Wickered to Your Heart's Desire...
Written: Jun 23 '04 (Updated May 01 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Clean, Functional, Large Bedrooms & Bathrooms
Cons: Too Predictable, Bland, Puts me to sleep
The Bottom Line: A highly predictable and sufficient establishment, well geared for the business traveler. A renovation would be greatly appreciated!
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| nvherron's Full Review: Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel |
The Hotel: Renaissance Orlando Hotel Airport...
The Renaissance Orlando Hotel Airport is located off Semoran Blvd. directly across the Bee Line Expressway from the Main Entrance to Orlando International Airport. The hotel is a 10-story structure built in 1990 in a modern contemporary style of it’s time…using white stucco panels and blue mirror glass.
It was formerly known as the Orlando Penta Hotel. Renaissance purchased the small Penta chain and now Renaissance is owned by the Marriott International. On-site self parking is complimentary, and valet parking is available for a fee. The Renaissance provides a complimentary airport shuttle.
The Welcome: Oh wicker, oh wicker...where did you go?
Welcome Ratings: Curb Appeal = 3 Stars; Interior Design = 3 Stars; Staff Quality = 3 Stars
The lobby is the first thing you see when you enter the non-descript entrance. Everything in sight screams 3-star business hotel. I know you are asking, “but, isn’t this a 3-star business hotel?” Well, I’m glad you asked! Since Marriott has bought the Renaissance chain, they have been changing the image of the company into something hip and sophisticated...hotels with character. This property is not of that nature. Maybe it will become this way soon. OK...onward...I’m starting to ramble.
The lobby is quite large and decorated in typical Florida Contemporary. At least typical for ‘round here. If you’ve seen it, you know what I mean. Creams and muted pinks. I’m just looking for the white wicker furniture! It’s very boring and too predictably Florida. Just screams 1990’s. But it is very clean and efficient. The front desk is offset at an angle, with work pods jutting like saw-teeth into the lobby. That’s different. I was efficiently handled by the front desk staff, very reminiscent of a convention hotel. Completed check-in and I was off to the elevators. With a little effort I was able to find the elevator lobby, not as easy as it usually is (the clerk did mention something about how to find them, but I wasn’t listening. Maybe I was looking too hard for wicker!)
The Room: Do they wipe down those toilet phones?
Room Ratings: Bed = 3 Stars; Bedding = 3 Stars; Design = 3 Stars
My room was on the 9th floor. Corridors had average lighting and nothing in them worth mentioning. I open up the room, and, SURPRISE...it’s the Lobby in Room Form. Go figure! Creams and pinks in 1990’s fashion, all over again. You walk in the entry foyer and you have a nice closet immediately there. The room opens up into a pretty impressive size. I figured it would be a small room, since it was a business oriented property. Furnishings were of good quality and good condition, just the decor left something to be desired.
I had a king bed (as this was one of the few trips I was by myself) and a nice sofa. My view was to the south looking toward the Airport. Bed was in good shape and comfortable, right in the 3-star pack. It’s too bad all these dated furnishings were in such good shape, otherwise they may have to renovate. Oh well! Room amenities include ironing boards, hairdryers, coffeemakers, broadband internet access, 2-line speaker phones with voicemail and PPV movies.
And voila...THERE’S THE WICKER! I knew it. I just knew it. There’s a small wicker sitting chair in the corner. Interior designers are too predictable.
Off to inspect the bathrooms. They were quite large. In fact, they were large enough to put a fourth fixture in there (but they didn’t). A separate shower would have been great! They need something more in there because it just looks wrong with so much room and so little in it. All the features were standard 3-star quality. Lighting was just adequate. The most memorable thing about the bathroom is this was the first time I actually used a toilet phone! And to think, I used to subscribe to the belief they had no usefulness, whatsoever.
The Grub: Sorry, didn’t partake in the heartburn here...
Food Ratings: Restaurant = ???; Lounge = ???; Room Service = ???
On-site dining consists of Forbes Place, who’s menu and prices looked like what you can expect at a 3-star hotel. Also, there is a German pub called Bierstube. There are also a lot of chain restaurants nearby like Cracker Barrel, TGI Fridays, Bennigan’s, Tony Roma’s, etc. I ate dinner before checking in and ate breakfast at the airport, as I had a very early flight out.
The Recreation: It was dark when I got there and dark when I left...
Recreation Ratings: Pool = 3 Stars; Fitness Center = 3 Stars
Recreation facilities include an Outdoor Pool, Jacuzzi, Sauna and Fitness Center. The pictures make them look perfectly pleasant and adequate. I used none of them, so I cannot offer any comments (and for this, you are thankful!)
The Verdict: Hoping for some Renaissance pixie dust to be sprinkled here...
Grades: Market Percentile = 70%; Class Percentile (Upper Upscale) = 65%
So, all be told, the Renaissance Hotel at Orlando International is the quintessential 3-star business hotel. Very predictable and boring, but with good service and clean facilities. You can’t go wrong here. I will stay again at the right rate, but I prefer the Sheraton Suites nearby. I want to try the Hyatt on top of the airport, too, but I’ve never been able to find a good rate there (you pay through the nose for convenience). If the Renaissance were to renovate and upgrade a 1/2 star like most other Renaissance’s are doing, it would become THE place to stay at Orlando Airport.
Robert Herron
Fernley, Nevada
e-mail: general@herronweb.com
Renaissance Orlando Hotel Airport Reference Section:
Address: 5445 Forbes Place, Orlando, FL 32812
Phone: (407) 240-1000 Fax: (407) 240-1005
Website: http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MCORA
Rooms: 293
Year Built: 1990 Last Renovated: 1999
Other Orlando Airport Hotel Reviews by nvherron:
Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport - No, I'm not a Metrosexual! But I play one on TV...
Sheraton Suites Orlando Airport - Oooh a Sweet Sleeper Bed...I'm a Sucker for a Gimmick
Holiday Inn Select Orlando Airport - Call Security! There's a Loud Mutant Toddler trying to Break in our room!
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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