If you’ve been looking for the Howard Johnson International Orlando at 5858 International Drive lately, you might have noticed something feels... off. Or maybe you've seen the plywood.
Honestly, the situation with this specific property has been a rollercoaster that caught a lot of budget travelers and long-term residents off guard. Most people think "Howard Johnson" and picture orange roofs and reliable road-trip vibes. But in Orlando, the "International Drive" location became a cautionary tale of what happens when a franchise loses its way.
The I-Drive Shutdown: What Really Happened
In August 2025, the City of Orlando didn't just give this hotel a bad review; they essentially slapped it with an "evacuation order." It was messy.
Code enforcement and the Orlando Fire Department moved in after discovering the building was a legitimate fire trap. The fire alarms weren't working. The water service was on the verge of being cut because the owners—RORE Orlando I Drive LLC—hadn't paid the bill. Imagine paying your rent on Tuesday only to have the police knock on your door Wednesday morning telling you to get out.
That’s exactly what happened to dozens of families who were using the hotel as a last-resort housing option.
By August 18, 2025, police officers were walking the balconies, taping orange condemned signs to the windows. It was heartbreaking. People like Travis Wieand, who lived there with his wife and dogs, literally had to leave everything behind because they couldn't carry it. The property was facing over $67,000 in fines for structural issues and broken safety systems.
Basically, if you see a booking site still trying to sell you a room at the 5858 International Drive address, don't click. It’s done.
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Where Else Can You Actually Stay?
Don't panic. If you’re a Wyndham Rewards loyalist or just want that specific HoJo price point, there are still options that aren't, you know, condemned.
You've got the Howard Johnson by Wyndham Orlando Lake Buena Vista South.
It's actually in Kissimmee (5055 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway), but it's close enough to the Disney parks that it doesn't really matter. This one is still very much alive and kicking in 2026.
Why this one works:
- Breakfast is included. We’re talking waffles, eggs, and the usual "I'm on vacation" carb-load.
- The shuttle. They run a free shuttle to the theme parks, which saves you like $30 a day in parking fees.
- Pet friendly. They allow cats and dogs, though there’s usually a $75 fee.
- WiFi Speed. It’s actually decent—reports show around 100+ Mbps, which is enough to stream Netflix while your kids play Roblox.
Then there’s the Howard Johnson by Wyndham Airport Florida Mall. It’s more of a "I have a 6 a.m. flight" kind of place. It’s located near the Sand Lake Rd train station and is about 9 miles from the airport. It's a 2-star spot, very basic, but it's a roof over your head that passes inspection.
The Struggle of the "Old School" Franchise
Why did the International Drive location fail while the Lake Buena Vista South one is thriving? It's about the "Developer Inn" model.
The Lake Buena Vista South property is often branded as Developer Inn Highway, A Howard Johnson by Wyndham. This basically means a management group took over an old property, put in the money for "renovated guest rooms" and a "new lobby," and kept the franchise standards high.
The I-Drive location did the opposite. It became what's known in the industry as a "zombie hotel." It kept the name but stopped the maintenance.
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When you're booking in Orlando, look for these keywords in reviews:
- "Newly Renovated" (Actually check the date; 2024 or 2025 is good).
- "Exterior Corridors" (Many HoJos have these; some people feel less safe with them, others like the easy car access).
- "Fire Watch" (If this appears in recent news for a property, run away).
Real Talk on Costs
You’re looking at $55 to $85 a night for the surviving Howard Johnsons.
That's cheap for Orlando.
But remember: many of these "value" hotels charge a service fee or a "resort fee" that isn't always in the headline price. At the Lake Buena Vista South location, expect a daily service fee of around $14.70.
It’s a bit of a "gotcha," but it's still cheaper than staying at a Disney-owned resort where you'll pay $200+ for a room that smells like the same industrial carpet cleaner.
Is Howard Johnson Still Worth It?
If you want luxury, no.
If you want a place to crash after 14 hours at Universal’s Epic Universe, yes.
The brand is in a weird transition phase. Some properties, like the one on I-Drive, are being weeded out by city officials and franchise corporate. The ones that remain are generally trying harder.
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The Howard Johnson by Wyndham Orlando-International Drive was a disaster, but it doesn't mean the whole brand is dead. It just means you have to be a skeptical traveler. Check the most recent "verified guest" photos. If the pool looks green in a photo from two weeks ago, believe the photo, not the professional marketing shots from 2019.
How to Handle Your Next Booking
Stop looking for the 5858 International Drive location. It is closed. Permanent.
If you need a budget stay near the action, pivot your search to the Lake Buena Vista South area or the Florida Mall area. Use the Wyndham app directly to ensure you're getting the most up-to-date property status, as third-party sites are notoriously slow to remove "ghost" listings of closed hotels.
Always call the front desk before you arrive to confirm the pool and shuttle are actually operational. In Orlando, "seasonal pool" can sometimes be code for "we don't want to pay for chemicals right now."
Check for recent building permits or code violations on the Orange County or City of Orlando websites if you're feeling particularly cautious about a bargain-basement price. It sounds like overkill until you're the one being told to vacate at 10 a.m. on a Monday.
Stick to the renovated "Developer Inn" versions of Howard Johnson. They offer the best balance of that classic HoJo value without the risk of a condemned sign on your door.