Best family hotels and resorts in Orlando

1/9 Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

Location

Located in the heart of the Disney action, the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek calls a 482-acre nature reserve home. The parks of Disney are a short bus ride away.

Food and facilities

Guests can dine in twelve restaurants from steakhouses to Asian eateries. The lazy river, golf course and swimming pool mean that guests often choose to spend the day at the resort! There is also a spa for adults to soothe sore feet after days walking around Disney.

Rooms

Rooms have coffeemakers, spacious beds and satellite televisions. The marble-top bathrooms offer luxury amenities and a bath and shower. Families can book adjoining rooms and take advantage of the high speed Wifi.

Why it’s great for families

A shuttle service takes guests to Disney parks so families can relax and save money on parking. The pool with waterslide means that families can enjoy a fun day between exploring the parks, and the buffet-style restaurants ensure there will be something to suit the pickiest eaters.

2/9 Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Location

The Waldorf Astoria is on Bonnet Creek Lane and benefits from a complimentary shuttle bus to the nearby Disney resorts.

Food and facilities

There are twelve dining options to choose from as well as room service. Guests can hire a poolside cabana where waiters from the grill will cater to your every whim. There is also a kids’ club and poolside activities.

Rooms

The deluxe rooms offer bathrobes and slippers, a HD 42-inch television and beds with premium linens. The bathroom features luxury amenities, an Italian marble bath with glass shower and a separate soaking tub.

Why it’s great for families

The WA kids’ club experience starts with a colour-your-own personalised t-shirt and includes marshmallow roasting, poolside treasure hunts and more. Astoria After Dark also offers a dining experience for kids, with dinner served in the children’s club and fun activities until 10pm.

3/9 Radisson Hotel Orlando – Lake Buena Vista

Location

A quarter of a mile from the Walt Disney World Resort, the Radisson offers free parking for families wanting to drive and a complimentary shuttle to the Disney parks.

Food and facilities

The on-site Liquid Bar & Grill offers a range of options and a family-friendly environment. An American-style restaurant offers a breakfast buffet and room service is also available. The Radisson Hotel Orlando has an outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool, concierge who will book park tickets for you and high-speed Internet.

Rooms

Plush ‘Select Comfort’ beds ensure that guests will enjoy a good night’s sleep in the Radisson’s rooms and suites. Each room has a microwave, coffeemaker, fridge and mini freezer plus a HD television for cosy evenings in.

Why it’s great for families

The Radisson has a friendly atmosphere with easily accessible facilities. The hotel has prioritised convenience for families to make a Disney vacation all about relaxation; the kitchenettes in each room are sure to save families money on eating out and its proximity to the parks mean that more time is spent having fun!

Price: Rooms are available from £59 per night

4/9 Melia Orlando Suite Hotel

Location

This all-suite hotel is in the town of Celebration that was originally designed by Walt Disney himself. Take a stroll through the area to see the lakeside views, the bustling Market Street and the eclectic blend of Colonial and Folk-Victorian style homes.

Food and facilities

A 360 degree swimming pool is open from 6am until 11pm and features a ‘zero entry’ point for little ones. The 360 American Bistro & Bar offers a blend of French Mediterranean and international cuisine, and Mixologists shake up cocktails and mocktails for warm evenings by the pool. The restaurant offers a big screen for football games and other sports events.

Rooms

Egyptian linens and king-sized beds ensure that guests rest in comfort after a long day in the sun; a 43-inch television and private work space also feature in each room. Upgrades include pool views, a kitchen and extra cable channels.

Why it’s great for families

The Melia Orlando Suite Hotel creates packages to save families money on Disney holidays and offers a Location that give guests a taste of all-American fun and Disney’s whimsical nature.

5/9 Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista

Location

Situated just 28 minutes from the airport, the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista is a great option for families with young kids. The 23-acre grounds offer guests plenty of space and the resort is just one mile away from Typhoon Lagoon, three miles from Epcot and seven miles from Magic Kingdom.

Food and facilities

Two heated outdoor pools and a palm-fringed courtyard offer guests an atmospheric outside area to enjoy, and kids can splash about in the children’s spray pool. Buffet breakfasts as well as a la carte choices are available from Covington Mill restaurant. There are also Italian and sushi restaurants and another bar for watching classics and sports games on HD televisions.

Rooms

With a calming colour palette and queen-sized beds, the rooms at the Hilton create a peaceful environment in which to unwind. An MP3 clock-radio, fridges and coffeemaker are in all rooms as standard.

Why it’s great for families

The Disney breakfasts where children can have their photo taken with their favourite Disney characters ensure that parents can forget about having to track down Mickey in the parks! The arcade provides some gaming time and the children’s pool is great for warmer days.

6/9 Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Location

Nestled in Lake Buena Vista, Disney’s Pop Century Resort is among some of the most famous hotels of the Wide World of Sports resort.

Food and facilities

Guests with Disney Dining can get Quick Service at the Pop Century restaurant, with seven stations to choose from in the food court. Enjoy desserts and Mickey waffles or have pizza delivered to your door. Children can run wild in the playground, watch a movie at the poolside cinema or play games in the arcade. There’s a pool and jogging trail for those wanting to get active on holiday.

Rooms

The rooms at Pop Century are bright, clean and spacious, with space for up to four people. Each room features a fridge, ironing board and hair dryer as well as free Wifi for convenience.

Why it’s great for families

After leaving the theme parks, staying at a Disney hotel makes the holiday extra special. This hotel has several areas for children to play and themed food that brings the spirit of Disney to every meal. The Disney Magical Express offers complimentary transport to and from the airport.

7/9 Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Location

In the heart of the action at Lake Buena Vista, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort is surrounded by themed hotels and is a shuttle bus away from theme parks and attractions.

Food and facilities

Take your taste buds to Africa at the themed Jiko restaurant or go all-American at one of the pool bars. There are also ‘Dine with an Animal Specialist’ evenings and safari dinners. Simba’s Clubhouse is where young guests will want to hang out from dawn until dusk, apart from when they are jumping into the 11,000 square foot swimming pool!

Rooms

The luxurious rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge are safari themed, featuring Africa-inspired patterns and carved beds. All rooms feature fridges, coffeemakers and ironing boards as well as free Wifi. The beds are generously sized and rooms sleep up to eight with upgrades.

Why it’s great for families

Animal Kingdom Lodge is home to 30 species of animal and is also a safari park. Over 200 animals call the resort home and rooms look out over the Disney savannah. Simba’s Clubhouse provides a fun environment for little ones, with activities from cookery school to pirate workshops and lots of Disney themed fun and games.

8/9 DoubleTree by Hilton

Location

This hotel has prime Location on Major Boulevard, just across from the entrance to Universal Studios. Walt Disney World is less than ten miles from the resort.

Food and facilities

Guests can enjoy dining in three restaurants, from breakfast buffets to burgers at the grill. A Starbucks is also onsite. A gymnasium and junior Olympic size pool will keep the whole family busy, while the concierge books whatever park tickets you may need.

Rooms

The DoubleTree offers 50-inch televisions in each room as well as complimentary Wifi. Panoramic views of Universal Orlando through floor to ceiling windows, and plump Sweet Dreams® beds make your stay extra special.

Why it’s great for families

Getting the kids up and out in the morning can be a chore; with unrivalled Location at the entrance to the famous Universal Studios, your family can maximise time spent in the park with absolutely no hassle!

9/9 Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Location

Situated in the Wide World of Sports region of Lake Buena Vista, the All-Star Sports Resort is a stone’s throw away from the main Orlando attractions.

Food and facilities

Guests can enjoy watching Disney movies and cartoons in the food court, visit the Grandstand Spirit bar or have pizza delivered to your room. Kids can play ball on the sports courts, clamber over the adventure playground or make a splash in the resort pool. There’s also a games arcade, outdoor movie theatre and jogging trail to keep guests entertained.

Rooms

The bright and colourful rooms with two queen-sized beds channel the sporting spirit, with star-patterned bedding and decor. All the usual family amenities are included, from an in-room fridge to free Wifi.

Why it’s great for families

Sports-mad kids will love the funky themed hotel with its giant models of footballs and statues of Disney characters around the resort. The hotel offers babysitting, free airport transfers and transport to various Disney parks.

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