For those who are not familiar with the Crowne Plaza brand hotels, it is the (very) upscale end of Holiday Inn. Expect to be pampered at a Crowne Plaza. You’ll find a relaxation CD on your pillow that plays on your in-room CD player. Think of a valet parking type resort at reasonable prices – that’s what you will find at the Crowne Plaza Universal Studios – a valet parking option in addition to bell service.
Opened only two years ago, the building features glass elevators to provide a view of the dome that tops the atrium and the entire tower that houses all of the rooms. Each of the 400 rooms feature WebTV; Nintendo 64; a safe; data port and voice mail; two-line phones; bathroom scale and a coffee maker.
To relax there is a 2,400 square foot heated outdoor pool and hot tub, as well as a fitness center with the latest equipment and locker rooms. For children, there is a video arcade with the latest games. To get to and from the theme parks, there are complimentary van shuttles to Walt Disney, Universal Studios, Wet N’ Wild and Sea World – highly recommended because each park now charges up to $8 per day for parking alone.
Convenience Factor
As one couple told me as we watched our children play in the pool, booking hotels off of the internet can be a frightening proposition these days. They recounted a story where they had booked a hotel for a family vacation to Cleveland, which they had never stayed at, and when they arrived at the hotel, were horrified to see the condition of the hotel and how isolated it was from attractions they were interested in seeing. We both agreed that this was not the case with the Crowne Plaza Universal Studios. The couple was delighted at the accommodations and at how convenient it was to all of the Orlando’s major attractions.
One major attraction within walking distance is International Drive, or as the locals call it, I-Drive. It is mile after mile of outlets, shops and tourist attractions. To avoid the often bumper to bumper traffic you can buy daily passes on the I-Drive trolley that allows you to get on and off the trolley as often as you like. (http://www.internationaldriveorlando.com)
Miles from Crowne Plaza Universal Studios to other select Orlando destinations:
0.5 Miles International Drive
6.5 Miles Walt Disney World Resort
0.8 Miles Universal Studios
0.8 Miles Islands of Adventure
3.0 Miles Sea World/Discovery Cove
11 Miles Orlando International Airport
1.1 Miles FunSpot Action Park
1.2 Miles Muvico Pointe 21 Theaters
0.5 Miles Wet n’ Wild Water Park
Standard Room rate runs around for $130-$170 depending on the time of year and the number of people in the room.
For more information on the Crowne Plaza Universal Studios: 407.355.0550.
