CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort is a family-friendly hotel with an outdoor water park located on Orlando’s iconic International Drive. It is close to Orlando's famous theme parks and Central Florida’s best shopping outlets.
During my December trip to Orlando, I spent two nights at Coco Key Hotel and Water Resort. I had been looking for a hotel that was family-friendly, and was close to Universal Studios Orlando. A complimentary shuttle service to the theme park would be a bonus. “Visit Orlando” the city’s tourism association, recommended Coco Key Hotel and Water Resort. It was a perfect fit for us.
Well located on International Drive, Orlando’s main tourist strip, Coco Key Hotel is also a Universal Orlando partner hotel. It has an energising tropical ambience complete with palm trees and vibrant colours. The sprawling hotel has 391 rooms spread over 7 blocks and encompasses a water park too. The outdoor heated pool and hot tub are in the centre of the hotel blocks.
The hotel also has a fitness centre, a business centre, laundry facilities, restaurants, a games arcade and a convenience store. We picked us some great last-minute souvenirs from the latter before leaving.
A fabulous water park catering for children of all ages is the key attraction at the hotel. It boasts 14 innovative water slides and 4 heated pools and is a kid’s dream - the perfect place to cool off from the tropical heat. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to use it as the day we planned to use it was the day it was closed – Monday. We hadn’t planned ourselves properly!
So we relaxed at the hotel’s ample-sized pool and hot tub instead. After a hectic week theme-park hopping, it was just what we needed. But we’ve bookmarked the water park for our next visit, especially after reading all the rave reviews about it.
We arrived at the hotel in the late afternoon after a long day exploring Orlando. It was easy to find and we were welcomed and checked into our rooms promptly. The tropical theme continued in the rooms. Our family room consisted of a very spacious en-suite bedroom with two double beds. Our amenities included a flat-screen TV, a mini refrigerator, a microwave, iron and ironing board, beverage facilities and a safe. A complimentary basket of snacks and treats awaited my kids and they were thrilled to see it in the room. The rooms are serviced daily.
The hotel’s location on International Drive places it minutes away from key tourist attractions in Orlando. Apart from Universal Orlando, it is also close to The Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando, Ripley’s Believe it or Not Orlando, and Orlando International Premium Outlets. Right next to the hotel is a miniature golf course. There are a multitude of restaurants suiting every taste in close proximity and we enjoyed some delicious meals there.
A complimentary shuttle service ferries guests to Universal Orlando, Wet ‘n Wild, SeaWorld and Aquatica. Shuttles to Disney World are available at a fee. For other attractions on International Drive, there is the i-Drive trolley, which is a kind of bus service servicing the area and Uber, which we used for the first time ever in Orlando.
Coco Key Hotel offers great value for money and has frequent special offers and promotions. So if you’re looking for a family-friendly, well-located and affordable hotel in Orlando, this is a great choice. Their motto says it all “We make kids happy”.
For more information and to book, go here.
Disclosure level: 7
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
My friend and her two daughters aged 9 & 6 look like they are going to have a Fab time! Do they have a shuttle to Disney?
Hi Julie, I'm sure that they will have a fabulous time. The hotel does have a shuttle service to Disney but it is not complimentary. The shuttle to Universal is complimentary.
Hi how much is the shuttle please ☺
Hi Julie, I didn't use it as I did not travel to the Disney parks from Coco Key but as per the hotel's website , it is $7.50 per person each way. You can also double-check with the hotel @ https://www.cocokeyorlando.com/contact-us
wow this sounds amazing and have looked at their prices they are much better than my current booking , thank you for the recommendation
You're welcome Moipone. Glad it helped.