Rosen Inn, closest to Universal

We had a great two-night stay. The room was clean, the beds were comfortable, and we got fresh towels each day. They didn’t make the beds every day, but we didn’t mind, and maybe it was because we were only there a short time. There’s a buffet breakfast, plus a market and an arcade. Everything is really close, and the Universal shuttles were great. We took an Uber back, which cost about $10.

For about $90 after taxes, Rosen Inn was fine for one night, and the room was clean. It had a mini fridge, a sink outside the small bathroom, and perfectly okay towels. We didn’t try the bath products. The beds were comfortable, but bring your own pillow. The four tiny, unpleasant pillows on our king bed didn’t even span its width. The AC made a little death squeal whenever it shut off, and we could clearly hear the road from our north-facing room on the ninth floor. At check-in, see if you can get a room away from the highway. The shuttle rules caught us out. We wanted to take it to our next hotel on universal properly, but luggage isn’t allowed, so watch out for that. Front desk staff were hit or miss. Some were pleasant and happy to help; others acted awkward, even hostile toward coworkers and guests.

We left and had to find another hotel late in the day. With four kids, rooms on opposite sides of the building weren’t workable. The whole thing was stressful and frustrating, and I won’t stay here again. The staff were rude, dismissive, and unprofessional, and made no effort to fix a problem that came from what they’d promised at check-in. Being told one thing and then blamed when it wasn’t true is unacceptable. I’d booked two rooms online for my wife, our four children, and me. I specifically asked at check-in if we could have rooms next to each other. The agent assured me several times that it would be fine. I also asked if they’d connect; she said no, but confirmed they’d be next to each other, which was okay with me. After we’d rested for about an hour from the drive, I found the second room was on the complete opposite side of the building. I called the desk right away and explained. They told me not to worry, to bring the family to the lobby, and said they’d move us next to each other and give us new keys. Within five minutes of getting there, they said they couldn’t accommodate us because the room had already been taken. When I asked for a manager, instead of trying to solve it, the manager said my story didn’t match theirs, basically calling me a liar. They said no other rooms were available and offered either to keep our rooms as they were or leave and request a refund.

The location is great, and the shuttle is convenient, but there are only a few trips in the morning and a few in the evening, not all-day service. If you want to return for little ones to nap midday or stay at the parks until closing, you’ll need an Uber or another ride. The room was terrible. It smelled of smoke when we first walked in, and there was a coffee stain on the table left by the previous guests. It was tiny and dated, and the bathroom was barely big enough to turn around in. The sink wouldn’t even fit beside the toilet. If you need to help your children bathe, save yourself the hassle and go elsewhere. We seriously considered leaving and booking another place on the first night.