Grande Lakes · Orlando · Florida · Forbes Five-Star · Family Residence
Central Florida's only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel — 500 pristine acres at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades, with an 18-hole Greg Norman golf course, a 40,000-square-foot spa, and a refined luxury base for Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is Central Florida's only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel — a 582-room resort on 500 acres at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades, built to inspire a sense of arrival that no hotel on International Drive or near the parks can replicate. The resort's location — 7 miles from Walt Disney World, 15 minutes from Universal Studios, 7 minutes from SeaWorld — makes it the most complete luxury base for families who want the parks without the compromise of a theme park hotel. The Executive Suites, at 900 square feet with two balconies, accommodate families of up to six in space that most Disney resorts cannot match.
The 18-hole Greg Norman–designed golf course is an Audubon Certified Cooperative Sanctuary — one of the few in Central Florida — and hosts the PNC Championship (parent/child tournament) annually. The 40,000-square-foot spa is jointly operated with the adjacent JW Marriott, and guests of The Ritz-Carlton have access to the JW's Grande Lakes Waterpark, which features six water slides, a lazy river, and lagoons — one of the best waterparks at any luxury hotel in the United States.
Knife & Spoon is The Ritz-Carlton's Michelin-starred restaurant, serving a modern coastal steakhouse programme with locally sourced seafood and prime cuts. Highball & Harvest is the resort's farm-to-table concept, drawing on ingredients from the hotel's own 7,000-square-foot Whisper Creek Farm on the property — a working farm with chicken coops, apiaries, and an organic garden. Daily shuttle service is included in the resort fee to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld.
The Executive Suites at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes span more than 900 square feet with two large balconies — one overlooking the lake and pool area, with views of Walt Disney World fireworks in the evening, the other offering a private relaxation space. The suites feature separate bedrooms and living rooms with marble bathrooms stocked with Asprey toiletries, Italian linens, and the Ritz-Carlton's signature mattress. The Royal Suite provides over 2,500 square feet of living space for large families. All suites have access to the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, which provides five daily food and beverage presentations, private concierge, and an exclusive environment for guests travelling with children.
The resort's Ritz Kids program provides supervised activities for younger guests, with a dedicated check-in in the lobby corner. Grande Lakes Sports, on the lower level of the property, offers kayaking, fishing, and falconry for an additional fee. Mountain bikes are included in the resort fee. The pool — a clover-shaped design with private cabanas, synchronized fountains, and a splash zone — is one of the most celebrated pool environments at any Ritz-Carlton property.
Knife & Spoon is The Ritz-Carlton's Michelin-starred restaurant — a modern coastal steakhouse programme developed by celebrity chef John Tesar, with locally sourced seafood, prime dry-aged cuts, and a serious wine programme. The restaurant occupies a dedicated dining room with views across the resort's lakes. Highball & Harvest is the resort's farm-to-table dining concept, drawing on the property's own Whisper Creek Farm for herbs, vegetables, honey, and eggs, presented in a Southern-inspired menu of shrimp and grits, pimento cheese, and beef brisket in a relaxed, warm environment with Florida outdoor access.
Bleu is the pool bar and grill — casual burgers, fresh seafood, and tropical cocktails from a setting overlooking the lake with the resort's tranquil pool in the foreground. Fairways Pub at the golf clubhouse serves draught beer and pub food with views across the Greg Norman course. First Drop is the lobby coffee bar, serving locally roasted specialty coffee and breakfast pastries. Room service runs 24 hours with a dedicated kids' menu. Private chef experiences can be arranged at the suite for family dinners throughout the stay.
Four nights at the only Forbes Five-Star resort in Orlando — Executive Suite for up to 6 guests, Disney VIP day, Universal Studios, golf on the Greg Norman course, and farm-to-table Michelin dining.
Add-ons: Disney VIP guide upgrade +USD 2,500 · Private golf experience +USD 600
Every theme park hotel in Orlando has Mickey ears on the elevator and a bus system that deposits you at the park gates in 45 minutes with 400 other families. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes has a Greg Norman golf course, a Michelin-starred restaurant, a 40,000-square-foot spa, and 500 acres of Florida Everglades headwaters. Walt Disney World is 7 miles away. Universal Studios is 15 minutes. The resort shuttle serves both, daily, included in the resort fee. The Executive Suite has two balconies, views of the Walt Disney World fireworks, and 900+ square feet. Whisper Creek Farm is on the property. And Knife & Spoon has a Michelin star. This is what Orlando looks like when you are not compromising.
A 4-night luxury family stay at Central Florida's only Forbes Five-Star resort — 500 acres at the Everglades headwaters, 7 miles from Walt Disney World, with a Greg Norman golf course, Michelin-starred restaurant, and a 40,000-square-foot spa.
Disney VIP day. Universal Studios. Golf on the Greg Norman course. Grande Lakes Waterpark. Falconry on the Everglades headwaters. And Knife & Spoon for Michelin-starred dinner. Four nights where Orlando luxury is defined by something other than a theme park hotel.
All components are fully flexible — refined with your Richseen specialist prior to confirmation.