The Sonesta ES Suites is located smack bang in the centre of International Drive and over the road from the new IDrive 360 complex that houses a Sealife Aquarium, Madam Tussauds, the Orlando Eye and numerous restaurants and bars.
The hotel itself has been refurbished to a high standard and renamed from the Staybridge Suites to the Sonesta in the last couple of years. Now if you have teenagers you may know how awkward it can be when you stay in a normal hotel room with them as space is a major consideration. As we didn't want to book two rooms, the Sonesta ES Suites two bedroom two bathroom suite looked ideal, so we booked that.
Check in was swift and straightforward. In the check-in area is a small shop and in the lobby was also a small bar area with seating.
The room was freshly decorated in white, lemon, green and blue. As you go into the suite there is a lounge area attached to an open plan kitchen. The lounge had a large flat screen TV and the kitchen had a full fridge freezer, a microwave, coffee machine, dishwasher and two ring stove top, but no oven. Having a small kitchen is great if you want to prepare basic meals and to store drinks and snack items as well as prepare a simple breakfast or lunch.
Lounge
Kitchen
Bedroom one
We thought the suites were of a very good standard, were exceptionally clean and were plenty big enough to share if you have older children or other adults in your party. After we checked in we had a message on our phone checking that everything was ok - great customer service.
Hotel pool
The hotel pool also has a hot tub
The hotel offers a fitness centre, free Wi-Fi, a shuttle service to some of the parks, a games room and a free hot breakfast every morning.
Games room
The bar area has 2 for 1 offers on in the Happy Hour every night which is a nice touch.
Mr W outside the bar area
Scrambled eggs, sausage and gravy, biscuits (American scones)
Breakfast
Now I can't write this post without mentioning the awful shooting in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando that happened when we were there. What an awful thing to have happened, my heart goes out to the families of the poor victims.
The Orlando Eye in rainbow colours in recognition of the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting
Regarding the Sonesta ES suite hotel, the important question is, would we stay again?
The rooms at the Sonesta ES suites start at 99 dollars a night, whilst the two bedrooms, two bathroom suites cost 239 dollars a night for our dates in June (approximately £167 a night). Whilst I appreciate you can get cheaper rooms on International Drive, for the space we had I think that the rate was a good deal after all the suite was bigger than two normal sized bedrooms as you had two bathrooms, dressing rooms and a kitchen/diner as well. We thought it was very spacious accommodation.
The fresh modern decor was super. The breakfast is an added bonus and the location is hard to beat, being a short drive to Universal Studios, walking distance to the Pointe Orlando complex and over the road from IDrive360 shops and attractions. Staff were polite and helpful too. So would we stay again? Most definitely. Many people agree with us too as the Sonesta ES Suites in Orlando has been awarded the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence for 2016, and that's always a good sign!
The accommodation sounds good, get a good place for your buck it seems which is something we all look for. I'd love the games room!
ReplyDeletePulse nightclub shooting - horrible, R.I.P. I like that they lit the wheel up in rainbow colours xo
It is good value for what you get I think.
DeleteLooks like a good base for exploring the area.
ReplyDeleteYour sweet looks lovely and excellent value! I was so saddened by the Orlando shootings :( The wheel was a beautiful gesture though.
ReplyDeleteMilly | Mini Adventures
The suite is great, so lovely to have the space when you are travelling with a teenager.
DeleteAw its lovely that they lit the wheel in rainbow colours in memory of the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. What a lovely place to stay in x
ReplyDeleteNot a bad price for a room at home, lovely view and the bedroom looks very relaxing
ReplyDeleteThe suite was really big so I think it is a good price and yes a great view of the Orlando Eye.
DeleteSuch great additions like the hot tub in a hotel, definitely a perfect spot for Orlando x
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice place to stay while in Orlando. It's nice that it's in a convenient area where there are plenty of restaurants.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many restaurants on your doorstep, it was really great to be able to walk to them easily. Olive Garden, Maggianos and Tin City were our favourites.
DeleteLooks very contemporary! I love the game section. Sonesta ES suite has really some great service offerings.
ReplyDeleteIt was very contemporary as it has been refurbished not long ago.
DeleteWe found so many great motel options like this when we were travelling round the U.S. Such good value too.
ReplyDeleteI love the bedroom and the hotel pool. So cool. I bet you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteThe decor was lovely in the suite I must admit and the pool was great.
DeleteLooks like a great place to stay. I love Orlando, have been about 5 times now!
ReplyDeleteI've been about 5 times too, always so much to do there. This time we did the Gulf Coast as well.
DeleteI absolutely love Orlando! Such an amazing place, this looks like a great please to stay as well!
ReplyDeleteIt was right in the centre of IDrive so great location.
DeleteOohh I really like that games room, looks like a good option!
ReplyDeleteAnything that keeps the kids ( and the husband) happy is fine by me!
DeleteThis looks like a great place to stay! Love Orlando!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great place to stay at when in Orlando - will have to keep it in mind! x
ReplyDeleteLooks like a nice airy clean room. Great to hear that it is located near lots of restaurants and bars - that's a must for me :)
ReplyDeleteYes the suite was lovely and airy and the location really can't be beaten on International Drive.
Deleteoh this looks like a fabulous place to stay. I've never been to orlando but hope to do so one day!
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