Tryp by Wyndham Orlando on International Drive

If you’re looking for an attractive Orlando hotel near Sea World and not far from the Universal Studios theme park, the new Tryp by Wyndham Orlando International Drive is a good value. With attractive interiors, a pool, and a view of Sea World’s Mako rollercoaster from some rooms, this hotel is a convenient base for Orlando fun. 

Tryp by Wyndham presents the hipper side of that brand, with contemporary design, interesting furniture, and a social space vibe that appeals to a younger clientele. I had no problem finding some space to do some work and take care of a video conference call at the conference table with convenient outlets in the library. That library area lives up to its name too, with a wide selection of books that looks like it was an “I’ll take everything” purchase from someone’s garage sale. If you forgot something to read, you’ll be set. 

There’s ample free parking at this Tryp Orlando property, but just pick the right lot instead of the Marriott timeshare office one right next to it because those guys apparently won’t hesitate to tow you. There are a few charging spaces if you arrive in an electric vehicle. 

The reception area is just through the automatic doors, leading to a bright and attractive lobby that invites lounging rather than just being a pass-through. 

With its semi-circular sectional sofa, armchairs, and artistic lighting fixtures, the lobby is an inviting social space for swapping stories of the day’s adventures in the land of tourists. It leads into several other spaces that can have several uses throughout the day. 

First, there’s normally a breakfast area with items laid out buffet-style. That was still on hold when I stayed in June of 2022, despite Florida being a mostly maskless free-for-all when it comes to Covid precautions. So the breakfast included in the rates was a box filled with a few items wrapped in lots of plastic: a Lenders bagel, two hard-boiled eggs, orange juice, and some sugary yogurt.

The coffee cups and the lids for them were also wrapped in plastic (even though we’ve learned that most virus transmission is through the air, not on the surfaces of a stack of paper coffee cups).

This precautions mismatch in policy should be gone by the time you check in since this was a strange period in time that eased up soon after. 

The impressive Riviera Bar with Spanish-style decorative cement tiles was tantalizing, but also closed, despite a long stretch of no capacity restrictions in the state. When open, it has a couple of Florida craft beers on tap and a decent wine and spirits selection to hand you what you’re craving.

There are beverages for sale from a convenience shop area though in the meantime, and ice machines if you BYOB. There are also plenty of other open bars within a mile as alternatives and you have a plethora of dining options on and around International Drive. There’s no restaurant on site at the Tryp Orlando apart from the breakfast one, though the website bar description says it serves “small bites” when open.  

The swimming pool is shared with a sister hotel next door, a La Quinta owned by the same development company. It’s naturally a big hit with the kids in this family-friendly destination, but there’s also an outdoor bar area for the adults in normal times with more staffers on hand. A small fitness center is on site for a quick workout. 

Rooms at the Tryp by Wyndham Orlando deliver more than you’d expect for the price. Since this hotel fully opened in late 2020, everything feels fresh and new. You also get the benefit of it meeting modern expectations for places to charge your gadgets. You don’t have to scrounge around to find a regular plug or USB charger plug. 

Rooms come with a king bed, two double beds, or family rooms that have bunk beds for the kids. All are designed to make the most of the available space, including a cushioned bench that slides under the desk/shelf area when not being used. Rooms marked as “deluxe” come with about 50 more square feet of space, up to 432. 

There’s a mini-fridge and a microwave in each room, a laptop-sized safe, and a large wall-mounted TV with plenty of channels except news ones, oddly. Comfortable platform beds have a hanging pad behind an array of pillows.

Rooms present a nice sense of place thanks to murals and photos highlighting Orlando’s famous attractions and the image of Florida as a place for sun and fun.  Hotel catalog furniture sits atop laminate wood floors, while a rug covers a good portion of the room, dampening some of the sound. This hotel is in a very quiet location overall: it’s at least 50 meters from International Drive, separated by a pond, and there’s nothing next to it except another hotel. 

Bathrooms are spacious and attractive, with the same laminate floors surrounded by white geometric wall tiles in the main area and subway tiles in the large shower. There’s a nice array of included toiletries.  

Rates at Tryp by Wyndham Orlando vary quite a bit by season, but usually start somewhere between $95 and $150. They are usually close to those at the full-service Wyndham Orlando (near the Icon Eye) and less than the luxury Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek (near Disney World) that we’ve also reviewed in detail. So if you’re trying to earn Wyndham loyalty points or cash some in, compare all three, but this one is the best bet if you’re headed to Sea World. 

See the official website for more info and room options, including pet policies, or check prices online at Hotels.com. 

Editor Tim Leffel was a guest of Tryp by Wyndham Orlando on International Drive for purposes of review. As always, all opinions are his own.