International Drive in Orlando, Florida, is one of the premier tourist destinations in the city, with dozens of hotels, even more restaurants and many half-day attractions. It is home to Orlando's most well-attended waterpark, Wet 'N Wild, as well as many other outdoor and indoor attractions. It is also only a few miles from world-famous golf course Bay Hill and the courses at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort. Walt Disney World, with its five championship golf courses, is only a few miles down the road.
The Peabody
It is easy to see that this hotel is different when the ducks wade down the middle of the hotel's atrium and into a water fountain at 11 a.m. each day. This International Drive hotel itself is anything but a barnyard. Elegant and graceful with its marble halls, waterfalls and numerous artifacts on display, the Peabody offers the traveler, and even the golfer, many special amenities. The hotel has no golf courses itself, but it has plenty of golf-related services. A program known as the Captain's Choice Golf Services, arranges tee times, provides transportation, helps set up equipment rental and even arranges tournaments for travelers.
The Peabody Orlando
9801 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-4000
peabodyorlando.com
Caribe Royale All-Suite Hotel and Convention Center
Located at the quieter end of International Drive, the Caribe Royale All-Suite Hotel and Convention Center has an address on World Center Drive, but it is at the intersection of the two streets. The first things you may notice about the hotel are its impressive pools and location on the shores of Lake Bryan. Or you might notice its distinctive pink color. You have your choice of a hotel suite or two-bedroom villa on the lake. The resort has two preferred golf partners--the Grand Cypress Golf Club about 5 miles away, or the Hawk's Landing Golf Course only a half-mile away. Tee times, a pro shop and golf lessons are available at both of these locations as well as at dozens of others in the area.
Caribe Royale Orlando
8101 World Center Drive
Orlando, FL 32821
(407) 238-8000
cariberoyale.com
Wyndham Orlando Resort
The Wyndham Orlando Resort on International Drive is one of the more budget-friendly options on International Drive. Just south of Sand Lake Road, this hotel is within comfortable walking distance of dozens of restaurants and shops. Miniature golf, Wonderworks and Ripley's Believe It Or Not Orlando Odditorium are also close for those days when golf is not on the agenda. The hotel features a full, complimentary breakfast buffet and free high-speed Internet. It also has its own pool. In most cases, walking along International Drive is recommended, simply because the traffic can be so bad from 9 a.m. to well past midnight. Golfers will find the hotel convenient to Sand Lake Road and Interstate 4, where they can quickly reach the resort golf courses provided by the Grand Cypress Golf Club and Walt Disney World.
Wyndham Orlando Resort
8001 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 351-2420
wyndham.com
About The Author
Kenneth Black has been a freelance writer since 2008. He currently works as a staff writer for "The Times Republican" in Central Iowa. He has written extensively on a variety of topics, including business, politics, family life and travel. Black holds a bachelor's degree in business marketing from the University of Phoenix.
