DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal in Orlando, FL

Great location right at the entrance to Universal studios you can walk or take the complimentary shuttle bus. Kaina at check in was very helpful and gave us a great welcome and first impression of this hotel. Pool is a good place to chill after a day at the park, would recommend.

We stayed for two nights at a cost of $504, plus $33 per night for parking. The king room was spacious with a comfortable bed and pillows, but the room felt extremely outdated, with an old TV, cheap finishes, and it wasn’t very clean. Parking was expensive for an uncovered lot with no added protection. The hotel restaurant was overpriced, and they automatically added a 16% gratuity even on takeout orders, which seemed excessive. Staff were friendly and accommodating, though check-in was very slow. Breakfast was a highlight — fresh, tasty, and staffed by excellent servers. The omelet station was busy but well-managed. Overall, the hotel is average and outdated for its high cost. Next time, I’ll stay onsite at Universal for a better experience at a similar price.

I have been here a few days now, with a few more to go. I generally don't do reviews until my stay is over but feel my opinion is set at this point. First, to be fair I'm here with my husband on a business trip. We didn't choose the hotel and it's not a place I'd book myself. So my expectations are perhaps different than others. Check in was a bit slow and though my husband was sure he requested a king, we got two beds. They were busy and we didn't want to make a hassle of it so we decided to just make do. The hotel itself needs a renovation. It's a bit outdated and needs some TLC. For example, the bathtub faucet leaks like crazy when you shower and seems to have gaps around it. Minor stuff. It is clean and otherwise fine. The service is poor frankly. Housekeeping does not show up until between 4 and 6 PM. I try to be gone and out of the way but it's hard when they show up so late. I'm not sure they would have come at all if I hadn't called one day and even then it took an hour for someone to show up. Currently, I've been waiting over an hour for someone to "come right up!" with something. It feels a bit like I'm accommodating them rather than the other way. My day is on hold waiting for them to show up (or not). I try to be understanding that maybe they're short staffed or very busy but either way this seems to be the norm. The staff seem friendly and helpful generally. The laundry is nice and easy to use. I haven't tried the food on site other than Starbucks. It's Starbucks. There's not much else to say. (They do seem to stop offering food and hour or two before closing. FYI.) The TV seems to have a lot of features that don't work. The Hilton mobile site they give you a QR code for isn't very helpful. None of the menu links seem to work. It does provide basic info like hours and other information. The Avis car rental in the lobby was very convenient and easy to use. By the time we got checked in they had closed but we were able to book online and go down in the morning to get it. I don't think the car had been cleaned. There were lip prints on the inside of the window, spots on the seat, had a cracked window and we later found trash in the back. I chalk it up to a last minute rental for first thing in the morning. The car was otherwise fine though and got us where we wanted to go. Pick up and drop off at the hotel is very convenient. The gift store in the lobby is convenient and friendly. They don't have a huge selection but they seem to carry most things you might need. The fitness facility is small but has nice machines and a good mix of cardio and weights. It's very clean as well. I haven't used the pools at all. Location isn't bad. It's a bit of a walk to Universal but it's not that far and it's pretty. There's a shuttle available but I'd rather walk personally. There are some good restaurants nearby, and a Walgreens close by if you need anything the gift shop doesn't have. It has a conference center and a lot of meeting rooms which probably makes it a good option for business trips. Overall, it's a good budget friendly hotel for families I think. I'm sure that's their target market anyway.

We were warmly greeted at the front entrance by Carlos. Hit and tired from travel, he unloaded our bags and groceries, stored them while we got set up, brought everything up to our room and even set up a suitcase for my wife as I'm traveling with a knee injury. Can't say enough about the first class hospitality!

Great hotel and excellent location for Universal. Carlos greeted us at the door and helped with our check in, luggage and valet. He escorted us to our room and pointed out all the amenities along the way. Hospitality service at its finest. Someone give that man a raise!