Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista

Due to a very late change to our original travel plans we changed 11 nights in Cyprus to 11 nights in the Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista staying during the last week of June booking out on the 7th July. We have both travelled to Orlando on several other occasions so the trip from the Uk was pretty uneventful, although it was the first time we flew into Sandford rather than international airport. We collected our pre booked hire car and made the 60 minute drive to the hotel. Motorways around Orlando reassemble a bomb site with major construction taking place as far as the eye can see. Congestion cannot be avoided. We arrived at the hotel late afternoon, receptionist pleasant and efficient. I had read various reviews before leaving and had requested a room over looking the parking lot . Receptionist attempted to offer upgrade room which we took a look but the room was facing the freeway (motorway to us Brits) and was very very noisy. We were then allocated a room overlooking the parking lot (double room 4433) very clean tidy and spacious, everything you would need. Cleaned to a high standard every day. Room very well equioed with hair dryer, iron,fridge ,microwave and TV. We were booked as room only, breakfast at 10 dollars appears at first glance expensive but wait till you see the prices outside and you will see its value for money. Pre 9.00am very busy but always plenty of choice. Dinner at 14 dollars which we didn't try instead eating out most days. Grounds of the hotel kept to a high standard together with tight security. Now the downside, hotel colour scheme very drab looking very old and dull. Hotel bar very small and limited opening ( we watched together with others an England game mid afternoon with a dry bar!). Hotel snack shop very small, limited stock and very expensive. Instead shop at various supermarkets which are near bye. Perhaps the most disappointing came when we wanted to use the swimming pool which they have two. Both are very small and within almost an arms length of the freeway making a stay of any length almost impossible due to road noise. Yes the location is central to most attractions BUT you need your own transport, Hotel transport very limited, on one day only going to Epcot and Universal with a limited timetable. We understood the transport needed to be pre booked but enquiring bluntly told by someone working on the information desk and completely uninterested 'first come, first served'. Large queues gathered before 8.00am. We had no reason to stay at the hotel during the day instead staying out until after dark so it really is important to hire a car. If you get a car and what something other than theme parks to spend your time visit the Dr Phillips area (yes its an area not a person), Lake Eloa, nice area no sign of Micky and Winter gardens an area where you can simply sit outside, eat a proper meal rather than fast food and watch the world go by before driving back into the chaos of Orlando. Would we go back unlikely.

First, we are choice hotel members and found others of our family that stayed the same time paid less. Second, 2 of the elevators in building 2 failed to function the last days of our stay. Third, the continental breakfast offered is substandard when compared to other hotels prompting patrons to purchase the buffet for approximately $10. We will consider other accommodations on our next visit.