Courtyard By Marriott Orlando East/Ucf Area Hotel Alafaya, Alafaya

The hotel felt like a high-end place close to the UCF campus with lots of restaurants nearby. My room, despite a moisture issue, had a balcony with a locker room vibe. The service was very polite and professional, offering 10k member points as a concession. The dining experience was replaced with Starbucks Bistro instead of a free breakfast. The location was perfect for being close to UCF, ideal for my science competition the next day.

The hotel had its ups and downs. The rooms, though a bit smelly, with 2 queen beds, were acceptable but not exceptional, especially for the price. Luckily, I had a discount which made it more bearable. The service, however, was top-notch with very friendly staff who went above and beyond, even offering 10k member points as a concession. The location was a mixed bag - while it was clear of clutter and in a perfect spot close to the college and eateries, the rooms were outdated in design and noise insulation. The dining experience, while offering Starbucks Bistro options similar to Hampton Inn, left more to be desired. The facilities were satisfactory but nothing extraordinary.

The hotel room helped me shut down and relax, but it was noisy as the a/c cover had been removed, and the bed was flat in the middle of the room. The rooms were very small.