Doubletree at the Entrance to Universal reviews
2114 TripAdvisor reviews
Hard bed and parking issues
Sleepersoles (Ellenton, Florida) on Mar 19, 2024
This is a very nice Doubletree. The hotel is clean and nicely furnished. I did not use all of the amenities, since I was only there to sleep and shower. I gave my visit only three stars because the bed was very hard and did not provide good support; it seemed to dip in the center. For a place that was specifically there for a good night’s sleep instead of driving back home to Palmetto, I got literally zero sleep in that bed. Another issue I had was exiting and re-entering the parking lot; my key card would not work as it is supposed to. For these two things, I rated the stay a 3 out of 5.
More DollarTree than DoubleTree.
trishaf2016 on Mar 15, 2024
We are currently staying in this hotel and it leaves much to be desired. As Diamond members, we travel a lot of Hilton properties and have stayed in 3 others locally that were far better in terms of experience, amenities, and value than this location. The good: - Obviously, the location. This is literally the main selling point of the hotel. It is a 10-15 minute walk to the valet stand, which has its own security line to bypass the crowds at Universal's main access point where all the busses, ride shares, and parking meet. -The Shuttle. There are several morning routes (like if you have 8am admission) and a later one at 920, but you have to make the reservations a day before. This wasn't a problem. We took it 2 times and then slept in and did the walk over and found it to be just fine. In the evening, there are 3 return routes. We didn't utilize any of these, so I can't speak to them. They do let out at the bottom of that central station, so even after getting dropped off, there is still a 15 min walk to the park gates. The pool. We used the pool and the hot tub, and they were both clean and nice areas. Thr table and chairs around the pool were in good condition. The bad. -Rooms had a smell despite a deodorizer in the room. It was an "old hotel" smell, and a lot of people have commented that this is in many rooms, not just a one-off occurrence. The bathrooms have no exhaust fan, so it makes sense given that the moisture from the bathrooms goes into the guest rooms and makes them damp (this is a problem with 4 people showering after a long day at theme parks in the Florida humidity!) -Food was terrible. As someone who has Diamond status, I get 2 $15 credits per adult, no matter where I stay, however in select markets, it is $25, like NYC, LA, Chicago, etc. The buffet was $27 and was mediocre! For context, the Hilton Orlando has a chef cutting g prime rib, has a meat and cheese bar, has a salmon bar for bagels with lox, and I could go on and on for the same price. It was literally the same thing you could get a Homewood Suites for free or Hampton Inn (less the omelet bar) breakfast. My husband and I decided to forgo breakfast there because I could not bring myself to pay for such a terrible spread knowing across the highway they were charging the same for an elaborate set up. -Starbucks. I wanted to love this place bc it offered Starbucks and thought it would be a good alternative to the poor breakfast choices and 4 of the breakfast sandwiches they offer were not available. They do not offer mobile order either, which meant that whatever conference was there, their attendees crowded the Starbucks, so there were 15-20+ people in line each morning. So we skipped that too. -We waited outside, like a dozen other families, for our rooms. The outdoor space was nice but the chairs and beds were all pretty uncomfortable in the main area. The cushions were old and dated and had no plush to them, so the wicker furniture was really uncomfortable. -Beds were uncomfortable and had a tiny duvet and the bedding left much to be desired. It was basically sheets and there was no plush to them. -The gift shop sold me overpriced glasses for $16 and they broke on the 2nd day of use. And of course, they didn't refund the money at all or let me trade them for another pair. -Ice cream shop was good but be prepared to spend a ton. We paid $28 for 4 ice creams! Single scoops, 2 with cones. -The Hotel will tell you that the vendors are outside, thus not their responsibility, however the vendors are all the reasons we won't return. High food pricing yet poor quality, inconsistent Starbucks service, and refusal to honor the quality of their work. It is obvious this hotel is only living off their name and location bc there are few redeeming qualities of the hotel. I could have stayed at any of the other Hilton brands just a stones throw away but I stayed at the Doubletree because it was supposed to offer a service and luxury that the more affordable brands do not but we were sorely disappointed. There are other "Universal Approved" hotels that offer the Shuttles and are actual resorts like Hilton Orlando (which has a lazy river, spa, and the shuttle for their "resort credit" and an incredible buffet) . I would not recommend this hotel, especially if you're a Diamond member. You can totally do better and get more for your status at any other location. Tf
Ask for Ms. Linda!
Matt T on Mar 11, 2024
I am the sponsor of a university group and we were attending a conference in Orlando at the Doubletree by Hilton. Our group was large, requiring five rooms. Apparently, I have very little understanding of how to make a reservation, so we ended up with multiple reservations at different rates requiring us to move rooms halfway through our stay. Armed with this incompetence, I went to the registration desk with a helpless look on my face and met a Front Office Supervisor named Linda Carter. I was embarrassed by the situation and knew this was going to be a challenge, but I asked if "Ms. Linda" would help me straighten out my predicament. She gave me a long look and then tackled the problem with mastery, working through her break, showing patience and kindness to me in ways I have rarely felt on trips like this. Not only that, but her quick wit and sense of humor were delightful. When we couldn't finish that night, she told me to come back the next night and she would help me again. After a day at the theme park, I knew I had to get back before her break. I did not want to mess with Ms. Linda! When I arrived I learned she had tried to call me to make sure I was coming in. That she would care that much to ensure my stay was successful was baffling to me, but I have come to understand that this is just how Ms. Linda operates. That process went well but then I had a curveball to throw her. She didn't flinch. She said she would absolutely help me and then called in reinforcements, the other Front Office Supervisor, Lacy Cannella, who is another beautiful soul who made my continued lack of planning seem like an easy problem to solve. Together they expertly took care of my issue with grace and ease. Through this experience I learned two things: 1) Have someone else make my hotel reservations and 2) There are still people in the world who treat total strangers with dignity and respect (even incompetent projects like me) and two of them work at Doubletree by Hilton.
Not great
rosskross (Greater London, United Kingdom) on Mar 03, 2024
Stayed here for 4 nights using Hilton Honors points as we were visiting Universal. The hotel is ideally located for Universal but, beyond that, I’m not sure I can find much to recommend it. The whole place feels tired and dated and it definitely feels more like a business convention location rather than vacation spot - it’s definitely not a “resort” hotel. Reception area is just soulless and the outdoor courtyard and pool area are pretty grim. Our room was clean enough (although housekeeping was sporadic) but smelled musty/damp when we arrived and definitely felt dated. The whole place needs renovating and I doubt I’ll return to this property, sorry.
Dirty, old, broken! Worst Orlando hotel I have ever stayed in!
ParamedicLondon_ON (Grand Bend, Canada) on Feb 25, 2024
First impressions of a large grand lobby is the odd sight of guests angry and sleeping on the lobby furniture! Not a great first impression. Upon check-in found out you have to wait to 4pm to get a room assignment. We tried to enjoy the pool but it was in full shade by 2pm and windy. Even the little kids were cold and it was a warm day in Florida. Went out for a walk in the area and noted it’s not in a great location. I wont be going out after dark. Came back to the hotel and sat in the lobby with all the other annoyed guests. Finally everyone gets the room key at 4pm. Now everyone to trying to get up the only two tower elevators that actually work. Walked into the room and was hit with a damp smell. The room is old, you can hear every door bang shut like it’s the room with you. Dirty and stained carpets in the rooms with old dated furniture. They advertise a “Shuttle” to Universal but what they don’t tell you is that there are 4 shuttle runs that leave in the morning only and you have to reserve the shuttle. So now I have to spend more money on an Uber when I have to pay a $25 resort fee. Resort fee for what? I didn’t park a car and I don’t have access to the shuttle. I have never give a one star review but this hotel deserves it! There are way better hotels in Orlando!! Save your money and book anywhere else! The only positive thing is the staff seem friendly.