Introduction
Hilton Lake Buena Vista Resort is on Resorts Plaza Boulevard in the Walt Disney World Resort. This large property is walking distance from Disney Springs and has a good range of amenities and dining options. Facing the front desk, the lobby extends into long hallway wings on either side, creating a kind of strip with restaurants and other services. Each wing has its own set of elevators going up to the guest rooms.
The pool is surrounded by the hotel, so there isn’t much road noise. There are two pools, two hot tubs, and a bar/restaurant. The patio is large, so there are plenty of loungers to sit and relax in. Behind the pool is the beach bar, called Rum Largo, which is open in the afternoon.
Hilton Lake Buena Vista (LBV) has a number of dining options to choose from. Most prominently, there is a Benihana’s located right in the resort. This is a popular Teppanyaki dining experience. There is also a grab-and-go/coffee shop open from about 6am to 1am, Covington Mill, which serves a breakfast buffet from 7am to 11am, and John T’s, a lounge serving pub food with an extensive beer menu. All three are located right along the main throughfare, so they are very easy to find.
Note: please do not confuse this resort with the nearby Hilton Buena Vista Palace Resort; double check your GPS and reservations to ensure you have the right property. Our hotel’s address is 1751 Hotel Plaza Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830.
Rooms
The guest rooms at the Hilton LBV resort are generally good, though a little dated and worn. It could be the paint, or the furniture, but they seemed a little dark, which was strange since there were plenty of lamps. Some renovations would definitely be appreciated here, as the rest of the hotel, including the hallways, seems fairly modern.
Nevertheless, the rooms are up to standard. All rooms have a chair and desk, coffee maker, and small fridge. The bedside tables are quite large. Unfortunately, the plug on the bedside lamp did not work on either side. The beds themselves, are comfortable, as are the pillows.
The bathroom is basic but functional. The towel rack is located inside the tub/shower, which felt weird. To be honest, it reminded me of my college dorm. One upside is that the bathroom is fairly large.
Some rooms have balconies or patios. If this is important, be sure to specifically book a room with one. Even without balconies, views vary. For example, some rooms have a not-so-spectacular view:
Book a Disney View room if a nice view is important.
Pros
Hilton LBV has a lot going for it. First, it is within easy walking distance of Disney Springs. In fact, the edge of the hotel is right next to the stairs/elevator for the pedestrian overpass for Disney Springs, so it is closer even than other Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels. There are also free shuttles to the park that leave about hourly.
Another major pro is the size of the pool area. It is surrounded by the resort, so it feels quieter and more relaxing than some of the nearby resorts’ pools. Besides being pleasant to walk around, there are plenty of loungers set around, so finding a spot shouldn’t be difficult. The pool bar has another patio with plenty of tables and chairs in one corner of the pool area, so you could spend the entire day out there if you so choose!
Cons
Overall, I find this hotel to be satisfactory. However, there are a few things that you should be aware of, should you choose to stay here.
First, I find the main lobby area to be a little cramped. People tend to congregate along both sides of the front desk, so it can be a bit tricky to get around. All of the restaurants are on the same throughfare, so things get even busier at mealtimes. Furthermore, the East elevators and West elevators are accessed from this same area. Expect the first floor to be busy pretty much any time of day or night. Those hoping for a relaxing return after a busy park day are likely to be disappointed.
Another downside is that the rooms seem a little outdated and dark. The furniture and wallpaper are mainly to blame for this. The rooms are still perfectly serviceable, but don’t expect a modern feel. The walls felt plain, especially in the bathroom.
Like all of the Hotel Plaza Boulevard resorts, there is both a resort fee and parking fee on top of the room rate. Because of this, be sure to add in these fees (listed on the website) if looking for the best rate. The parking lot is quite large too, so it might be a bit of a hike if you visit during a busy time. The resort fee pays for free water bottles and coffee, DVD rentals, and bus service to the parks.
Finally, some rooms on the first floor are just off the lobby, so noises will carry. Restless sleepers should request to avoid these rooms.
Conclusion
I enjoyed my stays here each time and can recommend the Hilton Lake Buena Vista Resort as a good option to those visiting Walt Disney World. While there are definitely some minor annoyances, this resort’s great location, ample parking, large pool area, and ample dining options go a long way in making up for them.
Rooms at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista Resort can be booked here.
Looking to read about another resort? Try the nearby Holiday Inn Resort.