Testimonials

Guest from Ohio - March 3, 2008 - We recently stayed at your hotel on March 3 rd and really enjoyed our stay.  I was wondering if you could tell me what type of pillows were on the bed.  I remember there were four and they were by far the most comfortable I have ever used.
I must say out of the three hotels we stayed at while in Florida , another being a Choice Hotel, yours was by far the nicest.  We had a bit of trouble finding it but it was very comfortable and the staff was very hospitable.

Guest from London - October 16, 2007 We stayed for 2 weeks at the Clarion Universal and found that it had everything we required. We were out most days and evenings so it is a good base being so close to I-Drive. The room was clean, towels were replaced daily, as was the bathroom, although it could have done with a bit of a revamp - new coat of paint etc. The shop sold toiletries, drinks, snacks as well as pizzas, sandwiches, salads and giant cakes (we recommend the carrot cake) and was open from very early till very late. We saw no bugs in the hotel as we had experienced several years earlier at the Rodeway Inn. We were on the 6th floor so didn't hear much from the pool or the bar. Laundry facilities were good, the attractions desk people were helpful. We also used the interactive tv service (a couple of films) which was simple to use. It was much better that we expected it to be and would stay there again.

Guest from Scotland - Sept 29, 2007
stayed for 14 nights from 27th aug 2007and had a wonderful time.
we stayed on the ground floor with doors opening to the pool.
the staff were so friendly and nothing was a problem for them.
if we had an issue, by the time we reported it and got back to the room someone was there to fix it.
it was close enough to all tourist places but quiet at night time as you are not in the middle of international drive, just round the corner.
we enjoyed it so much we are going back next year.

Guest from Boston - July 2007 Don't believe any negative reviews. I've stayed at many hotels along International Drive and this hotel was one of the best. I wonder if the people who are complaining paid some exorbitant rate. I did a price match guarantee through their website and got it for about 70 bucks and it's a hotel worth more than that. The rooms are large. There are 2 hot tubs, and a nice pool. The shuttle to Universal is really convenient. The only issue I have is that it is a bit further from some of the stores than other hotels. They do have a convenience store in the hotel , but it's obscenely overpriced. That's my only complaint.
I was shocked that the rooms were so big for the price I booked. I found the hotel very clean and crisp. They have a sink outside the bathroom and a refrigerator, so if you have kids, then, that would be convenient when you're getting ready. Basically, I would not pay too much over $100 for this hotel because it's not that much nicer than the comfort inn/best westerns down the street, but since it IS nicer, and it can be booked for the same price is you call and negotiate, why not stay here. I know I will from now on for my yearly trips to Universal.

Posted October 11, 2007 -

This is my place to stay when visiting Universal Studios

This is the second time I've stayed at this hotel. I was as impressed with it this time as before. The staff is very pleasant and helpful. The rooms are clean and the beds are the most comfortable I have ever slept in! I enjoy that there is room service for breakfast and you can order movies from your room. The bathroom was clean and I had tons of towels. And, best of all, it is only 2 minutes from Universal Studios. They offer shuttles to the park, but I didn't use them since I have free parking there.

Very nice family friendly, close to universal studios, hotel. April 12, 2006
We had a great time and the bed's were amazing. It's very rare that you can actually say that your hotel mattress was comfortable enough to sleep all night long. After being awake that morning since 3 a.m. to catch a flight, it was quite pleasant sleeping in a very comfortable bed. It was convenient having the deli at the hotel. Although the food was a bit pricey for deli style meals, the size and portions were quite plentiful. The pool was very nice, although it could have been heated a little warmer.

December, 2005
Just returned from 18 nights at the Clarion on universal boulevard.After reading many reviews on the internet we were a little worried as the remarks weren't consistently good,we should never have worried as it was lovely.The room was cleaned daily with change of bedding and towels most days,coffee and tea maker in room with daily supply.Lovely huge bed,clock radio,iron and board,T.V with free satellite channels.It was our honeymoon and we were extremely happy with the hotel would definitly return and would recommend to anyone.Brilliant location for universal studios,not so good for disney but the public transport is great.Lots of cheap and cheerful eating places close by.You really cant go wrong with this hotel highly recommended.Thanks Clarion you made our honeymoon wish we could say the same about the actual wedding in Florida but thats another story!!!Jill and Dave Wallace.

Submitted by: Fran T. of swindon, UK ; June 17, 2004 Date of visit: 06/04
This was my 5th visit to Orlando and this is the best hotel we have ever stayed in! The staff were brilliant and nothing was too much trouble. My 2 year old loved the pool. There is a nice bar, which has a happy hour 5 -7pm when drinks are 2 for 1. The breakfast was good value and they also had a good a la carte menu. The deli makes lovely pizza's if you just want to veg out in your room. We would definitely use this hotel again.

Date: September 23, 2004
We checked into the hotel the day after Hurricane Frances had swept through the area, after we had driven 400 miles from Atlanta, Georgia, we were tired and expecting the worst, but received a well needed warm welcome. Despite the horrific weather conditions, the hotel appeared to be in full operational order and the staff were all still smiling. Our party had 2 rooms and both were spacious, clean and nicely decorated and in good order. The hotel is ideally placed for walking to the Universal theme parks, and had good freeway access for trips to disney etc, whilst being in a quiet enough location for those who don't like being slap bang in the centre of everything. the only negative point I can think of is that the car park was difficult to find a space in if you arrived back late at night.

"Would go back!"
Date: July 17, 2004
Just returned from a 2 week stay at the Clarion Universal. Great position, quiet road off of I-Drive. Staff were friendly and helpful. Rooms were well furnished, clean, and had all facilities ie safe, satellite TV, hairdryer and you could hire a fridge if needed. Pool was great and open 8-11pm, just what you need after an arduous day enjoying yourselves ! The Deli in the hotel lobby was great for coffees, drinks, pastries to go and for the odd nights that you really cannot get up the energy to head out to eat and just want a pizza in and to watch a good film. We ate the buffet breakfast in the Sharkeys bar and although there are no complaints, it was more expensive than some very close by competitors and with not as much choice but again very handy. I have read some not so good reviews on this site about this particular hotel and noted that some mention things like lack of toiletries and bathrobes. We had hotel toiletries provided but no bathrobes but as we live in Spain we can tell you that you would not get that in a 3 star hotel here. (Plus at the end of the day its not that important) All in all a great stay and we would definately go back and I would recommend the hotel.

"Best hotel I've stayed in for years."
Date: July 12, 2004
Submitted by: David, Karen & Carly from Scotland
Just back from a wonderful 2 week stay in the Clarion Universal hotel.The location is fantastic being just off I Drive and i can't say enough about the staff at the hotel,especially the room service staff.They did a brilliant job and i can't think of any criticism of them or there colleagues throuout the hotel.The food was great and the pool and spa areas just brilliant !! Thank you to everyone one at the Clarion for a brilliant 2 week holiday in the sun..

"Wonderful Hotel & Time!!"
Date: June 3, 2004
Submitted by: A TripAdvisor User, Havertown, PA
This hotel has so much going for it! Great and totally helpful, courteous staff, clean rooms, absolutely wonderful outside pool (really, really is great!), outside bar is very great too - frozen drinks, sodas, water, beer, etc, etc!, and we played tennis and they have whirlpools, a nice shaded area to relax, the inside store has really great coffee (and different flavors), and it's so nicely located and easy to get to. Wet & Wild we walked to! Universal is one quick exit up Rt 4 and Disney is a couple of exits the other way off Rt. 4 - totally convenient - and also to the Outlets (right down International Drive - which is the next street over). Many restarurants around too and shopping! Our family had such a great time and such a memorable Florida vacation. Thanks!