These are unusual times, and the state of affairs can change quickly. Please check the latest travel guidance before making your journey. Our writers visited these hotels pre-pandemic.
While Walt Disney World’s extensive selection of own-brand hotels offer pole position for being within mouse-steps of its dazzling theme parks, there are plenty of contenders for ‘Best Of’ just beyond the confines of Walt’s extravagant resort. In fact, some of the most downright luxurious, action-packed and sheer fun hotels are to be found close to Disney’s Orlando hub, but outside its immediate sphere of influence. Here’s our pick of the best hotels near Walt Disney World so you can choose from various international brands, all of which feature elaborate recreational facilities, delectable dining and guaranteed chill-out territory.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
Orlando, Florida, United States
The deluxe Four Seasons Resort in Orlando brings genuine five-star luxury to Disney World. The architecture is Spanish Revival in style but interior design and décor is more modern Italianate, to the point of art gallery cool. The whole ambience is imbued with a studied calm that never feels rushed or frenetic. Amenities include tennis courts, volleyball and basketball, plus two elegant infinity pools, a lazy river feature, water park with slides, fitness centre and sumptuous spa. A special Disney concierge can arrange all theme park tickets and bookings. Book a room above the fifth floor (west side) for views of the nightly Disney fireworks.
From
£
612
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Orlando, Florida, United States
This is Orlando’s original luxury hotel, opened in 1984. The grand and sophisticated atrium lobby is loaded with wow factor, but there is still a relaxing ambience despite the resort’s size thanks to a series of elegant seating areas, fountains and pools. The fresh, tropical aspect of the hotel carries through beautifully to the rooms, which are both notably spacious and extremely well provisioned, and all benefit from fabulous views, either of the lake, gardens or pools (and Disney fireworks). Four restaurants run the gamut from casual all-day menus to seafood fine dining. Disney Springs is five minutes’ drive, and Disney’s theme parks just 10 minutes beyond that.
From
£
95
per night
Rates provided by
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• The best hotels in Orlando
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Orlando, Florida, United States
One of the most luxurious hotels near Disney World Florida, with prices to match. Sumptuous is the watchword, from magnificent marble flooring to the signature clock in the foyer, and a handful of restaurants of an exceptional standard. It’s situated in a quiet enclave within the confines of Walt Disney World but distinctly separate from the House of Mouse – the resort offers free shuttles to the Disney parks. Golf is a major draw, too, with all skill levels catered to on the 18-hole Rees Jones-designed course, while on-site, a lap pool and large family pool sit side-by-side, with lush wood-sided cabanas.
From
£
274
per night
Rates provided by
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Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Orlando, Florida, United States
This hotel sits on a quiet nature preserve within the Disney resort complex’s boundaries. It’s an elegant property with funky design touches, notably in the lobby, where the story of the Bonnet Sisters is told via an extensive motif that extends into the Myth bar. With 1,001 rooms it would be easy for the resort to feel massive; instead, public areas are busy but intimate, with plenty of space to spread out. Choose a Disney-view room to see the nightly fireworks, or a Nature Preserve view for a serene, forested aspect. Guests also benefit from Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry programme, featuring access to any of the four theme parks 30 minutes prior to official opening time.
From
£
130
per night
Rates provided by
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• The best hotels in Florida
Orlando World Center Marriott
Orlando, Florida, United States
This flagship property of the famous brand is the world’s largest Marriott, with a dazzling array of amenities – plus Walt Disney World right on its doorstep. It’s thoroughly contemporary in style despite its 1980s vintage, immense in both its dimensions and activities, starting with the glistening lobby’s impressive open atrium and glass-sided lifts. There is a dazzling array of creature comforts, from the 18-hole Hawk’s Landing golf course to superb water features. Four pools include the enormous Falls Pool Oasis, with a 90-foot speed slide. Shuttles to Orlando International Airport and Disney are available.
From
£
132
per night
Rates provided by
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The Grove Resort & Spa
Four Corners, Orlando, United States
This huge, stylish resort on the edge of semi-private Lake Austin is packed with amenities that make long stays comfortable, especially for families. The modern, elegant lobby sets the tone for this expansive property – a combination of resort and holiday home community – surrounded by lush natural landscaping. The highlight for families is the big ‘Surfari’ water park with a gigantic pool, two water slides, lazy river and a Flowrider learn-to-surf facility. Standard rooms are enormously spacious and maintain the bright airy style of the public areas. The resort feels wonderfully secluded and self-contained, but still close to Walt Disney World (six miles/10 km).
From
£
127
per night
Rates provided by
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Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
Lake Buena Vista, Orlando, United States
A spectacular, sprawling resort set in 27 acres of lakeside property adjacent to the extensive Disney Springs area of Walt Disney World. It features an eye-catching central, 27-storey tower, with a separate, quieter, Island Building on the far side of the property. Outdoors is centred on the massive pool deck, with two pools, two whirlpool tubs, private cabanas, a lazy river, firepits and pool bar and grill. Despite the fact the hotel has over 1,000 rooms, there are plenty of quiet nooks and crannies that make great chill-out spots. The vast majority have balconies and good views (especially of Disney’s nightly fireworks). Local buses call at Disney Springs for transport beyond Disney World.
From
£
78
per night
Rates provided by
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Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Kissimmee, Florida, United States
This vast, multi-faceted resort boasts an enormous range of facilities under a huge atrium, appealing to children and adults alike. Full of water features, elaborate design elements – including a recreated historic fortress – and an impressive array of dining, it is like a theme park, just without the rides. On the subject of theme parks, the hotel is set just outside Walt Disney World (a daily shuttle to Disney’s parks is included with the resort fee, while there is a paid-for service to SeaWorld and Universal Orlando, which are eight and 11 miles away respectively). Convention business is strong, hence the resort is quieter at weekends.
From
£
159
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek
Orlando, Florida, United States
The Wyndham Grand is one of those ‘hidden’ luxury hotels near Walt Disney World that’s close to the park but often overlooked: the parks are barely 10 minutes away by shuttle bus, while Universal Orlando is just a 20-minute drive away. The look is vividly contemporary with a modern take on classic hotel grandeur. The main pool and children’s pool are enhanced by two hot tubs and cabanas, while the gorgeous Blue Harmony Spa has its own outdoor terrace, private patio and plunge pool. Almost half of the rooms have a balcony. Ask for an upper floor one for spectacular views of the nightly fireworks from the Disney parks.
From
£
135
per night
Rates provided by
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Margaritaville Resort Orlando
Orlando, Florida, United States
Hotels near Disney World Orlando don’t come any bigger, varied or more dramatic than Margaritaville, which covers 300 acres and features its own water park and shopping/dining village among a dazzling array of facilities. When Jimmy Buffett recorded Key West-inspired anthem Margaritaville, it opened up a whole lifestyle of chilled-out, tropical relaxation. This resort takes that theme and runs with it (actually, a laid-back jog is probably more accurate). From the elaborate chandelier made of margarita glasses in the lobby to the giant flip-flop sculpture, it’s an extensive exercise in high-quality beach-bummery, from the central hotel to the cottage ‘village’ and action-packed water park.
From
£
103
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
This article was originally published by Telegraph.co.uk. Read the original article here.