7 Great Orlando Staycation Hotels to Take the Kids to This Weekend
- Maria DiCicco
- Apr 6, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 16
As often as once a month I get to have my very own “Pretty Woman” moment. You know the one, where Julia Roberts is draped in a dress finer than she can afford, showing a lot of leg in the hotel lobby bar, waiting for her man. That’s me, except maybe in more of a Ross Dress for Less outfit, with my daughter tugging on it for my attention.
In this scenario I am more often than not on a staycation in Orlando for the night while my husband works at the hotel conference room. Since my husband already has a room for the duration of his conference, my daughter and I get to join and enjoy going to the pool, the playground, walked the grounds of some of the best Disney resorts and luxury stays Orlando has to offer, and we do it all as guests to my husband.
In fact, we’re not alone - lots of families are starting to join their spouses on their work trips, and why not? Free hotel stays, luxurious bed sheets, and the smell of chlorine in all your belongings? Sounds like vacation to me. Here’s a round up of some of the best Orlando hotels to do a little staycation-ing yourself.
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Short on Time?Here's the best Orlando hotels for a staycation from this list: My Pick for Best Orlando Hotel for Families with Toddlers (or kids under 7): JW Marriott Bonnet Creek My Pick for Best Orlando Hotel for Couples: Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center My Pick for Best Disney Hotel for Low Key Fun: Disney's Coronado Springs Resort My Pick for Orlando Best Pool Hotel: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort My Pick for Closest Hotel to Disney: Disney's Swan and Dolphin Hotels My Pick for Best Water Park Hotel in Orlando: Orlando World Center Marriott My Pick for Closest Hotel to SeaWorld: Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld |
My Pick for Best Orlando Hotel for Families with Toddlers (or kids under 7): JW Marriott Bonnet Creek
This hotel is a hidden gem full of kids activities under the guise of a luxe Marriott resort.
For instance, there are fairy doors everywhere. Kids can take part in an ongoing scavenger hunt to find them, and even write to the fairies.
Each kid gets a reply from a fairy the next day or later that night!
They also have the kid's conservatory, which is a kids club full of amazing games, and we got to participate in a special craft, too.
There is also a climbing wall and a 9 hole mini golf course.
Kids can even be dropped off for specialty club time, costing the parents $65-85 depending on the day and time. Kids dropped off at night get fed dinner, too.
Further, there's a nice and relaxing family pool (separate from the adult pool), a wonderful buffet breakfast, and a gelato shop.
There's plenty to do for kids, and to top it off - we finished our staycation with a picnic in the room and a double feature on Netflix wearing our JW robes, of course. Perfection!
Book and compare rates here: |
My Pick for Best Orlando Hotel for Couples: Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center
Although this hotel is fantastic with kids, this is such a tranquil place to stay for couples, too.
The interior atrium is a vacation in itself. Lush and tropical, the sound of waterfalls trickles through alligator pools under a walking bridge full of young gawkers who have never seen a baby gator.
The atrium facing rooms drool with opportunities to people watch with wine glass in hand, and the outdoor water park takes your average hotel swimming pool to the next level.
Come for dinner on a faux sailing ship perched over an indoor sea, and stay for their annual Christmas festivities featuring Cirque du Soleil performances and an icy wonderland for kids.
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My Pick for Best Disney Hotel for Low Key Fun: Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Sometimes a Disney Hotel can just be a nice, relaxing hotel. It doesn't need to be full-on all day, especially after having spent the whole day at the parks.
At Disney's Coronado Springs resort, experience Disney vibes with low key fun.
With nightly s’mores by the campfire, multiple man made beaches, water fountains and Hispanic restaurants, this place is like a cruise on land.
Offering four sit-down restaurants and several bars and quick-service options, Coronado Springs is a scripted date night from taking in hand crafted Gin and Tonics in the Barcelona Lounge to tapas at the 16th floor rooftop, you can finish a romantic or family-focused evening at the nightly movie on the lawn, featuring Disney animated films.
Romance isn't as high at Disney hotels as it may be in my historic hotels in Florida round up, but there's always some snuggling time when the kids are entertained.
The pool has a giant Mayan Temple towering over a neatly enclosed area, bordered by a cantina, playground and volleyball court. If you get bored here, just take one of the convenient shuttle buses right to the nearby Disney Parks.
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Looking for a staycation that won't break the bank? Cash in your well earned hotel rewards points for many of these, or browse cheap hotels under $100 in Orlando here.
My Pick for Orlando Best Pool Hotel: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort
Just 3 minutes drive to the Disney attractions, the Hyatt in Lake Buena Vista has long been a wonderful spot to visit as a local. Their pool area is hands down the number one reason to stay at this resort. Featuring caves and waterfalls, this resort pool is a stunner.
The pool bar and restaurant serves up standard fare from quesadillas to chicken fingers, and the neighboring man-made beach is great for sunbathing or launching one of their rental kayaks.
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One of the major deciding factors here is the proximity to Disney's Epcot theme park. Connected to the park by Disney's Boardwalk, a stay at the Swan or Dolphin hotel makes a trip around Epcot's world showcase an easy one.
Accessible through the secret entrance by France and the Ratatouille ride, visitors can stroll in from the resort and Boardwalk area or they may choose to arrive by the very convenient water taxi.
Commonly thought of as one hotel, the Swan and Dolphin Hotels are actually separate to book. The major difference is the cost. The Swan nearly doubles the current daily rate for the Dolphin, so keep that in mind.
Between the two hotels there is something like half a dozen pools and nearly 20 restaurants, so you really don't need to leave.
The Boardwalk also offers plenty of dining options, and the beach path to and from the hotels offers a really relaxing way to finish out a day at the park or visiting nearby Disney Springs.
My Pick for Best Water Park Hotel in Orlando: Orlando World Center Marriott
An impressive hotel, the Orlando World Center Marriott used to be a pit stop for entertainment in our early days living in Orlando. Accompanied by a visit to the nearby outlets, my parents would take us there to ride the elevator and see the cool effect from dropping 20 floors in all-glass surrounds. In the '90s, this was cool stuff!
Today, this well-situated hotel to both SeaWorld and Disney parks is a treat to relax at with family without having to go far from home.
With plenty of dining options, we enjoyed a delicious meal at Siro Urban Italian Kitchen, and on other stays have gotten to indulge in Mikado Japanese Steakhouse onsite as well. Be aware that this popular teppanyaki dining establishment will require reservations in advance on OpenTable if you don't want to be disappointed.
The pool bar offers great cocktails, but amenities don't end there. Play lawn games by their fireplaces and common areas and their pool is a highlight for all guests. Attend a dance party by the pool in the evenings and catch a movie when the sun goes down.
The shallow wading area of the pool is perfect for when they bring the lights down for a laser light spectacular.
The River Falls Waterpark offers day time fun for everyone including a lazy river, several inner tube water slides, and all sorts of kid-friendly splash areas.
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My Pick for Closest Hotel to SeaWorld: Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
One of the obvious draws to this hotel is its proximity to SeaWorld. In fact, it's the perfect place to get your kids to SeaWorld before the crowds hit because it is literally a 5 minute walk across the parking lot to get there.
Not only can you be there when the park gates open without hassle, but you can visit half of the park before the crowds arrive later in the morning.
The lobby and atrium at the Renaissance offers guests a handful of options from a tapas bar to a sports bar and restaurant, all providing the typical high priced mealtime goodies. The sports bar does have some well portioned appetizers, however, which can easily fill up anyone for happy hour.
The pool is always a mention because let's face it, why else do we staycation in a town offering SO many tourist attractions? The Renaissance pool area offers three pools and a kiddie fun zone. Fun for all, they even have lawn games and a small arcade to entertain the kids.
Rooms overlook SeaWorld or, on the opposite side, sprawling views of the Universal Resort area. We enjoyed a spectacular fireworks show from our massive balcony during our stay.
Book and compare rates here: |
A Staycation in Orlando is easily one of the best ways to entertain your kids as a local, without having to shell out the cash for a park ticket. Enjoy pools, fine dining, and the feeling of vacation and if you're clever like me, join in on your husband's next convention! Move over Julia Roberts, I'm stocking up on resort wear to wow in the lobby bar at the next staycation.
