Less than a 3-mile drive from the entrances to both Walt Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando, the Floridays Resort Orlando is a peaceful oasis on the quiet end of International Drive. Walk through the opulent lobby and you’ll be staring at the large, heated pool, shaded by tall palms. Six six-story buildings, painted a cheery peach color, are scattered across the grounds. Inside, you’ll find the reason why parents rave about this property: spacious two- and three-bedroom suites equipped with full kitchens, washers and dryers, Jacuzzi tubs and balconies; these are spaces to truly savor before and after long days at the theme parks.

Parking is free onsite and once you arrive, you won’t need a vehicle to visit the theme parks. Floridays Orlando provides free shuttle service to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando. A causal poolside restaurant, Palm Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nearby is a game room for the kids and a fitness center for the parents. Pets are also welcome at the resort, adding to the allure. No matter where you fit into the family unit, you’ll be pleased by this conveniently located resort, one that genuinely feels like an urban oasis.

For families, Floridays is not a place where you'll need to pay for connecting rooms. The spacious two- and three-bedroom suites feature one master bedroom with a king-sized bed and one or two separate bedrooms with twin beds. The sleeper sofa will also sleep two more kids comfortably. So in a two-bedroom suite, you'll be able to sleep six comfortably; in a three-bedroom suite, you'll be able to sleep eight. Both guestroom variations offer ample closet and dresser space. There are two full baths with showers, including a Jacuzzi in the master bathroom, complete with Indigo bath products.

The full-sized kitchen features an oven; dishwasher; microwave; coffee maker; cupboards full of pots, pans, and dishes; and a dining room table that seats six. Only a quarter-mile down the road is a Publix supermarket to stock up on groceries for your stay.

Pass the washer and dryer, housed in a closet, and you'll enter the spacious living room with a sofa, lounge chairs, coffee table, and a 37-inch high-definition TV hanging on the wall. Additional TV's are found in each room. Just outside the living room is a balcony with two chairs and a table, most likely overlooking the pool or outlying lakes. All rooms come with free Wi-Fi.

Rollaways are not available, but the resort does offer cribs, Pack 'N Plays, and high chairs.

The main pool is heated year-round, so even if it feels a bit nippy in December, the water will be fine. If you really want to heat up, grab a seat in the adjacent whirlpool. For toddlers, there's a small playground area in the pool, with shower-spouting mushrooms and slides. Alongside the pool, a manmade beach area allows kids to build sand castles. A second, smaller "quiet" pool is located behind one of the buildings and is frequented by parents. There are no lifeguards on duty at the main pool and the greatest depth is 5 feet. Pool hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The game room is poolside and all you'll need to use it are tokens from the machine, also located inside the game room. Tokens cost a quarter each. You'll need four to play a competitive game of air hockey.

A complimentary shuttle service is offered to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, and Wet n' Wild waterpark. Depending on the time of year, there are at least two drop-offs in the morning and two pick-ups in the evening, starting at 7:30 a.m. and concluding at 9:45 p.m. Most of the year, there are four drop-offs at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando in the morning.

The hotel's restaurant, Palm Cafe, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vanilla and cinnamon French toast, pancakes, oatmeal or an egg sandwich, served with freshly brewed Starbucks coffee or juice, are some of the breakfast options. For lunch and dinner, choose between salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, flatbreads, fish tacos and, this being Florida, the blackened grouper sandwich. All sandwiches and burgers are served with French fries or a side salad.

There's also a kids menu that features macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken tenders, cheeseburger sliders, chicken sliders and hot dogs. Near the entrance of the property is a Benihana Japanese steakhouse, which is also popular with families. Restaurant hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

All About the Extras
Floridays Orlando presents outdoor movies under the stars near the pool. Be sure to ask about screenings once you arrive. During times of high occupancy, the hotel might also feature a Kids DJ who plays music and games.

There is a resort fee of $12.25 daily, and it includes Wi-Fi, parking, and the shuttle services. The resort also has a partnership with Thrifty and Dollar rental car services, in which you can receive discounts, so be sure to ask about it. Competitive golf packages at nearby golf courses are another bonus.

The fitness center features elliptical machines, treadmills, and weightlifting machines. Hours are 6 a.m to 11 pm.

The Art of Smart Timing
If you can hold your trip to Florida until May, when all spring breaks are over, rates at Floridays Orlando reduce and lines at the theme parks lessen until the summer rush commences. Crowds are also reduced during the months of November and December before the holidays, though the weather can be iffy during that time of year. Weather is usually best during the months of March and April.

For Mom and Dad
The multitude of cultural offerings in Orlando will surprise parents. The city is home to the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Repertory Theater and the wonderful art collection found at the Cornell Fine Art Museum in neighboring Winter Park. In November 2014, a $429 million arts center, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, will make its debut in downtown Orlando. The building will be the new home of Broadway Across America and the Orlando Ballet, and will house three theaters, an outdoor plaza and a banquet room, perfect for a night on the town.