When a family decides to plan a trip to Orlando, Fla., inevitably, huge theme parks are the first options that come to mind. But what about families, like mine, that are searching for a one-of-a-kind stay without all the crowds and animation-themed rooms, yet still want proximity to the theme parks? My family of five — including three kids ages 11, 9 and 5 — recently checked out three luxury Orlando properties that completely changed our perspective of the city.
JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
The 1,010-room JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes is a sun-soaked, all-in-one luxury resort that we found hard to leave.
For foodie families, there are multiple highly rated restaurants on-site, including the new Primo, a Mediterranean- and Italian-influenced eatery helmed by Melissa Kelly, a chef who has earned multiple James Beard awards. But casual eateries such as Starbucks, and a grab-and-go market, are also located off the lobby for families in a pinch.
The real star, however, is the Grande Lakes Waterpark — featuring three waterslides and a lazy river. The poolside restaurant, Knife Burger, offered delectable dishes such as barbacoa nachos and poke bowls that delighted both the adults and the little ones, and we spent an entire day at one of the private pool cabanas with zero regrets.
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Other outdoor activities include kayaking, mountain biking, a fishing school and eco-tours, which are all available on-site to book for clients.
The JW Marriott offers an extensive waterpark for guests.
Credit: 2023 Marriott International, Inc.The highlight of our trip had to be the property’s signature falconry experience — the only falcon activity available in the state of Florida. It was a once-in-a-lifetime encounter where all members of the family (even the 5-year-old) “caught” a bird of prey on their arm.
The tastefully modern guestrooms are so spacious that my kids could not stop talking about how roomy they were. Clients planning a luxe multigenerational trip would be well served by booking a Family Executive Suite — two-bedroom accommodations with bunk beds for the kids and a separate living room. There are even options to expand the room into a three-bedroom suite that can accommodate up to 12 people.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
The Ritz-Carlton is connected to the JW Marriott, so families staying in one property can take advantage of the amenities of the other, including the previously mentioned Grande Lakes Waterpark. What really makes this property stand out are the stunning 40,000-square-foot spa and the 18-hole Greg Norman-designed championship golf course that parents can enjoy while the kids play happily in the on-site kids’ club. The Ritz Kids drop-off program offers plenty of engaging activities, from nature hikes to animal care presentations, and much more.
Both my husband and I tried the spa services at the resort — including a heavenly relaxation massage with CBD oil — and we wished we had more time to join one of the fitness classes. For those looking for a little more serenity on their trip, there’s also a secluded adults-only pool, along with two other large family-friendly pools.
Guests at The Ritz-Carlton can relax in a fully stocked pool cabana.
Credit: 2023 The Ritz-CarltonFor those clients truly seeking an exceptional luxury experience, the property also has detached residences available to book that accommodate up to 10 people.
Both the JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton Orlando are about a 15-minute drive away from Walt Disney World Resort.
Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center
Upon entering the opulent Gaylord Palms, the kids were already gasping in awe at the 4½-acre garden atrium that was teeming with Florida Everglades greenery and wildlife — including baby alligators, turtles, redfish and more. The vast resort features more than 1,700 guestrooms and is ideally located for families seeking proximity to Orlando’s famous theme parks, which are mere minutes away. And, yes, the property offers a free shuttle to and from all of the parks and Downtown Disney.
The Cypress Springs Water Park is also conveniently located on-site, featuring no less than two pools, seven waterslides, an “active” river, a surf simulator and a zero-entry pool, all of which makes it ideal for families with kids of all ages. And, for adults, the full-service Relache Spa offers a variety of signature treatments.
Deluxe suites at Gaylord Palms are ideal for families.
Credit: 2023 Marriott International, Inc.Families can also enjoy curated seasonal offerings at the resort, such as the awe-inspiring signature “Ice!” experience during the winter season, where 2 million pounds of ice are hand-carved into classic Christmas characters and scenes from stories (this year’s theme is “A Charlie Brown Christmas”). The whole family can even take a ride down an ice slide. My own kids flew through activities, from a family-friendly escape room and arcade games, to painting in the Adventure Kids’ Club and then some. Convincing them to leave was no small feat.
For clients who are willing to splurge on more space, the gorgeous new Gulf Coast Deluxe Suite — complete with a full living room and dining table, and most importantly, a separate bedroom with a door — would be well worth looking into.
