6 Reasons to Stay at the Hilton Orlando in 2024
Orlando has practically been my second home since birth, with my family taking twice yearly trips to the theme parks here. Now that I live nearby, I still enjoy spending a weekend at one of the amazing Orlando hotels and getting a little escape from reality. I recently stayed at the Hilton Orlando for a weekend staycation and it definitely makes my list of perfect places for an Orlando getaway!
Andrew and I were invited to the Hilton Orlando to try out their new ESCAPE experience, as well as the other fantastic amenities they offer. This was such a fun experience and perfect for the summer when you often need something inside to do with thunderstorms and a high heat index. I wanted to share all about our stay at the Hilton Orlando and with that, six reasons why I think it is one of the best Orlando resorts for couples.
Full Disclosure: I received a free stay at the Hilton Orlando in exchange for promotion. However, all opinions expressed here are my own.
1. Try the Hilton Orlando ESCAPE Experience
The Hilton Orlando has one thing that no other hotel has and that is the ESCAPE experience! This is Florida’s largest escape room experience, but instead of trying to break out of a room, you are trying to break into a secret room. To play along, you download an app that leads you around the hotel looking for clues.
Andrew and I spent two days playing the Hilton Orlando ESCAPE game and found it to be extremely fun and memorable! You get five mini-missions that you can do anytime during your stay that led to the final room. Each mission takes between half an hour to an hour, depending on your clue-solving ability. Though a few clues stumped us, we found most to be the right amount of challenging yet achievable. Parts of it were cheesy, but that only added to the fun and we had plenty of laughs along the way.
All ages are welcome, although I think kids under 10 would need a lot of help with some clues. We found it very entertaining as a couple, but I could see this being a fun group competition as well. This challenge will last until the end of 2022, so make sure to try this limited-time experience before the mission is compromised!
2. Relax at the Huge Pool and Lazy River
Besides the ESCAPE game, our other favorite part of the Hilton Orlando was the pool area. This resort has a huge pool with a water slide, a lazy river, a splash pad, and an adults-only quiet pool. We were treated to a cabana for the day and had the most luxurious time relaxing in the shade and floating in the lazy river.
This pool has everything you need with tons of chairs, shaded areas, and waiters that you can order food or drinks from. They also have a pool party on weekends with a DJ playing upbeat music for everyone to enjoy. Though the theme parks are nearby, I could spend a week just lounging poolside at the Hilton Orlando and never tire of it!
3. Dine at the Fantastic Dining Options
Another big perk of staying at the Hilton Orlando is the plethora of dining options here. It was so convenient to not have to leave the hotel for high-quality meals. We ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner here during our stay and found the to be exceptional in quality and reasonable in price.
For breakfast, we had the buffet both days and it puts most continental breakfasts to shame. They had a vast selection of meats, cheeses, fruits, and bread. There were also multiple hot stations where they make omelets and pancakes to order. Having a big breakfast here was the best way to start the day
We also were treated to Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops one night for dinner and it was amazing for a date night. We split a ribeye with all the sides, including lobster mac and cheese and foraged mushrooms. Though it is a splurge, dinner here is just the thing for a sophisticated night out.
Other dining options include the Scratch Market, open 24 hours daily where we got delicious gelato from. Then there is Tropics Pool Bar and Grille, which we had for lunch one day and found convenient and tasty. We got nachos and buffalo wings that were perfect for snacking on instead of having to leave the pool midday. The one place we didn’t get a chance to try was David’s Club Bar & Grill, the sports pub, but the burgers looked amazing. I would love to dine here on a game day!
4. Experience All of the Hilton Orlando Things to Do
We did not have a dull moment during our stay at Hilton Orlando, as there is even more to do than the ESCAPE experience and the pool. This resort also has a number of sports courts for any activity. We played tennis one morning and saw there are volleyball, basketball, and bocce courts. The pool area even has pool tables, ping pong tables, and foosball to enjoy!
For a more traditional workout, the gym is probably the biggest I have seen at a hotel. There were dozens of treadmills, bikes, machines, and a large area for free weights. The Hilton Orlando is also home to the world-class Eforea Spa, which offers massages, spa treatments, and a salon for hair and nails. There is no limit to pampering experiences when staying at the Hilton Orlando.
5. Stay in a Spacious Room at the Hilton Orlando
Though there is so much fun to be had around the Hilton Orlando, the guest rooms offer a peaceful retreat after a busy day. We had a two-queen bed room on the tenth floor with a stunning view. This could easily fit a family of four with plenty of space for luggage and to get ready. The style is a little dated compared to the modern look of the rest of the hotel, but it makes up for it with everything so comfy and clean.
The Hilton Serentiy beds are like a cloud as we had no trouble falling asleep each night. I also found the rooms to be quieter than many Orlando ones and we had no issues with hallway noise. The bathroom was standard with a toilet, shower tub, and vanity all in one room. I do prefer having a separate bathroom or shower area as I have been seeing in newer hotels, but on the plus side, the vanity is huge with lots of space for morning routines.
6. Enjoy the Convenient Location
One final thing that sets the Hilton Orlando apart is the ideal location. It is located right in the middle of Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World and right next to SeaWorld Orlando. If you want to hit all the Orlando theme parks, staying here makes it so you have a quick drive to all of them. Even better, there is complimentary transportation to Universal and partner hotel benefits with SeaWorld.
This resort is just a short walk away from the convention center and I-Drive. We were able to visit TopGolf Orlando and Andretti nearby in just a few minutes and were only ten minutes away from some of our favorite Doctor Phillips restaurants. You could definitely get away with not renting a car and just walking, Ubering, or using resort transportation if needed.
Know Before You Go: The Hilton Orlando Resort
Whether you are a family with kids or an adult couple like us, there is something for everyone at Hilton Orlando. We had such a fun and relaxing time here, and I am already dreaming of another getaway to this gorgeous resort. I highly recommend taking advantage of their fun experiences, like the ESCAPE game and the sports court while visiting. However, even if you are busy with the theme parks, this resort is still worth staying at. Here are some things to keep in mind before your stay at Hilton Orlando.
- The Hilton Orlando is part of the Hilton Honors program and costs on average 50,000 points per night. The cash rate is between $200 to $400 per night.
- Parking at the Hilton Orlando costs $30 per night for self-parking or $40 per night for valet parking.
- There is a $40 daily resort fee added on for each stat that includes two I-Ride Trolley passes.
- Amenities include 2 pools, a lazy river, a hot tub, a splash zone, fire pits, a fitness center, and a sports court. The ESCAPE experience must be added on at the time of booking.
- Pets are not allowed at the Hilton Orlando.
- The resort is conveniently located less than 10 minutes away from SeaWorld, Universal, I-Drive, and Walt Disney World. As a SeaWorld partner hotel, you can receive benefits for your visit when booking a package.
- For help packing, make sure to check out my packing guide and bring the recommended essentials for a trip to Orlando!
Have you stayed at the Hilton Orlando before? It’s one of my favorite hotels in the area! For more tips for visiting Orlando, be sure to check out my guide for romantic things to do with your significant other while there and my recommendations for affordable, nature experiences!
