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Built in 2015, the Residence Inn Orlando Downtown is one of the newest hotels in the City Beautiful. Located on the corner of Orange Avenue and Colonial Drive, the hotel is within walking distance of downtown office buildings, restaurants and attractions, as well as Lynx central station, with connections to city bus and light rail.
The modern amenities of the Residence Inn, including a full kitchen, provide for a comfortable short or long-term stay. As one of the most accessible hotels in Orlando, it is definitely worth considering for your next Florida vacation.
Reservation & Room Rates
Room reservations for the Residence Inn Orlando Downtown can be made online using the Marriott Hotels website. ADA accessible rooms are available across many room types, but I selected the studio suite with a king bed.
The Residence Inn Orlando Downtown hotel caters primarily to business travelers on stays of a week or longer and the room rates tend to be a bit higher as a result. The screenshot above shows sample room rates for a single-night stay during the month of May, 2019. They range from $208 to $215 per night. Prices may be higher or lower depending on the day of the week, month, level of demand and events in the city. If your travel dates are flexible, it should be easier to find lower than average rates.
Wheelchair Accessible Hotel Room
My studio suite was located on the 7th floor (room #732) and was accessible via elevator. The door opened with the tap of a key card. Space-wise, studio suites measure about 500 square feet and are the smallest rooms offered at the hotel.
The king bed was comfortable, with soft sheets and fluffy pillows. Measuring approximately 29 inches tall, it could prove difficult to transfer into from a wheelchair. Clear floor space underneath the bed will accommodate most Hoyer lifts. There was adequate space on both sides of the bed to park my power wheelchair.
Power outlets were not thoughtfully placed in this room, and the only one within “reach” of the bed was hidden behind the nightstand. This was the socket I used to charge my power wheelchair.
Electricity in the United States is delivered at 120 volts. Travelers from outside North America will need to use a step-up power transformer to charge wheelchairs that require 220-240V. Please see the FAQ on charging a power wheelchair abroad.
A flat screen TV was located across from the bed, and could be adjusted to point toward the living room as well. A chest of drawers was easily accessible, with a place to store luggage.
An open closet space had a lowered shelf and clothes hangers that were easy to reach from my wheelchair.
The room’s work desk was accessible and offered plenty of space. The provided desk chair had wheels and was easy to roll out of the way.
The living room area was spacious and included a sofa. Whether you are traveling alone or with friends/family, you’ll value the extra room to move around inn at the Residence Inn.
Accessible Kitchen
Preparing your own meals is a great way to save while on vacation, and this modern kitchen at the Residence Inn will make cooking easy!
The kitchen included a stovetop, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffeemaker, sink and dishwasher. A full complement of dinnerware and cutlery was also provided.
Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom
The guest bathroom was clean, spacious, thoughtfully arranged and almost fully ADA compliant.
It was possible to roll my wheelchair underneath the sink and the faucet was easy to operate. The toilet was easily accessible, with space to position a wheelchair directly alongside for a safe lateral transfer. Grab bars were affixed to the adjacent walls and the toilet paper was within reach.
The roll-in shower was lovely, with grab bars, a handheld shower head and a built-in seat placed in the proper locations. The seat/bench used was rectangular, rather than L-shaped as the ADA requires in a shower of this type. For me, this was a relatively minor issue and I was still able to enjoy using the shower.
Swimming Pool
Rain or shine, the hotel’s indoor swimming pool is open year-round.
The pool has a chair lift for use by guests with disabilities.
Location & Transportation
The hotel’s downtown location places it within walking distance of popular restaurants like Artisan’s Table, Ember and Wahlburgers. The city’s centerpiece, Lake Eola Park, is less than a mile from the hotel. At just over a mile away are three of the city’s sports arenas/entertainment venues – the Amway Center, Orlando City Stadium and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Everything is close!
Lynx Central Station is located approximately three blocks from the Residence Inn. From there is is possible to catch city bus routes with service to locations all over Orlando. You can also hop aboard the free Lymmo bus, which serves the downtown area. SunRail trains also stop here.
The theme parks are a bit of a drive, but you can take public transit there too! From Central Station, you can reach Walt Disney World, Disney Springs and SeaWorld on bus #50 and Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure on bus #21 or #40.
Getting to Orlando International Airport (MCO) is also easy using city bus #11. At just $2 per ride, there are many advantages to riding the city bus!
If you’re traveling with a vehicle, the cost of parking is $15 per day.
Final Thoughts
Although the Residence Inn primarily hosts business travelers, it can be a great choice for families looking to stay downtown or who are visiting Orlando for reasons other than park-hopping. The hotel’s high level of accessibility makes it a great choice for wheelchair users and puts it at the top of my list for an accessible place to stay in downtown Orlando.
