10 Top-Rated Hotels in Lakeland Florida for the Best Stay

Lakeland, Florida, nestled between Tampa and Orlando, boasts a delightful array of accommodations for travelers seeking comfort and convenience. From historic gems to modern retreats, the hotels in Lakeland promise a memorable stay. Whether you’re here for business or leisure, join us as we explore the top ten establishments that blend Southern hospitality with contemporary flair. Let’s dive into the world of Lakeland’s finest lodgings!

1. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Lakeland

We kick off our list with the best hotel in Lakeland Florida, based on reviews from TripAdvisor, Expedia, Booking.com, and Google. If the best is what you seek, you can stop right here. What makes the SpringHill Suites a favorite among guests?

• Location
• Large rooms
• Cleanliness
• A great staff

The SpringHIll Suites in Lakeland sits across the street from RP Funding Center. Whether you’re in Lakeland for an expo, a dance competition, or just for pleasure, this is the hotel of choice, especially if you want to be near the action at RP Funding Center. It’s also a 10 minute walk from downtown Lakeland, a 10 minute drive to Joker Marchant Stadium for the Detroit Tigers Spring Training, and less than 2 miles from Florida Southern College.

True to the Marriott spirit, the SpringHill Suites Lakeland prides itself on cleanliness and friendly staff. The hotel has clean and modern lines with a cool palette of blues and grays. Pops of orange and red bring warmth to the public spaces and rooms.

And speaking of rooms, these are on the large size for a modern mid-range hotel. It is, after all, the SpringHill Suites though, and you can bet the suites part is not forgotten. The smallest room is 375 square feet with a king bed and pull-out trundle while the largest room is 807 square feet and is a one-bedroom suite. There are also five pool cabana rooms with direct access to the pool area.

3. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lakeland South

If you’re looking for a hotel in Lakeland which is convenient to the airport and parks found in that area, you can’t go wrong with the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lakeland South. This hotel hotel has exceptional reviews with many guests citing:

• Friendliness
• Cleanliness
• Quiet
• Location

Indeed, this is my hotel of choice when I have an early morning photography start at Circle B Bar Reserve and don’t want to drive over that early from the Clearwater area. As soon as I step into the lobby, I feel the warm embrace of this hotel. It’s not just the amazing staff. Where other hotels took modern the linear route, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lakeland South chose more organic circles and curves. From the semi-circular couches and front desk to the circle lights and details in the ceiling, it all feels like a friendly welcome hug.

The rooms at this hotel, though comfortable, did go the linear route, and I wish that curving motif from the lobby had been carried into the guest rooms. Like other hotels in this range, wi-fi and self parking are included. This hotel also includes a complimentary full breakfast buffet with standard favorites and healthy options. For dinner, there are several good franchise options within walking distance, such as Cheddar’s, IHOP, Chipotle, and Texas Roadhouse.

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lakeland South is a great choice if you’re in the area to visit the parks and reserves like Circle B Bar, Hampton Reserve, or Holloway Park; if you’re here for golfing at Cleveland Heights or Sanlan; or if you’re visiting for the Florida Air Museum or Sun ‘N Fun air show at the airport.

🛏️ Check availability and rates at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lakeland South

4. Home2 Suites by Hilton Lakeland

🐶🐱 This hotel is dog and cat friendly.

Traveling with pets and kids? Need a kitchenette or more space than a standard guest room? Home2 Suites by Hilton Lakeland might be the ideal choice for you. Not only is this one of the best hotels near Lakeland FL, it’s one of the best for anyone who has physical or dietary challenges.

The guest rooms include accessible and non-accessible rooms, all with small kitchens featuring full-size refrigerators, dishes, a dishwasher, a sink, and a microwave. The accessible rooms offer an array of amenities such as roll-in showers, and this hotel also offers hearing accessible rooms with visual cues for telephone calls, door knocks, etc.

Located in Lakeside Village in the south part of Lakeland, the Home2 Suites by Hilton Lakeland is walking distance to restaurants, shopping, and a movie theater. It’s also near Lakeland Linder International Airport, Florida Air Museum, and convenient to Polk Parkway and I-4.

🛏️ Check availability and rates at Home2 Suites by Hilton Lakeland

7. Hampton Inn & Suites Lakeland-South Polk Parkway

🐶🐱 This hotel is dog and cat friendly.

This Hampton Inn, on the south side of Lakeland, offers that exceptional experience return guests have come to expect from the Hampton Inn family. Located in Lakeside Village, a retail center, the hotel is bright and modern with a friendly and helpful staff. Like other Lakeland Florida accommodations in this part of town, the Hampton Inn & Suites Lakeland-South Polk Parkway is close to Lakeland Linder Airport and the Florida Air Museum.

Unlike other newly built or newly renovated hotels on this list, this 6 story property features warm colors, leaning towards brown, beige, and orange. Because of this color palette, and the choice of window treatments, the guest rooms feel a bit dated. However, the rooms are spacious with all of the amenities one expects from a Hilton-family hotel.

Amenities at this hotel include complimentary hot breakfast, parking, and wi-fi. Pets are welcome. And there are several dining options within the retail center, such a Fish City Grill, Burger 21, and Grillsmith.

🛏️ Check availability and rates at Hampton Inn & Suites Lakeland-South Polk Parkway

8. The Terrace Hotel Lakeland

Of the Lakeland hotels on our list, The Terrace Hotel occupies the most historic location. Built in 1924 and opened as The Lakeland Terrace Hotel, the hotel is in the heart of downtown Lakeland, across the street from Lake Mirror and the historic Frances Langford Promenade. The Terrace Hotel has been restored and renovated in the style of the 1920’s Art Deco period when it first opened. The décor and furnishings reflect the local history as well featuring the graceful lines of the area’s royal swans and artwork by local artists.

It’s this history, an exceptional staff, and a fantastic restaurant (Terrace Grille), which make this one of my favorite hotels to stay in when I want to be walking distance to nearly everything. And if a romantic getaway is what you’re looking for, the Terrace Hotel is the one of the most romantic hotels in central Florida.

When booking this hotel, however, it’s important to remember the building’s age. Though restored and updated, there is no pool, pets are not allowed, and there are no microwaves in the guest rooms.

🛏️ Check availability and rates at The Terrace Hotel Lakeland

9. Residence Inn Lakeland

🐶🐱 This hotel is dog and cat friendly.

Though there are several hotels in Lakeland Florida with kitchenettes, my favorite is the Residence Inn Lakeland. Yes, the Home2 Suites sits higher on this list of best Lakeland hotels, but the kitchenettes at the Residence Inn make it the favorite for guests who need a full kitchen. This hotel’s kitchenettes feature full-sized refrigerators and dishwashers, plenty of countertop space, a cooktop and microwave, and some of the suites even have a full-sized range. For guests with dietary restrictions, who prefer to cook for themselves even while on vacation, this convenience can’t be overstated.

Even if you don’t need a full kitchen, this hotel is a great choice. It’s modern with a cool palette with pops of color that bring a bright and cheerful vibe to one’s day. The hotel also features a full hot breakfast buffet, pool, and a hair salon. Pets are even allowed here so feel free to bring the furbabies.

🛏️ Check availability and rates at Residence Inn Lakeland

10. TownePlace Suites by Marriott Lakeland

🐶🐱 This hotel is dog and cat friendly.

Our last hotel near Lakeland on the list is the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Lakeland, another hotel which features kitchenettes. Suites in this hotel run a bit smaller than the others on the list. The hotel also offers complimentary breakfast, wi-fi, and parking. And pets are allowed here.

The TownePlace Suites is the hotel on this list located closest to the Lakeland Antique Mall, a great location for antiquers who come to town to visit this antique mall. At this intersection of I-4 and US Highway 98, this hotel is a quick drive to everything Lakeland offers as well as less than 30 minutes to kid-favorite theme parks in Winter Haven – Legoland and Peppa Pig Theme Park.

🛏️ Check availability and rates at TownePlace Suites by Marriott Lakeland

Final Thoughts on Hotels in Lakeland Florida

As I wrap up this journey through the heart of Lakeland, Florida, it’s clear that the city’s charm extends beyond its scenic landscapes. The 10 hotels featured here aren’t just places to stay; they’re gateways to unforgettable experiences. From historic elegance to modern luxury, each accommodation tells a unique story that adds to the memories of your Lakeland adventure. Whether you’re a sunseeker, a history buff, or simply in search of tranquility, Lakeland’s hotels offer a warm welcome and a promise of memories that linger long after check-out.

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