Holiday Inn & Suites Across From Universal in Orlando, FL

You would think because it’s a budget friendly hotel that it might not be nice, but this hotel was perfect. Our room was clean and within walking distance to Universal Studios. The staff was very nice and helpful. This hotel is connected to TGI Fridays.

Max was the sweetest person with helping us book our rooms and was very respectful. He explained to us different things to do in this area, described to us the things to do at the hotel when we asked him. Overall, very nice experience talking with Max.

I just checked into Holiday inn, and I have to say the customer service was outstanding! [Employee’s MAX went above and beyond to make sure I had a smooth check-in experience. They were friendly, professional, and made me feel truly welcome. It’s rare to find such great hospitality, and I really appreciate their effort. Looking forward to my stay here!

Disappointing Experience - Not Worth the Price I recently stayed at this hotel with my partner, looking forward to a relaxing trip. Unfortunately, it was far below expectations, especially given its reputation and its status as a Universal Parks Partner Hotel. Check-In: Upon arrival, I wasn't greeted in a friendly or welcoming manner. The front desk staff was curt and dismissive. When I asked about availability for a King bed room (as I had initially booked a two double bed room), I was cut off and informed that all other rooms were sold out. The staff member briefly mentioned the pay-per-parking policy, which I will address later. The parking lot was a mess, I and it seemed like the added fee was more of a way to make extra revenue off of guests who were already paying a premium for a below-average experience. Elevator & Room: Only one elevator was operational for our entire stay, which seemed odd for a hotel of this size. The other elevator was covered in cardboard and duct tape, which was concerning. The room had an unpleasant smell, and the water pressure was extremely low. Every time someone opened a door or entered the stairwell, it felt like someone was trying to break into our room, it was an exceptionally uncomfortable and unsettling stay. Day Two – Pool & Water Issues: The next day, we went to the pool, expecting to relax on the cushioned loungers shown in the promotional materials. However, there were no cushions available, which was a minor but disappointing detail. Later, we encountered another issue when we were unable to get hot water for over two hours in the afternoon. Adding to the frustration, I was notified by my bank about unauthorized charges from the third-party parking service, Metropolis, which resulted in my card being deactivated mid-trip. Parking Issues: The next morning, I went to the front desk to address the unauthorized parking charges and my deactivated card. Unfortunately, the staff, especially the front desk employee, was unhelpful. After requesting to speak with the manager, Revan, she offered a parking comp for the remainder of our stay and moved us to a suite to reduce noise and make up for our experience so dar. This was genuinely a good encounter and it seemed like she did care that we were put out with the card and the experience we had thus far. She mentioned that the hotel was undergoing repairs, which explained the hot water issue, but this information should have been communicated to guests beforehand. New Room Issues: The new room, while larger, also had its issues. The hallway was covered in plastic wrap, and the room had not been properly cleaned—there were bits of candy on the floor. The toilet clogged, and the sink had very low water pressure. At this point, we chose not to request another room change and just dealt with it. We also continued to experience noise issues, similar to the previous room. Parking Charges Again: Despite being told the parking would be comped, I received a notification from Metropolis saying I hadn’t paid for a day and would be charged a $50 late fee. This was despite paying the full daily fee for the days before we were told we’d be compensated (“free” parking for the remainder of our stay. My card was still deactivated. I contacted the hotel again, and Revan assured me she would help the next morning. Final Interaction: When I returned to the front desk the next morning, hoping to resolve everything before checking out, I was told Revan wasn’t in yet. Instead, I was assisted by the employee from the day prior again, who was unprofessional in her approach. When I did receive a call from Revan, she offered assistance but seemed dismissive, telling me the issue was with the third-party system and there was nothing the hotel could do. It’s extremely off putting when it’s clear that an employee is unwilling to fix a situation, and that was the case at this point. I was told multiple times this was a third party system, however, an employee, specifically a manager, should have viable workarounds and fully understand that third party system to assist guests in a meaningful way instead of dismissing them. If you're considering staying here for its proximity to the parks, I would recommend looking elsewhere. The price and the added costs ( both literally and mentally from the parking situation) do not justify the experience in the slightest. The shuttle options are limited, (return shuttles are not able to be reserved and return before the park closes) and the issues with the hotel’s maintenance and customer service made for a frustrating stay. This hotel did not meet even the basic expectations of a reliable place to stay, especially given its status as a Universal Parks Partner Hotel.

Disgusting hotel! I am horrified that I booked this hotel for a family stay. Moldy and rotten interior, rusted faucets and door hinges, 2 of the 3 elevators were not working, the Universal “shuttle” was not available. Apparently this shuttle requires same day reservations, and it does not run continuously. The AC unit did not work properly. The beds are uncomfortable and smell like pee. The TV doesn’t work. Carpets were filthy and snagged. There were so many disgusting things that we left. I had booked this with IHG points and I can honestly say I would not stay here even if it was free! It’s that bad.