If you’ve traveled through Orlando International Airport, you’ve undoubtedly seen scenes like this: travelers stretched out on chairs lining the walkway between the two sides of the airport. MCO isn’t usually considered a major connecting hub, but people can get stuck there for plenty of reasons.
That could be a long layover before an international flight, arriving extra early to beat security lines, weather delays, or a flight cancellation.
And in case you were wondering: the guy sleeping in the photo above is actually an art exhibit called “The Traveler”, which has been at Orlando Airport since the 1980s.
For those who don’t fancy trying to sleep on the floor or in a chair in the middle of a bustling airport, there’s a more comfortable option.
Day Rooms
While walking through the airport, I discovered that the Hyatt Regency (located inside the airport) offers rooms for day use. It’s a great solution when you’re stuck at MCO for hours and want a place to rest, shower, or get some work done.
In a smart marketing move, they advertise the service with signs near the areas where people tend to camp out while waiting for a flight.
The Hyatt Regency is located inside Orlando Airport, with rooms surrounding the atrium. While many rooms face inward, some have runway views.
I took the escalator from the main level up to the hotel lobby on the second floor.
How it works (and what it costs)
Day rooms are typically available on a first-come, first-served basis, but Hyatt also lets you book a day stay in advance online.
Day Stay: commonly offered as a 10AM–6PM window (no overnight stay).
If your extended stay is unexpected, you can also ask at the front desk on the day you need it.
Rates can vary by date. When I first wrote this, day stays were often quoted in the low $100s. These days, pricing can be higher; for example, listings show rates starting around $189 (and up), depending on the day.
The price is generally the same regardless of when you check in. So even if you arrive at 2 PM, you may still pay the same rate and have to check out by 6 PM.
Traveling with kids? Use the pool.
One of the biggest benefits of getting a room is having a quiet place to rest or reset. But if you’re traveling with kids who don’t understand why you’re “just waiting” at the airport for hours, there’s another option:
Take them to the pool.
The Hyatt Regency has a terminal-top swimming pool. When they’re finished splashing around (and tiring themselves out), you can head back to the room to clean up and change out of your swimming trunks. (Pro tip: Have something handy to stash wet swimsuits before they go back into your luggage.)
Final Thoughts
I can’t believe the Hyatt Regency didn’t market this more aggressively years ago. My wife, Sharon, actually stayed here during a flight delay a long time ago (note from Sharon: 1996-ish)—and back then, the airline (Continental) paid for the room.
We’re a long way from the era when you could reliably expect an airline to cover a hotel during a delay. That’s probably why the hotel has leaned into marketing this directly to passengers.
The price isn’t cheap, but if the choice is sitting in the terminal for six hours versus getting a room that works out to roughly “by the hour,” it can be a very reasonable value.
And being able to book in advance makes this especially useful for travelers with a late flight home, or anyone arriving early after a cruise who just needs a comfortable place to land for the afternoon.
Hopefully you’ll never need it… but it’s nice to know it’s there.
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