Doubletree Guest Suites in the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort is unique among the Downtown Disney properties because every unit is a suite and can therefore accommodate up to six people (including up to four adults). The hotel is decorated in bright and cheerful bold colors, with an atrium lobby.

The very spacious 1-bedroom suites have two double beds or one king bed in the bedroom, separated by louvered doors from the living room area, where there is a queen-sized sleeper sofa. All rooms have Doubletree Sweet Dreams Beds, with plush top mattresses, down comforters, triple sheets, jumbo down pillows and decorative bed covers.

There are two televisions per suite -- one in the bedroom and one in the living room. The living room includes a table and chairs plus a wet bar area with a small fridge, microwave and coffeemaker.

There is one bathroom per suite, accessible through the bedroom. All rooms include a safe, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, and two telephones with voicemail and dataports. Rooms have wireless Internet access for a daily fee, or you can use the FREE wireless access in the public areas (lobby, restaurant, lounge and pool area).

An impressive feature of this hotel is that it is updated on a regular basis. In the past couple of years, each suite has received a new dining table and chairs, new coffee table, side tables, easy chair and sofa bed in the living room. The wet bar area received a new microwave and refrigerator. The rooms were enhanced with a clock radio with MP3 capabilities, new paint, carpet, drapes, lighting, bathroom counter tops and curved shower curtains. As of early 2008, the lobby, restaurant and bar were completely redone!

EverGreen Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. A breakfast buffet is available, with an extensive selection of hot and cold items. I have eaten there several times and the food was quite good. There is room service with extended hours.

A pleasant lounge is located just off the lobby and there is another bar by the nicely landscaped, heated pool.

Guests can enjoy a whirlpool spa, four lighted tennis courts, jogging trails and a redesigned fitness center by PRECOR USA featuring the latest in cardio equipment including three treadmills, an elliptical machine, stretching machine, free weights and medicine balls. Guests can watch the 32” flat screen TV, or enjoy views of the pool while staying in shape.

Budget car rental has a desk in the lobby, and there is a gift shop that sells all the basics, including Disney tickets. For kids there is a special "check-in" desk, the Kids Theatre (a small theater where kids can watch TV), a game room and video arcade, and a kiddie pool. There is a coin laundry and dry cleaning valet service is also available.

This hotel is one of the Downtown Disney resorts, which operate their own bus system to the theme parks. The Downtown Disney buses run all day (from before park opening until after park closing) about every half-hour, and are much better than the transportation offered by most non-Disney resorts around Walt Disney World. (In fact, the buses are more comfortable than Disney's own buses!) However, be aware that the drop-off point is slightly further from the theme park gates than the Disney resort bus drop-off, so there's a little extra walking.

If you choose to drive your own car, the hotel charges $8 per night for self-parking.

I find the atmosphere at this hotel restful, quiet and pleasant, while still being welcoming for families. The staff are very helpful -- in fact, some of them are truly outstanding in their friendliness. Plus you get the signature freshly-baked Doubletree chocolate chip cookies when you check in!

Suite-style accommodations on Disney property are not easy to come by, and particularly for larger families, Doubletree Guest Suites offers an alternative to booking two Disney hotel rooms or one of the expensive Disney Vacation Club resorts.

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