Nine years after my first visit to Four Seasons Orlando, I returned under entirely different circumstances. Still, the results were the same. Excellent property, impeccable service, and a welcome refuge from all that is contemporary Orlando. Located inside the Disney World perimeter, the hotel is in, but not of, the Disney resort. There’s a convenient, complimentary shuttle to the park, so even those who bring a car need not drive down the street and fight for parking. Or I presume so, as I never made it to Disney or Epcot this trip.
I was consumed by getting to the Orange County Convention Center, where literally hundreds of Puma NXTPro teams had converged for the season-ending AAU basketball tournament to see who was worthy of advancing to the PRO16 stage next year. NB, if you do have commitments beyond Disney, the FS is an easy (if often congested) 20-minute drive up I-4 to Sea World, Universal, and Convention Center venues. The rest of Orlando is likewise a suburban-style drive. (Nine years ago, my 17 year-old was 8: itinerary was park-hotel-pool; park-hotel-pool; repeat).
While we didn’t have the kids’ activities on our agenda this past week, I recall them vividly. Lazy river; fully equipped game room, ice cream shop inside the game room; instructors who will teach your son or daughter how to use any game platform like a boss; breakfast with Goofy for select brunches-in short, a kid’s dream come true.
But if you’re an adult looking for an oasis to unwind with a frozen pina colada by the adult pool, this is also your venue of choice. The several different pools (adult, family, baby), plus the lazy river, all make water the primary relaxant. Of course there are tennis courts, a fully equipped spa, luxurious locker rooms, and access to a premier golf course.
Front door and lobby staff are gracious to a fault, such that valet car retrieval was invariably timely. If you have any concerns, calling the valet desk 10 minutes before departure will assuage any anxiety.
The Lobby Bar is well named and well equipped. Ravello on the lower level is home to one of the finest brunches I’ve ever attended, rivaling the pièce de resistance, otherwise known as Four Seasons Hualalai (Kona, Big Island, Hawaii. IYKYK.) I’ve never tried the Italian dinner fare, but all reports were positive. There are several other fine dining options, including one with a Michelin star, but I’m a plebe. PB&G (open air pub overlooking all watering holes), and Lickety Split (café with premium lattes) satisfied my limited palate. There are multiple retail shops off the lobby, but the kids’ clothing venue also carries those incidentals you left at home.
Rooms are spacious, well appointed, with luxurious bathrooms (it’s Four Seasons, after all), and feature balconies overlooking the pool areas (with a distant view of Epcot). But the other side of the hotel oversees a bucolic neighborhood. If you’re wondering about the higher rates for Epcot-facing views, it relates to the ability to watch fireworks (at considerable distance) from your room. If the fireworks are important, take an elevator to the rooftop bar. But your kids won’t settle for anything less than a close-up view of the castle.
I don’t want to single out any of the fine wait staff I encountered, because I’m afraid I’ll miss someone. If you were assigned to my table, or served me by the pool, your personalities and professionalism were totally appreciated. Likewise, it was refreshing to have skilled housekeeping services for a change. Fresh towels daily and turndown service have become a vanishing extravagance.
Hot humid weather is invariably a challenge in Orlando in July. Thankfully, the Four Seasons staff was there to keep everyone cool. If the opportunity presents itself, this is the only place to stay in Orlando. There’s a reason why Goofy always volunteers for the meet-and-greet. He may be Goofy, but he’s not silly. He knows a good thing when he sees it.
