I stayed solo at Disney World's Swan Hotel for $390 a night. It's the best deal on the property if you can afford it.

The Swan, Dolphin, and newer Swan Reserve, which are all part of the same complex, are operated by Marriott. But they're still considered Disney resorts. 

That means guests can use Marriott loyalty status and points to book rooms while accessing Disney perks, like early park access and extended evening hours on select nights.

Pricing can fluctuate throughout the year, especially if a big conference is held at the resort or you're traveling during popular school vacations. But on average, the Swan and Dolphin cost less than Disney deluxe resorts, which average closer to $500 or $600 a night. 

I love the look of the Swan and Dolphin resort area, which was built in the 1990s and designed by architect Michael Graves.

The two hotel buildings are peach with teal paintings of waves and banana leaves around the exterior. They're also decorated with enormous swans, dolphins, shells, and large water features.

Some visitors like the whimsical design, and others don't enjoy it as much as other resorts, but I personally love it.

The pathway between the hotel buildings is home to the dock to board Disney's Friendship boats, free water taxis that cruise between Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and the other Epcot-area resorts.

The hotels also offer bus services to the theme parks and Disney Springs, and they're located just a 15- to 30-minute walk from both Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Pro tip: The bus service to Magic Kingdom stops at the Ticket and Transportation Center, or TTC, instead of the theme-park gates. Guests can transfer to the monorail or ferry at the TTC to get to the park.

The Swan and Dolphin both offer a substantial number of on-site dining, including options that are open later than most Disney restaurants.

My favorite spots in the Swan are Kimonos, a sushi bar that also has karaoke until 1 a.m., and Il Mulino, the perfect place to carbo-load on pasta before a day at the parks.

There are also great options right across the bridge at the Dolphin, including the Mexican-inspired chain Rosa Mexicano.

The Swan offers room service until midnight, which hasn't returned to many Disney World resorts (apart from Grand Floridian) since early in the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Swan and Dolphin have six on-site pools, some that are quieter and great for doing laps, and others that feature water slides and waterfall features.

There are also two pool bars and QR codes on every pool lounger, which allows guests to order beverages and food directly to their chairs.

I usually think the pool areas at Disney resorts are too crowded, leaving nowhere to truly relax. A huge advantage of staying at the Swan is that there's no shortage of space to grab a seat by the pool and enjoy a nice break from the parks.

Other resort amenities include ping-pong and billiards tables, a sandy beach with hammocks, and free swan-shaped paddle boats for guests. 

My room came equipped with robes, a mini fridge, a couch, a desk, and a balcony. It also had an additional vanity outside of the bathroom door, which is perfect when you have more than one person getting ready in the morning.

It was large enough that I had space to unpack during my stay without feeling cramped — something I can't say about all properties in the area. The bed was also really comfortable, but the walls seemed a bit thin, which can be challenging if you have a particularly loud neighbor.

Die-hard Disney fans also won't find over-the-top decor here. The rooms aren't studded with Mickey Mouse and opt for more of a traditional hotel color palette.

One reason I prefer to stay at the Swan is that more rooms with single king or queen beds have balconies, as opposed to the more common figuration of two doubles at the Dolphin.

The balconies look out over the resort grounds, the BoardWalk area, and even the nearby theme parks depending on where your room is situated. Mine overlooked the BoardWalk area with views of Epcot in the distance.

The Swan offers the best of both worlds. It's located steps away from the heart of Disney World and offers perks like late-night dining, coffee shops stocked with otherwise impossible-to-find products like Topo Chico, and room service.

Guests still get access to extended park hours, and the hotel also hosts its own annual food festival, The Food & Wine Classic, which offers seminars and food and drinks from the property's restaurants.

Finally, the ability to utilize Marriott points is a unique advantage for guests hoping to keep control of their vacation budget. My two-night stay cost $780, which is cheaper than most deluxe Disney World resorts.