The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes resort is part of a great concept: Two luxurious resort-style hotels sharing an expansive grounds and amenities. The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott share a first-rate fitness center, a state-of-the-art spa and an 18-hole Greg Norman signature golf course, plus allow the sharing of pool access and the kids program. We had the pleasure of staying at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes and we all agreed that we never wanted to leave. We were so impressed with the Ritz-Carlton that we chose to skip the theme parks and enjoy all that the hotel offers.
An upscale and luxurious kid-friendly resort located in the middle of the theme park mecca
Luxury and upscale typically do not go in the same sentence with extremely kid-friendly. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes is one of the most kid-friendly resorts we have ever stayed at in addition to its luxurious accommodations, upscale amenities, and five-star service.
From the bellmen to the front desk staff, to those leading the Ritz Kids program and everywhere in between, your every request will be met with a smile, can-do attitude, and always followed with a “my pleasure”.
The rooms are spacious, beds are comfortable and the entire property makes you feel at home while being surrounded by upscale beauty. Our room had a stunning view from the balcony, two queen beds, chair, desk, flat screen tv (with Netflix -huge bonus for the kids), closet, small safe, and foyer area (perfect for leaving the stroller. The bathroom was large with a two sink vanity, separate shower and tub and a toilet closet. Bath robes provided to use during your stay.
It’s like getting two resorts in one
Guests at either hotel have free use of all the public areas at both hotels, which doubles the possibilities for dining and recreation. The walk from the Ritz to the Marriott takes about 5-10 minutes. You can get there through a series of linked courtyards, public areas or the waterfront walkway. Each hotel has its own distinct pool space and dining. Between the two hotels is a beautifully landscaped courtyard where the spa and the gym are located. Beyond the hotel areas, lies the golf course and hundreds of acres of meadow and marshland. They offer a number of Eco Tour Adventures providing a guided view of this unique resort land. We enjoyed the Sunrise Safari on our last day. It was amazing how much wildlife we saw. Plus we were able to see the resort’s farm!
Your children will not want to leave Ritz Kids
The Ritz Kids is an immersive and adventurous kids program experience. The daily program offers a variety of activities based on the four pillars of the program – water, land, environmental responsibility and culture – kids are swept away by everything from coral reefs and forests, to recycling and sustainability, storytelling, art, and even food. The Ritz Kids is not just a program it is a lifestyle for the young guests. From the moment a child arrives they have spoiled attention unlike any other we have experienced. From the kid’s only check-in room to the scavenger hunt with a goodie bag prize to the unlimited ice cream available from the front desk, Ritz Kids quickly love their home away from home. – PIN THIS INFORMATION-
Each guest recieves 2 hours of complimentary Ritz Kids each day for two kids then there is an additional fee. Though it is not cheap, I found the rate to be comparable to other top notch hotels, including the Deluxe Disney ones. If you feel that your kids would enjoy this type of activity like mine do then I suggest budgeting it into your vacation plans to avoid any surprises.
Splurge for a Ritz-Carlton Club Level Room
To experience another level of family-friendly luxury and convenience, reserve one of the Ritz-Carlton Club Level rooms. The additional cost truly is an exceptional value. You have 24-hour access to the Club Lounge which is located on the 14th floor. This large private space is a relaxing area with snacks and beverages around the clock. Five times a day the buffet is filled with hearty culinary items.
The schedule of food is consistent and filling. This is where a huge value comes in for a family. We never needed to buy breakfast or lunch and even felt satisfied after one of the evenings. My daughter loved her unlimited access to the famous Ritz Cookies and my son was thrilled about the candy bar that was available at all times!
- Breakfast 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Lunch 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Light Snacks 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Hors d’Oeuvres 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Desserts, Candies and Cordials 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Alcoholic Beverages 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
There is a large amount of seating space where we never felt crowded even during the busy breakfast hours. The balcony provided lovely views of the pool, lake and golf course making for a wonderful afternoon place to unwind. There is even a Club Lounge Media room where children can enjoy their own kid-friendly refreshments as they watch some of their favorite movies or play a board game.
Dining at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
As a former YELP Community Ambassador, I can be a bit of a foodie. So I am happy to say that another standout at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is the dining. There are 11 onsite restaurants between the two properties. We enjoyed all the food on-site, but my kids favorite was the dining pool front at Bleu.
The meal at Highball & Harvest was phenomenal and my favorite meal of the trip. The restaurant offers a farm to table style menu, so you can count on having fresh and unique options. It is located on the ground floor of The Ritz and has such a relaxed yet upscale feel. Between the live music, games and comfy seating we felt comfortable bringing our young children here and were then blown away by the service and food. There is a level of service one expects at The Ritz and other luxury hotels but our server, Stephen, was beyond fabulous. He truly made our dinner better just by being our server.
From the signature cocktails (I had to try the Seasoned Traveler-Yum!) to the Scallops and Rye appetizer and the Stuffed quail, everything was prepared flawlessly. And of course, I had to end this wonderful meal with dessert, waffles and bananas accompanied by Cappuccino ice cream. Delicious!
Things to know before you go to The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
- Located at 4012 Central Florida Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32837
- Check out their online specials before booking on another website because they offer a variety of packages throughout the year that may end up being the best deal.
- Fitness center located in The Ritz-Carlton Spa is complimentary to registered guests and has tons of cardio, weight machines and even aerobic classes.
- The Ritz-Carlton Golf, Orlando, Grande Lakes is an 18-hole Greg Norman-signature golf course featuring the optional Ritz-Carlton Golf Caddie Concierge program
- There are a number of recreational experiences including Eco-Tours, fishing, and bike rentals
- The Ritz Kids program is open daily.
- Parking is additional as well as an amenity fee.
- Complimentary transportation to the local theme parks is available but airport transportation is an additional fee and must be prearranged.
Have you been to The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes? Did you find it to be as kid-friendly as I did? I’d love to hear about your stay!
Share them with me on Instagram or in the comments below!
Cheers to a beautiful day from the @ritzcarlton. The view from the Executive Club Lounge is stunning. Paradise found in Orlando! . . . #RCmemories #ritzcarlton #cheers #poolview #ritzcarltonhotel #thelife #stunning #travel #familytravel #wine #its5oclocksomewhere #joy #visitfl #visitorlando #paradisefound #iamtb #travelmom #travelgram #travelwriter #tmom