Howard Johnson by Wyndham Orlando Lake Buena V S

The cleaning staff were really friendly, and our room was fairly clean. The breakfast area is tiny, so get there early or close to the end of breakfast if you want space. We could use a nearby hotel’s pool after they gave us a pass, since this one is closed because there’s no bathroom next to it. Also, there was a hidden $15 “Resort Fee.” I hate surprise charges. They should be clear about that when people book, wherever they make the reservation.

The room felt dated in places, even after the makeover, and the bathroom was very small. There weren’t many outlets for charging devices, and the ones there were tucked into awkward spots. Still, the bed was really comfortable, the room was clean and had modern furniture, and the AC worked perfectly. The front desk was very helpful with all my questions, and breakfast was good. For the price, location, service and cleanliness, it’s a good choice for budget travelers heading to Orlando’s theme parks who want to avoid the steep prices at Disney or Universal hotels.

The rooms were clean, but the cheap MDF furniture gave them a Motel 6 feel, and the walls were paper thin. My room had an adjoining door to people I wasn’t traveling with, so I could hear their conversations, baby crying and TV. There were ants by the sink, too. Breakfast was a letdown. The potatoes had an aftertaste like body odor, so I spit them out. The waffle iron looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in ages, which made me wonder about the batter dispenser. The orange juice tasted watered down and had a strange aftertaste, as if the machine needed cleaning. I liked having real butter and single serve Nutella, but the styrofoam cups and plates were bad for the environment, and that lowered my rating. The stay was also expensive for what I got, especially since I had to book at the last minute. The elevator didn’t work, so I hauled six bags up two flights to the third floor. The place was noisy, right by a helicopter launch area, and there was opera or classical singing blasting from some speaker all day and night. At check-in, the front desk man kindly fetched a luggage cart from storage. On checkout morning I asked the woman at the desk for coffee and cups, but she said housekeeping couldn’t help because I was leaving that day. When I tried again for a cart, she was on the phone and didn’t seem interested in helping the people waiting. I was locked out of my room before 11, the checkout time I’d entered in the app, while trying to ask about borrowing a cart. That left me stuck figuring out where to put my luggage while I waited for my rideshare. I wouldn’t pay to stay at this hotel chain again or recommend it.

Handy if you’re spending the day at the outlets or theme parks. The bed was fresh-smelling and very clean, which I appreciated. The room had a faint damp odor, though, and the bathtub could’ve been cleaner.