So, you're looking at the Sheraton North Orlando Florida. It’s that massive, glass-fronted building that looks like a high-tech monolith right off Interstate 4 in Maitland. If you've ever driven through the "Orland-ish" area, you've seen it. It stands out because, frankly, Maitland isn't exactly the theme park capital of the world. But that’s actually the point.
Most people booking a trip to Central Florida have this weird, singular focus on Disney or Universal. They end up in these cramped, overpriced "partner hotels" on International Drive where the breakfast line is forty people deep and the carpet smells like pool chlorine and desperation. The Sheraton North Orlando Florida is different. It’s basically a sanctuary for people who want to be near the chaos without actually living inside it.
Honestly, it's a business hotel that forgot it was supposed to be boring.
The Location Reality Check: It Isn't Kissimmee
Let's get the geography straight because this is where people mess up. If you stay here, you are about 15 to 20 miles north of the major theme parks. In Orlando traffic, that’s either a breezy 25-minute drive or a grueling hour-long odyssey through the depths of highway hell. It depends entirely on when you leave.
But here’s the trade-off. You’re in Maitland. This is where the locals actually live and work. You’ve got the RDV Sportsplex right around the corner. You have the Enzian Theater—the only place in town where you can watch an indie film while eating a decent burger in a leather booth—just a short drive away. Staying at the Sheraton North Orlando Florida means you’re closer to Winter Park’s Park Avenue than you are to Mickey Mouse.
For some of you, that’s a dealbreaker. For others, it’s a massive relief.
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The Room Situation and Why "Traditional" Works
Sheraton has been through a lot of brand identity shifts over the last decade, especially after the Marriott merger. This specific property leans heavily into that "Sheraton Signature" feel. We're talking about the beds. The Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience is legitimately one of the few hotel marketing gimmicks that actually holds up. The mattresses are firm but have that weirdly soft topper that makes you feel like you're sleeping inside a marshmallow.
The rooms themselves? They aren’t "Instagram-chic." You won't find neon signs or mid-century modern furniture that’s uncomfortable to sit on. Instead, it’s heavy wood, muted tones, and plenty of space. It feels solid. It feels like the kind of room where you can actually get work done or spread out your suitcases without tripping over your own shoes.
The bathrooms are standard, usually featuring the Shine by Bliss products. It’s clean. It’s predictable. In a world of "boutique" hotels where the shower is behind a glass wall in the middle of the room for no reason, the Sheraton’s normalcy is its greatest strength.
Eating at the Hotel vs. The Local Secret
The on-site restaurant, An Tobar, is a bit of an anomaly. It’s an Irish pub. Not a "hotel version" of an Irish pub with one Guinness poster on the wall, but a legitimate, wood-heavy, cozy-as-hell Irish pub that was actually built in Ireland and shipped over.
The fish and chips are surprisingly tight.
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However, don't just eat at the hotel every night. You're five minutes away from Lake Lily Park. If you happen to be there on a Sunday, the Maitland Farmer’s Market is right there. Also, look up Luke’s Kitchen and Bar just down the road. It’s high-end American grit, and the atmosphere blows any hotel lobby bar out of the water.
Business vs. Leisure: The Great Divide
This hotel thrives on the "bleisure" crowd. That’s a terrible word, but it fits. During the week, the lobby is a sea of blazers and laptops. The Sheraton North Orlando Florida has over 15,000 square feet of meeting space. If you are here for a conference, you’ll find the WiFi is actually reliable, which is a rarity in the hospitality industry.
But come Friday afternoon? The vibe shifts. The business travelers vanish to the airport, and the families roll in.
Because it’s a Sheraton, it’s part of the Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem. If you have Gold or Platinum status, the Club Lounge here is actually worth the trek. They do a decent breakfast spread and evening appetizers that can save you a fortune if you’re traveling with kids who eat like black holes.
The Pool and Fitness Factor
The pool is fine. It’s an outdoor pool, heated, surrounded by palm trees. It’s Florida. It does the job. But if you’re a fitness junkie, the real perk is the Sheraton Fitness center. They don't just have one broken treadmill and a set of rusty dumbbells. They’ve got LifeFitness equipment and enough space that you don't feel like you're breathing on the person next to you.
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What Most People Get Wrong About This Area
The biggest misconception is that staying in North Orlando means you're "missing out" on the action.
Actually, you're positioned perfectly to see the parts of Orlando that aren't plastic. You're ten minutes from Rollins College and the scenic boat tour in Winter Park. You can see the real Florida—the one with the moss-draped oaks and the hidden lakes—rather than the one with the $18 churros.
Is the Sheraton North Orlando Florida fancy? No. Is it trendy? Absolutely not. But it is consistent. In a city where hotels often over-promise and under-deliver, there is something deeply comforting about a place that just wants to give you a good night’s sleep and a decent pint of Smithwick’s.
Navigating the Logistics
If you’re flying into MCO (Orlando International), be prepared for a 20-30 minute Uber ride. If you’re flying into SFB (Sanford), you’re actually much closer than you would be if you stayed near the parks. Sanford is a hidden gem of an airport, and this hotel is one of the best "upscale" options for people using Allegiant or other budget carriers that fly into SFB.
Parking at the hotel is generally ample. Unlike the downtown hotels or the resort-area spots, you aren't going to be fighting for your life in a parking garage or paying $45 a day for valet only to wait twenty minutes for your car to be pulled around.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
- Book a Club Level Room: If you don't have Marriott status, it’s often worth the $30-$50 upgrade fee for the lounge access alone, especially for the breakfast and bottled water.
- Request a High Floor: The hotel is one of the tallest buildings in the immediate area. Facing south on a high floor gives you a distant view of the Orlando skyline that's pretty killer at night.
- Avoid the I-4 Rush: Do not, under any circumstances, try to drive south toward the parks between 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM. You will sit in your car and question every life choice you've ever made. Leave at 10:00 AM or take the back roads through Edgewater Drive to see some cool neighborhoods.
- Check the Enzian Schedule: Before you arrive, check what’s playing at the Enzian Theater nearby. It’s a local treasure and a far better evening than a crowded Disney Springs.
- Use the RDV Sportsplex: If the hotel gym isn't enough, the RDV Sportsplex is a massive facility right nearby with ice skating, tennis, and a full-scale gym. It’s where the Orlando Magic used to train.
Staying at the Sheraton North Orlando Florida is about choosing sanity over proximity. You get a bigger room, a better bed, and a taste of what Central Florida actually feels like when it isn't wearing a costume. For a lot of travelers, that’s the best way to do Orlando.