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There are some real dumps in Orlando - with big price tags too! Some are even members of big hotel chains. (When I say dumps, I mean dirty bathrooms with cracked tiles, worn-out upholstery, tiny, cold pools and TVs from the dark ages. Some even smell bad - and I don't even want to think about why!)
Some neighborhoods are better than others too. Did you know there's a prison in Orlando? We spent 1 night in a hotel 2 blocks from there. Some of the other guests seemed to be visiting their buddies in the slammer. They were loud and scary-looking. I didn't get a lot of sleep that night. So How Can You Protect Yourself and
Make Sure You Find a Decent Place at a Decent Price? Use the links on this page to find your hotel/resort through a travel discounter like Orbitz (such good deals that cheapo IRS agents use it!) or a comparison engine like Hotels Combined (The button that says "Compare Hotel Rates...) Why? Because they're impartial. They list customer reviews. They want your business but they really don't care which resort you choose. Whereas, if you check the hotel's site directly, they want you to stay in one of their properties. They won't list negative customer reviews and they're unlikely to point out difficulties or shortcomings of some locations.
But Don't Hotel Chains Have Standards? Sure they do - but keep in mind that many hotel "families" don't own all the properties that bear their name. They sell their "flag" to independent hotels and make reservations for them.
Those hotels survive by keeping their rooms filled - which can delay repair work. Employee turnover is high in Orlando too which can mean that even though the hotels really try - their standards can slip due to staffing issues.
The independent status of our travel partners ensures you get the straight scoop on hotels. It also guarantees the best rates because they get huge volume discounts from the hotel chains! TIP: Once you make your reservation, print your confirmation form and keep it with your other travel documents. (We have a binder for just that purpose!) Then add the telephone number of the hotel and the company you booked through - into the memory of the cell phone you'll take on your trip. (If you don't have a cell phone, add these numbers to your travel documents too.) TIP: Did you know that the "walk-in rate" is the highest rate a hotel has to offer? If you get stuck and must get a room at the last minute - you are better off sitting in your car and calling the hotel from your cell phone - than walking in and asking for a room! |
