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Orlando has more than 125,000 hotel rooms. So to say you have options when planning a visit to the city is a bit of an understatement. The best resorts have luxury accommodations—but they also have plenty of on-site activities to keep you busy—spas to help you unwind, and pools just begging to lounge next to. Here are seven of the best resorts in Orlando.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
The glamour of old Florida is alive at the Grand Floridian, which honors the state’s history and cuisine with fine dining, seafood-forward restaurants like Narcoossee’s and Citricos. Of course, there’s plenty of Disney magic, which comes in the form of Perfectly Princess Tea Parties and Pirate Adventure Cruises. The hotel is just across the Seven Seas Lagoon from Disney’s Magic Kingdom and can be accessed by the Monorail or by water taxi.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios
While it’s part of Universal Studios, the Royal Pacific feels like a tropical paradise: The 1,000-room resort centers on a lagoon-style pool with a real sand beach. The South Seas theme extends to luaus and torch-lighting ceremonies on select nights. There are also daily poolside activities for kids—plus Despicable Me character breakfasts. Club level rooms include free breakfast and cocktail hour.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Set on 500 acres, this massive luxury hotel is the kind of place where you can have a full vacation without ever having to leave the property. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes has 11 restaurants that source food from the hotel’s on-site apiaries, gardens, and chicken coops. Naturalists lead nature walks every morning—as well as kayak tours, fishing excursions, mountain bike rides, and falconry classes. But if you’re looking for a more serene experience, the hotel also has a 40,000-square-foot spa.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
One of the original Disney resorts, the Polynesian has a unique blend of South Pacific vibes and fairy dust. The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show is a luau with hula and fire dancers, while Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar has magic touches, like erupting volcanoes, throughout. This hotel, which has overwater bungalows, is also on the Seven Seas Lagoon and has Monorail and water taxi service to the Magic Kingdom.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
This luxury resort sits on 1500 acres, with private lakes, outdoor tennis courts, water sports, rock climbing, biking and hiking trails, and four golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus. The lagoon-style pool has swim-through caves, waterslides, a rope bridge, and waterfalls. There are also six restaurants, including the steak- and seafood-focused Hemingway’s, which has a menu tailored to the author’s favorite foods. When you’re ready to leave the property—if you’re ever ready to do so—there are free shuttles to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld.
JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
This resort, set on 500 acres, offers a unique physical challenge: AquaCourse 360, a water-based obstacle course that isn’t offered anywhere else in America. For something more relaxing, there’s a lazy river and a pool for soaking. JW Marriott also offers unique outdoor activities like falconry classes, mountain bike excursions, and kayak eco-tours.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Step into Italian summer at Portofino Bay, which has an outdoor piazza with shops and cafes—plus evening opera performances. The pool has a Roman aqueduct waterslide, and several Italian restaurants on property, including a gelateria. An on-site spa and a Kids Club will give you a little bit of serenity in the middle of a full theme park vacation.
