Orlando’s International (MCO) routinely ranks as one of the 30 busiest in the world. That, combined with a location relatively convenient to Orlando’s downtown and area attractions, might lead you to believe that this airport is well served by public transportation. It is not. Taxis, shared shuttles and rental cars are the best options. If you are taking off early, or arriving late, an airport hotel stay can save you a lot of hassle. Fortunately for you, Dear Traveler, MCO has a superb hotel literally attached to the airport and another that’s a superb value:
Best Overall Orlando Airport Hotel
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
The Hyatt Regency at MCO is supremely well located—the property is inside the main terminal. The walk between the baggage claim or ticket counters and the Hyatt’s check-in desk is literally as short as five minutes! The hotel itself meets or exceeds the high standards of other Hyatts. We like this hotel’s iPod docks, in-room mini-fridges, comfortable beds and marble baths, but what we are really smitten by is the outdoor pool with a view of the runway. The hotel’s dining options are top-rate too, especially the McCoy Bar and Grill and Hiro’s Sushi Bar. While both restaurants are a fair value neither are cheap; for inexpensive eats you’ll have to take that five minute walk down to the fast food joints in the terminal.
As for the rooms, at the Hyatt Regency they fall into two basic types: those facing the runway and those facing the interior atrium. The atrium rooms have the advantage of a private balcony. Counter-intuitively, the runway-facing rooms are the more quiet (especially at the lower levels—the lobby noise really carries up through the atrium). The runway rooms are also fantastic for watching the planes take off and land. Sadly, access to the internet in both types of rooms will cost you $10/day and is available only via ethernet (not wi-fi). Despite that one flaw, the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport is easily MCO’s best airport hotel.
Best Value Orlando Airport Hotel
La Quinta Inn Orlando Airport North
While you wouldn’t confuse this La Quinta Inn with a world-class business hotel you would expect a place of this quality to cost $40~50 more than the rate you’ll play booking through the Airport Hotel Guru. The La Quinta Inn Orlando Airport North has a gym, a pool and a hot tub. The rooms are clean, comfortable and are equipped with a fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Use of in-room wi-fi is included in the room rate as is a surprisingly good breakfast and use of the airport shuttle (from 5am to 11pm). It all adds up to a great value.
Note: This is a different property from the La Quinta Inn Orlando Airport West, which is okay but not nearly as nice.
See rates for all MCO airport hotels | Bid for rooms on Priceline
Airport Info
Orlando International Airport
Official airport website | Airport parking & transportation
Priority Pass Lounges: In Concourse F: Club America (follow signs after security). In Terminal B: Delta Crown Room Club (near to Gate 60 in the center atrium area) and United Red Carpet Club (near Gate 43). Priority Pass members have access to these lounges regardless of what airline they fly or what class they fly in.
Accepts Clear Fly Through Security: Yes! Speed through the security lines at both the east and west checkpoint. Save 25% when you sign up now
Orlando Travel Info
Official Tourist Bureau Website | Find Florida travel specialists
Best Orlando Travel Guidebooks
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Best Orlando Guidebook for the Kindle: If you are heading to Disney World get The Little Black Book of Walt Disney World for the best restaurant and hotel reviews, or The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Walt Disney World for a more general guide. For Orlando specifically try Off Beat Orlando. If your travels are taking you further afield check out the Orlando & Central Florida Adventure Guide guide and Florida Off the Beaten Path .
The Kindle is an electronic e-book reading device with a screen that mimics the look of the printed page. The device is as thin as a magazine, lighter than a paperback, holds at least 1,500 books (!). Highly suggested for frequent travelers. |
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Best Orlando Paper Guidebooks: The award-winning The Complete Walt Disney World is a superb guidebook to that theme park. For a general guide the best choice is the Frommer’s Walt Disney World and Orlando. We also like Eyewitness Top 10 Orlando and Fodor’s Florida 2009. For restaurant reviews subscribe to Zagat Online (they don’t have an up-to-date guidebook). The Streetwise laminated map will help you find your way around. |
Travel Ideas From SpotCoolStuff.com
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Don’t Head To Florida Without . . .
. . . a waterproof case for your iPod
A good case will not only protect your iPod from water but also from sand, dust and drops. Check out this review of the best waterproof iPod cases for more information.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Great article, but just a couple of quick comments. The Hyatt in the Orlando Airport does have an option for free wi-fi in the guest rooms. We were told it is the airports wi-fi signal not the hotels. Also the exterior rooms facing the runways also have balconies. We were amazed at how quiet the rooms were, especially since we had an exterior door to a balcony. Great hotel.
Our room at the Hyatt was runway-facing and didn’t have a balcony and didn’t get the airport wi-fi signal. But it is possible some do. Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Dave.