Suite success: the first all-suite Holiday Inn targets families seeking fun and fantasy in Orlando, Florida - Resort Of The Month

Travel America, May-June, 2003 by Randy Mink, Karen Mink

In the skylit dining/activity area beyond the lobby, Choo Choo's Buffet in the Club Car Restaurant offers guests a free, all-you-can-eat breakfast every morning. As busy as Grand Central Station anytime between 8 and 10 a.m., Choo Choo's bustles with tray-balancing "passengers" headed in every direction, their plates loaded with french toast or pancakes, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bagels, and mini-muffins. Fruits, yogurt, oatmeal, grits, and a variety of dry cereals round out the spread. Machines dispense orange juice, apple juice, and milk. Kids 12 and under eat lunch and dinner free from a special kids' menu when accompanied by an adult dining in the restaurant.

Foodland Express food court (open until midnight) serves up Pizza Hut pizza, A&W hot dogs and burgers, Edy's ice cream, and Java Coast coffee.

Next to Foodland Express is Diesel & Steam General Store, a convenience shop stocked with sundries, baby products, Dixie Kreme donuts, and microwaveable foods. Nearby are Cabooze, a club car-style lounge for adults; The Crossings, with karaoke, bingo, Pinkie the Clown, and other evening entertainment; and Locomotion game arcade.

The hotel's two pool courtyards, each with its own personality, also sport a train motif. The adult-oriented West Track courtyard has a heated lap pool, two whirlpools, ping pong tables, and a fitness room.

The East Track courtyard targets kids with a zero-depth entry pool, interactive water park features, and a kiddie pool with giant sun umbrella and playground. Activities include ping pong, shuffleboard, and Putt-Putt Junction, a nine-hole mini-golf course that uses plastic balls.

The resort's newest facility is Sugar & Spice Kids Spa, where girls can get a pastel manicure, glamour photo, or elegant coif with ribbons and butterfly barrettes. Spa services for boys include temporary tattoos, costume photos, and rock-star hairdos with colored gel.

With attention to detail, smiles all around, and a good dose of whimsy, this unusual Holiday Inn has rocketed the term "family-friendly" to new heights. It seems they've thought of everything.

FAST FACTS

NAME: Holiday Inn Family Suites Lake Buena Vista.

OWNER/OPERATOR: World Village Management of Orlando, Florida.

LOCATION: The complex of 14, six-story buildings is about a mile from Central Florida's Walt Disney World.

ACCOMMODATIONS: 800 two-and three-room suites with parlor area and kitchenette, in seven design layouts. Each suite has a pullout sofa, rocking armchair, two or three televisions, two lighted makeup mirrors, two hair dryers, iron and ironing board, a safe, and two-line phones (free local calls). Room service is available 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

FACILITIES: Club Car Restaurant; Foodland Express food court; Cabooze lounge; two pools; poolside JJ's Recreation Center; train-themed playground; nine-hole miniature golf; game arcade; adult fitness room; laundry rooms with coin-operated washers and dryers; business center with computer work station.

TRANSPORTATION: Bus service to all four Disney World theme parks is free. For a charge, transportation is available to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, and Wet 'n Wild water park. A guest services desk sells tickets to attractions.