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Aloft Orlando Downtown is a colorful, design-forward hotel at 500 South Orange Avenue, directly across from the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. It suits theater nights, concerts at the Kia Center and city breaks far better than a Disney-focused trip: the hotel has an outdoor pool, a lively bar and large rooms, but parking is valet only and there is no theme-park shuttle.
Below are Marriott’s room sizes and occupancy, fees, walking times and road distances, plus the points where official pages disagree (pets, cribs and Wi-Fi).
Quick answer: Book Aloft Orlando Downtown if you want the shortest walk to the Dr. Phillips Center, a pool and a bar in one downtown hotel, and you are 21 or older. Budget for $30 a day in valet parking. Our Booking.com sample stays showed no resort fee, only the 12.5% Orange County hotel tax. For Disney, plan on about 20 to 22.5 miles each way by car.
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Aloft Orlando Downtown at a glance
- Area and address: 500 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801, at West Anderson Street in downtown’s Central Business District. The official name is Aloft by Marriott Orlando Downtown.
- Distances: about 3 to 6 minutes on foot to the Dr. Phillips Center and 8 to 9 minutes to the Kia Center. By road: Universal’s garages about 8 to 10 miles, Epic Universe about 11, Disney Springs about 16.5 to 18.5 and the Disney theme park lots about 20 to 22.5. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is about 12 miles.
- Rooms and who they sleep: king and two-queen rooms of 374 to 385 sq ft, plus studio suites of 482 to 660 sq ft. Marriott lists a maximum of 2 to 5 guests depending on the room type, and no rollaway beds.
- Pool: one outdoor “splash” pool with towels provided. Marriott does not say whether it is heated.
- Breakfast and dining: breakfast is not included. The W XYZ bar opens 5 p.m. to midnight, re:fuel sells grab-and-go food, and room service runs 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Parking: valet only, $30 a day on Marriott’s page (June 2026 capture) and US$30 per day on Booking.com at last check on October 28, 2026.
- Resort fee: none. Our Booking.com sample stays for December 2026 and January 2027 added only about 12.5% in taxes.
- Park perks and shuttles: none. Marriott says the hotel does not provide shuttle service.
- Best for: couples, friends, theatergoers, concert and game nights, and pet owners. You must be 21 to check in.
Aloft Orlando Downtown photos
Here is a look at the lobby, rooms, bathroom, terrace and lounge areas from the hotel’s own photo gallery. Tap any photo to enlarge it, or see the full gallery and current rates on Booking.com.
Location: across the street from the Dr. Phillips Center
The hotel stands at the southern edge of the downtown core, at South Orange Avenue and West Anderson Street. Marriott describes it as “right across from Dr. Phillips Center.” The Kia Center, Church Street and the Wall Street Plaza bars are all within about a 10-minute walk.
Marriott’s overview page (June 2026 capture) also called Camping World Stadium and Inter.co Stadium (formerly Exploria Stadium) “steps away,” but they are farther. Our walking routes, checked on October 28, 2026:
| Destination | Walk (about) | Time at 3 mph |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Phillips Center | 0.15 to 0.3 mi | 3 to 6 min |
| Orlando City Hall | 0.2 mi | 3 to 4 min |
| Church Street SunRail station | 0.3 to 0.35 mi | 6 to 7 min |
| Kia Center | 0.4 to 0.45 mi | 8 to 9 min |
| Wall Street Plaza | 0.45 mi | 9 min |
| Lake Eola Park (southwest corner) | 0.6 to 0.7 mi | 12 to 14 min |
| Inter.co Stadium | 0.8 to 0.9 mi | 16 to 17 min |
| Camping World Stadium | 1.6 to 1.8 mi | 32 to 37 min |
For more choices, see our guides to hotels near the Dr. Phillips Center and hotels near the Kia Center.
The building: a 1967 office tower
According to the hotel’s suites page, the building opened in 1967 as the Orlando Utilities Commission’s headquarters and became Aloft Orlando Downtown in 2011. The hotel says it is on the National Register of Historic Places and is LEED Gold certified, although Marriott’s overview page lists “LEED: New Construction Certified.” A 2022 renovation kept the lobby’s original marble walls and teak floors. The office past explains the large rooms and tall windows.
Rooms and suites at Aloft Orlando Downtown
Marriott lists two standard room types and several studio suites. Every type has a shower (no bathtub), a mini-fridge, a coffee and tea maker, a desk, a TV and an in-room safe (with a fee in some types). There are no kitchens or kitchenettes, and rollaway beds are not permitted. Sizes and occupancy come from Marriott’s room detail panels, checked on October 28, 2026.
| Room type (Marriott) | Beds | Size | Max guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 King Bed | One king bed | 385 sq ft | 2 |
| 2 Queen Beds | Two queen beds | 374 sq ft | 4 |
| Studio, 1 King Bed, Sitting Area | One king bed | 482 sq ft | 3 |
| Studio, 2 Queen Beds, Sitting Area | Two queen beds | 576 sq ft | 4 |
| Studio, 1 King Bed, Living Room | One king bed | 625 sq ft | 2 |
| Studio, 1 King Bed, Larger, Living Room, Windows on 2 Sides | One king bed and a sofa | 660 sq ft | 3 |
| Studio, 2 Queen Beds, Larger, Living Room, Windows on 2 Sides | Two queen beds and a sofa | 660 sq ft | 4 |
| Studio, 2 Queen Beds, Living Room, Windows on 2 Sides | Two queen beds | 660 sq ft | 5 |
Only the corner studio with two queen beds and a living room is listed for five guests. Marriott does not say that any sofa converts into a bed. Accessible studios with roll-in showers exist in king and two-queen layouts.
Booking.com uses different room names, such as “King Studio with Sitting Area,” and some of its sizes differ (61 m² for the two-queen room that Marriott lists at 374 sq ft). Rely on Marriott’s figures.
Pool and recreation
The “splash” outdoor pool sits beside the tower, with orange loungers and a terrace with a fire table and string lights next to it. Marriott lists it as complimentary, with towels provided, but publishes no hours and does not say whether it is heated. Its accessibility list includes a pool lift or sloped entry.
Marriott lists no slides or water-play features. Indoors, a lounge has a pool table, and Booking.com also lists evening entertainment. This is a pool for cooling off between city plans, not a resort pool.
Dining and breakfast
There is no sit-down restaurant. Marriott’s dining page, checked on October 28, 2026, lists two outlets, and its FAQ names re:fuel as the only on-site restaurant:
- W XYZ Bar: cocktails, wine and beer with “classic American dishes and snacks,” and live music. Listed hours: 5 p.m. to midnight every day.
- re:fuel by Aloft: grab-and-go snacks, sweets and coffee drinks. Marriott calls it a “24/7 pantry,” but the same page lists hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
Breakfast is available at re:fuel for a fee (Marriott). Booking.com lists a to-go American breakfast at US$12.95 per person per day. Room service runs from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Marriott counts more than 50 restaurants and bars within walking distance.
Parking and fees at Aloft Orlando Downtown
Marriott’s overview page listed valet parking only, at $30 a day, in its latest capture (June 15, 2026). Booking.com showed US$30 per day at last check on October 28, 2026, and says a reservation is needed. Neither page lists self-parking. Electric vehicle charging is listed, subject to availability.
There is no resort or destination fee. On three Booking.com sample stays (December 4 to 6, 2026, January 15 to 17, 2027 and February 12 to 14, 2027), the only addition was about 12.5% in “taxes and fees,” the Orange County hotel tax. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
Other charges to know, from Booking.com’s policies at the time of writing:
- A refundable damage deposit of US$50, collected by credit card on arrival.
- Children 12 and older are charged as adults.
- If you leave early, the property charges the full stay.
Worked example (published figures only): a three-night stay with two Universal days and one Disney day adds $90 in hotel valet (3 × $30) plus $70 for Universal’s standard parking (2 × $35, tax included) and $35 for Disney’s standard theme-park parking. That is $195 in parking before any tax on the valet. Our Orlando theme park parking guide lists every park’s current rates.
Getting to Universal, Disney and the airport
Marriott states that the hotel does not provide shuttle service, so you need a car, a rideshare or a taxi. Mears Connect, the shared airport shuttle, serves Disney-area hotels only. SunRail runs Monday to Friday only and has no stations at the parks or the airport.
Road distances come from public-road routing on October 28, 2026, to each park’s guest parking (for Magic Kingdom, the Transportation and Ticket Center lot). Return trips can differ.
| Destination | Road distance (about) | Drive without traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Universal’s garages | 8 to 10 mi | 15 to 17 min |
| Epic Universe | 11 mi | 19 min |
| SeaWorld Orlando | 14 to 14.5 mi | 22 to 23 min |
| Disney Springs | 16.5 to 18.5 mi | 25 to 29 min |
| EPCOT and Hollywood Studios lots | 20 to 21 mi | 30 to 35 min |
| Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom (TTC) | 21 to 22.5 mi | 31 to 34 min |
| MCO Terminals A and B | 12 to 13 mi | 21 to 23 min |
Marriott lists MCO at 12.0 miles, close to our routes to Terminals A and B. Terminal C is about 13.5 to 14.5 miles. Our routes to Epic Universe and Terminals A and B use the SR 408 toll road. If you plan several park days, our guide to where to stay in Orlando compares downtown with the park areas.
Amenities: gym, Wi-Fi, pets and services
- Gym: the re:charge gym is open 24 hours a day, with treadmills, exercise bikes, strength equipment and free weights (Marriott).
- Wi-Fi: Booking.com lists free Wi-Fi in all areas. Marriott’s pages disagree: the rooms page promises complimentary internet in all rooms, its room details say “Wireless internet, for a fee,” and an overview capture says Marriott Bonvoy members get free in-room internet when they book direct.
- Housekeeping: every other day, per Marriott’s June 2026 capture. Booking.com’s description mentions daily maid service.
- Other services: 24-hour front desk, mobile key, on-site laundry, a convenience store, a business center and meeting space.
- Check-in and age: check-in at 4 p.m., check-out at noon, and a minimum check-in age of 21 on both Marriott and Booking.com.
Pet policy: the official pages disagree
Marriott’s pet-friendly page for the hotel, checked on October 28, 2026, allows “two dogs up to 50 lbs.” with “no additional pet fees,” but its introduction also welcomes “a curious cat.” That page had the same wording in October 2025. The overview page’s pet policy, in its latest capture (June 15, 2026), listed dogs, cats and fish, up to 80 lb and three pets per room. Booking.com says “charges may apply.” No page clearly replaces the others, so get the current rules in writing before you travel with a pet. For other options, see our list of pet-friendly hotels in Orlando.
Who Aloft Orlando Downtown suits
This hotel works best for adults who want to walk to a show, a game or dinner: couples, friends sharing a two-queen studio, business travelers and pet owners.
It is a weaker fit for a Disney-focused family trip: the parks are a 30-minute drive or more, parking adds up and there is no shuttle. Families who want downtown with breakfast included may prefer Embassy Suites (below).
Pros
- One of the shortest walks downtown to the Dr. Phillips Center, with the Kia Center about 9 minutes away.
- An outdoor pool with towels, a 24-hour gym and a lounge with a pool table.
- Large rooms for a city hotel: 374 to 385 sq ft standard rooms and studio suites up to 660 sq ft, per Marriott.
- No resort fee on our Booking.com sample stays, only the 12.5% hotel tax.
- A bar open until midnight and, by Marriott’s count, more than 50 restaurants and bars within walking distance.
Limitations to know
- Valet-only parking at $30 a day; no self-parking is listed.
- No theme-park or airport shuttle, and the Disney lots are 20 to 22.5 miles away.
- Guests under 21 cannot check in.
- No rollaway beds in any room, and only one room type is listed for five guests.
- Breakfast costs extra, and the only food outlets are the re:fuel pantry and the W XYZ bar.
- No kitchens: rooms have a mini-fridge and a coffee and tea maker only.
- Housekeeping every other day, according to Marriott’s June 2026 capture.
What to check before you book
- Cribs: Marriott’s room details say cribs are not permitted, while Booking.com offers free cribs on request for children up to 2 years. Ask the hotel to confirm.
- Pets: confirm the number, type and weight allowed, and any fee.
- Occupancy: similar-looking studios allow 2, 3, 4 or 5 guests. Check the exact room.
- Parking: confirm the valet rate and whether you must reserve it.
- Event nights: big shows and games at the Dr. Phillips Center and Kia Center bring traffic and full restaurants.
- Brand perks: Marriott Bonvoy points and member rates apply only to bookings made directly with Marriott, not to Booking.com reservations.
Check your dates for Aloft Orlando Downtown on Booking.com
Nearby alternatives downtown
Our guide to the best hotels in downtown Orlando compares eight options. The closest alternatives:
- Hotel Beauden (formerly Grand Bohemian): a more upscale hotel a short walk north on Orange Avenue, with a heated rooftop pool. Valet was $42 a day at our last check (March 2026), and the minimum check-in age is 21. Read our Hotel Beauden review.
- AC Hotel Orlando Downtown: about a 5-minute walk from the Kia Center, on floors 18 to 25 of an office tower near Church Street, with a bar on an 18th-floor terrace but no pool listed. See our AC Hotel Orlando Downtown review.
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown: two-room suites with a free cooked-to-order breakfast, a block from Lake Eola, with self-parking instead of valet. Read our Embassy Suites Orlando Downtown review.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Downtown: north of the core by Lake Ivanhoe, with a sky-deck pool and both self-parking and valet. Read our DoubleTree Orlando Downtown review.
Frequently asked questions
Does Aloft Orlando Downtown have a pool?
Yes. Marriott lists one outdoor “splash” pool, complimentary for guests, with towels provided. It sits beside the tower next to a terrace with loungers and a fire table. Marriott does not publish pool hours or say whether the pool is heated, so ask the hotel if you travel in the cooler months. Marriott lists no slides.
How much is parking at Aloft Orlando Downtown?
Parking is valet only. Marriott listed $30 a day in its June 2026 capture, and Booking.com showed US$30 per day at last check on October 28, 2026, with a note that a reservation is needed. No self-parking is listed at the hotel. Confirm the current rate when you book.
Is Aloft Orlando Downtown pet friendly?
Yes, but Marriott’s pages disagree. The hotel’s pet-friendly page says two dogs up to 50 lb with no pet fee. The overview page’s pet policy (June 2026 capture, the latest available) listed dogs, cats and fish up to 80 lb, with a maximum of three pets. Booking.com says charges may apply. Ask the hotel to confirm the policy in writing before you travel.
How far is Aloft Orlando Downtown from the Dr. Phillips Center and the Kia Center?
The hotel is across the street from the Dr. Phillips Center, which Marriott describes as “right across from” the hotel. The walk is about 3 to 6 minutes, depending on the entrance. The Kia Center is about 0.4 to 0.45 miles away, roughly an 8- to 9-minute walk by our routes. Inter.co Stadium is about 16 to 17 minutes on foot.
Does Aloft Orlando Downtown have a shuttle to Disney or Universal?
No. Marriott states that the hotel does not provide shuttle service. Universal’s garages are about 8 to 10 miles by road and the Disney theme park lots about 20 to 22.5 miles, so plan on driving, a rideshare or a taxi. Standard parking is $35 a day at both Universal and Disney’s theme parks.
Does Aloft Orlando Downtown charge a resort fee or include breakfast?
There is no resort fee. Our Booking.com sample stays for December 2026 and January 2027 added only about 12.5% in taxes. Breakfast is not included. Booking.com lists a to-go breakfast at US$12.95 per person per day. Valet parking at $30 a day is the main extra cost.
Bottom line
Aloft Orlando Downtown is one of the easiest places to stay for a show at the Dr. Phillips Center or an event at the Kia Center. It has large rooms, a pool, a late bar and no resort fee. Plan for $30 a day in valet parking, a 21+ check-in age and a 30-minute drive to Disney.
Compare rates for Aloft Orlando Downtown
How we checked this guide: room sizes, occupancy and dining hours come from Marriott’s live pages on October 28, 2026; parking, age and pet rules from a June 15, 2026 capture of the overview page and the live pet page; taxes from Booking.com sample stays for December 2026, January 2027 and February 2027; and distances from public-road and walking routes checked on October 28, 2026. Read more about how we research our guides.
Sources checked in October 2026: Marriott: Aloft Orlando Downtown accommodations, Marriott: dining, Marriott: pet-friendly stays, Marriott overview (June 2026 capture), SunRail schedule.