If you've ever shuffled back to an on-site Disney hotel on swollen feet after 25,000 steps at Epcot, you'll understand the appeal of Grande Lakes Orlando. Situated about 15 minutes from Walt Disney World and 10 minutes from Universal Studios, the resort is home to both the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Orlando, sharing amenities so guests can move freely between pools, restaurants, and lounges at either property.
The Ritz-Carlton side skews toward couples and those seeking a quieter atmosphere, with lakefront rooms featuring marble bathrooms, generous balconies, and Stearns & Foster mattresses. Thoughtful in-room touches — including branded welcome gifts and a fully stocked minibar — set a tone that carries throughout the stay.
The spa is a genuine draw in its own right: 40 treatment rooms, a full salon, and signature treatments incorporating CBD, local citrus, and honey from on-property beehives. The facility recently added Aescape, a fully automated AI massage system that maps 1.2 million 3D body points to personalize each session. Red-light therapy, cryotherapy, facials, and nail services round out the wellness offerings.
Dining leans heavily on hyper-local sourcing, with ingredients pulled from Whisper Creek Farm on the property and on-site apiaries supplying a dozen restaurants ranging from casual to upscale. Standouts include Primo inside the JW Marriott, known for its Puglian-inspired menu, and Highball & Harvest for breakfast. Beyond the spa and table, guests can fill their days with kayaking, falconry, fishing, mountain biking, a waterpark with a lazy river and three slides, and a sunrise wildlife safari led by a certified Florida Master Naturalist — a tour that commonly surfaces river otters, alligators, foxes, and raccoons on the resort's grounds.
This review originally appeared in Women's Health Magazine.
