Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Orlando Florida

From the moment you arrive at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando you’ll find a vibrantly new elegant resort and experience a new class of Orlando… one where stellar recreation is balanced by sophisticated style. Inspired architecturally by the infamously grand palazzos of Italy, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes redefines the entire Orlando experience. Trust us, this isn't your parents' Orlando... The first and only Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, this hotel is a particularly extravagant link in the subtle yet purposely distinctive luxury hotel chain. Service is exemplary, from the fully attended porte cochere entrance to the 18-hole golf course and 40-room spa. Rooms and suites have elegant wood furnishings, down comforters, decadent marble bathrooms (with separate showers and bathtubs), and impressively spectacular panoramic balconies. A lovely, Roman-style pool area gives guests "ultra-European flair" fountains and a majestic hot tub.

While at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando be sure to make reservations for dinner at Norman's when you reserve your room. This restaurant is luxuriant with a preference for "gourmet" tastes and distinguished palettes. Dining at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is inspired by the fresh seafood available from the nearby Atlantic and the climate and culture of Central Florida. Architecturally inspired by the grand palazzos of Italy, the restaurants are airy, but opulent and bring the sunshine and palm trees of the outdoors in. But there's a twist. A lemon twist, to be precise. It is the first resort in the world to have its own full-time Citrus Consultant. Are you frowning? The answer is obvious. The setting is amid the world's finest citrus groves and the scent reflects this central Florida location. So guests receive aromatherapy at every step from "the marmalade they eat at breakfast to an orange blossom soak at the spa," from the chilled, citrus-infused towels for golfers to citrus-inspired drinks for an energy boost during business meeting breaks.

The resort also includes a 40,000-square-foot Spa, an 18-hole Greg Norman-designed championship golf course, Ritz Kids Club and six dining options, located only minutes from the airport, the area's famous attractions and premier shopping areas. The staff is positively exceptional and they make it difficult to want to stay anywhere else. Golfers get very special attention via a personal caddie who accompanies each twosome or foursome of players, offering course yardage information, bunker raking and divot repair, as well as architectural history and strategy, food and beverage orders and dinner reservations after a round, and of course, making certain that any/all needs (even those which are unexpressed) are met. Tiger Woods has been known to make an appearance as he frequents the The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes whenever he's in town. The Fairways Pub at the golf course is a great place for having a light lunch.

The Spa and Fitness Center is the largest and is run entirely by Ritz Carlton employees, not an outside company. The private Spa pool (for Spa guests only, no kids allowed) is a great escape from the hotel crowds. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes offers 584 rooms including 56 Club Level rooms, 64 suites, and two Ritz-Carlton Suites. Each room is 480 square feet (for kings) and 490 square feet (for rooms with two doubles). Each room features a five-fixture bathroom, hand painted Italian furniture and all of the Ritz-Carlton amenities that guests with taste and style require. All guest rooms feature a five-foot private balcony with panoramic views of the lakes, pool and gardens. Twice-daily housekeeping service and evening turndown service are among the special services offered at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. All rooms feature: separate bathtub and shower, two sinks, marble bathroom floors and counter tops, plush terry robes and slippers, multi-line telephones with voice mail, in-room CD players, in-room safe, network dataport, computer and fax connections, barrier-free accessibility, 27" flat-screen television.

Over 33,000 square feet of flexible meeting space accommodates groups as intimate as 2 to 10 guests or up to 1,650 guests at a reception in the opulent Ritz-Carlton Orlando Ballroom. Guests can also enjoy the natural beauty of central Florida on 52,000 square feet of outdoor functional space. From The Boardroom to Poolside, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes balances stellar recreation with and an unsurpassed sophisticated style guests have come to expect.