3
Walt Disney World guests seeking the lap of luxury should now look past the Grand Floridian to the new Four Seasons Orlando.
The lavish new hotel recently opened within Disney’s private Golden Oak community of single family homes, where the richest of the rich live in style on Mickey Mouse’s property.
On the outside the Four Seasons Orlando may not scream fancy, but once inside guests are surrounded by nothing but beautiful design sweeping across its common areas, pools, and into the spacious rooms.
Uniquely impressive chandeliers hang overhead in every main space of the Four Seasons Orlando, illuminating perfectly symmetrical vistas that are a photographer’s dream. It feels like around every corner is another picturesque moment, perfectly laid out for the eyes to enjoy.
We’ve already taken a tour of the hotel’s restaurants in our recent sneak peek, each of which are open and accessible to the public, whether staying at the hotel or not. Dining at any of them is a great excuse to enter Golden Oak and peek around the resort, though nosy guests shouldn’t expect to get too close to anyone’s actual houses as they are separately gated off.
Those who do book the extravagant (and rather expensive) rooms at the Four Seasons Orlando will immediately see exactly where their pennies are spent. The “standard” room would be an upgrade in any other hotel, with comfortable bedding, a spacious bathroom, and gorgeous views available. A variety of textures adds to the luxurious feel, from the walls to the bedding. Everything is at guests’ fingertips in each room, which come equipped with an iPad-based system as well as convenient keypads that control lighting, room temperature, and much more. Naturally there is complementary WiFi available to guests (with faster service available for an additional fee).
Video: Standard room tour at Four Seasons Orlando, Walt Disney World
Junior Suites are even more impressive, separating a living area from the bedroom with a huge bathroom complete with TV in the mirror, sound system, walk in closets, and one giant tub. The extra long balcony offers panoramic views of either Golden Oak or most of Walt Disney World, a perfect place to catch the fireworks from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom – which would be a stunning sight on July 4th or New Year’s Eve.
Video: Junior Suite room tour at Four Seasons Orlando, Walt Disney World
Outside of the rooms, the Four Seasons Orlando’s most impressive amenities are its wide array of swimming pools and outdoor activities surrounding them. Comfortable and plentiful seating is available to hotel guests across the family pool, adults only pool, and elaborately (but tastefully) themed water play area. There are also two winding water slides, foosball, ping pong, billiards, and plenty of cushy seats for lounging. Stationed throughout the outdoor areas are also flavored water – cucumber, lemon, and orange – along with complementary sunscreen.
Video: Pools and outdoor activities at Four Seasons Orlando, Walt Disney World
An indoor kids’ area provides day care with a fun animated volcano to play in.
The fitness center provides top notch equipment for those wanting to keep in shape while on vacation. Yoga is available just outside as well.
The hotel’s spa smells incredible upon entering its lobby and seems to stretch on forever while walking through its halls leading to treatment rooms. Though the rooms themselves aren’t anything special – though they are larger than most – there are more than enough massages and other treatments to make anyone’s cares melt away.
Convention spaces are big, amusingly decorated with a not so subtle nod to stereotypical Florida culture via pink flamingo artwork – but amusingly all dressed up.
When checking out, the hotel has a comfortable Late Departure Lounge with TVs, sitting areas, WiFi, and plenty of room to spread out and wait for a car or flight.
Four Seasons Orlando is aware that this hotel is located in Florida at Walt Disney World and as such is fairly lax about its dress code. While guests are recommended to wear something nice to dinner, it’s not required to walk around in anything other than normal tourist attire while enjoying the resort’s many amenities. There’s absolutely no shame in staying at an expensive, fancy hotel and heading out to the pool wearing shorts and flip flops.
The Disney touches at the Four Seasons Orlando are few and far between. There are a handful of Hidden Mickeys and Goofy and friends do dine with guests over some character meals. Shuttles are available to take guests to and from the parks as well. But for the most part the Four Seasons feels like a hotel away from Disney, existing in a world of its own.
Some guests may find the Four Seasons Orlando to be a bit too “high brow,” especially as the occasional well-to-do patrons obviously carry themselves with a holier-than-thou attitude. But the hotel’s staff is extremely friendly and courteous to every guest, no matter who they are or where they come from, and everyone staying at or visiting this new Four Seasons will feel welcome.
The new hotel is easing into operation at Walt Disney World. Not all rooms are quite ready for stays just yet and another restaurant (a Spanish steakhouse) is set to open in September.
Reservations can be made online or by calling 800-267-3046. Four Seasons Orlando is currently offering a Florida resident deal for rooms at less than $300 per night, which is a fair price compared to their normally much higher rates.
More photos from the Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World: