The 9 best Airbnbs in Orlando, from a family home with its own arcade to a condo right by Disney Springs

Best Airbnbs in Orlando (Updated February 2021)

2021-02-23T16:42:01Z

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Thanks to its world-class theme parks, Orlando is a popular year-round destination.
The city can be expensive during peak times, but we found top-rated Airbnbs under $300 per night.
Experts and the CDC also say Airbnbs are safer than hotels due to minimized contact with others.

Despite the ongoing pandemic, Orlando remains one of the most-visited cities in the United States. The proliferation of world-class theme parks has meant decades of development and ever-increasing visitor numbers. Theme park capacities are more strictly controlled right now and some live entertainment is on hold, but nevertheless, people are looking to take advantage of fewer crowds and shorter lines for the bigger theme park rides.

Florida has been one of the more aggressive states in terms of reopenings and Disney World has been open again since July, albeit with new COVID protocols in place.

Even as the vaccine rolls out, no trip is 100% safe, and there is always a risk of exposure to the virus. It is important that visitors pay close heed to the protocols and hygiene practices suggested by organizations such as the CDC and WHO. Masks are required everywhere in the main theme parks, and all attractions will have guidelines and signage to promote safety and social distancing measures. Orlando is a potential hotspot, and anyone traveling there should comply with local guidelines and consider their own personal risk factors before booking a trip.

That said, there is still a healthy demand for Airbnbs in Orlando, and experts and the CDC say that private vacation rentals are a safer option compared to large hotels and resorts at this time. Staying in a private rental certainly allows more control over personal space and less mingling with the general public.

When booking via Airbnb, guests can rest assured that the company has rigorous new procedures for all hosts. These are part of the company’s Enhanced Cleaning Protocol. However, it’s still wise to double-check and confirm the specific protocols that your individual host has in place.

The city of Orlando has a good selection of affordable Airbnb options for all types of travelers, including solo adventurers, couples, and families.

We compiled our top picks for Orlando Airbnbs based on the following criteria:

Airbnb listings are for the entire home/apartment, per current expert recommendations.
These homes offer strong value. Every listing is under $300 per night (though prices can go up during peak seasons), and each is highly-rated, with a review score of 4.6 or higher.
Every listing has air conditioning and a good range of modern conveniences and standout amenities.
Properties are well-appointed, stand out either for design or location (or both), and are close to top attractions, like the theme parks.

Here are the best Orlando Airbnbs, sorted by price from low to high.

Family condo with pool one mile from Disney Springs, $89

Condo_one_mile_from_Disney orlando airbnb

One of the more taxing things about a family vacation to Orlando is traveling to and from the theme parks, so it pays to look for places close to the action so that you can spend more time enjoying your trip. This modern condo is incredibly affordable and can serve as the ideal base for your group.

Sleeping up to six people and located just one mile from Disney Springs, this place comes with everything you could need for fun family times. The big ticket item is the shared pool that makes for a relaxing place to enjoy some downtime and end-of-day relaxation. The apartment itself comes with a hot tub and bunk beds that the kids will love, all framed by high-end, contemporary decor, like a plush gray couch, glass dining table, and pop art pieces. There’s even a small balcony for enjoying the view.

Located in a gated community, availability is good through February and March and wide open from April onwards.

Rating: 4.95

COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This home participates in Airbnb’s Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.

Tree house tiny home, $92

Tiny house living is all the rage, and this rustic, forest-themed unit is a stylishly memorable way to see what all the fuss is about. The woodland-esque home is actually a renovated carriage house that dates back to 1926.

Dark wood, exposed beams, and an explosion of plant life make for a wonderfully evocative interior design, and it almost feels like a real tree house. The plush living space and four-poster bed with designer mattress are smartly slotted to maximize the 260 square-foot space, and the comfort levels belie the size.

Downtown Orlando is just a five-minute drive away, and the theme parks are all within easy striking distance.

The house is understandably very popular and is booked up until April and May, when dates start to open up a little more.

Rating: 5.0

Retro Palm Beach-style apartment, $95

Palm BeachStyle Apartment orlando airbnb

This apartment is a stylish homage to Old Florida, with vintage charm throughout that mixes high-end kitsch with bright colors.

Coral shades mix with tropical motifs such as pineapples and flamingos. Statement furniture pieces such as funky mirrors and egg-style easy chairs with cozy green pillows complete the look. The retro glamor brings to mind a seaside version of “Mad Men,” elevated with an interior designer’s eye.

The modern comforts will appeal to couples looking for a quirky but welcoming place to stay, and the location in Winter Park is just outside downtown Orlando, so it’s well situated for nights out enjoying the dining and nightlife scene. The place also comes with beach essentials should you want to explore further.

Availability is great from early March onwards.

Rating: 4.94

Lakefront tiny home, $100

This tiny house is called The Ritz, a name that reflects its many alluring features. Though it calls itself a tiny home, it’s actually fairly spacious, with two bedrooms and room for up to five guests to stay very comfortably. The most obvious five-star attraction is its location on the sunny shores of Lake Fairview, a tranquil spot to retire to after a day at the parks.

The Ritz boasts a host of high-end fixtures and fittings, such as a modern stainless steel fridge and Italian tiling throughout. The open-concept plan is full of light, and two distinct bedroom areas, including a loft, mean there’s still plenty of privacy to be found. Picture windows show off the neighboring scenery and extras such as a kayak and fishing poles make the outdoor life accessible.

The house has a few days available in February and March, but really opens up from April and May onwards.

Rating: 4.83

Family-friendly dome for nature lovers, $125

Eco-conscious nature lovers will be thoroughly charmed by this rustic-looking geodesic dome that offers one of the region’s most distinctive accommodation options. Located in Clarcona, just to the north-west of downtown Orlando, this unusual pad is built into its own tree-framed cove, with birds, butterflies, and exotic foliage abounding.

The dome houses up to six guests, and the organic-looking exterior gives way to a thoroughly modern and clean interior. A yellow and gold color palette mixes with light wooden floors to create a bright, joyful ambience. Leather sofas and modern fittings are arranged around all manner of cute nooks, and families especially will love the ample space.

It’s not too rural, though, and the place boasts fast Wi-Fi and modern conveniences.

There’s some availability for March and April, but the property really opens up from May onwards.

Rating: 4.97

Townhouse with a private pool, $134

A wealth of elements come together to make this an especially appealing listing. To start, the interior design hits urbane, sophisticated notes that swerve the tackiness that resort rentals often default to. Leather sofas and assured, earth tones result in a chic, mature look.

It’s a huge, five-bedroom property that can house up to 13 guests, and there’s a playful side to some of the bedrooms, with Star Wars and Disney motifs that kids will love. A lovely, open-plan design floods the place with light and the covered, private pool is a serious perk for post-park relaxation.

Lake Buena Vista and all its attractions are right on the doorstep and the central Orlando location is tough to beat.

There’s very good availability throughout March and from April onwards.

Rating: 4.86

Smart home with a luxury pool, $177

Luxurious Smart Home with pool, orlando airbnb

There’s a definite adult feel to this self-described ‘Smart Home’. The owners have incorporated the latest technology and some impressive, custom-made designs to create a pad that young, hip guests will especially enjoy.

Up to eight guests can stay here across three bedrooms. The real crown jewel is the backyard space. The pool and hot tub are lit with colorful, fiber-optic lights that can be controlled via your phone. The yard has bespoke fixtures and includes a hibachi grill, as well as a swim-up bar with six seats. Outdoor air conditioning and a fog machine also add to the tech-savvy allure.

The high-end design stretches through into the interiors as well, with spa-like bathrooms and trendy furniture, such as the booth-style dining table and dark bedframes complemented by white rugs and wooden floors. Located just north of Downtown Orlando, this house is a steal for the right group, and there’s good availability from March onwards.

Rating: 4.66

Historic and chic apartment in Winter Park, $225

Architecturally Distinct Apartment, orlando airbnb

This historic Winter Park apartment features original Spanish roof tiles and whitewashed century-old brickwork. This is a rare chance to stay in a historic Floridian building, with design features such as the striking cypress wood ceilings and beautiful French doors that open up onto the brick patio.

It’s especially ideal for a couple looking for something a little more romantic than the norm, and the interiors are a carefully integrated take on contemporary chic. Whites and creams provide a great background for the original features, and the wooden panels of the kitchen add a touch of class.

The dining and nightlife of Park Avenue, the main drag in Winter Park, are just a block away, with Downtown Orlando just a short drive beyond that.

There is great availability from March onwards.

Rating: 4.96

Spacious house with an arcade, $285

It’s hard to imagine a more kid-friendly rental than this huge house that even comes with its very own arcade. We’re not just talking two or three games, either. There’s a whole range of stand-up video game units. Plus, there’s also a covered pool outside, and the home boasts its own theatre with cinema-style seating with massage chairs and a big screen.

The house can host up to eight people and, with three bedrooms, there’s privacy and space for everyone to spread out. The kids can truly look after themselves in a place like this, located in the residential but well-connected Winter Hills neighborhood.

There’s some availability for February through April, with more dates opening up for the summer.

Rating: 5.0

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