DK Travel : Orlando

One word describes Orlando’s transformation in the last three decades: stunning. The city and its suburbs have gone through a Cinderella-like metamorphosis, where plain Jane has become a worldly beauty. Millions of tourists are seduced every year by sophisticated resorts, a wide range of theme parks, must-see attractions, happening nightclubs, and winning restaurants. Here are Orlando’s best of the best.

More on the Top 10 sights in Orlando (see Thrill Rides)

HOB Blues Bar

The main room at House of Blues is one of the best spots in town to catch big-name acts (see Blues Bar at House of Blues, House of Blues). But the HOB Blues Bar, next door, is an intimate stage for small-scale blues bands that are generally unknown but excellent. Guests ordering dinner get priority for table seating.
Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort

Children rule in this resort, which has Kidsuites (sleeping up to seven) with big-screen TVs. Other types of suite include Cinemasuites, with even bigger TVs, and there are spacious rooms as well. Activities offered range from karaoke to ping-pong.
Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort

If keeping the kids happy is top priority, this hotel is a good bet. Apart from the themed, two-roomed Kidsuites (space ship, tree house, igloo, and so on), there’s a free activities program for 3–12 year olds. Children even have their own restaurant.
Holiday Inn Walt Disney

A facelift in 1997 has made this a good choice on the Hotel Plaza strip. All the well-appointed rooms have Nintendos, and the glass elevator that scales the 14-story, plantfilled atrium makes for a more exciting ride than most. There’s a free Disney shuttle.
Holiday Villas

For generous living space (although bedrooms are on the small side), Holiday Villas offers two and three-bedroom condos that can sleep up to eight. Each comes with a washer and dryer.
Hollywood Brown Derby

Polish off SoCal dishes such as skillet-seared tuna with the signature grapefruit cake with cream-cheese icing.
Holy Land Experience

Marvin J. Rosenthal, a Christian convert and Baptist minister, created quite a stir when he opened this religious theme park in 2001. Set in a half-scale reconstruction of the Temple of the Great King, which stood in Jerusalem in the 1st century AD, the park aims to take visitors 7,000 miles (11,200 km) away and 3,000 years back to the ancient Jerusalem of biblical times (BC 1450 to AD 66 to be exact). The attraction has models of the limestone caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and Jesus’s tomb. It also has displays of rare antiquated Bibles and biblical manuscripts, an outdoor stage where actors portraying biblical personalities tell stories from the Old and New Testaments, and a café that serves Middle Eastern food.
Holy Land Experience

Ancient Jerusalem comes to life at this attraction, which has reconstructions of Jesus’ tomb, the temple, and the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Make no mistake: this is a “Christ-centered ministry,” but guests of any religion can get a kick out of cast members acting out biblical scenes and telling stories from both testaments. A café serves up “Goliath burgers” among other fare.
Home Sweet Home

The rather basic rooms – as in most cheap chains – are small, but this five-story motel has a video games room, a playground, two tennis courts, and is not far from Disney.
Homewood Suites Orlando

These modern luxury suites in neutral tones, with spacious living rooms and kitchens, can sleep up to six. Free hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine are served early evening in the lobby (Mon–Thu). Rates include breakfast.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under $90
- $90–180
- $180–250
- over $250
Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one, a glass of house wine, and all unavoidable extra charges including tax.
- under $20
- $20–$30
- $30–$45
- $45–$60
- over $60