Econo Lodge Inn & Suites International Drive

1 reader found this review helpful

Just returned from holiday and our stay at the Econolodge (9th - 23rd July 2010).
Where do I start:-
Rooms - Very basic, bathroom cant swing a cat in and I had to make sure my kids wore something on their feet the whole time they were in the room as if you sat a foot on the bedroom carpet, your feet were black (no kidding - stinking carpet). Rooms are a depressing mustard colour and looks like thay havent been painted since the 70's. Television - looks like it was bought back in the 70's also.
Pool - Well, the pool deck where you lay to sunbath could do with a good updating and cleaned. The paintwork is flaking off everywhere, the pool deck area is cleaned down very briefly in the morning and thats it. Disgusted at the amout of cigarrete ends left everywhere and was shocked to see a used tampon lying on the pool deck area. On one Sunday myself and family went down in morning to see that pool was disgusting, bugs, leaves and loads of scum floating in pool - I went to reception and spoke with manager saying I wouldnt put my kids in that pool and was it being cleaned - he radioed to one of the workers who said they were cleaning it now but when i returned - noone cleaning pool and still disgusting - wasted day sitting in room!
Reception - Free coffee, free internet but again the reception looks like it needs floor retiling, walls painted and a fresh small required.....again looks like it hasnt been decorated since the 70's.
Location - Fantastic! Tony Roma's virtually next door, Friendly's next door, Bahama Breeze, Pizza Hut, Denny's, Cattlemans Steakhouse and Miller's Ale House all across the road. Fantastic location for the Econolodge - just shame about the place being ...well.....erm, not clean!!

7 readers found this review helpful

Well I have to admit I was really worried about going to this hotel after reading the reviews which have been posted but after 5 mins of arriving in the hotel I realised I had nothing to worry about.
The reception staff are very helpful and friendly and efficient the rooms are very clean and tidy and the location couldn't of been better as I was there with my daughter on our own with no car we were in walking distance to plenty of restaurants and the I Ride stop was just outside to take us to all the shopping malls and most of the local attractions.
I would definately go back to this hotel and I am looking to book again for next year.

4 readers found this review helpful

Stayed in June 2009 as part of a package holiday, have been to the US many times, this hotel ticked all of our boxes. Clean, comfortable, safe area, loads of TV channels, free coffee. We returned under our own steam for New Year 2009/10 and by shopping around we paid around $20 us dollars a night. Agree with others the pool bar/restaurant is lacking. But your staggering distance from some very reasonable good restaurants.

stayed in march this year,what a change from the past two years.
room was cleaned daily,bed was to die for (fab).
mr khan on reception was a gentleman and sorted any problems without much fuss
liza in the pool bar was a breath of fresh air and what a worker (wow)sha made our stay one to remember for all the right reasons
overall we were well pleased and would recomend this hotel value for money
we are returning for a short stay in june and hope things havent changed.
jim/carol/john/linda u.k

15 readers found this review helpful

This is the 3rd time we have been to florida, yes the rooms are basic but they are clean, the buses are free, we had a wonderful time here, it helped that there where dirt cheap resturants a stone throw away, If you want lavish hotel then you need to pay for it, this was def the cleannest place we stayed at I found the staff nice.what do you want for these prices people please.

11 readers found this review helpful

This hotel was like any other hotel. I mean it's orlando your not going to be in your hotel a lot. It was very basic, the only problem was the restaurant it wasn't great but there was other restraunts surrounding the hotel that were like a seconds walk so It was fine and plus the restaurants around the hotel were GORGEOUS to eat in and very cheap too. I-drive is great although can get packed at times but we mostley got seats. I wouldnt recomment it if you wanted to go to all the disney parks but if you wanted to go to any of the other parks it's great! Great shopping around too! Staff were okay, man who worked in the gift shop was very friendly though. There was also cable tv free in your hotel room and free internet in the lobby. There was an arcade too which was good but small. Pool was small but never over crouded and suppose was a good size. Bit old fashioned but still great. I would recommend asking not to be in a hotel room over looking the road because it's a busy road and get noisy at night. There was a special offer there at the hotel when we went which we didn't realise when we were going was going to be there and got our park tickets for half price. All in all i would go back to the hotel. Very Affordable and cheap but still like any other hotel. I would absolutley love to go back to it.

14 readers found this review helpful

Upon arrival at the Econolodge Inn the reception staff seemed un-welcoming. They put us in a tiny room facing the freeway which was very noisy. We immediately complained and this time the lady on reception was superb and very understanding. She seen that we had 2 kids and upgraded us to a suite for free (should have been $250). The suite was far better and was quite big, with a king size bed and small kitchen area with a fridge. Clean and basic is the best description for this hotel. The free shuttle to Disney and Universal was nothing short of a joke though! The pick up times for Disney were 9.00am, 10.45am & 12pm and returning at 6pm, 8.45pm & 10pm. Trust me this really does restrict you if you stick to the free shuttle as although the pick up times to go to Disney are Ok, coming back they are not so good as 6pm we found is too soon, and 8.45pm & 10pm means you have to stay in the parks later than you plan some days (if you don't go to the Magic Kingdom). The main Park at Disney is the Magic Kingdom and the main event is the Parade at 9pm and then the Fireworks at 10pm (daily). If you stop for these (which you really must do as they are fantastic) you will miss the later shuttles!!! You then have to rely on taxis or the Lynx buses. Lynx buses are fine, but they are only every 30 minutes from Disney and you also then have to change buses at Sea World to the number 8 which is only hourly to get to Int drive. There is no direct bus from Disney to Int Drive. The cabs are tempting but they are $40 from the Magic Kingdom to Int Drive. The shuttle is also old with no air con and in 14 days we never had a seat once, even with 2 kids. You can be front of the queue but it makes no odds, every one just rushes on and there are always well over 20 people standing.
The shuttle pick up time going to Universal is 8.45am and 7.45pm coming back. This is not too bad, and on the plus side the hotel is well located for Universal as you can also get the I-ride bus (only $1.25 per person/per trip) to the top of Int drive and walk from Wet & Wild to Universal. Also a cab was only $8 from hotel to Universal.
The bar at the pool was like something from Fantasy Island in the 50's, and very expensive. Pool was small and Ok, but always very full and not at all relaxing. Pool is open until midnight and trust me the local Americans use it to the max!
This was our first time in Florida and please take this advise...If you have kids and are just going to Disney stay closer to Disney or pay that bit more and stop in one of their resorts, they were fantastic and I wish we had of stayed in a Disney hotel now even though it was quite a bit more. Alternatively hire a car if you are confident about driving over there (I wasn't!) If you use the shuttle or buses the traveling from Int drive to Disney and back wears you down and you simply get sick of it especially as you are on your feet all day in the parks and stood in long queues etc.
I really would not recommend this hotel if you want to get the best out of the Disney Parks. For restaurants, bars and Universal it is well located though. I simply wouldn't stay there again though. I know people will tell you that you are never in your hotel/room but when you are you still want it to be nice, unfortunately this wasn't. The guests and locals I spoke to call the Econolodge 'Butlins'. I'll let you draw your own conclusions on this. Believe me, my family had a wonderful time in Florida, in Disney and Universal so I have not come back to the UK full of hell about everything. This is just my honest opinion which hopefully will help you.
One last thing…TAKE PLENTY OF MONEY, you'll need it!!! The locals were telling us that the prices have shot up recently and I must admit we thought it was expensive. On average a family meal out with a bottle of wine in a nice restaurant was around $80. Also on top of that the tip rate is now 15%-18%.
Sorry this was so long but I hope this has helped you in some way.

5 readers found this review helpful

When we arrived at this hotel I was pleasantly surprised we have been to florida before and stayed in disney resort hotel so we decided to try I Drive.When we booked in the staff are totally not bothered about you and have a couldn't care less attitude the room on 1st inspection hey it was o.k after 11 hours of travel anywhere looks good.
In the morning you start to see things in a different light the carpet was filthy and we had more wild life in our room than at the Animal Kingdom we had used 3 Tins of Raid by the time we left.The shuttle bus they provide is a joke its old and stinky no air con and they expect everyone to cram into them to a unsafe level and they also have really stupid pick up and dropoff times.
On our 3rd day of using the bus the brakes locked up on the freeway quite scary so we decided not to use them again and we used to get the i ride to stop 13 and then get the Lynx much safer and a bit more freedom o.k it takes some planning but this is safety we are talking about here!!
Overall this hotel is all the bad reports that you read I am sorry but it REALLY is the only good thing about this place is the location because its all within easy distanceto get to where you need wether it be the shopping the parks or the restaraunts.
If you have already booked i would strongly urge you to change.

4 readers found this review helpful

iv been to this hotel about six times and we all loved it it had a great pool and cafe and you get transport to all parks i will be booking again this year

2 readers found this review helpful

I have stayed at the best western for the last 6 years running and iam going again next may , i highly recommend this hotel , dont believe any bad reviews you hear.
Its right in the middle of the best spot on i-drive , next to some of the best resturants to eat in 'tony romas' best ribs in town and the 'olive grove' and also the ming court chinese just next to the rosen hotel.
you will always have a fab time at this hotel if you stay at the best western, i have stayed and the rosen hotel once before but always go back to the best western (more family feeling ) , i always use the hotel shuttle bus to the theme parks (the diver was lovely) really helpfull , and if we wanted to stay really late at any of the parks and couldnt be bothered to get the bus we would always get a taxi back (not expensive) after all it is your holiday time to splash out.While in flordia check out Walmart ( we could some cereals and soda etc for our room there)only $14 in a taxi there or you can get 2 buses- handy for some snacks and that and if its coming upto halloween you can get some fab stuff .
I would defo reccomend this hotel to everyone and i have already .....