Four Seasons Resort Orlando

Four Seasons Resort Orlando ($549 - $5,000+)
Orlando, Florida

July 2016

I am head-over-heels in love with this resort.

I have to start by telling you that I am a huge fan of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.  I've stayed at several Four Seasons - all right, many - and this is my favorite one to stay in.  What I mean by that is, while I may prefer to vaction at other locations,  this is the Four Seasons where I like to do a stay-cation and never leave the hotel.  Really, I never want to leave.  

This resort has everything you (or at least, I) could want.

One thing that I love is that this Four Seasons is on Disney Property but lacks all the annoying Disney theme-y stuff.  (Maybe that's just me who doesn't like the in-your-face-you're-at-Disney thing.) 

My family has stayed at several Disney Resorts and this is the only place we ALL want to stay when we go to Disney, or anywhere near Orlando.  In fact, my 10 year-old son's gushing about this hotel is the reason we stayed here this last visit instead of at a Disney-themed hotel.  (My son and I had stayed here before but my husband had not.  He's not willing to stay elsewhere now. Yay!)

There are subtle touches here and there that are reminiscent of Mickey Mouse's ears and some other things, but you have to look to find them.  Very tastefully done.  Also, there are some character-visit opportunities on the property if you DO want that experience.

Artwork in a hallway outside the spa; One of the subtle decorations with circles, reminiscent of Mickey Mouse ears. 

All of what you would expect from a Four Seasons, like excellent customer service and hospitality, as well as beautiful rooms, grounds and furnishings, and good restaurants are here, but somehow this resort has more.  It is so heavenly that the lack of a club level or club room doesn't even detract from my desire to stay here.  (I get how obnoxious that sounds.  I would be embarrassed by how I sound if only I didn't feel that way. So, I'll keep my blog's name!) Maybe it's because everywhere I turn, I am catered to.  Sitting by the pool - any of the pools - I am brought towels, cold water and extra cups.  Complimentary sunscreen is provided at several kiosks.  When we rented a cabana, four free adult beverages were offered (or was it one per adult? in which case there were more... obviously, I indulged and, thus, cannot recall).  Also, the iPad in the room makes scheduling massages, room service, any request, really, so simple.  You hardly have to speak or type, and poof, voila!

I think you get the idea.

So I will list some (more)  fantastic things that I love at this Four Seasons but you really need to go to the website - Four Seasons Resort Orlando- or just go to the resort! - to see the full extent of this place:  adults-only pool ('nuff said!), lazy river with a great current and small and large inner tubes, kids' club and activity center(s) with stuff kids really want to do, good shopping, gym with equipment and a variety of exercise classes (I took morning yoga outside and it was ohhmmm...) and, of course, an indulgent spa.  

With the exception of the spa, most or all of this is free for guests. Oh, and you can enjoy fireworks three times nightly from the roof-top restaurant where you can see Epcot's, Walt Disney's and then Hollywood Studios'.

I hate to sound like a commercial, but this really is a luxurious world unto itself where everyone in the family can relax, enjoy and have fun.

Clean, sparkling, lazy river with the perfect amount of current.

A lounging area near the lazy river.

Night shot from the rooftop restaurant of the adults-only pool.

Pull-out couch made up for the kids was as comfortable as the king size bed.

Arrival surprise for (male) kids in our room upon arrival - kid-sized bathrobe, pirate's hat and eye patch, plastic sword (not pictured), and scavenger hunt booklet that finishes with free ice cream.

Seating in the hallway outside the spa.

I am remiss that I did not photograph our room, suite, cabana or more of the hotel.  I was only going to blog about the spa here, not the resort itself, because I hadn't been to the spa until this visit.  (Yes, that's right - I so enjoyed the rest of the amenities, I didn't even bother with the spa!)  But then I realized that the spa piece is only a small portion of what's to be enjoyed at this property, so I had to write about the resort on its own.

Negatives of the resort can be anticipated; Cocktails are expensive (think New York prices); The food is somewhat pricey, as well, but it is worth it.  The Four Seasons' restaurants are competitively priced with meals I've had at The Contemporary, The Polynesian and The Animal Kingdom Lodge and I would quickly depart from those resorts and drive 20 minutes to eat at the Four Seasons instead.

Not surprisingly, it was easy to please the pickiest of children at Ravello (the Italian restaurant downstairs) as well as more sophisticated palates.  I would expect the same to be true at the other restaurants at the resort but don't know for sure.  My son eats a wide range of foods and enjoyed all the restaurants.  Catering to the finicky was a concern at only one meal (with guests) during our stay, which was at Ravello.

I'd love to know what you think about Four Seasons Resort Orlando.  Do you love it as much as I do?  Have you been?  I'd love to hear from you!

Thank you for reading my blog.

~ The Pampered Wife