Orlando's BEST Family Resort? Holiday Inn Express® S Lake Buena Vista Review!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, slightly chaotic, and utterly fantastic world of the Holiday Inn Express® S Lake Buena Vista. This isn't just a review; it's a confession, a love letter, and a desperate plea all rolled into one. And you, my friend, are about to become a co-conspirator in my obsession.
The Honest-to-Goodness Truth: Why This Place Kicks Butt
Let's be real: planning a family vacation in Orlando is a nightmare. It's a logistical gauntlet of theme park ticket prices that make your eyes water, traffic jams that'd make a saint swear, and hotels that promise paradise and…well, deliver a slightly damp, vaguely dusty room.
But the Holiday Inn Express South Lake Buena Vista? It's different. It's a beacon of sanity. It's…well, it’s actually pretty darn amazing.
Accessibility: A Sigh of Relief (Finally!)
Okay, let's start with the boring stuff (but seriously important): accessibility. My niece uses a wheelchair, and finding a genuinely accessible hotel can be a pain. This Holiday Inn Express actually gets it. Wide doorways, ramps everywhere, accessible rooms that are actually accessible (not just a slightly bigger room with a grab bar tacked on). The elevators are spacious, and even the pool area has ramps and lifts! Huge win. Seriously, the fact that I didn't have to worry constantly about her getting around made the whole trip exponentially more relaxing.
Cleanliness & Safety: Breathe Easy (Seriously, Breathe!)
This is where they really shine. Post-pandemic, cleanliness is, well, everything. And this place takes it seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check! They’re not just slapping a label on it; you can feel the difference. The hallways smelled fresh, the rooms were spotless, and I didn't spend the whole trip holding my breath and mentally calculating the germ density. This is the stuff that lets you actually enjoy your vacation.
On-site Goodies (Because, Let's Face It, You Need Them)
Listen, you're exhausted. You’ve battled screaming kids and lines longer than the Nile. You need sustenance. And this Holiday Inn has your back!
- Breakfast Time! Forget those sad continental hotel breakfasts of yesteryear. They offer a real buffet with options. (Okay, I might have polished off three waffles one morning. Don’t judge me.) They also offer a grab-and-go option if you're rushing off to the parks.
- Poolside Bliss: Ah, the pool. The holy grail of family vacation downtime. It's an outdoor pool, and it has a view. You can grab some drinks at the poolside bar and just…breathe.
- The Little Things: The convenience store downstairs? Genius. The on-site laundry? Lifesaver. The friendly staff? Priceless.
For The Kids (and The Weary Parents)
This is a FAMILY resort, right? They totally get it.
- Family/child-friendly: Absolutely. They have family rooms, kids' amenities, and make you feel welcome!
The Rooms: Your Personal Sanctuary (Well, Sort Of)
The rooms are standard Holiday Inn Express, no surprises there. But they're clean, comfortable, and well-equipped. Free Wi-Fi is a lifesaver, especially when you need to distract the little monsters with some Peppa Pig. They offer internet access and Internet [LAN] which is very useful too. The air conditioning in public area cools down tired guests after a long day at the amusement parks. I loved the blackout curtains; essential for those glorious post-park naps.
Don't Overlook These Gems:
- Breakfast Buffets: Listen, the buffet deserves its own mention. The options are great, and it's a lifesaver to get everyone fed quickly before heading out.
- The Staff are Awesome. Seriously. They're friendly, helpful, and actually seem to enjoy their jobs.
- Location, Location, Location! Close to all the parks. You're not wasting half your day in traffic.
Now, for the Messy Stuff (Because Life Isn't Perfect):
- The Pool Can Get Crowded: It's a popular spot, so expect to share the pool with other families. However, the ambiance with the view makes this space worth it.
The Verdict: You Need to Book This Place
This isn't just a hotel; it's a stress-reducer, a peace-bringer, and a sanity-saver for your Orlando vacation. The Holiday Inn Express South Lake Buena Vista is the kind of place that makes family travel feel…dare I say…enjoyable.
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- Call to Action (Coming Up)
The Pitch: Your Orlando Dream Vacation Awaits!
Stop. The. Scroll.
Are you dreaming of a magical Orlando vacation? Are you dreading the high prices, the crowds, and the hotel nightmares?
Then STOP!
I'm here to tell you that the Holiday Inn Express® S Lake Buena Vista is your secret weapon. It's the key to turning your Orlando adventure into a stress-free, memory-making experience. Here's the deal:
Book Now and Get:
- Guaranteed Cleanliness & Safety: Enjoy peace of mind with our rigorous cleaning protocols. We make sure your family can relax and be safe.
- Family-Friendly Amenities: From the sparkling outdoor pool to the delicious breakfast buffet, we've got everything you need to keep everyone happy.
- Unbeatable Location: Minutes from Disney World and other top attractions, saving you precious time (and sanity) on the road.
- Competitive Rates: The best prices for your family.
- Plus Our Special Offer: Book your stay within the next 24 hours and receive a free voucher for a drink at the pool bar!
Don't wait! Your perfect Orlando vacation is just a click away. [Include a button or link to the booking page here!]
This Isn't Just a Hotel; It's a Vacation Upgrade. Book now and experience the magic for yourself!
Bloomington's BEST Embassy Suites? (Insider Review!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're going full chaos-tourism in Orlando, staying at the good ol' Holiday Inn Express & Suites S Lake Buena Vista – a place that, let's be honest, is the perfect base for a Disney-fueled meltdown… I mean, adventure. Let's get this glorious mess rolling:
Day 1: Arrival and the Battle of Bed Bugs (Hopefully Not)
- (3:00 PM): Arrive at Orlando International Airport (MCO). Okay, so I'll be honest, the flight was a torture-fest. I swear the guy next to me was breeding a family of squirrels in his carry-on. Anyway, finally, we made it! Grab an Uber/Lyft (Uber, if you want drama, Lyft if you want mild discomfort) to the hotel. Pray to the travel gods for no traffic.
- (4:00 PM): Check into the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Ah, the sweet smell of chlorinated air and slightly-too-thin walls. My internal dialogue commences: Is this room clean? Is the carpet a breeding ground for sentient dust bunnies? Do I even care anymore? Actually, the room looks decent. Maybe. Sniff. Yep, it's tolerable. Unpack, and then immediately flop on the bed. Assess the comfort level. Okay, acceptable… for now.
- (5:00 PM): Resort exploration and snack run. The hotel "gym" – a cruel joke of two treadmills and a rogue dumbbell. Nope. Ignore it. Instead, scope out the pool area. Think: sun-soaked tourists, screaming kids, and questionable sunscreen choices. Perfect. Grab some chips and some unhealthy snacks from the vending machine (because let's face it, a proper vacation always involves questionable nutrition).
- (7:00 PM): Dinner at a generic chain restaurant. I'm not going to lie, after a long trip, I don’t want to go driving across town. So, it is what it is. Embrace the mediocrity. Order the biggest plate of what you can find.
- (9:00 PM): Bedtime. Early night, right? Nah. We’ll probably be too wired from the sugar. Watch some trash TV and try to ignore the muffled conversations from the neighboring rooms. Pray for a good night's sleep (without the added excitement of bed bugs).
Day 2: Disney Dreams (or Disney Delusions)
- (7:00 AM): Wake up. Or try to. That alarm clock is a weapon of mass annoyance. Drag myself out of bed. Shower, and attempt to conquer the hotel breakfast buffet. This is a free-for-all, a carnival of carbs. Scramble some eggs, load up on the mini muffins, and question every life choice that led me here.
- (8:00 AM): Head to Magic Kingdom. Exhilaration and terror collide. Transportation: The Disney-provided bus. The bus ride is a microcosm of humanity. Overheard conversations, the inevitable crying child, and the smell of stale popcorn. It's a journey in itself.
- (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM): Magic Kingdom. The goal? Survive. The reality? Probably not. Fastpass strategy: a chaotic gamble. Ride choices: depends on wait times and overall mood. Embrace the madness of the crowds. Scream on Space Mountain. Take a ridiculously cheesy photo in front of Cinderella’s Castle. It's all about the memories… and the Instagram likes.
- (3:00 PM): Mid-day meltdown. Okay, everyone gets tired. Heat, crowds, sugar rushes, and the unwavering expectations of “magic.” Find a quiet place to recover. (Maybe a bathroom, it is a surprisingly peaceful place in the most magical place on earth.) Rehydrate. Find some shade. Repeat… you'll be fine.
- (5:00 PM): Dinner at Disney. Another financial decision. We are going to find every opportunity available. The food is the only thing you can control. Food should be prioritized. Have a good meal.
- (8:00 PM): Fireworks! The grand finale. Gather with the mass hysteria in front of the castle. The explosions, the colors, the music… it's pure, unadulterated Disney. Cry. Laugh. Be utterly, shamelessly enchanted. (Even if it's just for a moment.)
- (10:00 PM): Return to hotel. Sore feet. Ears ringing from the fireworks. A general feeling of sensory overload. Collapse into bed. Sleep. If you can.
Day 3: Pool Day and a Touch of Reality
- (9:00 AM): Sleep in! Don't even look at the breakfast buffet (unless you have to). Slowly drag yourself out of bed. Regret, meet the day.
- (10:00 AM): Head to the hotel pool. Embrace the sun. People-watch. Lounging in the pool. The joy it brings is insane.
- (12:00 PM): Lunch by the pool. More snacks. Maybe steal some extra pool towels.
- (2:00 PM): Some other tourist trap. I don’t know. Maybe shopping. Maybe some mini-golf. Maybe just sit in the hotel room and stare at the ceiling, contemplating the meaning of life. Sometimes, that's the best vacation activity.
- (5:00 PM): Dinner. Maybe try a local restaurant. Steer away from the chain restaurants. Maybe try a local dive bar.
- (8:00 PM): Pack. Yeah, I know… bleh. But it has to be done. Reflect on the trip. Think about what was good, what was bad, and what you’ll never do again.
- (9:00 PM): Last-minute snack run to the vending machine. Because you haven't had enough junk food, apparently.
- (10:00 PM): Sleep. Attempt to sleep. Accept that you’ll probably be awake half the night, reliving the memories.
Day 4: Departure - Until Next Time!
- (7:00 AM): Wake up. Last breakfast at the buffet. Try to choke down the last of the scrambled eggs. Say goodbye to the questionable coffee.
- (8:00 AM): Check out of the hotel. Reflect on the experience. The good, the bad, and the utterly ridiculous.
- (9:00 AM): Head to the airport. Traffic. More crowded flights. Embrace the chaos.
- (10:00 AM): Get home. Say "goodbye" to what was. Say "hello" to the next great adventure.
Remember: this is just a guideline. Feel free to wander. Get lost. Mess up. That’s where the real memories are made. And who knows, maybe I’ll even remember to tell my friends and family about it. Or not!
Hayes Street Hotel Nashville: Your Unforgettable Nashville Getaway Awaits!
Okay, so, *is* this place actually any good? Because the internet is a liar sometimes.
Okay, real talk. This place is... good. Not "five-star, everything's perfect" good. But like, the "finally, my kids aren't trying to kill each other, and I can grab a lukewarm coffee" kind of good. It depends. Like, if you're expecting the Ritz? Run. If you're expecting a clean, functional, kid-friendly home base for your Disney adventures? We're probably talking. We went for the price, you see, and let me tell you, I *needed* to save some money on my sanity. And, for what we paid, it was a solid win. I mean, the continental breakfast (more on *that* later) kept the tiny humans reasonably happy. Mostly.
What was up with the breakfast situation? Because free breakfast is a HUGE selling point.
Ah, the breakfast. Right. The "free continental breakfast." Let's just say, it’s a *continental* experience. Think bagels that have seen better days, lukewarm scrambled eggs that were probably trying their best, and those little pre-packaged muffins that are somehow both dry *and* sticky. My kids, who are basically professional breakfast critics, initially gave it the side-eye. But hey, it fueled them for the parks! Honestly, the waffle maker was a godsend. I probably made, like, a hundred waffles. Mostly for my husband (he gets cranky when he's hungry, bless him). It was a buffet, which is basically a free-for-all of sugar-fueled chaos. But hey, kids entertained, and you got to stock up on the little juices and yogurt cups for the day. Small wins, people, small wins. And the coffee? Well, it was… coffee. It kept me alive, which is all that matters, really.
The pool – is it worth the potential chlorine-induced apocalypse?
Okay, the pool area? Actually, kind of a win. It was clean-ish. It had a decent kid pool with a little fountainy thing that kept the toddlers entertained. My older kiddo actually managed to swim laps (okay, *attempted* laps). It wasn't the most luxurious pool ever, but it was functional. There were enough chairs, and I didn't have to fight anyone for one, which is a miracle in itself. There was also a little snack bar. I’m pretty sure everything on the menu was deep-fried, but hey, vacation calories don’t count, right? The chlorine smell was definitely present, but hey, it’s a pool. And the kids loved it, which is the only criteria that truly matters. We even managed to have a few relaxing(ish) moments while they splashed around – a small victory in the grand scheme of parenthood. Oh, and the best part? No screaming toddlers when we went. (Just mostly happy ones, that’s a win in my book)
What's parking like at this place? Let's be honest, it's a nightmare at Disney.
Parking? It was… okay. Nothing spectacular. It wasn't like, "free, abundant, and right outside your door" okay. But it wasn't a total parking-induced panic attack either. There was a lot. You might have to walk a little bit, and let's be honest, with kids and all their *stuff*, every step is a struggle. But we always found *a* spot. And, honestly, after dodging strollers and crowds all day at Disney, a little walk was probably good for me! So, yeah, parking: Acceptable. Not a selling point, but not a deal-breaker either.
Let's talk about the rooms. Were they clean? Spacious? Actually functional?
The rooms... were fine. Clean enough. It’s not like I inspected every single inch with a magnifying glass, because, let’s face it, motherhood has trained me to live in a constant state of “that’s probably germs, but I’m too tired to care.” They had the usual stuff: a couple of beds (surprisingly comfortable, I slept like a rock!), a TV (essential for kiddo-distraction), a mini-fridge (a lifesaver for snacks and drinks), and a bathroom that, while small, managed to get the job done. The AC was *cold*. Which, after a day sweating in the Florida sun, was pure bliss. The layout worked. We had enough space. I've stayed in much worse. Honestly, I’m pretty sure that the room was cleaner than my house back home. And the beds were actually comfortable! This is a bigger deal than you think.
And *the location*? Because Disney is massive.
Okay, the location? *THAT* was the real win. It's CLOSE to Disney. Like, annoyingly close. Which, when you're dragging exhausted, sugar-crashed kids back from the Magic Kingdom at night, is HUGE. Seriously, every minute saved is a victory. It was easy to get to the parks. And it was right on the main road, so there were plenty of restaurants nearby, plus a Walgreens for those late-night diaper emergencies (trust me, they happen). It was convenient. Super convenient. Did I mention it was close to Disney? Because it was. Gloriously close. It made the whole Disney experience, which can be utterly exhausting with kids, *so* much easier. Seriously, it makes a huge difference to be able to quickly get back to the hotel at the end of the day. And it cut down on travel time, which means less time spent hearing "Are we there yet?" a THOUSAND TIMES.
Were there any major downsides? Because nothing’s perfect, right?
Okay, the downsides. Yeah, there were a few. The elevators are slow. *Really* slow. Prepare to embrace your inner saint if you’re traveling with a stroller and a toddler. The walls aren't exactly soundproof. I could hear my neighbor's toddler scream at, like, 6 AM. It was less than ideal. Oh, and the Wi-Fi? Spotty. Like, "trying to catch up on emails while the kids are asleep" spotty. And the gym, you know, the one I *might* have used, looked like it hadn't been updated since the 90s. But honestly, I was too busy surviving Disney and the breakfast bar to worry about any of that. The biggest problem was, honestly, the sheer exhaustion of wrangling small humans for a whole week. But that's Disney, not the hotel's fault. I spent most of the vacation wishing for more caffeine and a good nap. (Just kidding... kind of).
Would you stay there again? The dreaded question!
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