Orlando, from Golden Oak to Grande Lakes
Orlando keeps its luxury on estates – a Four Seasons inside Disney's own Golden Oak enclave, a Waldorf Astoria at Bonnet Creek within the Walt Disney World boundary, a lagoon with sand beaches just outside it, and 500 acres of lakes and Greg Norman fairways about twenty minutes from the gates.
The collection
4 hotels
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Five-star · Grande Lakes
Orlando's one five-star – 582 rooms on a 500-acre estate of lakes, Greg Norman fairways and a creek that runs toward the Everglades.
From $400 per night
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
Four-star · Walt Disney World & Lake Buena Vista
Four Seasons inside Disney's Golden Oak enclave – 26 acres, a rooftop Basque steakhouse and a five-acre water park of its own.
From $900 per night
Conrad Orlando
Four-star · Walt Disney World & Lake Buena Vista
The newest address – 433 rooms on the shore of an eight-acre crystal lagoon, beside Walt Disney World rather than inside it.
From $400 per night
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Four-star · Walt Disney World & Lake Buena Vista
A Waldorf Astoria at Bonnet Creek, inside the Walt Disney World boundary – Bull & Bear, Peacock Alley and a Rees Jones course.
From $400 per night
Orlando keeps its luxury on estates – a Four Seasons inside Disney's own Golden Oak enclave, a Waldorf Astoria at Bonnet Creek within the Walt Disney World boundary, a lagoon with sand beaches just outside it, and 500 acres of lakes and Greg Norman fairways about twenty minutes from the gates. The city has exactly one five-star hotel; the three 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. Four made the cut.
“Because it is the only hotel 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 Vista
The resort and its edges – a Four Seasons inside Disney's Golden Oak enclave, a Waldorf Astoria at Bonnet Creek within the resort boundary, and a lagoon with sand beaches just outside it.
Grande Lakes
A 500-acre estate of lakes and Greg Norman fairways along Central Florida Parkway – about twenty minutes from the parks, with Shingle Creek running toward the Everglades at its back.
Good to know
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 any hotel's page to see rates and what is available, then book the room you want. A concierge is on hand throughout – to weigh Golden Oak against Grande Lakes before you book, and to arrange tee times, tables and park days once you have.
