Most people head to Orlando for one reason, and one reason only – to make memories at the happiest place on earth. Staying at a Disney resort is guaranteed fun and offers plenty of perks to take you to the park.
But, don’t rule out some of the other hotels in this great, big city. Many of them have built-in water parks, unbeatable onsite activities, and easy access to a lagoon or two.
Whether you’d like to indulge with a night at the Ritz or take things a little bit easier on your bottom line, there’s an Orlando hotel that’s sure to knock your socks off.
1. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld
When not at Disney, families are often savoring the fun at SeaWorld. If you think that’s more up your alley, then you’ll enjoy every moment at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld.
It sits pretty as a picture atop 28 acres and is jam-packed with fun thanks to its onsite swimming pools and outdoor fire pits. The whole crew can dig into a hearty breakfast, thanks to their continental offerings in the morning. Then, of course, SeaWorld is right at your fingertips. But, so are Disney and Universal with only a 15-minute drive.
2. Orlando World Center Marriott
One of the first perks of staying at the Orlando World Center Marriott is the fact that you can see the evening fireworks displays right from the hotel. Aside from that, this property is packed to the gills with fun, including a family arcade.
There’s also a huge on-site water park with a riveting water slide, a lazy river, and a lagoon-style pool with waterfalls. Every moment of every day will serve as a reminder that you’re in the Sunshine State as you indulge in your own version of the happiest place on earth.
3. Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek
Wyndham really knows how to bring family vacations to life. The best starting point at Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort is to point out the fact that they have a whopping five onsite pools and two lazy rivers. You’ll also find splash pads for the little ones, a playground, fire pits at night, and eight different hot tubs.
With an 18-hole mini golf course and daily shuttles to Walt Disney World, you can do Disney a little differently and still have it all. Before you go, be sure to review these Disney World tips, tricks, and hacks to make for the best day.
4. Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center Kissimmee
Gaylord Palms may have one-upped the Orlando World Center Marriott. In addition to an arcade, they also have an Escape Room just waiting for you to make new memories. Check the calendar before you book because there are also oodles of seasonal events all year round.
As for their water fun, there’s an expansive zero-entry pool, water slides to slip and slide down, a Tree House Water Playground, and a lazy river to wash all your cares away. If water parks quickly become your family theme, be sure to check out these affordable water parks all around the U.S.
5. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
The focus here has been on family fun, as that’s what usually draws people to Orlando. But, if you’d like a couple’s retreat, the Ritz-Carlton Orlando is the way to treat yourself. Right outside your door, you’ll find an 18-hole golf course and a decadent spa with 40 treatment rooms.
You can also reserve a private cabana by the pool where your very own butler will attend to your every need. When you’re ready to work off some of those canapés, you can also go a round or two at their pickleball or tennis courts.
6. Signia by Hilton Bonnet Creek
Somehow, the Hilton managed to score a 482-acre nature preserve in Orlando. While that sounds relaxing – and it can be, it’s nothing but a party here. They, too, have a huge lagoon-style pool and a long lazy river. Kids can even try their hand at diving in their onsite SCUBA academy.
At night, they play movies that you can watch right from the pool. You can also enjoy a feature film after you’ve all mastered a pizza-making class. When you’d like to have a date night with an umbrella drink, their Kids Club will keep your babies perfectly safe (and entertained) for a few hours.
7. Lake Nona Wave Hotel
Lake Nona is a little bit further outside Orlando proper, but it certainly deserves an honorable mention. The goal at Lake Nona Wave Hotel is to provide you with ample opportunity to hit the reset button on life.
Everything here is wave-inspired, inviting feelings of instant relaxation. During your stay, you’ll sleep on Bryte beds that adjust to your sleep preferences throughout the night and Nollapelli bedding that’s designed to improve your hair and skin.
While here, you can take a spin on their complimentary bicycles, before indulging in the hotel’s sumptuous restaurant, Bacán, with a unique offering of Central and South American style delights.
8. Conrad Orlando
Now, this is a show-stopper. The feather in Conrad Orlando’s cap is the fact that you’ll have access to a 20-acre tropical beach – in addition to a lagoon and their onsite pool. Watersports are the name of the game here, with easy access to kayaking, paddle boarding, and rope swings that allow you to spread your wings and fly.
At night, everyone can gather around a campfire or partake in a beach party. Here, too, you can make every evening a family-friendly affair or encourage the kids to make some new acquaintances at the Kids Club while mom and dad have a little fun of their own.
9. Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate
It’s not uncommon to find an Orlando hotel with easy access to a golf course. But, this is the place to go if you’re a golfing family. At Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate, you’ll find not one, but two, 18-hole golf courses and a mini golf course when you’re just looking to have some fun with the little ones.
Of course, there’s also ample opportunity to take a dip in their pools, laze around the lazy river, or soar down the slides at their waterpark. Located just a little southwest of Disney, you can still make your way over to the theme parks for the day, and then indulge in instant relaxation at night.
10. Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
The Hyatt is gunning for second place, behind the Conrad Orlando, in terms of water activities. They have an astonishing half-acre pool with a swim-through grotto, waterslides, and a suspension bridge.
As if that wasn’t enough, they also offer access to a lakeside beach, upping the ante on those watersports to include sailing and hydrobikes. When you’re on dry land, there’s plenty to do, such as cornhole and fish feeding, and plentiful onsite eateries to savor.
Take the Magic With You
Indeed, you can take the magic with you, wherever you go. Nestle into any one of these properties for a few nights and make some of the best family memories.
Whether you’re headed to Orlando or beyond, we have an in-depth destination guide already prepared to help you plan your trip to perfection and enjoy smooth, smooth sails wherever you go.