I received a free one-night stay from the AC Hotel Orlando Downtown in exchange for a review of my experience. All opinions are my own.

As the world starts to slowly reopen, people are itching at the opportunity to start traveling again. Recently my family and I had the opportunity to do a “staycation” at the brand new AC Hotel Orlando Downtown, which opened in mid-January. I don’t know who was more excited, me or my kids. Ideally, I would have done a solo staycation, but the kids were out on Spring Break so they tagged along with me.

Today, I will be sharing my thoughts on our stay, what you can expect when you book your stay, and how you can book your stay so you can experience it for yourself.

Let’s start with the arrival at the hotel.

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Arrival

When you arrive at the AC Orlando you can park in the parking garage that is attached to the building. Parking is $25 USD Daily. Pull into the garage you grab a ticket, park, and unload.  Once you arrive at the elevators you will be able to access the first-floor lobby, before taking the elevators up to the main hotel lobby on the 18th floor. Lastly, when you check-in the hotel, make sure to ask for a parking pass if you plan on leaving the hotel and returning during your stay.

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Check-in begins at 3:00 PM

Check Out: 12:00 PM

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We arrived right at 3:00 because I wanted to make sure I had time to snap all the photos because this hotel is gorgeous! Yes, I immediately started eyeballing SkyBar. More details on that soon. As I was checking in, Elizabeth at the front desk was amazing. She gave me all the details about my stay and even gave me a few recommendations on which cocktails I should try during my stay. She also made sure that there was a Pack-N-Play set up and ready in our room for the baby. They also provided a brand new crib sheet for the Pack-n-Play. We didn’t use it because I had brought one from home, but that tiny detail was much appreciated.

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Once all bags were in the room we decided to venture out to check out more of the hotel and to get the kids something to eat. I’ve included the hours below for reference. At first, the kids were antsy, but once the food arrived at the table they were some happy campers. Take note of the hours below so that you can plan accordingly if you plan on grabbing a bite to eat at the hotel.

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Breakfast:

Weekdays – 6:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Weekends – 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.

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Lunch:

Monday / Tuesday – not offered

Wednesday – Saturday – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

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Dinner:

Weekdays – 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Weekends – 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.

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SkyBar:

Weekdays – 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Weekends – 3 p.m. – 12 a.m.

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SkyBrunch:

Sundays: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

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AC Kitchen: See times above

Breakfast is served Monday – Friday 6:30 -10 am and 7-11 am on Saturday and Sunday

Lunch is served daily 11 am – 3 pm

Dinner starts after 5 pm daily and the kitchen closes at 10 pm

Food

The food menu had just the right amount of options for everyone in the family. I opted for the “Cheat meal” and ordered the AC Beyond Burger which comes on a Brioche bun, Mozzarella, Prosciutto Crisp, Paprika Aioli, Roasted Potatoes. The kids and hubby ordered the Crispy Chicken Tenders which comes with a House Hot Sauce or BBQ Sauce.  Served with crispy potatoes.

Downtown Orlando’s first lifestyle hotel has forged an innovative beverage and food (B&F) program that includes Spanish-style tapas, creative cocktails made with locally sourced and farm-fresh ingredients, and beers from nearby Tampa, Orlando, and South Florida brewers on draft.

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Drinks

You know since mama doesn’t get out much I had to try a drink from the “secret menu.” This drink is not listed on the list of cocktails, but just ask your server and they will fill you in on all the details. With that being said, if you are looking for amazing views and even better drinks then you need to get down to SkyBar and order “The Cloud,” one of the hotel’s signature creations that is inspired by the magic of Orlando and SkyBar’s rooftop location seemingly amongst the clouds. The unique libation includes Hendricks Gin and a white orb that when popped gently releases plumes of elderflower herbals. The property also offers an expansive entertainment schedule that includes a live DJ and Spanish guitarist.

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Y’ALL!

This little cocktail right here was so good! If I was on a solo trip, I would have ordered at least two of them (don’t judge me). If you want to experience the full effect then you will have to make your way down to the AC Orlando’s SkyBar and order one for yourself! In the meantime, you can check out my video experience here

The hubby gave the Manhattan a try, and he was impressed! Y’all, if you don’t do anything else, you need to go to SkyBar to hang out or just simply unwind. The seating at SkyBar follows Marriott’s COVID-19 requirements keeping you at least six feet apart from your neighbor. Also, although it is not required, I would highly recommend you call ahead of time and make a reservation if you plan on visiting SkyBar. This will cut down on your wait time and you can walk right in and enjoy yourself. You will not be disappointed!

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SkyBar Hours:

Weekdays – 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Weekends – 3 p.m. – 12 a.m.

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Room

Our room was located on the 24th Floor. Keep in mind, in order to access the guest rooms, you have to use your room key, so don’t forget. The room we had was one of the double bed options because…kids. The AC Hotel Orlando Downtown has 56 rooms with queen-sized beds, 40 rooms with king-sized beds, 37 rooms with king-sized beds and a sofa bed, and 15 extended king rooms. As you can see, you have options depending on the type of stay you are looking to enjoy.

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We absolutely love all the amenities and feel of the hotel. I loved the natural color palette that is inspired by European design and the fact it has a minimalistic appeal. You know how I love to keep things simple modern and neutral!  For all of my entrepreneurs reading this post, the rooms are spacious and equipped with plenty of modern gadgets including smart ambiance controls that adjust the temperature and lighting and several USB ports.

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Breakfast

Framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, the lobby includes contemporary artwork while the adjoining AC Kitchen offers a European-inspired culinary concept. Guests can jumpstart their day with signature butter croissants imported from France, freshly sliced prosciutto, and savory egg tarts along with seasonal fruits and granola parfaits.

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Due to Covid-19 Restrictions, someone will greet you at the entrance and ask you what you would like to order. It is a continental-style buffet and they serve Starbucks coffee. You know I love me some Starbucks coffee. I was also told that the croissants are flown in from France for us to enjoy and let me just tell you, they were heavenly. The kids opted for the cereal and apple juice and loved that they had “kid-friendly” options for them to choose from.

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Fitness Center

Yes, the AC Orlando Downtown has a fitness center to help you stay on track with your fitness goals. Not to mention, help you keep your stress levels to a minimum. Did I mention that this hotel has all the VIEWS?! Even in the fitness center, you will feel like you are working out in the clouds! Now, the AC Hotel Orlando Downtown does not have a swimming pool, but I think SkyBar makes up for that.

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Overall Thoughts

Overall, we really enjoyed our stay. I wish I could have stayed longer, but I will be back soon. Next time it will be a solo trip so I can focus on working and relaxing (if that is even a thing). While the AC Orlando Downtown is designed more for entrepreneur/corporate professionals, the kids definitely enjoyed themselves. If you are in the Orlando area and looking for a place to stay downtown with amazing views and even better service and cocktails, I HIGHLY recommend booking your stay at AC Orlando. You will not be disappointed!

If you do get a chance to visit, I would love to hear all about your experience so be sure to tag me on Instagram or leave a comment on the post!

For more information, please visit www.acorlandodowntown.com

More photos from our stay below:

 

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