I’m wrapping up a 4-day business trip to Orlando, Florida. This is not my first stay at the Hilton Orlando, will not be my last, and I depart even a bit more impressed with this particular property. I will have a full review of the hotel up by week’s end, but as I sit here in the Executive Lounge, I felt compelled to say something now.
The lounge is largish by domestic Hilton standards, and busy, but not crazy at this hour. The hotel provides a respectable evening spread with options of a meat, veggies, cheeses, different kinds of hummus, and a few other nick-nacks. There is, of course, the ubiquitous “honor bar” with beers, wine machines featuring 3 or 4 varieties of red and white wines, and a few liquors.
To a tee, every employee I have had some kind of contact with has been unfailingly polite and gracious from the front desk to the restaurant to the coffee shop. Each evening this week, at least two members of hotel management have walked through the Executive Lounge and made it a point to check in with guests and say hello. Same for the lounge concierges.
I’m not a hotel snob, and beyond a bed and a bath, I rarely look for more. That said, this is a really good domestic Hilton hotel. I wish they were all like this, and I haven’t even mentioned the pool area yet. Full review coming soon.
-MJ, May 14, 2014
Ben – this Hilton is connected to the Orlando Convention Center. So is the Hyatt (formerly The Peabody). The Hilton Orlando is my hotel of choice for an annual conference I attend. Every room has a refrigerator which comes in handy. The pool and ***spoiler alert*** LAZY RIVER rock. My annual conference is a little eccentric and is attended by very loud, fun-loving, energetic people from all over the world. I’ll just say it – Zumba(R) Fitness, baby! Some hotels might shy away from us because we are a party people. But the Hilton always welcomes us and rolls with it.
I tend to use Hiltons where possible for international business travel. Within the past year, I have stayed at the CDG and Lyon Hiltons in France and the Airport and one of the downtown Beijing Hiltons in China.
Good balance of price/amenities.
As for domestic, Hampton Inns are good value for road trips.
Which Hilton Orlando? The one I stay at is connected to the Waldorf. Great property, but way too many families/kids rolling around in wet bathing suits screaming (I guess that’s kind of the nature of Orlando). The main negative about it, besides the distance from downtown, is the lack of Executive lounge.
Ben, the one on Destination Pkwy. I included a link to their website. This one definitely has a lounge. A really good one at that.
Why do Hilton hotels (including this one) generally not list their e-mail contact info on their websites? Are they, unlike most other hotels, too lazy to answer e-mail queries? For this reason alone, I will stay clear of Hilton hotels – no matter the reviews, such a this one.
Thanks for the quick update. Apparently, this Hilton ‘gets it;’ and we can only wish that a few more of them thought that way.
At the end of the day, few of choose hotels over home and use them as any other business tool. In my view, I am far more interested in thorough and predictable coverage of the basics than I am in glitz, bling and glamor. The best lounges have comfortable seating, a quiet environment, real (and reasonably healthy) food and a modest selection beverages. I look forward to your detailed review and a few pix.
Well stated, Cook. I’ve got a few photos snapped. And hope to get a few more.