Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn is a unique all-suite complex located in Lake Buena Vista about one mile from the gates of Walt Disney World. The hotel opened in 2000 as Holiday Inn Family Suites and was completely redone in 2004-2005, becoming Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn (or Nick Hotel for short).

This hotel was voted "Best Holiday Inn in North America" four years running. There's a reason for that. You can bring kids here and have a great time for a week without even visiting a theme park!

You've never seen anything like this place. Kids rule here! For families who are traveling with grade-school-aged children, Nick Hotel is hard to beat. Absolutely everything is focused on the needs and desires of families with young children.

Nick Hotel's unique 485-square-foot 2-bedroom "Kidsuites" include a master bedroom with a solid, lockable door and a Queen or King bed, plus a separate kids' room with bunk beds or twin beds. The kids' room is separated by a curtained doorway from the living room, which has a pull-out sofa and a wet bar with mini-microwave, fridge and coffee maker.

The Kidsuites have an occupancy of up to 6 people per suite: two in the master bedroom, two on the pull-out sofa, and two in the kids' room. The bunk beds are relatively small and narrow, and thus only appropriate for children who are under about 5 feet tall. The twin bed configuration can accommodate adults.

There is a television set in the master bedroom, one in the kids' room and one in the living room, making a total of three TVs per suite. The kids' room also has a PS2 console (games can be rented at the hotel). An iron and full-sized ironing board are provided in each suite.

There is one moderate-sized standard bathroom per suite, which is equipped with a hairdryer and makeup mirror. The bathroom has some nice touches for families that you don't see in the typical hotel, such as 4 individual towel rings (makes it easier to know whose towel is whose) and an unusually large amount of shelf space for your toiletries. In addition, the master bedroom has a vanity table/desk with a second hairdryer and makeup mirror.

If there's a weakness in the suite design, it's probably the minimal storage space for clothing. The master bedroom has a smallish closet and a few drawers, and there are two small drawers and a couple of very shallow shelves in the kids' room. However, the hotel uses slightly higher bed frames than usual in order to provide a place to stow luggage underneath.

The kids' rooms in each suite have a variety of Nickelodeon cartoon themes. The living rooms and master bedrooms are attractively decorated in bright colors (primarily lime green and orange) but not themed.

Nick Hotel's “Mall” section is the home of many amenities. It includes the dining locations, a 3000 sq ft game room, a 24-hour convenience store, Guest Services, and "Studio Nick" (nightly Nick-style entertainment, including family bingo and karaoke).

"The Buffet" offers a full hot buffet breakfast at a reasonable price, and little kids (5 and under) can eat FREE with a paying adult. The hotel also offers reasonably priced Character Breakfasts that are super-fun. You don't just meet characters -- the wait staff does a whole floor show! The kids eat free program is not valid on the Character Breakfast.

There are three additional newly remodeled food service locations: The Nicktoons Cafe for dinner nightly; a food court featuring Pizza Hut, A&W, Sub & Salad Shop and Barnie’s Coffee; and The Grill, serving food poolside on a seasonal basis.

Nick Hotel's two pools, Oasis Pool and Lagoon Pool, are absolutely fantastic. They both feature elaborate pool slides and waterpark-style features that squirt, sprinkle and splash water. There are also climbing nets, mini-golf and sand play areas nearby. The hotel has frequent Nickelodeon-themed poolside activities (think pie-in-the-face and slime) hosted by the recreation staff, who are enthusiastic and friendly.

Both pools offer food and drink nearby. There are also two family-sized whirlpool spas at each pool. The pool areas have multiple lifeguards and provide free child-sized life jackets. Protective swim pants are absolutely required for all children under 4 (they're available for purchase at the hotel), which really helps to keep the water clean and sanitary -- a big problem at many hotels that cater to a lot of families.

Nick Hotel offers some sort of free live family entertainment every night in Studio Nick, a brand-new million-dollar theater. There's also face painting (very minimal fee), a kids' spa (offers manicures, pedicures and hair braiding at reasonable rates), a family photographer and other fun activities, most of which are free or extremely inexpensive.

For adults, there are two pool bars (one at each pool area, open seasonally), a small fitness room and a business center that provides internet access, faxes and photocopies. The suites offer wired high-speed Internet access. Adults should bear in mind that "quiet" is a relative term at Nick Hotel, where kids are absolutely everywhere and all of the suites open onto outdoor corridors. Face it, this place is not really about adults -- it's about kids and family time!

There is scheduled bus transportation from Nick Hotel to the Disney parks, but I strongly recommend renting a car for increased flexibility in going to and from the parks. Also, the complex is not within walking distance of any outside shops, restaurants, etc. -- so unless you're willing to rely completely what's available at the hotel and in the theme parks, it's much easier if you have a car. Self-parking is free.

If you're planning a stay at Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn, you may want to consider joining the Holiday Inn Priority Club for free. You get 10 points for each dollar spent at the hotel. Points can be redeemed for free nights at Holiday Inn (starting at 10,000 points at the least-expensive hotels), rental cars, Universal and Sea World tickets, etc.

I have stayed in a standard Kidsuite on two different occasions and found the rooms very comfortable, clean and well-kept.

		Looking for the best rate at Nick Hotel? Check out the Holiday Inn web site, which guarantees the lowest rate! Please note that this hotel charges a $20 per night resort fee, which includes includes bus transportation to the four Disney Theme Parks, Universal Studios, Wet 'N Wild and SeaWorld, poolside entertainment, waterpark features and unlimited local phone calls.

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