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Orlando

Orlando, from Golden Oak to Grande Lakes

© Four Seasons
Destination
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Orlando keeps its luxury on estates, from Disney's own Golden Oak enclave to 500 acres of lakes and Greg Norman fairways. A Four Seasons sits inside that enclave, a Waldorf Astoria at Bonnet Creek within the Walt Disney World boundary, a lagoon with sand beaches just outside it, and the lakes and fairways about twenty minutes from the gates. We list exactly one five-star hotel in the city; the four beside it hold four-star standing and earn their place on setting, kitchens and how easily the parks are reached, and we list them at exactly the tier they hold. We looked at every candidate from downtown to Lake Buena Vista and kept only those whose service holds up to the promise. Five made the cut.

“Because it is the only hotel we list in Orlando that holds five-star standing, and it earns it on a 500-acre estate with a three-story spa, Greg Norman golf and kayaks on Shingle Creek – reasons to stay put in a city built for going out.”

From our editors · The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes

The neighborhoods

Walt Disney World & Lake Buena VistaConrad Orlando · Walt Disney World & Lake Buena Vista — © Conrad Orlando

Walt Disney World & Lake Buena Vista

The resort and its edges – a Four Seasons inside Disney's Golden Oak enclave and a Waldorf Astoria at Bonnet Creek. Bonnet Creek lies within the resort boundary, and a lagoon with sand beaches sits just outside it.

Golden hour over Grande Lakes

Grande Lakes

A 500-acre estate of lakes and Greg Norman fairways, about twenty minutes from the parks. It lies along Central Florida Parkway, with Shingle Creek running toward the Everglades at its back.

Good to know

Which are the five-star hotels in Orlando?

One. The five-star hotel we list in Orlando is The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. Alongside it we keep four four-star addresses, each listed at exactly the tier it holds: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort; Conrad Orlando; Waldorf Astoria Orlando; and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. Each has its own page, reached from the list above, with a concierge behind every stay.

Should I stay inside Walt Disney World or away from it?

Walt Disney World and Lake Buena Vista is the choice for park days – Four Seasons sits inside Disney's Golden Oak enclave with its own transportation to the gates, the Waldorf Astoria stands at Bonnet Creek within the resort boundary, and Conrad Orlando is next door on the sand of Evermore Bay. Grande Lakes is the choice for a resort stay with the parks as an excursion – a 500-acre estate about twenty minutes away, with golf, a three-story spa and a creek to paddle.

When is the best season for Orlando?

Late October through April brings the mildest, driest days and the clearest evenings. Summer runs hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms that pass as quickly as they arrive, and the parks are at their fullest over the winter holidays, spring break and midsummer – book those windows early. Late spring and early autumn are the quiet middle, with warm water in the lagoons and shorter lines at the gates.

Do I need to stay on Disney property to make the parks easy?

Not necessarily, but it helps. Four Seasons runs complimentary transportation to the Walt Disney World theme parks and keeps a Disney Planning Center on site; the Waldorf Astoria's Bonnet Creek enclave lies inside the resort boundary; and Conrad Orlando sits immediately beside it. The Ritz-Carlton at Grande Lakes is about twenty minutes from the parks and gives you reasons to stay put – Greg Norman golf, a 40-room spa and guided kayaks on Shingle Creek.

How do I reserve a stay?

Search your dates on the hotel's page to see reference rates, then send the concierge a request. The concierge confirms exact rates and availability with you before anything is booked, and any payment and its timing are set out before you confirm.

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