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Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel – reviews, photos

3.0 of 5
230 West State Road 436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 (Formerly Magnuson Grand Hotel - Orlando North)
Hotel amenities
Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel
3.5 of 5 stars 67 Reviews
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67 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
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    16
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Date Rating
Youngstown, Ohio
1 review
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Changes Are Fantastic!!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 February 2012
3
people found this review helpful

I travel to Altamonte Springs occasionally for business. The last time I traveled to Altamonte Springs in the fall of 2010, I stayed at this hotel but it was under a different name, Magnuson, I believe. Going back this past week I had no intention to stay at this hotel due to my last visit. I noticed the sign changed and it said Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, so I thought lets give it a try. What a pleasant surprise. The first thing I noticed was the landscaping was freshly mulched, looked very nice. Went in and asked what was going on because before it was horrendous. I was made aware it was under new ownerhip for the past year and they have been working hard to upgrade the hotel. So I checked in got to my room and then walked around. It is wonderful, Lounge, pleasant decor and wonderful staff, Restaurant was open, which was closed before (by the way my steak was delicious) and the hotel had security gates, painted walkways. It is such a breath of fresh air. Oh, my Keurig Coffee Maker was delightful. Great stay, Great staff, Wonderful Changes, Great Job!! Oh, by the way in reading some of these other reviews, I don't believe it, wanting it free and it didn't happen, so they are upset.

Room Tip: Executive Building Great, Pool Side Rooms Nice Waterfall View.
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  • Stayed January 2012, travelled on business
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask David M about Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
HJPOrlando, Owner at Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, responded to this review
27 February 2012
Thank you so much for your kind words. Our team has endured an uphill battle this past year to bring out all the potential we see. It has been a very difficult process mentally, physically, and as an owner, financially. Reviews like your help owners who care to strive for better things for their customers, especially when the going gets tough. With that being said, this review helps my team and I to continue in our efforts to ensure we can make as many guests happy as possible. Guests like you give us the motivation to be excellent, thank you.
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Thousand Oaks, California
1 review
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Cockroach Hotel”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 January 2012
3
people found this review helpful

I arrived at the hotel in the evening. After noticing my first room had filthy carpet, a stained bedspread,a dirty coffee pot carafe, beat up furniture and marred walls I decided to exit and requested a refund. FYI read the fine print when you book your hotel through the airline reservation, make sure you can get a refund if need be. Upon hearing I'd have to wait for the management in the morning to get money back, I Hesitantly, I agreed to a change rooms. The second room appeared cleaner but the furniture that housed the coffee maker and microwave was unstable and only standing as it leaned against the television. I went to bed and within moments of turning the lights out, I felt something crawling on my arm. Jumping out of bed I stepped on a another critter and while making a phone call a third cockroach scampered across my bed.

Room Tip: Don't choose this hotel.
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  • Stayed January 2012, travelled solo
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Sara2dmax about Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
HJPOrlando, General Manager at Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, responded to this review
3 February 2012
I am truly mortified that you had such an experience at our hotel. When you brought this to our attention, we had Orkin come out and immediately spray that room and the ones around it. According to the technician, he couldn't find evidence of the problem, however we have since had the company double up their visits to be certain that we don't have a problem anywhere on our property. Please accept my deepest apologies as your night was an extremely rare occurance. If you would be so gracious as to give us another chance, I will comp your night and you will not be disappointed.
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Tallahassee
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Pleasantly Surprised”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 January 2012
2
people found this review helpful

We had two rooms at this hotel during one of the busiest weeks (we were told) of the year for Orlando tourism (after Christmas). We were looking for hotels at the last minute and there weren't many online deals for 2 rooms. I admit that I didn't really want to pick a HoJo, but we took what we could get. Boy, was I surprised to find a much nicer hotel than I expected! It has been recently remodeled and the rooms are very nice. One of our rooms was in the business section, which had more amenities (loved the Keurig coffee maker!) than our other room by the pool. The business room was a suite with a seating area and the doors were inside a separate hallway. The rest of the hotel had outside doors. The beds were very comfortable and we all slept well - although there was some noisy people talking around the pool. My only complaint would be the towels, which were very skimpy. Breakfast ended at 9:00, so we didn't make it to that. The landscaping and grounds were very nice. We would definitely stay here again.

Stayed December 2011, travelled with family
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Murrells Inlet, SC
Top Contributor
77 reviews 77 reviews
Reviews in 37 cities Reviews in 37 cities
59 helpful votes 59 helpful votes
“Good Orlando Alternative”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 January 2012
2
people found this review helpful

We planned to visit Universal Studios, Epcot, and Kennedy Space Center. We wanted a hotel that was sort of in between all these and chose this one. The hotel is not new, and is a bit dated, but it is clean and our room was quiet and comfortable. We were in a building that is not connected to the main building, but is only a one minute walk to get to the pool, morning breakfast, lounge, restaurant, etc. We had two adjoining rooms, one business queen suite and the other was a business king suite. Both were roomy, and we were satisfied with these rooms. The free breakfast was one of the best complimentary breakfasts that I have had. They had a good selection of both hot and cold items, juices, cakes, fruit, etc. The pastries were delicious; fresh, not the typical frozen Sara Lee type. I would stay here again, and would recommend it to others.

Room Tip: I would try to get a room in the building not connected to the hotel. I think if you were in the ma...
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  • Stayed December 2011, travelled with family
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Toronto
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Not heated pool.”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 January 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Hotel was very nice, beds comfortable but pool is not heated. It is very nice decoration.
By the time of reservation ( in December) we where told there is no hot tub but we can use the pool. Good luck with that. If you travel during winter months don't expect your children to use the pool the water is FREEZING! We where told the pool is not equipped with a heater.
Watch out the coffee in the lobby is not free.

  • Stayed December 2011, travelled with family
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask mom_on_the_go123 about Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
HJPOrlando, Manager at Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, responded to this review
27 February 2012
Thank you for your review. During your stay, we had a coffee machine which brewed each cup of coffee individually. This was a test program we had with our coffee vendor who charged just 25 cents for what was actually a phenominal brew each cup. Since then, we have listened to our customers and have ended the program. Once again we offer free coffee in our lobby in the standard airpots seen at most hotels. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you as it was not our intention. Our intention here at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel is to provide excellent service without resting on our laurels; we always try new things where possible to improve on some very old ideas.
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Additional Information about Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel

  • Holiday Inn Altamonte Springs
  • Clarion Altamonte Springs
  • Altamonte Springs Holiday Inn
Address: 230 West State Road 436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 (Formerly Magnuson Grand Hotel - Orlando North)
Price range (per night):* INR3,697 - 4,761

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