PLEASE NOTE, THIS POST MAY INCLUDE AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING THAT IF YOU CLICK ON A LINK AND MAKE A PURCHASE, I'LL RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISION. THIS WILL COME AT NO COST TO YOU.

One of the biggest decisions when planning an Orlando trip is whether to stay, “on property,” or, “off property.” 

There are pros and cons to both, and as the choices in Orlando are endless, picking where to stay can be a daunting task. 

Our reasons for staying off property this trip-

• The friends we went with stayed at a timeshare. They planned on driving to the parks, so there was no missing out on gathering at the bus in the morning, or days spent at a resort.
• We split our time between the Universal Orlando parks and the Disney parks. As we planned on driving, having a central, off property, location made sense. 
• Staying off property, we could get a room/suite for less money, thus having more money to put toward a future trip. 

I found The Point Hotel and Suites doing a general hotel search on Tripadvisor. It had great reviews, and after checking out the rates, I was sold. 

The Room

I didn’t know I needed a suite during an Orlando trip, until we spent a week at The Point. The extra space aided in organizing gear, laying out the next day’s carefully planned outfit, and drying out jackets and clothes after a soaking Epcot evening. 

The shower helped relax post-park day muscles, and the bed offered a comfortable place to recharge before another walking marathon. 

Though filled with families, the general vibe, especially at night, was quiet and calm. 

The staff were friendly and helpful. We had a slight issue with our bathtub/shower that we told the front desk about. When we came back in the evening we found a note from staff member Tim letting us know the issue was fixed. 

Pool and Bar

We didn’t schedule any pool time this trip, but it looked like a chill-worthy spot.

A few evenings, we considered heading down to the hot tub, but exhaustion took over before we had time to reach for our bathing suits.

Snoring swiftly ensued. 

Breakfast

When I booked our suite at The Point Hotel, I didn’t realize I booked a package that included vouchers for free breakfast. When we checked in, it was a pleasant surprise. 

We’re rope droppers, so we arrive to the parks as early as possible. There’s a feeling of accomplishment when joining the organized trample to a popular attraction to ride it first thing. 

Being close to Universal, we took advantage of the free breakfast buffet on Universal days, but didn’t utilize it most of the week. 

Location

My favorite thing about staying at The Point Hotel, is the location. The location is within walking distance of the Universal Parks. 

After sipping morning coffee, it was nice to take a leisurely walk. It was a more desirable way to start the day compared to driving in Florida, morning, traffic, or being squished like a sardine in a bus next to a screaming toddler. By walking, we also saved money on pricey parking fees

I’m not proud, but I’ll admit that we cheated at the end of the night. Tired out from all of the wizarding duels and rides on One Fish, Two Fish, we snuck onto Universal’s Endless Summer Resort bus. The resort was an even closer walk, and we needed to save our sore feet from further wear and tear. 

Final Thoughts

We stayed on property at Disney World twice, and off property in Orlando three times. Staying at The Point Hotel was a great experience. 

If I was doing a Disney World only trip, I would still elect to stay on property for the transportation benefits and the extra bit of magic. 

If I planned another trip that involved multiple Orlando attractions, and especially if I was planning a Universal only trip, I would stay at The Point Hotel again. 

The helpful staff, well-appointed pool area, spacious suites, and agreeable price, make The Point Hotel an excellent off-property stay when visiting Orlando. 

If you’re looking for a great travel community to join, check out WeekendWanderlust

Related posts:

Non-Park Activities at Disney World Staying at Port Orleans Riverside-Disney World Staying at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Staying at The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel-Cape Town