Where to stay in Orlando, Florida?
So you’re thinking about heading to Orlando, Florida for some much-needed relaxation time and are wondering where to stay in the area?
Orlando is home to hundreds of accommodations that can overwhelm anyone during the planning stages. Budget, location, amenities, quality, and safety are some of the big contributing factors when deciding to book accommodation anywhere. Most people coming to Orlando have the intention of visiting the Disney Parks, and or Universal Studios. With all of these attractions being the center of attention, flocks of travelers want the convenience of getting to and from these theme parks with a breeze. I’ve been to Orlando plenty of times and have stayed in some pretty incredible resorts but none of them can compare to the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World!
If you’re unfamiliar with The Four Seasons then you must know that it’s considered one of the most prestigious chains in the hotel industry. The international, 5-star luxury hotel and resort company operates more than 100 properties worldwide catering exceptional service to both business and leisure travelers.
About The Four Seasons Resort Orlando
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World is a heavenly sanctuary that is secluded inside the private Golden Oaks Community within Walt Disney World Resort – which was in fact designed by Disney Imagineers! The AAA Five Diamond lakeside haven has tons to offer including palm-fringed lush gardens, serene adult pools, spa, fully-equipped fitness center, 18-hole golf course and golf club, three tennis courts, several delicious restaurants and eateries, a 5-acre waterpark featuring a complimentary kids’ club, splash zone, lazy river w/ cascading waterfalls, and much more!
What makes this resort even that more attractive is the fact that it’s just minutes away from all the Disney parks and other popular area attractions. The Orlando international airport is also just 30 mins away! Complimentary transportation is offered from the resort to the four major Disney Parks: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios.
Book your stay at the Four Season Resort Orlando here!
Four Season Resort Orlando: The Grounds
When you first arrive at the resort you’re greeted by a dazzling opulent fireworks-inspired chandelier which is made up of more than 30,000 crystal components. Surrounding the captivating chandelier is a grand marble staircase that looks as if it was taken out of Beauty and the Beast (One of my favorite Disney movies!).
As you step outside the resort, you can’t help but be amazed by the Spanish Revival architecture style reflecting Florida’s golden age. The terracotta roofs and arched windows are incredibly charming and romantic! As you take a stroll throughout the outdoor grounds you’re surrounded by natural beauty coming at you in every direction, including an everglades sanctuary that’s home to indigenous wildlife.
The refreshing tropical landscape has over 114 different plant species ranging from palm trees to live oaks. I don’t know about you all but I just love nature. Just the sight of plants gives me all the good zen feels and this resort has an abundance spread all around. Speaking of plants, the Four Seasons Orlando has a set of Mickey & Minnie topiaries that will adorn the resorts palm pathway until July 5, 2021. They’re in celebration of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival! Be sure not to miss them if you visit in time!
Book your stay at the Four Season Resort Orlando here!
Four Seasons Resort Orlando: The Rooms
The resort offers over 443 fresh and inviting guest rooms. Each room is comprised of tall ceilings, white furnishings accented with tasteful pops of color, large comfy bedroom, main living space, spacious closet / storage area and a five-piece marbled bathroom complete with a deep-soaking garden tub and built-in television within the bathroom mirror (I found this part so fascinating!). Curtains and lights are manipulated by a smart system. To top it off the resort has its own custom line of bath products by C.O. Bigelow – each has a light citrus scent, with a cooling and hydrating body lotion. Complimentary Nespresso and bottles of water are included and they will provide free milk or cream for your coffee if asked.
All rooms and suites feature a private balcony with stunning views of Golden Oak, the sparkling lake and resort pool, or the nightly Magic Kingdom® Park fireworks display (Please note: Disney has suspended fireworks at the moment but you can see the large spotlights that they’re projecting every night from the balcony).
I had the opportunity to stay in the Park View Room which nothing but incredible! The room was decked out with a king bed, sofa bed, a Bose speaker, wine dispenser, a nice-sized TV.
Book your stay at the Four Season Resort Orlando here!
Four Seasons Resort Orlando: Explorer Island
Now let’s talk about the resort’s exciting five-acre water park called Explorer Island which is exclusive for resort guests – no ticket is required! You can discover a world of endless fun for all ages at Explorer Island which features four pool areas, a slide landing zone that the resort counts as a fifth, a gaming area, and a supervised kids club. From the minute you enter any of the pool areas the staff ensures that you’re provided with a comfortable seating area with plenty of towels, filled water pitchers, and food / drinks. I highly recommend you devote a “resort day” to just soak it all in!
Family Pool: This 7,590-square-foot (705 meters) pool overlooks the lake and offers a gradually sloping beach entry that is perfect for young swimmers. You can also zone out to your favorite hits all thanks to the underwater audio system (so freaking cool!). This area is surrounded by plenty of lounge chairs, daybeds, and cabanas (for a fee). A toddler slide is also available for your little one. Another highlight is that you’re able to watch a movie on their Starstruck Dive-In screen every Saturday evening and select Thursdays. Complimentary popcorn is provided!
Oasis Pool: If you’re looking for some peace and quiet then you have to indulge yourself at The Oasis which is a lakeside, infinity-edge adult-only pool (a kid-free zone). Go for a swim within the 92-foot pristine pool while listening to your favorite hit all thanks again to the underwater audio system or soak in the whirlpool as you gaze into the sparkling lake. The pool is surrounded by towering palm trees, lounge chairs and cabanas (for a fee), and a side table (for every pair of lounge chairs). Friendly and attentive pool staff are here to make your experience that that much more relaxing. Get yourself a drink, some light snacks, and let all your worries disappear!
Drifter’s Lazy River: Hands down one of my favorite areas in Explorer island! This dreamy lazy river winds around the ruined mansion and feels like one is in the midst of tropical rainforest! It features waterfalls, bubbling rapids, water cannons, a water basketball hoop, and a water volleyball net.
Book your stay at the Four Season Resort Orlando here!
Splash zone: This thrilling area is surrounded with elements that include tall, ruined columns from The Mansion. It will have your little ones engaged for hours on end. It features choreographed interactive fountains that launch blasts of water 30 feet (9 meters) into the air. They’ll come across curtains of water, fog nozzles, dancing water spouts, and more!
Slide Landing Zone aka The Drop: Do you love water slides? Then you definitely have to give The Drop a try. Swoop down from The Mansion’s main tower in two, 242 foot (74 meters) water slides. The blue slide is enclosed for a thrilling ride with a big splash at the end, and the yellow slide is made through see-through fiberglass so you can watch all the fun, inside and out. Both slides would seem right at home at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach.
The Mansion: A fun spot for families to engage in ping pong, checkers, foosball, cornhole, pool tables, and bocce ball. There’s also a fireplace and an observation deck that lets you take in the excitement.
The Hideout: A fun spot for older kids to hang out with friends, play their favorite video games, and engage in numerous of other activities like beach volleyball, pinball, arcade games, etc. (Please note, children under 12 years old must be supervised).
The Kids For All Seasons program: If you’re a parent that wants to enjoy some time for yourself then you can drop off your little one (age 4-12) at this complimentary camp. Your kids can engage in a variety of supervised fun activities such as an interactive volcano and an outdoor playground. This program is housed in “The Mansion”.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando: Restaurants & In-room Dining Service
The Four Seasons Orlando has six food and beverage outlets + 24-hour in-room dining service to satisfy your every appetite. Your dining options are endless!
Capa: This is one of three restaurants on the property along with Ravello and PB&G. This elegant rooftop steakhouse and bar has two outdoor terraces on the 17th-floor and serves Spanish-influenced cuisine, expertly grilled steak, and fresh Florida seafood. The restaurant is also renowned for its wine, being named among the Best 100 Wine Restaurants in the U.S. by Wine Enthusiast magazine
Ravello: If you like Italian food then Ravello is right up your alley. This modern Italian restaurant offers both breakfast and dinner in a luxurious open space. The restaurant offers a unique spin on regional Italian specialties such as homemade pasta, pizza dough, and limoncello, masterfully crafted with ingredients imported straight from Italy.
If you’re into character dining, Ravello hosts Good Morning Breakfasts with Goofy and His Pals on Saturday mornings (7AM to 11AM) for a fun, kid-friendly breakfast!
Reservations are required for both Ravello and Good Morning Breakfasts with Goofy and His Pals.
PB&G (Pool Bar & Grill): This casual pool bar and grill set in a covered lakeside platform where you enjoy frozen beverages and signature cocktails, freshly prepared salads, and flavorful dishes served hot off the grill.
Book your stay at the Four Season Resort Orlando here!
Plancha: Located within the golf clubhouse, this lakeside restaurant is the perfect place to unwind after a round of golf or to simply retreat. They serve a mix of American clubhouse favorites and Cuban-inspired cuisine.
Lickety Split: This lobby cafe, serves coffee and pastries, grab-and-go sandwiches and salads, and more than 20 flavors of creamy gelato. Allow yourself some room to enjoy the decadent milkshakes made from Lickety Split’s house-made gelato!
Lobby Bar: Meet up with friends for a refreshing cocktail, a crisp glass of wine, or craft beer at this vibrant lobby bar, and stay for the delectable bar bites and enticing entrees. Don’t miss the best seat in the house on our beautiful terrace overlooking Florida scenery.
I loveeee ordering in-room dining whenever I get the chance to. I pretty much-ordered in-room dining every day during my stay via the resorts mobile app. The service was so convenient and prompt!
Four Seasons Resort Orlando: Mobile app
I personally tend to find mobile apps made by a resort/hotel to be outdated. I was pleasantly surprised by the Four Seasons mobile app! The interface was really smooth and sharp!
The Four Seasons App allows you to connect with all their hotels and resorts from around the world.
You can use the app to:
- Easily manage and plan your trips with Four Seasons.
- Discover their many destinations across the globe.
- Book and track your activities with their itinerary feature.
- Wait-free check-in and check-out is offered.
- Set your room preferences on your profile for the sleep of your dreams.
- Chat with the hotel team through in-app messaging which offers instant translation of 100+ languages.
- Browse the menus of all their on-property restaurants.
- Perfect your stay by ordering in-room dining, making spa appointments and more.
You should definitely download the Four Seasons mobile app and take advantage of all of the great features within the app!
iOS users click here | Android user click here
Book your stay at the Four Season Resort Orlando here!
Four Seasons Resort Orlando: Spa & Wellness
If you’re in the mood to pamper yourself even further, The Spa at the Four Seasons Orlando has a wide variety of special therapies and treatments to help you feel and look your best!
These are some popular treatments being offered at The Spa:
IV Vitamin Therapies
Boost your energy and support your immune system with intravenous hydration and vitamin injections, offered as an individual treatment option or as an enhancement to your spa routine. Different IV blends offer a variety of benefits, and you’ll get recommended one based on your individual health needs!
Tone & Lift Treatment: Refine and restore your skin’s texture with a full-body exfoliating session followed by a bio-reflex massage using a moisturizing and dermo-protecting complex, as well as a firming cream application to prevent skin slackening.
Facial Regenerating Micropuncture Facial: Illuminate your complexion, improve firmness and elasticity and combat premature signs of aging through intra-epidermal microstimulation combined with a serum cocktail of highly active amino acids and vitamins.
Make sure to make time to experience their indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, including a spa tub, steam room, solarium, and more. Access to the amenities at The Spa, including the Experience Shower, relaxation areas, steam room, and outdoor whirlpool, are always complimentary to guests.
If you have a little one and want to take them along, The Spa offers kid-friendly pampering treatments like The Magical Makeover which is Four Seasons Orlando’s take on the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Watch as they transform your kids into princesses or princes for the day. Let their creativity flourish after they open the closet to see all the amazing costumes they can wear!
The Four Seasons Orlando’s Fitness Center makes the resort’s wellness services come full circle. The fitness center is open every day between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and you have your choice of the latest cardio and weight training equipment. You can even request a custom training session with one of their instructors. A steam room, sauna, yoga, and a soothing whirlpool are also available.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando: Golf & Tennis
Exclusive to resort guests and members of Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando you’ll encounter the Tranquilo Golf Course. The 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed course is a certified Audubon Sanctuary, offering lush woodlands, lakes, and abundant wildlife unique to central Florida. The secluded course is very serene, allowing one to connect with the beauty of mother nature and truly escape. In Spanish, tranquilo means calm, and a true sense of calmness is experienced while playing this amazing course. Tranquilo Golf Course was host to the LPGA Tour’s Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in 2020 and 2021.
For all you Tennis enthusiasts, you can enjoy a game with friends and family on one of the three Har-Tru courts available at the Four Seasons Orlando Resort. You can take lessons from on-site tennis pro-Alain Labrecque or join in on a daily Peter Burwash International-designed clinic.
Book your stay at the Four Season Resort Orlando here!
Four Seasons Resort Orlando: Disney Planning Service
Located near the front desk is the resort’s Disney Planning Center, which is the place to go to when you’re in need of help to book all things Disney. The employees that work here are actually Disney cast members, not Four Seasons employees. They are trained in all areas of Walt Disney World customer service and can seamlessly organize your entire Disney experience and make the most out of your visit!
Definitely take advantage of this if you’re visiting the Disney Parks. I was able to score a reservation at the Cinderella Royal Table restaurant in Magic Kingdom the day of, which is really really rare because the restaurant is incredibly popular and is almost always booked out months in advance. I guess I was really lucky to have someone cancel last minute that day.
When it comes to transportation to the parks, complimentary transportation on a luxury motor coach is offered from the resort to the four major Disney Parks: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios.
The shuttle busses every 30 mins to and from Magic Kingdom and once per hour to and from the other three parks. If you have plans to visit the other popular parks aside from Disney, you can also arrange for direct service to and from Universal Studios, Seaworld, and Restaurant Row for a fee.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando: Boutiques
If you’re a shopaholic, the resort has two luxury boutiques called Wardrobe and Fable to satisfy your craving to shop!
Wardrobe offers a wide selection of stylish apparel, swimwear, footwear and accessories for both men and women. You can also find designer apparel from renowned designers such as Missoni, Tory Burch and Lilly Pulitzer, along with unique jewelry with a Disney touch by Kimberly McDonald.
Fable on the other hand offers everything from whimsical children’s toys to on-the-go necessities, along with a variety of sweets by Sugarfina.
Book your stay at the Four Season Resort Orlando here!
Four Seasons Resort Orlando: Safety (Lead with Care)
The Four Seasons has taken responsible actions to stop the spread of COVID-19, and protecting all who choose to stay or live with them. They have continued to offer a comforting and enjoyable experience to all guests and residents, and a safe workplace for their employees around the world.
The world-class resort has done such an incredible job at maintaining safety elements throughout the property (physical distancing, cleanliness, masks/facial coverings, temperature checks, touchless hand sanitizing stations, etc.)
They’ve launched an enhanced global health and safety program called Lead with Care which sets out clear procedures that educate and empower employees to take care of guests and each other. The program focuses on providing care, confidence, and comfort within the new COVID-19 environment and beyond.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando: Things to Know Before Visiting
- There’s no resort fee or hidden charges.
- Take advantage of the merchandise delivery! If you are staying at a Disney property like the Four Seasons Orlando, you can have your in-park purchases sent directly to your hotel so you don’t have to carry them around with you all day.
- Transportation to the Disney theme parks is provided by a luxury motor coach every 30 mins to and from Magic Kingdom and once per hour to and from the other three parks.
- You can add a bit of magic to your stay at Walt Disney World by including a Disney-themed In-Room Celebration. From princesses to pirates, and even Star Wars Rebels, they can arrange themed welcome gifts that can be waiting in your room on arrival. (offerings are temporarily unavailable)
- The Four Seasons Orlando is pet-friendly. One pet up to 25 lbs is welcome for no additional fee. Both dogs and cats are allowed, but pets may not be left unattended in rooms. Pets receive treats, a bed, and bowls in the room upon arrival.
- You can get access to reserve some Disney FastPass+ attractions, shows and more (up to 60 days before you arrive) but as a result of the COVID-19 impact on operations, the FastPass+ service is suspended for the time being.
- As part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations, guests staying at The Four Seasons Orlando and any other Disney Resort hotels will be able to enjoy Early Theme Park Entry which allows guests 30-minute early entry to any Disney theme park, every day. Guests will have the ability to enter the parks early, no matter what day it is. The Early Theme Park Entry offering will be replacing Extra Magic Hours. Early Theme Park Entry differs in that the amount of extra time is lower — thirty minutes versus the usual one (or more) hours offered by Extra Magic Hours. Guests will still need valid admission and a Park Pass reservation to enter a theme park.
Final Thoughts: Is The Four Seasons Resorts Orlando Worth It?
My overall experience at the Four Seasons Orlando was truly one of a kind! Getting to stay at one of the Four Seasons properties has been on my bucket list forever! I’ve been fortunate enough to stay at some pretty incredible properties throughout the world but the Four Seasons Orlando is totally of a different caliber for all the right reasons. I’ve come across some comments on my Instagram post questioning why the four seasons Orlando is so expensive? You have to understand that the resort offers the highest level of service at the Walt Disney World Resort. You’re literally being treated like royalty from the moment you walk in, to the moment you leave. Everything about the breathtaking resort, from the on-site amenities, location, comfortability, and expectational service to the Disney World planning assistance made for the perfect trip to Orlando. It’s definitely worth the splurge and believe me when I say that you won’t regret it. As soon as you arrive, you won’t want to leave! It’s the definition of paradise!
Book your stay at the Four Season Resort Orlando here!
For more information on booking your stay at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, see here.
Have you stayed at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort? Did you enjoy my Four Seasons Orlando review? Leave a comment below!
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Be sure to check out my Instagram story highlight for Orlando to see most of what I talked about on video.
If you want to know what camera gear I use to capture all of my travel content be sure to check out my blog post here.