Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal

• Less than 2 miles down the road from Universal Studios
• Just off International Drive, lined with theme restaurants and family attractions
• Rooms have a full wall of windows
• Outdoor heated pool and Tiki bar

The Crowne Plaza is close to Universal Studios and many of Orlando's other popular family attractions. Universal is a straight shot less than 2 miles up the road, with its roller coasters, waterslides and Harry Potter fantasy sets.

A few blocks west of the hotel runs International Drive, a main boulevard that has Ripley’s Believe It or Not, WonderWorks science museum, adventure golf courses and family restaurants. The I-Ride Trolley runs this route, reaching SeaWorld and the Orlando Premium Outlets.

The hotel also provides scheduled transportation to top spots like Universal, Islands of Adventure, and Walt Disney World, which is about 10 minutes down the road.

Aim for a room on one of the hotel’s upper floors. It’s a relatively tall building, and all guest rooms have a whole wall of windows, so the higher up, the better the view. On the ground there is an outdoor heated pool and Jacuzzi, where guests can order from a full menu of drinks and meals from the pool bar. There’s also an arcade and a cafe, where breakfast includes a made-to-order omelet station. Kids under 10 can charge up at no cost with the hotel's Kids Eat Free program.