Holiday Inn Resort ORLANDO LAKE BUENA VISTA by IHG

Great location, very close to Disney, only an $8 taxi ride away. There's also a good steakhouse right next to the hotel, within walking distance. The only downside is the extra $33 tax fee on top of the room rate. Everything else was pretty good though. There's a convenient ice machine on the first floor and the pool is very clean!

The hotel's base rate isn't that high; the main costs likely come from resort fees and the like. While its selling point is probably its proximity to Disney, a taxi ride there is definitely not cheap, easily costing $50 during peak hours. The hotel's layout is a bit like a motel, with rooms opening directly onto an outdoor corridor. The large windows compromise both blackout effectiveness and privacy. Service was mediocre, and I was assigned a room very close to the main road, making it quite noisy. The shower knob was so tight I couldn't even turn it. The shuttle bus picks up from many hotels, so a ride that should take 10 minutes can easily turn into 45, though it is free. The 7-11 next to the hotel was convenient for picking up essentials.

Our overall stay was fantastic! The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, and they even let us check in early, around 9 AM, without any extra charge, which was incredibly accommodating. I highly recommend this hotel. They offer daily turndown service and daily room cleaning, which is a big plus! Definitely recommend this place! There's a swimming pool, and the ambiance is great! The only minor drawback is that the room lighting could be a bit better.