The Residence in by Marriott is one of the newer hotels located near the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida and the Endless Summer family enjoyed a weekend stay just recently in May 2022. This hotel is a good value for the price and we consider it a fairly affordable hotel for what it has to offer.
Located just outside of Universal Orlando within walking distance to the theme parks, the 195-room Residence Inn features studios as well as one- and two-bedroom rooms that include full-kitchens and spacious living areas. As a Universal Partner Hotel, guests enjoy complimentary shuttle service as well as merchandise discounts.
The hotel is part of the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program where members can earn and use points during their stay. In addition, Marriott offers a “Best Rate Guarantee” when making a reservation using any “official” Marriott reservation channel.
If you thinking about staying at the Residence Inn or any of the amazing hotels in the Orlando area, we would appreciate if you can use our links when making the reservations. Endless Summer is an affiliate with Marriott and receives a small commission for each stay that was referred by our website.
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The Residence Inn near Universal – Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hotel rates at the Residence Inn near Universal?
Depending on the time of year, hotel rates at the Residence Inn typically average from around $125 per night for a standard room to more than $250 per night for the two-bedroom suites.
During our last stay on May 29 to May 31, 2022 the rate averaged $100.50 per night ($93 for May 29th and $108 for May 30th).
How close is the Residence Inn to the Universal Orlando theme parks?
The Residence Inn is located just outside of the Universal Orlando Resort and is approximately a 5 minute drive to the parking garage entrance. It takes about 20 to 25 minutes to walk and there is a bridge over busy Kirkman Road.
How close is the Residence Inn near Universal to the Walt Disney World theme parks?
The Residence Inn is located approximately 25 to 30 mines from all four of the Walt Disney World theme parks.
Is there a Resort Fee or Parking Charge at the Residence Inn near Universal?
As of May 2022 there are no resort fees or parking charges at the Residence Inn near Universal.
Does the Residence Inn near Universal offer theme park transportation?
The Residence Inn is a Universal Partner hotel and offers a complimentary shuttle service to the Universal Orlando Resort. 24-hour advance reservations are required and there are four morning departures and three evening pickups.
Is there a nice pool at the Residence Inn near Universal?
There is a fair-sized outdoor pool at the rear of the hotel which has ample patio seating.
Do the rooms at the Residence Inn to the Universal Orlando include kitchens?
All the studios, one- and two-bedroom hotel suites feature kitchens with silverware, plates, pots/pans and cooking utensils and dining bars / tables.
What are the food & beverage options at the Residence Inn near Universal?
Since the Residence Inn near Universal is not a full-service hotel, food & beverage options are limited to the complimentary hot breakfast and the lobby marketplace.
What is the pet policy at the Residence Inn near Universal?
The Residence Inn near Universal is a pet friendly hotel allowing up to two pets weighing 40 pounds or less. There is a $75.00 non-refundable fee per room for the length of the stay.
The Location of the Residence Inn near Universal
The Residence Inn near Universal has one of the most convenient locations near the Universal Orlando Resort, is immediately adjacent to Interstate 4, and also fairly close to International Drive. This property is well located near all the Orlando area theme parks, the Orange County Convention Center and several of Orlando’s major shopping & entertainment destinations.
Residence Inn by Marriott near Universal Orlando
5614 Major Boulevard
Orlando, Florida 32819
It will take travelers about 20 to 25 minutes to get to the hotel from the Orlando International Airport and less around 15 minutes to get to the Orlando / Orange County Convention Center.
There are several restaurants and retail venues within a very short distance to the DoubleTree which include Walgreens Pharmacy, Kobe Japanese Steakhouse and TGI Fridays. Additional shopping outlets and restaurants are located along Kirkman Drive or nearby International Drive.
Theme parks and other local destinations are short distance to the hotel. Per Google Maps, travel time is as follows (non-peak hours):
- The Universal Orlando Resort: Approximately 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive
- Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort: Approximately 20 minutes.
- The Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort: Approximately 25 minutes.
- EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort: Approximately 20 minutes.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort:Approximately 25 minutes.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort: Approximately 25 minutes.
- SeaWorld Orlando: Less than 15 minutes.
- Downtown Orlando: Approximately 20 minutes.
- Vineland Premium Outlets: Approximately 20 minutes.
- Orlando Premium Outlets: Less than 10 minutes.
Click here to make reservations for the Residence Inn near Universal
Hotels Amenities at the Residence Inn near Universal
The Residence Inn near Universal is an extended stay type, limited service in the area outside of the Universal Orlando Resort and does not have all the features & amenities of the large resort properties. However, it’s amenities include:
Theme Park Transportation
Transportation via shuttle bus to The Universal Orlando Resort. Following was the transportation schedule during the time of our last stay in May 2022:
Departure Times from the Residence Inn
- 7:20 AM
- 8:55 AM
- 9:50 AM
- 10:50 AM
Return Times (Route B)
- 5:25 PM
- 6:30 PM
- 7:35 PM
24-hour advance reservations are required for all departments and should be made in person at the Universal Vacation Planning Center in the lobby of the hotel.
Outdoor Swimming Pool
The hotel features an outdoor pool at the rear of the property which overlooks a picturesque lake. While there are no significant water features, it is just enough to cool off after a hot day at the theme parks.
Additional Amenities at Residence Inn include:
- On-site theme park ticket center
- Guest computer usage
- Complimentary hot breakfast
- Outdoor barbecue grills
- Outdoor putting green
- Free coffee & tea
- On-site laundry facilities
- Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
The Rooms and Hotel Rates at the Residence Inn near Universal
At 195-rooms, the Residence Inn near Universal is considered a mid-sized hotel for this area. There are studio rooms as well as one- and two-bedroom suites. All the rooms feature full kitchens with all the necessary items to prepare a family meal as well as separate lounge areas.
In-room amenities include Smart TV’s with streaming capabilities, working desk with chair, flat panel televisions, coffee maker, iron / ironing board, in-room safe and a hair dryer.
Residence Inn near Universal Room Types
- Studio with One King Bed: Includes 471 square feet of living space with a king sized bed and a sleeper sofa.
- Studio with Two Queen Beds: Includes 539 square feet of living space with two queen sized beds and a sleeper sofa.
- One Bedroom Suite – 1 King: Includes 502 square feet of living space with a king sized bed and a sleeper sofa.
- One Bedroom Suite – 2 Queens: Includes 622 square feet of living space with two queen sized beds and a sleeper sofa.
- Two Bedroom Suite: Includes 938 square feet of living space with a king sized bed in one bedroom, two queen beds in another bedroom and a sleeper sofa in the living area.
The hotel rates shown below are the best available rate for different dates during the year for two adults in three different room types. Theses were obtained from the Marriott web site at the time of publication.
| Rates for 2022 | 7/15/22 | 9/15/22 | 12/15/22 | |
| Studio – 1 King Room | $229.00 | $189.00 | $219.00 | |
| Studio – 2 Double Beds | $239.00 | $199.00 | $229.00 | |
| One Bedroom – 1 King | $237.00 | $209.00 | $239.00 |
There is a 6% resort tax on top of a 6.5% sales tax on nightly rate but there are no parking or resort fees.
Marriott Bonvoy members earn or can use points towards their stay. With the new points system, we found that the number of points needs for a free nights stay at the Residence Inn near Universal ranged from 37,000 to 38,000.
Click here to make reservations for the Residence Inn near Universal
What We Liked about the Residence Inn near Universal:
There are many different things to like at this hotel. Following are some of the highlights:
- Great location near Universal Orlando
- Very good value for the money
- Theme park transportation
- Large rooms with multiple bedrooms
What We Didn’t Like about the Residence Inn near Universal
There were a few things not to like when staying at the this hotel which include:
- Limited on-site dining options
- Small pool / limited amenities
- Breakfast area can get crowded during peak time
What We Think the Residence Inn near Universal is Perfect For:
The Residence Inn is great for a wide variety of travelers visiting the Universal Orlando Orlando or the greater Orlando area is perfect for:
- Guests visiting the Universal Orlando theme parks
- Large families (multi-bedroom suites)
- Business meetings and / or special events
Our Endless Summer Hotel Rating
Endless Summer Florida has been to many different economy, moderate and luxury hotels in the in the central Florida tourist area. We feel that the Residence Inn by Marriott near Universal is a quality hotel property as compared to other hotels outside of the Universal Orlando Resort.
Endless Summer rates this resort a 4.0 out of a possible 5 stars and recommend this hotel for your next trip to the Orlando area.
