The 15 best cheap hotels in Orlando

If you’re looking for a unique place to stay near Walt Disney World, Caribe Royale is the spot. The pink hotel’s exterior reminds me of the Don CeSar in South Florida. The newly refreshed rooms feature wood floors and warm lighting. The comfortable beds are also a great place to crash after a long day at the theme parks—and rooms start at just $135 per night. 

The resort has plenty of dining options, including an upscale AAA Four Diamond steakhouse, The Venetian Chop House, and a cool sports bar called the Stadium Club. When I need a break from the hustle and bustle of the parks, the onsite pool is a great place to relax with a cocktail. Even better for kids is the 75-foot-long water slide splashes down into the cool water.

The price you pay to stay at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, which has 1,000 guest rooms and suites, four places to eat and drink, pet-friendly faciilities, and a fitness center. The Caribbean-inspired pool is one of the largest across the Universal Orlando Resort family and features two sand beach areas and a waterslide. For a four-night stay, rates start at $222 per night. 

This is a really great place to stay if you plan to visit the theme parks; guests can use a shuttle service to and from the Universal Orlando theme parks and Universal CityWalk. Guests can also receive early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and complementary water taxi rides. Late-night hunger pangs can be quelled with 24/7 in-room dining, and young ones can receive morning wake-up calls from their favorite Universal characters.

The Hyatt Regency, situated right on buzzy International Drive, offers something for everyone. The property includes 1,639 rooms that harbor 192 spacious suites (650–2,068 square feet!). There is complimentary WiFi, seven food and beverage concepts (including a 24-hour diner), and a business center. 

The best part? The hotel's water areas; the waterside fun includes an Olympic-sized terrace pool, hot tubs, private cabanas, slides, and waterfalls.

The location is prime, especially for those who want to go to Universal Orlando Resort since the hotel offers regularly scheduled shuttles during park hours. Just know you have to make a reservation to get on the shuttle at the Universal Partner Hotel Vacation Planning Center in the lobby a day in advance. Rooms start from $230 per night.

The furnishings at Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Palace are sleeker than most of its Hilton neighbors (think dark woods, neutral tones and pops of blue in the rooms), but the hotel’s Disney Springs location makes it especially attractive for families. This is your best pick for a budget-friendly—and family friendly—hotel to support a day of park hopping. 

As an Official Walt Disney World hotel, Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace makes trips to the park smooth for guests; guests can buy park tickets at the hotel, ride complementary shuttles to and from the parks that run every 30 minutes, and reserve seats at the Disney Character Breakfast. Rates start at $188 per night.

If you want to get away from your charges for a bit, why not take advantage of the on-site babysitting services and escape to the luxe Kay Casperson Spa, Salon + Boutique? 

Time Out tip: The resort's pool and adjacent bar get busy quickly, so grab a spot as early as possible.

Contemporary style marries modern comforts at the Courtyard by Marriott Orlando Lake Nona. This is your spot if you're looking for a chill stay. The Lake Nona location is further away from the parks and downtown Orlando's hustle and bustle, which makes it ideal for those seeking a calmer, commuter-driven experience. The rooms here are designed to maximize sleep and relaxation; each includes aromatherapy, air purification, mood lighting, and memory foam mattresses. 

In terms of other amenities, the hotel's rooms include free WiFI and LCD TVs with Netflix and Hulu. The Bistro offers light bites and coffee, while nearby eateries cater to more worldly tastes. Rooms start from $157 per night. 

If you're a vacationer who can't get enough of Disney and wants to stay on park property but on a budget, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort is your spot. I love that the fun property is divided into sections, each one representing a popular Disney movie like Toy Story and 101 Dalmatians. The main pool features Sorcerer Mickey from Fantasia in the center, which is fun for kids.

Inside the lobby, you’ll find the World Premiere Food Court, where you can grab a quick breakfast before going to the theme parks or a meal after a long day of exciting attractions. The resort has complimentary park buses that run about every 20 minutes so it’s super easy to get around Walt Disney World if you don’t have a car. Rates from $193 per night.

Even though it’s not right in the middle of the action at Universal Orlando Resort, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort—Dockside Inn and Suites is ideal for larger families on a budget. The resort has suites that accommodate up to six people, complete with a small kitchenette, which is great for cooking easy meals.

The resort also has six different eateries that include pizza and a fun, marketplace-style restaurant for quick meals. When it’s time to head to the parks, the complementary shuttle is just outside the hotel lobby waiting for you. Based on a four-night stay, rates start from $99 per night. 

If you’re willing to camp in a tent or RV, The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, you can save big bucks. Hear me out, becasue this is honestly one of my favorite ways to do Disney World on a budget. Not too bad for about $115 per night.

Campsites can accommodate up to two tents and a pop-cup camper, or a full-hookup RV site. The resort has plenty to do too, with multiple pools, boat rentals, nightly s’mores roasts, and campfire sing-a-longs. Just be warned that if you stay here, you may never actually make it into one of the theme parks because it’s so fun at the resort. 

There’s a handful of Hampton Inn & Suites across Central Florida, but the Orlando/ Downtown South-Medical Center outpost takes the cake. For one, the location allows for a more city-like experience that caters to an older demographic. Beds dressed in bright whites and accented with yellows and greens make the rooms feel fresher than other Hampton Inns. The price here is just right, too—rates start about $112 per night. 

This is also a great spot for business travelers, because the hotel offers free printing and rentals of audio/visual equipment, plus grab-and-go breakfast bags on Monday through Friday.

There's no onsite restaurant, but complementary breakfast is available, as are coin operated laundry machines. Coin laundry is located on the premises. The heated outdoor pool is perfect for snowbirds, too.

If a city stay is in the works, the Aloft Orlando Downtown is a reliable, trendy choice: It’s near the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Amway Center, and shops and restaurants.

Those familiar with the Aloft brand will recognize the usual amenities, which include: a 24/7 grab-and-go snack bar and gym, a Splash pool, and an XYZ bar that hosts nightly happy hour (and boasts a particularly impressive Scotch selection). WiFi and pet stays are free, and special goodies await the kiddos. This property suits casual business travelers and on-the-go couples. Rates from $149 per night.

For a stay layered with authentic Floridian charm, Marriott’s Harbour Lake is the way to go. The vacation club’s one- and two-bedroom villas boast bright, Caribbean and Key Western architecture on the outside and modern amenities on the inside.

While food options are minimal compared to other spots in the area (there’s a three-meal patio restaurant and a snack kiosk), Harbour Lake is big on recreation, and boasts a mini golf course and water playground. WiFi and parking are always free. Harbour Lake is close to SeaWorld and just off Interstate-4, but holds no theme park affiliations, best serving those looking to do their own thing.

The Drury Inn and Suites Orlando is generous with the giveaways: Complimentary breakfasts start the day and the nightly 5:30 Kickback keeps the noshing going with free soft drinks, beer, wine and hot plates. The kiddos can also enjoy free popcorn in the lobby from 3pm to 10pm—but that’s where the food options end.

Thankfully, each room features a microwave and fridge so that leftovers can be stored without any issues. In addition, there are 24-hour fitness and business centers available to guests. As a Universal Hotel Partner, Drury schedules free shuttles to Universal Orlando Resort and sells park tickets on the property.

If you’re planning a big ol’ Disney family holiday to Orlando, these highly affordable suites could be the perfect accommodation solution. Located just four-minutes’ drive from Disney World, each suite comes with its own fully-equipped kitchen—a perk that can really come into its own when you’re travelling with little ones (or just fancy a low-hassle snack yourself).

There’s an outdoor heated pool, a fitness centre, barbeque facilities and a family-friendly breakfast restaurant onsite. SeaWorld and a host of other top attractions are also super closeby.

As part of the Universal Orlando Resort family (and sister property to Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando), Universal’s Cabana Bay Resort keeps the perks coming.

It’s the only property in the portfolio that offers kitchenettes, making it easier for large groups to save on meals—but note that in-room dining is limited. At the food court, insiders favor the brisket grilled cheese and Brazilian churrasco. Cabana is the only portfolio property that is not pet-friendly. Sorry, Frodo! Cabana Bay Resort has family fun vacation written all over it: The colors are bright, and the signage is bold. Everyone in the group can keep busy thanks to a bowling alley, lazy river, game room, fitness center, kids club and a bustling pool area with waterslides.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort’s rooms sit just under $200. The extra cash means extra touches, including being one of the few non-cartoon–themed Disney properties. Instead, Coronado Springs Resort is inspired by colonial Mexico. Historical references echo throughout, from the Maya Grill’s Latin-fusion dishes to the poolside Mayan pyramid replica.

The leisure and recreation options are also mature here, with an adjacent salon, on-demand spa services and a 24-hour gym. This property gratifies families with older children who want a thematic Disney experience without the whimsy.