Call Security! There's a Loud Mutant Toddler trying to Break in our room!
Written: Jul 19 '04 (Updated May 01 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good Location, Freezing Cold A/C
Cons: Bad Locks, Time for New Beds, Shampoo Dispenser (Eww)
The Bottom Line: An acceptable hotel, but nothing special. Have you ever stayed in a hotel that just didn't move you in any way...good or bad? Don't forget to pull those handles up!
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| nvherron's Full Review: Holiday Inn Select ORLANDO-INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT |
The Hotel: Holiday Inn Select Orlando Airport...
The Holiday Inn Select Orlando Airport is the first off site airport hotel you come to when exiting Orlando International Airport down Semoran Blvd. The hotel is convenient to the Bee Line Expressway and thusly, all the Orlando tollway system. The H.I.S. is a 7-story building in a contemporary style of the early 80’s. It’s been painted a tan and muted green color scheme...very different. Complimentary self-parking surrounds the building. The hotel offers a courtesy airport shuttle around the clock.
The Welcome: Pull those handles up, eh?
Welcome Ratings: Curb Appeal = 3 Stars; Interior Design = 3 Stars; Staff Quality = 3 Stars
You definitely feel like you’ve entered a business hotel when the automatic doors open for you and you set foot in the lobby. The reception area is a 2-story atrium with some sparse foliage, a sunken seating area and a lobby bar. There is a touching Memorial to the Pilots lost in the September 11th tragedy. Flight crews frequent this hotel. Slightly around the corner in front of a pond/fountain is the front desk. There is a nifty plasma TV on the wall showing arrivals and departures at OIA. We were met by Vivian, who checked us in. She was very friendly and had a slight Canadian accent. I think she was relieved to wait on us because the previous person was whining to her about the high walk-in rate she quoted him. I confirmed my requests and asked for a crib to be sent up. She smiled and gave us our keys and we were on our way.
On the way to the elevator we passed the gift shop. It was a decent size and looked well stocked, but because it was nearly Midnight, it had the roll-down gates obscuring the entrance...like those at the mall. Just before getting to the elevator lobby, look up. There’s a small 7-story atrium going to the top of the hotel. You can see the balconies from each landing. But this atrium is teeny tiny. It only extends about 10 feet out from the landings. It so close, it’s practically just windows for the landings. To be honest, I didn’t notice it until I got off the elevator on the 4th floor.
We got to our room and inserted the key. The green light came on, but pulling down on the handle didn’t create the result I was looking for. Well, I know I can be picky sometimes expecting doors to open on command, but hey it’s nearly Midnight. Little pig, little pig...let me in. Did I mention I could get delusional when I’m really tired? Fortunately, my beautiful wife was there to keep me grounded. We tried a half dozen times to get that door open, but to no avail. Then I figured the room must be occupied and they have their deadbolt engaged. Now I had this picture in my head of a panic stricken guest in this room frantically calling security as an angry mob (really just 3 impatient children, a beautiful wife and a delusional hotel reviewer that just traveled for 12 hours from Nevada) was trying to break into their room. After this point I finally settled through all the layers of consciousness, and I decided it best to go back to the front desk. As I was trying to explain to a 2½ year old what’s going on (she was very concerned), I came to the realization that 2½ year olds only have one volume...very loud. I wonder how many guests we were able to disturb on the way back to the lobby. I was horrified then, but I’m chuckling now.
On the elevator ride back down I also remember Vivian telling the other gentlemen that this was her last room. So now I was preparing for a fight. I was thinking that our room was occupied and the other guy ended up buying her last room, leaving me with nothing. I was prepared to tell her that she was paying for my night at the Hyatt. On and on in my head. Isn’t it funny how we can get worked up about something? I got off the elevator and could see Vivian at about 30 feet away. She saw me coming with droopy family in tow. She had a quizzical look upon her face like, “oh no...what’s this guy’s problem?” However within 10 paces it turned to such a pleasant and welcoming smile. I explained what happened with the door lock, digging in for the fight. She just winced and said, “Sorry, Mr. Herron. I should have warned you that some of our rooms have the handles installed backwards and you have to pull up on the lever instead of down. Our maintenance staff is trying to fix them as they are discovered. I’m sorry you had to come back down here.” Hmmmm...so there was no fight. The room wasn’t occupied. Boy am I a doofus!
Well back upstairs...sure enough, the door opened nicely by pulling up on the handle after the light turns green. Within 10 seconds of shutting the door there was a knock. It’s the security guard...with our crib. She was a little too chatty. I just wanted her to leave so I could go to bed. I hope I wasn’t too short with her.
The Room: Bland and Blah, but FREE INTERNET!
Room Ratings: Bed = 2 Stars; Bedding = 3 Stars; Design = 2.5 Stars
Our room was very Holiday Inn looking. Clean and contemporary, with a business flair. Our room furnishings consisted of a King Bed with floral bedspread, nightstands with an alarm clock and telephone, a pull-out sofa with coffee table, a work desk with a chair, second telephone and work lamp and last a credenza that also held the TV. The view looked out across the parking lot and into the trees (but I didn’t discover this until I woke up at 9AM the next morning). Our bedding was very clean, but the bed was just acceptable. What I would consider below industry standard for a 3-star hotel. Linens and pillows for the pull out sofa were conveniently located in the small closet, in a clear zippable pouch. Also in this closet was the typical iron and board hanging on the side wall. Additionally there was complimentary in-room broadband internet access.
The average sized bathroom was very clean, almost impressively so. The flooring was ceramic tile and the large vanity was made of a white cultured marble. A wall-mounted hairdryer and a lighted make-up mirror were handy. Bath care products were from the “Holiday Collection” and were acceptable (but not worth pilfering). There were no shampoo or conditioner bottles though, because the bathtub had a shampoo, conditioner and body wash dispenser in it. I could live without that feature. I don’t like the thought of previous guests being able to tamper with something I’m going to rub all over my hair and body. Ewww. They do have a sign saying that you can get their fine Holiday Collection hair products in bottle-form from the front desk. But who’s going to go through that trouble? Especially after getting undressed and into the shower. The shower head was great...a Water Pik with many different settings. However, our shower water temperature was backwards from what was displayed. Imagine my surprise! Also of note is that the coffeemaker is inside the bathroom.
The air conditioning was one of those window mounted units without a thermostat. You just set it on COLD and you wake up at 4AM with icicles hanging from your nose. But it worked very well. Also, it stuck way into the room. It looked like a coffee table. I just say...throw a laminate counter on it and move the coffeemaker on it. That ought to quiet the germ freaks.
The Grub: I’ll pass, I’m on a mission... {insert theme music here}
Food Ratings: Restaurant = ???; Lounge = ???; Room Service = ???
The hotel has a restaurant off the atrium that has room service (6AM – 11PM). We did not partake in the hotel’s dining options. We checked in too late for dinner and we went to breakfast at Cracker Barrel 3 blocks down Semoran Blvd. I eat many breakfasts at Cracker Barrels when I’m on the East Coast, because we don’t have any here in Northern Nevada. And it was delicious, as always.
The Recreation: All the basics, in a pleasant setting...
Recreation Ratings: Pool = 3 Stars; Fitness Center = 4 Stars
The pool area is outside down a nice covered walkway from the elevator lobby. Although it’s a good 200-foot walk, it’s pretty pleasant in a fairly nicely landscaped courtyard. The pool is completely fenced in and there is a building adjacent...holding restrooms, a pool bar and a small fitness center.
The Verdict: Another Acceptable OIA hotel, but there is a lot to choose from ‘round here...
Grades: Market Percentile (Orlando Airport) = 60%; Class Percentile (Midscale) = 75%
All things considered, the Holiday Inn Select is a fully capable and acceptable place to stay. Especially if the price is right. All of our problems seem trivial now in retrospect and are only being mentioned for their sheer entertainment value. Everyone we encountered in the hotel was friendly and helpful. I would stay here again if the stars aligned and it was meant to be so, but I definitely prefer the Renaissance, Sheraton Suites and Crowne Plaza hotels nearby. I’m sure the Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inns are safe bets, too. And then there’s that ever elusive Hyatt on top of the airport terminal. I will stay there next time I fly through OIA.
Robert Herron
Fernley, Nevada
e-mail: general@herronweb.com
Holiday Inn Select Orlando Airport Reference Section:
Address: 5750 T.G. Lee Blvd., Orlando, FL 32822
Phone: (407) 851-6400 Fax: (407) 240-3717
Website: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/mcoap
Rooms: 288 Suites: 3
Year Built: 1984 Last Renovated: 2000
Other Orlando Airport Hotel Reviews by nvherron:
Renaissance Orlando Hotel Airport - Wickered to Your Heart's Desire...
Sheraton Suites Orlando Airport - Oooh a Sweet Sleeper Bed...I'm a Sucker for a Gimmick
Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport - No, I'm not a Metrosexual! But I play one on TV...
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
nvherron
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Member: Robert Herron
Location: Fernley, Nevada, USA
Reviews written: 36
Trusted by: 40 members
About Me:
The Hotel Dork is back home for awhile. Tired of jet setting for the moment.
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