If one thing is for certain, it is that the Orlando area has no shortage of places to stay. With over 450 hotels and 121,000 plus hotel rooms, visitors can have their pick of large resorts with elaborate pools or smaller low-key hotels. Although staying at a resort on Disney or Universal Studios properties has its advantages, you will find many other resorts with gorgeous pools, expansive rooms and suites, and onsite restaurants.
Are you searching for your next perfect Orlando hotel but are totally overwhelmed with SO many options? We totally get it! That’s why we have carefully compiled our FAVORITE resorts and hotels in the Orlando area! Whether you are searching for a two-bedroom suite, top dining, adults-only areas or kid-friendly hotels with their own water parks, we have you covered!
Hyatt Grand Cypress
Hyatt Cypress Creek is located in the Disney area and sits on 1,500 acres with a private lake, tennis courts, lagoon-style pool and a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course. This resort is excellent for families who want an abundance of activities available to choose from. Guests can choose from lounging by the pool or lake, as well as biking and water activities.
Hyatt Cypress Creek also houses Hemingway’s, one of the best dining spots in Orlando. In addition to several onsite restaurants, many others are close by as long as you have a car.
The Grove Resort & Water Park
The Grove Resort and Water Park is one of the newest Orlando resorts and one of the best, in our opinion. This large resort located six miles west of Disney has everything families could ask for, including its own lazy river and Flowrider! The Grove is perfect for families who need a lot of space. The condo-style units offer 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms with full kitchens and balconies. Guests have access to multiple pools with rentable cabanas, a water park, an arcade, watersports on Lake Austin, a full-service spa, and numerous casual restaurants.
One thing to note is that the Grove Resort is slightly off the beaten path so you won’t find restaurants and shopping in the immediate vicinity.
Floridays Resort
Floridays may not be as large as some of the other resorts, but it IS located in the heart of International Drive, making it a great option for those who want to be in the middle of everything. In addition to being close to I-Drive attractions, Floridays is centrally located to the three major theme parks, including Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld. The resort even offers a shuttle service to all three!
Onsite dining at Floridays is limited, but with the large suites and full-sized kitchens, you can prepare meals in your own rooms. Considering the size of the rooms (two and three-bedroom suites), the rates are very reasonable, making this I-Drive resort a great budget-friendly option.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Looking for luxury and first-class service? Technically, the Four Seasons is located on Walt Disney World property, however, it is tucked away so far you barely even know it. The Four Seasons is our go-to resort when we are looking for an amazing couples staycation. In addition, to luxurious rooms and first-class spa, the Four Seasons offers a beautiful tropical oasis pool, as well as an adults-only pool area.
Caribe Royale
Caribe Royale is a large resort close to Walt Disney World. We like to think of Caribe Royale as a great budget-friendly resort with a more luxurious feel. The suites are quite large, but the real gem is the newly renovated villas. These large rooms feature a full kitchen and a dedicated area pool.
The large tropical pool and 75-foot water slide make Caribe Royale an excellent resort for families. The resort also features a AAA 4-star steakhouse as well as several casual dining options.
Coco Key Resort and Water Park
If you are looking for a budget-friendly resort with a lot for kids to do, then Coco Key is a great option. The rooms are standard hotel room sizes, but they have been recently renovated and are clean and modern. The real draw to Coco Key is the 54,000 water park. Guests receive four water park tickets per booked room, making Coco Key an excellent value. Also, the resort offers a guests-only pool and hot tub, two onsite restaurants, and a tiki bar.
Coco Key is located two miles from Universal Orlando Resort and provides shuttle service to Universal, SeaWorld, and Aquatica.
Hilton Bonnet Creek
Named as one of the top hotels in Orlando, Hilton Bonnet Creek is a beautiful resort located close to Epcot. The rooms are standard hotel room size but still feel very spacious and comfortable. The main reason to stay at Hilton Bonnet Creek is the huge, amazing pool. If you enjoy floating on a tube or lounging by a zero-entry pool, this resort is a great option.
We also love the numerous dining options. Hilton Bonnet Creek is home to Bull and Bear, a top Orlando steakhouse and La Luce, a signature Italian restaurant. For those participating in a RunDisney event, the Hilton is a great option. You will be greeted at 3:00 am by cheering staff and snacks as you head out the door!
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Gaylord Palms is certainly a one-of-a-kind resort. Indoors you will feel like you are in a tropical oasis, and you can even reserve rooms overlooking one of the three themed atriums. We love that the Gaylord offers two pools – an Adults-only South Beach-style pool area and a larger family-oriented pool with water slides and a treehouse.
Gaylord Palms is great all year round, but the resort definitely kicks it up a notch during the winter holidays. During this time, you can experience visits from Santa, holiday concerts, over two-million Christmas lights, and Ice, an indoor winter wonderland with yearly themes and sculptures.
Margaritaville Resort
As Orlando’s newest resort, Margaritaville is an adult’s paradise that also happens to be very kid-friendly. This Jimmy Buffet themed resort offers standard hotel rooms as well as rentable cottages. A large lagoon-style pool provides live entertainment at night and an abundance of sun during the day.
The newly opened H20 Live water park is connected to the resort and available to guests at an additional fee. Although Margaritaville offers several onsite restaurants, a stroll to Sunset Walk will provide additional restaurant, retail, and entertainment options including a Studio Movie Grill, Rock & Brews and an English pub.
Orlando World Marriott Center
It’s hard to miss the gigantic World Marriott Center. Located close to Disney, World Marriott Center features a massive 200-acre tropical pool area complete with whirlpools, water slides,and a one-of-a-kind nightly laser light show. You’ll find a lively atmosphere with daily music and pool activities for all ages.
The Marriott also offers multiple dining options featuring a Japanese steakhouse, sports bar, and Urban Italian eatery. This resort is convenient to Disney Springs and is a great choice if you plan on visiting often during your trip.