavens sake !! Funny moment.... it is a mans job to clean the mirrored glass in the lift and there he stays going up and down all day !! I HAD to write these comments because of all the previous negative reviews on this hotel ... I have come to the conclusion that people who seek to moan WILL find something to moan about ...personally ..I would stay at this hotel AGAIN and again .... Transport to and from the parks was slick .... the pool bar offered waiter service and towels were laid out on the sunbeds EVERY day .. .the pool was cleaned EVERY day .. the grounds were fantastic and the prices were excellent ... son and heir lived on pizza and steaks !! TRUST this review please and book without hesitation,.... thank you to all staff for a FANTASTIC holiday ... Regards Vanessa Munro ... the Munro family and friends ! Special mention to Danny the doorman ..you made us Smile !
Great Hotel
from super_pete77
Stayed here for 10 days from 31st Aug. Had two rooms in the refurbished Block 11 and they were perfect. We had no problems whatsoever during our stay. Any bad reviews on here are either very old (before rooms were refurbed) or totally isolated incidences. I recommend this place 100% as I was very worried by the reviews before I went out but everything went fine. The staff were friendly and the shuttle was great. Dont worry about staying here its changed, and for the better!
lovely gardens
from lexieengland
we stayed in this hotel end of july, beginning of august. we had a brilliant time. we wasnt in the tower block which i was relieved of as i dont like heights! our room looked out onto a beautiful garden, a 30 second walk from 1 of the pools. we had all the facilities that was mentioned apart from a microwave which didnt bother us to much as we were told we could use the 1 in the deli, free of chardge. the staff were very friendly and helpful. one night our telephone had broken and they sent 2 workman in the pitch black at 10 on the night!! we could of waited till the morning! when the workman reached down to unplug it, he got a spark! apart from that we would really recommend this hotel. the lobby was absolutly brilliant!!! as we checked out though we was charged $22 for a conecting fee for the telephone. we bought a telephone card from wal mart and dint think the hotel would charge us a dollar every time we pucked up the phone.
We were on our honeymoon!
from jillzo25
What a fantastic hotel! Even the weather (Fay!) couldn't spoil our holiday! We were in the tower block and the room was perfect and very clean. Maids were in every day. Every single member of staff we dealt with were very friendly and helpful. Ideal setting for Seaworld and Aquatica. Would definitely stay here again.
excellent
from GC1970
Just got back from a 2 week stay and this hotel was excellent , we stayed (wife and 14 year old son) in one of the motel style rooms and it was excellent cleaned every day with clean bedding . Th e staff were great all real freindly and helpful . If you stay in this hotel have a evening meal in the hotel restruant it is quite expensive but is the best food I have tasted in all my 40 years . Its ideally placed for disney parks and international drive plus has a path direct from hotel to seaworld. I can't rate this hotel higher enough and will definatly stay here again when we next visit.
Not a bad place at all
from MorrisE
Stayed for 2 weeks, was not in the Tower, but in block 14 - room had no real problems. Room was identical layout to Orlando Comfort Inn I stayed at 4 years ago. Carpet wasnt brand new, a few stains, but was clean - the whole room was clean. Housekeeping turned up every day, delivered fresh clean towels. Shower was good. TV remote wasnt working, but I never bothered to report that as we were hardly there for the tv... Wifi Internet was available, free at a download speed of 256k (plenty fast enuf for checking emails, even msn), or had option to signup for faster speeds for an additional charge. Room had fullsize fridge (rubbish freezer compartment), coffee maker (with sachets), iron & board. Site had laundry room, pools, games room, snack shop, a couple of bars - these seemed quiet, but with at least some atmosphere, although I didnt use them or the restaurent. Usual Orlando group of shops & several restaurents across the road, and a Village Inn diner, which as other reviewers have mentioned was really good, substantial breakfasts. Site is gentle 10 minutes walk to either Seaworld or Aquatica - but there are no pavements, just walking on grass verge. Seaworld operates free shuttle to Discovery Cove from Seaworld. Hotel has free buses to Disney & Universal. I-Ride Red buses stop outside the hotel, Green line stop is 10+ minutes walk or use the iride transfer system to make the connection if you want to get to Universal that way. Staff in lobby helped when I needed to phone Discovery Cove, but they also on arrival tried to set up day out to golf timeshare... (giving away $80?) Although a daily parking charge was listed on literature, it was not mentioned at checkout. Other than being drenched by Fay, it was a good holiday.
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2 readers found this review helpful
We got there late at night we were welcomed with a warm cookie made by the Double tree. The manager upgraded us to the tower in a kigsize bed room, which was lovely. The staff were very helpfull and room service was very good and quick. We even had a problem in our room... more