This week I finally got to stay in a airport hotel that I’ve actually wanted to. There was a need for me to fly one way to Orlando from Panama City Beach (on Southwest unfortunately) at the last minute and with my late arrival around 10pm I was going to need a place to crash for the night. A quick survey on Kayak.com and other sites showed that availability was scarce. There were plenty of sketchy hotels on International Drive (or well near it) and a few decent ones splattered across the Orlando metro. I was actually planning on going to the Sheraton Orlando North, which in the past I have found pretty decent for the rate (plus I have received upgrades to Club Level rooms there as a SPG Gold), but I got distracted by work while booking and the rate went up beyond my liking.
So I sat there in the Gate 60-129 atrium when I realized – why don’t I just stay at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport that is surrounding me on all sides? I’ve always wanted to stay here being a bit of an aviation nerd (guess it comes with the whole travel nerd thing). Its located right above the TSA checkpoint and you can either get a room facing inwards to the atrium or you can get one facing outwards to one of the airside terminals. I knew that is what I wanted and I was able to get a pretty decent rate at the last minute as well. Being just a crash pad I wouldn’t say that it stands out as feeling like anything but an airport hotel, but it does command a premium due to location of being right above the TSA checkpoint/in the terminal, but it was much better than the Sheraton Suites Orlando Airport, which seemed to have a slight pest control problem at the time.
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport - 2 Double Beds Room
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport - Towards Balcony
While it was late and I had a friend meeting me to go grab a car and get something to eat, I didn’t really to my room until 1:30am which meant I pretty much walked in fell forward on the bed and passed out. Luckily I had set some alarms. Waking up the next morning was a bit of a treat for me. There wasn’t much time to sit and stare, but I probably took about five minutes to watch some of the early morning departures and the sun as it rose over Airside 4, which is home to Delta’s operations and many of the international arrivals and departures. I wish I could have 1) stayed long enough to enjoy a cup of coffee and watch the airport come to life and 2) brought a camera other than my phone. I guess there is always next time.
View From The Room - Orlando Airport ATC Tower
View From The Room - Delta Gates (Airside 4)
Bonus: My friend took me to a place called Junior Colombian Burger on Kirkman Rd (just North of Vineland Rd on the right hand side, if you go past the Hooters, you’ve gone too far). Let me just tell you this: order a double and get it with everything. Do not, I repeat, do not order any other way. There might be things in the description that are making you think “how could that work” and more, but trust me its pretty freaking delicious. Even when we went around midnight the place was crowded and there really isn’t much for seating, just a narrow hallway with a counter; many choose to just eat in the parking lot it seems. While I wouldn’t call the best burger that I ever had, it is definitely in the top 5.
