Orlando Hotels

This magnificently themed resort is a real slice of Africa, complete with an 8-hectare (21-acre) wildlife reserve out the windows of the 1,293 rooms in the six-storey luxury resort. Rooms are laid out in a horseshoe shape after a kraal African village design.

An 18-storey atrium welcomes honeymooners and families, screeching parrots and all. It is hard to imagine a more replete resort hotel, and there is a whole world to explore, from one of the best pools in the country to the comprehensive sports on offer to the destination restaurants.

This re-creation of an Italian fishing village is in the heart of Universal Orlando Resort, complete with fine restaurants and shops. The guest rooms are decorated with a Mediterranean theme, and there is a lively piazza with vintage Italian sports cars and scooters.

With 2,880 rooms that pay tribute to 20th-century pop culture and great pool amenities, this is one of Disney's budget-priced hotels. Expect bright colours and themes from the 1950s to the 1990s. It is located in close proximity to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

This beautiful resort-style hotel is right opposite SeaWorld and has an impressive lobby atrium and a spectacular indoor courtyard. For the price, this hotel has great rooms, and the restaurant choice is reassuringly diverse. All in all, this property offers superb value in this price range.

Located in the heart of downtown Orlando, the Residence Inn is near several local attractions including the Orlando Science Center and the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. Just a 25-minute drive south is Walt Disney World. Residents of Residence Inn will have access to a fitness centre, indoor pool, free breakfast and numerous nearby watersport activities.

Larger than average rooms, a great pool and an ideal location just outside Walt Disney World Resort, make this a good family choice. Having been renovated within the past decade, you will find that the décor has quite a chic modern flair to it, along with two fantastic restaurants, a luxurious spa and a health club.

The former operated by Westin and the latter by Sheraton, these are the archetypal fancy Disney hotels with all the attendant allures. Between the two hotels, there are 2,270 luxury rooms and 254,000 sq ft of meeting and exhibition space. They share 17 restaurants and lounges, four swimming pools, two health clubs, and a wide array of recreational activities.

Formerly the Doubletree Resort Orlando is now one of the best value hotels on International Drive. Set in 11 hectares (28 acres) of landscaped gardens, there are three main pools and a children's pool. There are varied dining options on-site, and a myriad of choices just nearby.

One of the best-located budget hotel options, you are only a mile and a half from Walt Disney World Resort, but you can stay at a fraction of the price of similarly placed hotels. The rooms are not the largest you will ever stay in, but they are clean and modern, and there is even a free breakfast.