Last Updated on November 8, 2025 by Mauricio Vite
When planning a trip to Walt Disney World, finding the right accommodation can make or break your vacation experience. The Delta Hotels by Marriott Orlando Lake Buena Vista presents itself as a convenient option for Disney-bound travelers, but does it deliver on its promises? In this comprehensive review, I’ll share my honest experience staying at this Marriott Bonvoy property, highlighting both its strengths and significant shortcomings.
Rating on Google and Trip Advisor
4.1
About Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista: A Brief History
The Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, representing the Delta Hotels & Resorts brand’s presence in the Orlando market. What many guests might not realize is that this property has quite a history behind it. From my research and recollection, this hotel operated under a different brand in the past, likely as a DoubleTree property before being converted to the Delta Hotels brand. The building itself clearly shows its age, which becomes apparent the moment you step inside.
This location is actually the first Delta Hotel in the United States, making it a flagship property for the brand’s expansion into the American market. However, being first doesn’t always mean being best, as you’ll discover throughout this review.
Location: The Hotel’s Saving Grace
Let me start with what Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista does exceptionally well: location, location, location. If you’re planning a Disney World vacation, the positioning of this hotel is genuinely impressive and might be the only reason to consider booking here.
Proximity to Disney World
The hotel sits right next to the Walt Disney World entrance, making it one of the closest non-Disney properties to the theme parks. You’re literally a stone’s throw from the magic, which translates to less driving time and more park time for your family. This proximity is invaluable when you’re dealing with tired children after a long day at the parks or when you want to head back to your room for a midday break.
Walking Distance to Disney Springs
Perhaps even more impressive is the hotel’s walkability to Disney Springs. At approximately 20 minutes on foot, you can easily stroll to this shopping, dining, and entertainment district without dealing with parking hassles or waiting for shuttles. This convenience alone can save you significant time and money during your vacation, especially if you enjoy evening entertainment or want to grab dinner at one of Disney Springs’ many restaurants.
Comparison to Disney Springs Hotels
While Disney Springs hotels offer a more polished experience and are technically Disney properties, they come with a premium price tag. The Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista provides similar proximity at a more affordable rate, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers who prioritize location over luxury. However, and this is a significant “however,” the price difference exists for good reasons that become painfully clear once you’re inside your room.
First Impressions: The Lobby and Common Areas
Upon arrival, the lobby at Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista presents a decent, if unremarkable, first impression. The space is functional and includes a bar area where guests can unwind after a day at the parks. The atmosphere attempts to strike a balance between business hotel efficiency and vacation resort casualness, though it doesn’t particularly excel at either.
The lobby bar offers a selection of beverages and light snacks, providing a convenient spot for a quick drink without leaving the property. However, the overall ambiance of the common areas hints at the property’s age. While not terribly maintained, there’s a noticeable lack of the freshness and modern design elements you’d expect from a recently renovated Marriott property.
Walking Through the Hallways
One of my first warning signs came when walking through the hotel corridors. There’s a distinctive smell in the hallways—a perfume or fragrance that many older hotels use to mask the musty odors that come with aging buildings. It’s that unmistakable “old hotel smell” that no amount of air freshener can truly eliminate. This scent permeates the corridors and immediately signals that you’re not staying in a recently updated property.
Hotel Amenities: Basic But Present
The Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista offers standard amenities that you’d expect from a mid-range hotel, though I didn’t personally utilize all of them during my stay.
Fitness Center
The property features a gym for guests who want to maintain their workout routine during vacation. While I didn’t use this facility, it’s there for those who prioritize fitness even while traveling. Based on the overall condition of the property, I’d expect the equipment to be functional but perhaps not state-of-the-art.
Swimming Pool
An outdoor pool is available for guests looking to cool off from Florida’s heat. Again, I didn’t take advantage of this amenity during my stay, but it’s a standard feature for Orlando-area hotels and particularly appreciated by families with children who need a break from the theme parks.
Marriott Bonvoy Benefits
As a Marriott Bonvoy property, the hotel offers the benefits associated with this loyalty program. If you’re a member, you can earn and redeem points here, which adds value for frequent Marriott guests. However, the property’s condition might leave you questioning whether this is how you want to spend your hard-earned points.
The Room: Where Disappointment Takes Center Stage
Now we arrive at the heart of the matter—the guest rooms. Unfortunately, this is where the Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista fails dramatically and reveals why the affordable pricing doesn’t necessarily translate to good value.
Room Type and Layout
I stayed in a double queen bed room, which should have been spacious enough for a comfortable stay. The room layout itself is adequate, with enough space to move around and store luggage. However, the execution of the room’s condition is where problems become glaringly apparent.
The Beds: A Squeaky Nightmare
The beds were perhaps my biggest complaint during the entire stay. Every time I moved—and I mean every single movement—the beds squeaked loudly. This constant squeaking made it nearly impossible to get a good night’s sleep, especially if you’re a restless sleeper or sharing the room with others. For a hotel property where guests are likely exhausted from walking miles around theme parks, providing a quiet, comfortable sleeping environment should be non-negotiable. The beds at Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista fail this basic requirement spectacularly.
The Bathroom: Stuck in a Time Warp
The bathroom was shockingly outdated, looking like it hadn’t been renovated since the property’s early days. We’re not talking about charmingly retro or vintage-inspired—this is simply old and worn. The fixtures, tile work, and overall design speak to a bathroom that’s long overdue for a complete overhaul. In an era where even budget hotels are updating their bathrooms with modern fixtures and clean designs, the bathrooms at Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista feel like stepping back two decades.
Damaged Furnishings and Torn Curtains
The room’s condition extended beyond just outdated design. I noticed several maintenance issues that should have been addressed long before a guest checked in:
- Torn curtains: The window treatments were visibly damaged with tears and rips, creating an unkempt appearance that immediately signals neglect.
- Damaged headboard: The bed’s headboard showed visible wear and damage, contributing to the overall impression of a room that hasn’t received proper care.
- General wear and tear: Beyond these specific issues, the room displayed numerous signs of age and insufficient maintenance throughout.
That Unmistakable Smell
Perhaps most concerning was the strange odor in the room. It’s difficult to describe exactly, but it was that musty, stale smell that permeates older hotel rooms that haven’t been properly refreshed. No amount of housekeeping can eliminate this type of odor—it requires deep cleaning, replacement of soft furnishings, and often structural improvements to address moisture and ventilation issues. The smell reinforced the impression that this is an aging property desperately in need of a comprehensive renovation.
The Reality of an Unrenovated Property
Everything about the Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista screams “old hotel that hasn’t been renovated.” While some historic properties embrace their age with character and charm, this hotel simply feels neglected. The Marriott brand typically maintains high standards across its portfolio, but this property appears to have been overlooked in terms of capital improvements and updates.
The hallway fragrances, outdated room designs, worn furnishings, and overall tired appearance all point to a property that’s operating on deferred maintenance. For guests familiar with other Marriott properties, the contrast is stark and disappointing.
Value Proposition: When Affordability Isn’t Enough
Here’s the central question: Does the Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista offer good value despite its shortcomings?
The Affordability Factor
Yes, this hotel is more affordable than Disney Springs hotels and many other properties in the immediate area. If your budget is extremely tight and location is your absolute top priority, the price point might justify the compromises. For travelers who plan to spend minimal time in their room—arriving late, sleeping, and leaving early for the parks—the room’s condition might be tolerable.
When to Consider This Hotel
I can envision a scenario where I’d stay here again: if I were looking for the most affordable option with excellent proximity to Disney World, and if I were prepared to overlook significant room quality issues. The location truly is exceptional, and for some travelers, that might outweigh everything else.
The Better Alternative: Disney Springs Hotels
However, and this is crucial, if you can stretch your budget even slightly, the Disney Springs hotels offer a substantially better experience. The difference in room quality, maintenance standards, and overall guest experience is significant enough that the additional cost feels justified. You’re not just paying for the Disney name—you’re paying for accommodations that meet basic modern standards of cleanliness, comfort, and design.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Stay Here
This Hotel Might Work For:
- Extremely budget-conscious travelers who prioritize location above all else
- Guests who plan to spend minimal time in their room
- Large families or groups where the cost savings across multiple rooms is substantial
- Travelers who are less sensitive to room condition and maintenance issues
- Marriott Bonvoy members looking to earn or redeem points at a Disney-adjacent property
This Hotel Is NOT Recommended For:
- Guests seeking a quality sleep experience
- Anyone with allergies or sensitivity to musty odors
- Travelers celebrating special occasions or honeymoons
- Those expecting standard Marriott quality and maintenance
- Guests planning to spend significant time in their room
- Anyone bothered by obvious maintenance issues and worn furnishings
Tips If You Do Book This Hotel
If you decide to stay at the Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista despite these warnings, here are some tips to make the best of your experience:
- Request a recently serviced room: Ask at check-in if any rooms have been more recently updated or are in better condition than others.
- Bring air freshener: Pack some fabric refresher spray or air freshener to help combat the musty odor.
- Lower your expectations: Go in knowing what you’re getting, and focus on the location benefits rather than the room quality.
- Spend minimal time in the room: Use the hotel purely as a place to sleep, and spend your days (and evenings) elsewhere.
- Document issues: If the room condition is unacceptable, take photos and speak with management immediately. As a Marriott property, they should be responsive to serious maintenance concerns.
- Take advantage of the location: Since you’re paying primarily for proximity, maximize this benefit by making multiple trips to the parks or Disney Springs.
Comparing to Other Orlando Hotel Options
The Orlando area offers an enormous range of accommodation options, from luxury Disney resorts to budget motels. Where does the Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista fit in this spectrum?
In terms of location, it’s genuinely among the best non-Disney options. However, in terms of room quality and overall guest experience, it falls significantly below properties at similar or even slightly lower price points. Hotels like the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in the Disney Springs area, while comparable in price, typically offer better-maintained rooms and more recently updated facilities.
The Verdict: Location Can’t Fix Everything
The Delta Hotels by Marriott Orlando Lake Buena Vista finds itself in an unfortunate position: blessed with an incredible location but cursed with deferred maintenance and outdated facilities. While the proximity to Disney World and Disney Springs is genuinely exceptional and represents the property’s strongest asset, it’s simply not enough to overcome the significant room quality issues.
The squeaking beds alone would be enough to make me hesitate about returning. Add in the outdated bathroom, torn curtains, damaged furnishings, strange odors, and overall sense of neglect, and you have a property that falls well short of what guests should expect from a Marriott-branded hotel.
My Final Recommendation
Would I stay here again? Only if I were in a situation where budget was my absolute primary concern and I had no other affordable options near Disney World. Even then, I’d be doing so with full awareness of what I was getting—or more accurately, what I wasn’t getting. For most travelers, I’d recommend saving a bit more to stay at one of the Disney Springs hotels or exploring other properties in the area that have been more recently renovated. The additional cost translates to tangibly better sleep quality, cleaner facilities, and an overall more pleasant stay. When you’re spending thousands of dollars on a Disney vacation, cutting corners on accommodation to save $30-50 per night isn’t worth the impact on your comfort and rest.
The Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista serves as a reminder that location, while important, isn’t everything. A hotel stay is about more than just proximity to attractions—it’s about having a clean, comfortable space to rest and recharge. Unfortunately, this property fails to deliver on those basic expectations, making it difficult to recommend despite its convenient location. If you do find yourself booking here out of necessity or budget constraints, go in with realistic expectations, focus on the excellent location as your primary benefit, and spend as little time as possible actually in your room. The magic of Disney World awaits just outside the hotel doors—you’ll just need to overlook what’s inside them.
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