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The best hotels in downtown Orlando put you within walking distance of Lake Eola Park, the Church Street bars, the Dr. Phillips Center and the Kia Center, with Universal Orlando only about 15 to 25 minutes away by car when I-4 is moving. Downtown is a good base for a concert, an Orlando Magic or Orlando City game, a business trip, or a Universal-focused vacation with real city restaurants at night.
Downtown is not a resort area, though. None of the hotels below lists a theme park shuttle, most charge $25 to $45 a night to park, and Walt Disney World is a 30- to 40-minute drive each way. This guide compares eight downtown hotels, with official parking costs, pools, breakfast and walking distances, so you can decide whether staying downtown fits your trip.
Quick answer: For a special night out, book Hotel Beauden (the former Grand Bohemian). Families get the most space and value at Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown, which includes a made-to-order breakfast and is a block from Lake Eola. For concerts and games at the Kia Center, stay at the AC Hotel Orlando Downtown. Longer stays fit the Residence Inn Orlando Downtown (full kitchens, free breakfast, cheapest on-site parking). Drivers who want quick I-4 access should look at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Downtown.
How we chose: We looked at hotels inside the downtown core (Lake Eola, Church Street, the Kia Center area and North Downtown) plus one on the edge with fast highway access. We checked pools, breakfast, pet rules and parking prices on each hotel’s official Hilton, Marriott or hotel pages, using the latest versions we could access in 2026. We also measured walking distances to the main venues and driving distances to the parks with public mapping data, and we looked at patterns in public guest feedback. We did not stay at these hotels, and we do not publish invented scores or prices.
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Downtown Orlando hotels compared
| Hotel | Area | Pool | Free breakfast | On-site parking* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Beauden | Orange Ave, by Church St | Rooftop, heated | No | Valet $42 |
| Embassy Suites Downtown | Lake Eola | Outdoor | Yes, made to order | Self $30 |
| AC Hotel Downtown | Church St, Kia Center | None listed | No | Valet $30 |
| Marriott Orlando Downtown | Creative Village | Outdoor | No | Valet $38 |
| Aloft Orlando Downtown | South Orange Ave | Outdoor | No | Valet $30 |
| Hilton Garden Inn Downtown | North Magnolia Ave | Rooftop | No | Valet $45 |
| Residence Inn Downtown | North Orange Ave | Indoor, heated | Yes, hot buffet | Self $25 |
| DoubleTree Downtown | Lake Ivanhoe, I-4 | Rooftop sky deck | No (paid) | Self $33, valet $36 |
*Daily rates as listed on each hotel’s official page at our last check (January to October 2026). Parking prices change often, so confirm them before you book.
1. Hotel Beauden, Autograph Collection
This tower on South Orange Avenue was long known as the Grand Bohemian Orlando. On September 2, 2026, it announced its new name, Hotel Beauden. It did not close, and it is still part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection with the same owners and team. The rename came after an $18 million renovation of all rooms and public spaces, finished in 2024. The interiors are Art Deco, with checkerboard marble, brass details and art throughout, plus a new lobby mural by artist Amy Rader.
The old restaurant and jazz lounge (The Boheme and the Bösendorfer Lounge) are now Libra and Bar Libra, with a menu built around Orlando’s many culinary traditions. There is a Starbucks off the lobby, a redesigned Rotunda lounge, a new Steinway grand piano announced with the rename, and the Altira Pool + Lounge, a rooftop pool deck with downtown views. Marriott lists the pool as heated.
- Why stay: It is the most upscale hotel on this list and is very walkable. The Dr. Phillips Center and Church Street Station are each about a 5-minute walk, and the Kia Center is under 10 minutes on foot.
- Getting to the parks: The hotel does not list a theme park or airport shuttle. Universal is about 8 to 9 miles by car via I-4, and the Disney parks are about 18 to 23 miles away.
- Good to know: On-site parking is valet only. Marriott’s page listed it at $42 a day at our last check, made before the rename. You must be 21 to check in, and one pet up to 40 lb is allowed for a nonrefundable fee ($150 per stay at that check). Some maps and booking sites may still show the Grand Bohemian name.
Best for: Couples, theater nights and special occasions. If that is your trip, see our romantic hotels in Orlando for couples.
2. Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown
This all-suite hotel at 191 East Pine Street is about a block from Lake Eola Park. Every room is a suite with a separate living area. Hilton’s hotel page lists a free made-to-order breakfast and a complimentary evening reception. The hotel also has an outdoor pool, a fitness center, an on-site restaurant and room service.
For a family of four, a separate living area and an included breakfast can make up for a higher nightly rate. You can also walk to the Lake Eola loop before breakfast, and the Dr. Phillips Center is about 5 to 10 minutes away on foot.
- Why stay: Suites, free breakfast and the best location for Lake Eola, with Thornton Park’s cafés just across the lake.
- Getting to the parks: There is no shuttle listed, so plan to drive or use a rideshare. Universal is roughly 9 miles away.
- Good to know: Hilton lists self-parking at $30 a day and no valet at the time of writing. Dogs and cats are allowed (two at most) for a nonrefundable fee of $75 for 1 to 4 nights or $125 for 5 or more. Check-in is at 4 pm.
Best for: Families and groups who want space and breakfast included.
Check Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown prices on Booking.com
3. AC Hotel Orlando Downtown
The AC takes up floors 18 to 25 of the Truist Bank building at 333 South Garland Avenue. It has 180 rooms in a sleek, European-style design. The main draw is the AC Sky Bar, which has craft cocktails on an outdoor 18th-floor terrace. The hotel also has AC Kitchen, the AC Lounge, three meeting rooms and a 24-hour fitness center.
It is the closest hotel on this list to the Kia Center, which is about a 5-minute walk across the street grid. The Church Street SunRail station is about a block away.
- Why stay: High-floor rooms, a rooftop-style bar and the easiest walk home after a concert or an Orlando Magic game.
- Getting to the parks: No shuttle is listed. Universal is about 8 to 9 miles away by car.
- Good to know: Marriott lists valet parking at $30 a day at last check, with no vehicles taller than 6’8″. Pets are not allowed, guests must be 21 to check in, and no pool is listed.
Best for: Couples and event-goers who don’t need a pool.
4. Marriott Orlando Downtown
This 297-room full-service Marriott sits at 400 West Livingston Street in Creative Village, next to the UCF downtown campus. It has Shade Bar and Grill, an on-site Starbucks, an outdoor pool (listed as open 7 am to 7 pm), a 24-hour fitness center and an M Club lounge (free for Platinum Elite and higher Marriott Bonvoy members, or with lounge-access rooms).
It sits on the stadium side of downtown, west of I-4. Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando City and Orlando Pride) is about a 15-minute walk and the Kia Center about 12 minutes. Camping World Stadium is nearly 2 miles away, roughly 35 to 40 minutes on foot. Lake Eola and Church Street are farther away than from most hotels above.
- Why stay: A full-service hotel with a pool on the stadium side of downtown, with easy I-4 access.
- Getting to the parks: No shuttle is listed. Universal is about 8 to 9 miles away by car via I-4.
- Good to know: On-site parking is valet only, listed at $38 a day at last check. Marriott also points to self-parking at the City of Orlando surface lot on Livingston Street, where you pay at the kiosks. Pets are not allowed, and you must be 21 to check in.
Best for: Game days, stadium concerts and travelers who want a traditional full-service hotel.
5. Aloft Orlando Downtown
Aloft is a colorful, casual hotel at 500 South Orange Avenue. It has the W XYZ bar, which has live music, the re:fuel 24/7 pantry for snacks, an outdoor “splash” pool and a 24-hour gym. Rooms have Aloft’s pillow-top beds and walk-in showers, and the suites add a separate sleeping area.
It is also the most pet-friendly hotel on this list. Marriott’s page lists dogs, cats and fish as welcome, up to 80 lb and up to three pets per room. The Dr. Phillips Center is a few minutes’ walk, and Church Street and the Kia Center are within about 10 minutes.
- Why stay: A pool, a lively bar and a generous pet policy, a short walk from the Orange Avenue and Church Street nightlife.
- Getting to the parks: No shuttle is listed. Universal is about 8 to 9 miles away by car.
- Good to know: Valet parking is listed at $30 a day at last check, and there are EV chargers. You must be 21 to check in, and Marriott lists housekeeping every other day.
Best for: Pet owners, friends traveling together and nightlife. More options are in our guide to pet-friendly hotels in Orlando.
6. Hilton Garden Inn Orlando Downtown
This Hilton Garden Inn at 401 North Magnolia Avenue shares its building with the Home2 Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown, across from the Orange County Courthouse. The Hilton Garden Inn has a rooftop pool, a Starbucks café and an on-site restaurant. Lake Eola Park, home of the Walt Disney Amphitheater, is a few blocks southeast.
The Home2 Suites side suits longer stays better. Hilton lists in-room kitchens and a free hot breakfast there, and both hotels share the same address and parking setup. LYNX Central Station, with SunRail and buses, is less than half a mile away.
- Why stay: Modern rooms, a rooftop pool, and a quieter side of downtown that is still walkable to Lake Eola (under 10 minutes).
- Getting to the parks: Hilton lists no shuttle. Universal is about 9 to 10 miles away by car.
- Good to know: On-site parking is valet only, listed at $45 a day at last check, which is the highest on this list. Dogs and cats are allowed for a fee (two at most). If you want a kitchen and breakfast included, compare the Home2 Suites rates in the same building.
Best for: Travelers who want a rooftop pool near Lake Eola, and Home2 guests who want a kitchen.
Check Hilton Garden Inn Orlando Downtown prices on Booking.com
7. Residence Inn Orlando Downtown
The Residence Inn at 680 North Orange Avenue has apartment-style suites with fully equipped kitchens. Marriott lists a free hot breakfast (6 to 9 am on weekdays and 7 to 10 am on weekends) and an indoor heated pool open from 6 am to 11 pm, which is handy during summer thunderstorms. There is also a fitness room, guest laundry and a covered patio with a grill area.
It is about a 10-minute walk from LYNX Central Station, where you can catch SunRail and the free LYMMO downtown circulator. Lake Eola is about 15 to 20 minutes away on foot.
- Why stay: Kitchens, breakfast and the cheapest on-site parking on this list make it the most economical choice for a week downtown.
- Getting to the parks: No shuttle is listed. Universal is about 9 to 10 miles away by car.
- Good to know: Self-parking in the garage was $25 a day at last check. You need a room key to get into the garage, so use the 30-minute zone on Orange Avenue to check in first. Up to two pets of 35 lb or less are allowed for a nonrefundable fee. You must be 21 to check in.
Best for: Families on longer stays and anyone who wants to cook. See more Orlando hotels with kitchens.
8. DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Downtown
This 60 South Ivanhoe Boulevard tower overlooks Lake Ivanhoe, right off I-4 on the northern edge of downtown. Ivanhoe Village’s bars, restaurants and antique shops are close by. Hilton describes a sky-deck pool, a 24-hour fitness center, Sixty South Bar and a Made Market that serves Starbucks. Our full DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Downtown guide covers the rooms and rooftop pool in detail.
The trade-off is walkability. Lake Eola, Church Street and the Kia Center are roughly 1.3 to 1.8 miles away on foot (about 25 to 35 minutes), so most guests drive or take a short rideshare into the core.
- Why stay: Quick I-4 access for park days, a rooftop pool, and Ivanhoe Village nearby for dinner.
- Getting to the parks: No shuttle is listed. Universal is about 10 to 11 miles away, or roughly 20 minutes without traffic.
- Good to know: Hilton listed self-parking at $33 a day and valet at $36 at last check. Breakfast costs extra. The pet fee is $75 for 1 to 3 nights or $150 for 4 or more.
Best for: Drivers splitting time between downtown and the parks.
Check DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Downtown prices on Booking.com
Other downtown hotels to consider
If these are sold out during a big event weekend, look at the Home2 Suites (same building as the Hilton Garden Inn) and the Courtyard Orlando Downtown on North Magnolia Avenue. The Hampton Inn & Suites and TownePlace Suites near the Orlando Health medical campus, just south of downtown, are also options. Check their parking terms the same way, since that is where downtown costs differ most.
How to choose a hotel in downtown Orlando
Pick the right part of downtown
- Church Street and South Orange Avenue (Hotel Beauden, AC Hotel, Aloft): the busiest bar and restaurant blocks, plus the Dr. Phillips Center and the shortest walk to the Kia Center. It can be loud on weekend nights.
- Lake Eola and Thornton Park (Embassy Suites): the walking loop around the lake, the Walt Disney Amphitheater, cafés, and a calmer feel in the evening.
- North Downtown (Hilton Garden Inn, Home2 Suites, Residence Inn): quieter streets near the courthouse and LYNX Central Station, good for longer stays.
- Creative Village (Marriott): west of I-4 next to UCF Downtown, a short walk from LYNX Central Station and about 15 minutes on foot from Inter&Co Stadium.
- Lake Ivanhoe (DoubleTree): right on I-4 for quick drives, near Ivanhoe Village, but a long walk (1.3 miles or more) from the core.
Budget for parking and park fees
Downtown, parking is usually the biggest extra. None of the eight hotels above listed a resort or destination fee on the official pages we checked. Parking runs about $25 to $45 per night, though, and you will pay again at the parks. Walt Disney World’s standard theme park parking is $35 per day at the time of writing, and Universal, Epic Universe and SeaWorld charge their own daily parking fees. If fees are your main concern, compare our list of Orlando hotels with no resort fees.
Know the drive times
| From downtown to | Distance | Drive, light traffic | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Orlando and CityWalk | About 8–11 miles | 15–25 min | Via I-4 |
| Epic Universe | About 10–12 miles | 15–25 min | Own entrance and parking |
| SeaWorld Orlando | About 15–16 miles | 25–30 min | Via I-4 |
| Disney Springs | About 17–19 miles | 25–35 min | Via I-4 |
| EPCOT and Magic Kingdom | About 18–24 miles | 30–40 min | Paid park parking |
| Orlando International Airport | About 12–14 miles | 20–30 min | Toll roads usually fastest |
These estimates come from routing data for driving with little traffic. I-4 through downtown is often congested at rush hour and after big events, so allow extra time. If Universal is the main reason for your trip, compare these drives with the walk-to-the-gate options in our guide to hotels near Universal Studios Orlando.
Getting around without a car
Inside downtown, walking works for most trips. The free LYMMO circulator buses also help. The Orange Line connects Creative Village, LYNX Central Station, Church Street and the Dr. Phillips Center. The Grapefruit Line covers Thornton Park, Lake Eola, the Kia Center and Inter&Co Stadium. At the time of writing, LYNX lists Orange and Grapefruit service from 6 am on weekdays and 8 am on weekends until 8:25 pm (hours may be extended for special events). The buses do not run late, so plan to walk or use a rideshare after a show.
SunRail commuter trains stop at Church Street, LYNX Central, AdventHealth and Orlando Health/Amtrak. They are useful for a weekday trip to Winter Park, and a one-way fare within one county is $2 at the time of writing. However, SunRail runs Monday to Friday only (not on major holidays) and has no stations at the airport or the theme parks. Most visitors who stay downtown still need a car or rideshare on park days. For a wider comparison of areas, see where to stay in Orlando.
Arriving by plane
None of these hotels lists an airport shuttle, so plan on a rideshare, taxi or rental car for the drive of about 20 to 30 minutes from Orlando International. If you land late and only need one night, an Orlando airport hotel can be simpler before moving downtown.
More downtown guides: going to an Orlando City match? See hotels near Inter&Co Stadium. For smaller, design-led stays, see our boutique hotels in Orlando.
Frequently asked questions
Is downtown Orlando a good place to stay for Disney World?
Only if Disney is a small part of your trip. The Disney parks are about 18 to 24 miles from downtown, roughly 30 to 40 minutes each way with light traffic and longer at rush hour. You will also pay for hotel parking and $35 a day for standard Disney park parking at the time of writing. For several Disney days, a hotel near Lake Buena Vista saves time.
How far is downtown Orlando from Universal Studios?
Universal Orlando is about 8 to 11 miles from downtown hotels, which is usually 15 to 25 minutes by car via I-4 outside rush hour. Epic Universe is a couple of miles farther (about 10 to 12 miles) and has its own entrance and parking. None of the downtown hotels in this guide lists a Universal shuttle, so plan to drive or use a rideshare.
Do downtown Orlando hotels charge resort fees?
None of the eight hotels in this guide showed a resort or destination fee on the official pages we checked. The real extra is parking, about $25 to $45 per night depending on the hotel, and several are valet only. Always check the final total before you pay, because fees can be added or changed.
Which downtown Orlando hotel is closest to the Kia Center?
The AC Hotel Orlando Downtown is the closest on this list, about a 5-minute walk, with the Church Street SunRail station a block away. Hotel Beauden and Aloft Orlando Downtown are under 10 minutes away on foot. For Inter&Co Stadium, the AC Hotel, Hotel Beauden and the Marriott Orlando Downtown are all about 12 to 15 minutes on foot. Camping World Stadium is 1.5 miles or more from every hotel here.
Which downtown Orlando hotels include free breakfast?
Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown includes a made-to-order breakfast and an evening reception. The Residence Inn Orlando Downtown and the Home2 Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown both list a free hot breakfast and have in-room kitchens. At the other hotels, breakfast costs extra or comes only with certain rate packages.
Can you get around downtown Orlando without a car?
Yes, within downtown. The core is compact, and the free LYMMO buses link Lake Eola, Church Street, the Kia Center and Creative Village during the day and early evening. SunRail helps on weekdays only. For the theme parks and the airport you will need a car, taxi or rideshare, because these hotels do not list shuttles.
Sources checked in October 2026: Hotel Beauden official site, Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown hotel information, Marriott Orlando Downtown overview, SunRail schedule, LYNX LYMMO service.