Booking a hotel in Orlando can be a complicated proposition. With so many major theme parks in the area, it’s no surprise that a number of resorts have special perks like early entry to the parks and free transportation to entice their guests-but what if you’re looking for a relaxing retreat away from the bustle? You don’t necessarily have to choose one or the other. Our list of the best luxury hotels in Orlando covers Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.
The Delaney Hotel is one of Orlando’s newer properties. The boutique hotel with resort amenities is a good choice, especially if you are in Orlando for a couple’s getaway.
The South Orlando property has individually decorated rooms and suites with a modern look and lots of tech features.
These include in-room tablets that provide access to a digital concierge. Also expect lots of light from blocks of floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as comfy beds draped in crisp white linens. Bathrooms have walk-in showers.
The hotel is even dog-friendly. Other amenities include a restaurant serving American fare and a fitness center.
The Disney resorts have a wide range of prices, amenities, and packages, while all offer the convenience of on-site dining, self-serve laundry facilities, multiple pools with water-park-caliber play areas, and plenty of kids’ activities like playgrounds and game rooms. All include a complimentary shuttle service to the Disney parks via bus, boat, or monorail, as well as merchandise drop-off and Disney concierge services.
Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
The Four Seasons Orlando makes a dramatic entrance. Hidden behind the gate of Disney’s upscale Golden Oak neighborhood, the 17-story building towers in the distance as you wind through the well-manicured streets. Inside, you’re greeted with fireworks; more than 30,000 crystals hang from a chandelier, forming a dozen bursts of light. The spacious one-bedroom suites feature absurdly comfortable beds, abundant closet and drawer space, and two full bathrooms. The bedside tablet can be used to order room service or connect with hotel staff. One huge perk? The concierge desk is staffed by a Disney Cast Member who will assist with park tickets, dining reservations, and any other questions.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
The Waldorf Astoria Orlando echos the elegance of its under-renovation New York counterpart, with casual elegance suited to its Central Florida setting. The black-and-white marble floor and iconic clock tower in the center of the lobby rotunda contrast with a bright blue mural. Guest rooms have plush bedding and dark wood furniture with accents of yellow, teal, and tangerine, and bathrooms are spacious and well-designed, with separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs—a plus for families with young children—plush spa robes, and Ferragamo Tuscan Soul toiletries.
Get outside to enjoy the 18-hole championship golf course, designed by acclaimed course architect Rees Jones, or the serene, cabana-lined pool, where attendants are on hand with prosecco popsicles. Want a night out without the kids? Astoria After Dark provides dinner and activities on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Villas of Grand Cypress
Drive onto the verdant grounds of the Villas of Grand Cypress and there’s no mistaking that you’re at a golf resort. There are 45 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus: the 27-hole North/South/East course tests your accuracy, while the new 18-hole course is an homage to the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland, with steep bunkers and slopes. The vibe here is secluded and residential, with bungalow-style buildings spread across 1,500 green acres.
Villas are spacious and modern, each with comfortable furnishings, a private terrace, a fully equipped kitchen, and stellar views of the waterways and fairways. The bathrooms have in-mirror lighting, walk-in showers with multiple jet options, and generously sized soaking tubs. Make use of the complimentary bikes, which are perfect for exploring the surrounding trails.
Grande Lakes Orlando
The Grande Lakes Orlando resort includes both The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels on its immense property that sits on Shingle Creek, the headwaters of the Everglades.
Guests can take a guided kayak eco-tour on the creek, or an airboat trip on St. Johns River for a fishing and wildlife spotting adventure.
Other tours include a “Sunrise Safari” led by naturalists, mountain bike trails, and seaplane expeditions for an aerial tour that takes off from one of the property’s 12 lakes. Guests can also get an up-close look at Whisper Creek Farm, part of the Grande Lakes commitment to sustainability, where a large portion of the food served at resort restaurants is grown.