Doubletree Castle in Orlando, FL 32819

Kids love Doubletree hotels because they get free chocolate chip cookies upon check-in. But the Doubletree Castle also proves that an Orlando hotel doesn't have to be on the Magic Kingdom's property to be magical for all ages.

From the moment we passed by the Castle Creature into the 216-room hotel, we became swept up in the mythology of the property and enjoyed the Renaissance theme, which is carried through in details, both large and small.

The children in our party were dazzled by the pastel-colored turrets atop the building, the sparkling purple lobby wall, the bejeweled mirrors in the guest rooms, the "fun house" mirror, and the alligator fountain that squirts a gentle stream near the pool.

Our room, though small, was extremely comfortable, and housekeeping requests were fulfilled very quickly. Cribs can be placed in rooms for no additional charge, and high-speed wireless is available for a small daily fee. Some rooms are adjoining - perfect for larger families who want to stay together.

The grounds are meticulously landscaped, and we spent a good bit of time in the circular pool, which is centered around a splashing fountain, and is open and heated year-round. A whirlpool is located nearby, and an outdoor bar serves snacks and drinks poolside.

The Castle Cafe serves continental breakfast and made-to-order breakfast daily, but for other meals we found several restaurants just a short stroll from the hotel lobby, including Vito's Chop House, Cafe Tu Tu Tango, and Tony Roma's. Also within walking distance are mini-golf locations and a convenience store.

While we saw many more adults than children at this hotel, the staff treated children with great care, greeting our "prince" and "princess" everywhere we went, and offering suggestions for the best routes to get to kid-friendly attractions.

So who is the creature? A folklore character borne of the castle culture of ninth century Europe guards the hotel and cares for its guests. Staff create towel sculptures of the castle creature on guest room beds, and the creature's legend is printed on cards in the room - perfect bedtime reading. In case your family falls in love with the legend, too, plenty of creature mementos are for sale in the lobby.

The Castle is a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel, so tickets to the theme parks can be purchased in the lobby, and some complimentary shuttles are available.