Luxury, Convenience, Super-Fun Amenities: A Few Staples of Orlando's Best Hotels

Spacious guestrooms, balcony views, water slides and the brand-new Marilyn Monroe spa are just a handful of reasons to consider this as a home base for your Orlando visit. Whether you're dining amid the opulence of Hemingway's or kicking back with something cold from the On The Rocks pool bar, you're like to feel relaxed and well taken-care-of. And speaking of pools, this property's 850,000-gallon lagoon-style oasis boasts 12 waterfalls, a rope bridge and a swim-through rock grotto with a hidden jacuzzi. Ideal for kids as well as adults with a playful spirit! Tennis, golf, biking/jogging trails and of course, theme-park convenience, help round out your stay.

There are hotels and resorts that capture the essence of the resort and theme park area, there are those that immerse guests in the cosmopolitan vibe of Orlando's downtown and then there's the Alfond Inn. Adjacent to beautiful historic Rollins College and within minutes' walk of almost everything cool and cultural to do in gorgeous upscale Winter Park, this is a phenomenal option for folks who may want to visit a park or two but prefer an entirely different atmosphere for their central Florida getaway. Phenomenal dining, museums and shopping are steps from the property, though Hamilton's Kitchen –" the Alfond's ritzy on-site dining venue –" is worthy of note on its own.

A landmark in downtown Orlando, the Grand Bohemian claims the role as one of the city's most eclectic and memorable hotels, immersing its guests in an array of exceptional artwork, elegant decor and modern flair amid cosmopolitan, AAA Four-Diamond extravagance. With easy access to the interstate, it delivers a trendy alternative to the usual resort-style hotels for which Orlando is known. The Grand Bo's location is beyond convenient: adjacent to the city's brand-new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and walking distance from multiple restaurants, bars, nightclubs and the Amway Center. Of course, its in-house piano bar and top-rated restaurant may even prevent you from wanting to leave. A swanky pool high atop the hotel provides a gorgeous view of the city.

This massive resort is centered around a four-and-half acre indoor atrium that includes areas highlighting Florida from Key West to St. Augustine to the Everglades. There's everything from luscious gardens to a replica of a centuries old stone fort to live alligators. And that's just the stuff inside the resort. To give you another idea of how large this place is, there are more than 1,700 guest rooms. The resort's three-acre Cypress Springs Water Park is a must when visiting the resort. There are two pools, a rapids river, a surf simulator, a multilevel water playground and seven slides. Easily enough to keep everyone in the family occupied.

Beautiful Spanish colonial architecture and a lovely lazy river are two features that will lower your blood pressure upon check-in at the J.W. Marriott Grande Lakes where myriad dining options and access to the Ritz Carlton's spa and golf club make for a particularly sumptuous stay. Disney is nearby, but if you're more in the mood to relax poolside, you'd never know - palms sway, water sparkles, romance beckons. Head to the driving range, take a fitness class, explore the parks and the city but come "home" to luxury - and perhaps drinks and dinner at Primo - before retiring to your comfortable, cozy room.

This boutique hotel, which opened in November 2021, is part of the Swan and Dolphin complex located on Walt Disney World Property. It is within walking distance of EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. As a bonus, guests staying at the Swan Reserve get many of the amenities of the Walt Disney World resorts, such as early or late entrance to the parks. Guests also get to use the massive pool at Swan and Dolphin, or you can choose to stay at the Swan Reserve and enjoy its beautiful, tranquil pool. The 14-story building has nearly 350 rooms, with 149 of them being suites. All hotel rooms have gorgeous floor to ceiling windows with spectacular views of the nearby theme parks.

With more than 480 acres in Bonnet Creek, the Waldorf Astoria is the epitome of class and elegance, and with a ridiculously convenient Disney-centric location to boot. A championship Rees Jones-designed golf course, top-rated spa, excellent restaurants and stunning pool help set the tone for a stay that can be summed up with a drop of its well cultivated name. Families are never ignored at Orlando-based properties. Those staying here with kids will find plenty to enjoy. But adults traveling without will also find sophisticated serenity. And a complimentary private shuttle service to the Walt Disney World parks means they can be kids again, too, if they like.

Prepare for full immersion in tranquility at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, where proximity to the city's world-class excitement is paired with the signature opulence this brand's many proponents have come to expect. Enjoy the resorts new signature steak and seafood restaurant, Knife & Spoon, led by chef John Tesar. Also enjoy some mouthwatering southern-inspired cuisine at the resort's Highball & Harvest. When you're through nourishing your belly, nourish the rest of your body at the property's posh, relaxing spa. Ritz-Carlton recently underwent redesign updates to guest rooms, suites, poolside cabanas and the club lounge. Mickey and pals are nearby, but worlds away, making the Ritz-Carlton the very best of both worlds.

Yes this is on a Best Hotels list, but the first thing that needs to be established, this is billed as NOT a hotel. Instead, it's described as an immersive two-night experience that takes place aboard the Star Wars Halcyon Starcruiser. Think of it as a cruise ship-type excursion completely immersed in the Star Wars world. All guests board at the same time and disembark at the same time. Guests stay in cabins similar to cruise ship staterooms with "windows" that look out to the galaxy. There are constant activities on board and a storyline you'll follow that will have you picking between the First Order or the Resistance. What you won't find are things like room service, a swimming pool spa or gym. Given the nonstop tasks you're given, whether by storm troopers, Rey or Chewbacca, you won't miss the normal hotel amenities.

The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort may be a mouthful to say, but it's a pleasure to stay. Smack in the middle of Walt Disney World Resort's beautiful Golden Oak community, the FS Orlando's gorgeous zero-entry pool, incredible five-acre water park and lazy river and complimentary Kids' Camp (not to mention character breakfasts with Goofy and pals!) make this a sumptuous stay with all the right Disney touches. Its adults-only oasis (21 and over, please) means those looking for a little posh peace and quiet with their Florida sun need not look elsewhere. A host of on-site eateries, from casual to elegant, tempt the palate while a 13,000-square-foot spa spoils the weary soul. Couples' suites and waterside spa bungalows up the ante for both luxury and relaxation.