Best Western was in an ideal location plenty of restaurants nearby - friendlys and race rock were our favourites - would give ponderosa a wide berth. Rooms were clean and plenty of towels. Towels also provided at the pool.

One thing spoilt this hotel for us and that was the shuttle service. To make sure we got on the limited number of buses provided, we used to wait an hour before, both going and coming back which with children is a real bind. If you use the hotel either have a car or be prepared to wait. Drivers were helpful and cheerful though.

This room only accommodation is typical of Orlando. Clean and local.

The rooms themselves are very basic and every sound can be heard from next door and public balcony access. Don't expect to sleep well before 12.30am. Dispite this, as a base it's fine and recommended as other hotels on offer at this level are poor in comparison.

The hotel was situated perfect with shuttle service to all the theme parks free of charge if you should need it.

The rooms were cleaned every day with clean towels and sheets although room only basis we were provided with a fridge and a microwave which was an absolute great idea for the kids.

The hotel staff were very friendly and also very helpful although there were no entertainment as such there was an excellent games room for the kids and the pool was open late at night which was a great way to unwind after along day at the theme parks.

I would definitely visit this hotel again and am already looking to book again for next year.

The room was very spacious, beds so big, had a fridge & coffee maker which was a real bonus. Rooms cleaned every day with clean towels. Air con was fantastic, a pleasure to return to the room after a long/hot day at the parks.

The shuttle service to the theme parks was limited. Could have done with more coaches at different times to return back to the hotel. But it was a free service! Wasn't impressed with the 'waiting for the coach system' at Magic Kingdom, very busy & chaotic, lines of people everywhere.

The pool was great & never very busy. Ice machine came in very useful.

Information desk in the hotel, you can buy park/show tickets & I ride trolley tickets.

I would recommend this hotel & would stay here again.

I stayed in the Best Western for 2 weeks 27 July 04 just before the first hurricane! with my husband and 2 children aged 7 and 10. I must say we would definitely choose this hotel again.

The room was cleaned everyday with fresh towels and had a coffee maker - filled up daily, TV with Disney channels and fridge and air conditioning.

We had an ice machine round the corner and a ground floor leading to the pool which although it was peak season there were always plenty of free sunbeds, the pool side diner was good too and cheap!

The hotel lobby had a games room, great for the kids to unwind in after a long day at the parks, and a shop too.

We were none drivers and the free shuttle buses were a god send, if you used them correctly (booking which departure and pick up times the night before) you have no problem, ok sometimes they were late but hey your on holiday, what does it matter, your in no rush !!

Just got back from Orlando , Florida - here's a quick review :

Stayed at the Best Western Plaza Intl hotel on International Drive . We arrived mid afternoon and reception was very busy . We had requested a high floor with a pool view , but got neither . There is currently a American Library Assoc. conference there and all the good rooms were allocated out already . Apart from miserable woman on desk we checked in no problem . As weather was VERY hot we were very glad in the end to be on the ground floor , no steps to climb . Rooms are basic , we'd give it about 2 star , cheap and cheerful , but have most things you need . We missed a fridge desperately , even though we got plenty of ice its no substitute . Pool area is alot smaller than any photos make it look and can get very busy , and despite having read of people problems with the food at the pool side diner , we found the food very good. Location is spot on , plenty of restaurants / shops etc in walking distance and theres also the I-Ride trolley to get a little futher in all directions . The hotel also offers a shuttle to Disney , Universal and Seaworld (the reason why we booked this hotel). We found this shuttle service hard going , buses were late , broken down and overcrowded . They got you where you are going eventually , just be prepared to wait . We got the I-Ride to seaworld in the end , alot easier . The other parks though you either wait or get a taxi and with it being $50 return to Disney we used the shuttle .

Overall , Its a good hotel to base yourselves at , and to be honest the other hotels we dropped people off at on the way didnt look as good as this one . You will spend very little time in the room anyway . We will definately go back to Orlando , but probably rent a villa and go at a different time of year when its not so hot or busy .

Rest of holiday was superb , we did all the first time visitor to Florida stuff. We used the fast pass system at Disney , and it worked brilliantly , but we found the same system at universal seems to allocate all of its available tickets within first couple of hours . Getting to the parks for opening though , gives you a good hour or so of shortish queues to get the main rides done anyway .

Found the food a bit samey round and about , right up until will found a little Balti take away place in the food court in the Mecardo on International Drive , just a short walk from the hotel . Superb food although theres only so much balti you can eat! Otherwise its chicken , steaks or burgers . Race Rock on Intl Drive is also good for food .

Came home absolutely knackered . Need a holiday to recover from this one . Excellent fun , really is no place like it , but relaxing it is not !

Going to do the hop to the Bahamas and the air boat ride next time round , instead of some of the parks .

Cheers

The rooms are large. We had 2 adults and 2 children and the 3rd child in a cot and still had tons of room.

The room's were cleaned every day to an excellent standard. I pitied the cleaners as, however much I tried to keep the room clean the kids always messed it up. There was always crisps on the carpet in the morning! Which were gone by evening!! The aircon worked like a dream the room's were so cool to come back to. The cleaners also closed the curtains once they'd finished. Don't bother taking shampoo and conditioner or soap as they leave free sets everyday.

The hotel is near a Ponderosa's which has free children's meals with every accompanying adult and was our favourite place to eat as it's a buffet - the kids loved it!

As we didn't bother with a hire car the free transport to both universal and Disneyland was a must. We got a taxi home at the end of the day which was about $35 from Disney and $25 from Universal.

There is also a supermarket and the Mercado Centre across the road for those who want to go out in the evening.

The receptionists are not overly friendly or helpful and are very slow but how much time do you spend with them!

We loved coming back to the Pool - though later in the day it could do with being heated!

Take plenty of clothes as the laundry room was a nuisance to use. I always manged to pick the machine that was playing up. And though you inform the recepption no-one comes to repair it very quickly!