by Emily Krause
Last updated: 6:00 PM ET, Thu October 11, 2018
A little work, a lot of play, and a groundbreaking eco-friendly initiative draw guests from all over the planet to Orlando World Center Marriott.
This sprawling resort in Central Florida boasts a prime location just minutes from popular theme parks like Disney World and Universal Orlando, but the allure of poolside drinks and myriad activities for kids might just tempt families to never leave the property.
Upon arrival, guests can choose to self-park or hand off the keys to a valet before entering the palatial lobby. My kids immediately pointed out the jaw-dropping glass elevators shooting out of the atrium. Watching the elevators kept them busy while I checked in with the friendly staff members.
Our room was simple, spacious and elegant, perfect for a family with young kids. We were all delighted to find that our balcony offered a view of the Falls Pool Oasis where we could watch the 9 p.m. laser show set to upbeat songs. This nightly entertainment ended up being one of the most memorable parts of our stay.
Guests are treated to free WiFi in their rooms along with plenty of channels and the opportunity to log into streaming services like Netflix and Hulu on the television. There's a comfortable desk where business travelers can get work done and charge their devices.
In the morning you'll want to head downstairs to the resort's newest restaurant, Latitude & Longitude, for its famous breakfast buffet. The kids can request Mickey Mouse pancakes and the buffet is brimming with options like fresh fruit, omelets, bacon, grits and breakfast potatoes.
Don't be surprised if the produce is some of the best you've tasted. All of the restaurants on property make use of greens, herbs, tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries and more from the hotel's newest eco-friendly initiative called the HyCube, a hydroponic vertical garden system.
Executive Chef Eric Martinez cited the resort's desire to give back instead of always taking from the environment as motivation for the project. Providing guests, who are increasingly inquiring about the source of their food, with clean, organic produce is certainly an added bonus.
Visitors can walk to the Harvest Terrace on the second floor and see the HyCube glowing with the signature pinkish hue that is used to grow the plants in a sterile environment. The cube makes use of vertical space and recycles water making it completely sustainable and eco-friendly.
By pioneering the use of the HyCube, Orlando World Center Marriott hopes to inspire other properties to follow suit. In the meantime, it gives guests an experience they can't get anywhere else, seeing their food go from seed to table all in one place. Chef Eric Martinez says a tour is in the works so guests will be able to learn more about the initiative.
Eco-friendly endeavors aren't the only thing World Center is known for, though. The Falls Pool Oasis is one of the most luxurious sanctuaries of relaxation I've seen at any hotel. The main pool is massive, leaving plenty of space for guests to float, swim or watch a sporting event on the giant screens displayed above the pool.
They didn't forget about families with kids, either. The Splash Zone makes parents' jobs of entertaining kids in the water so much easier thanks to the zero-entry pool and miniature waterslide even toddlers can use. With kids ages 1, 3 and 5, we were incredibly thankful for this area and spent much of our time there.
For the older kids, head on over to the Plunge Zone and climb the Slide Tower to reach three incredible waterslides. There's a 90-ft speed slide and two 200-ft winding waterslides for kids to enjoy, all closely supervised by lifeguards.
If all of these features weren't enough to keep kids' attention, World Center offers Activities World with LEGO tables and scheduled activities throughout the week, an arcade, and the G.R.I.D., or Gaming Recreational Interactive Destination. Couches, Xboxes, Playstations, Wii consoles, iPads and more await those who need a break from the hot Florida sun.
The adults can also make use of the Hawks Landing Golf Club where they can play 18 holes or even receive some private lessons. Another option for relaxation is The Spa where guests can choose from a variety of rejuvenating experiences from facials to massages.
When you're hungry but not ready to leave the pool, Falls Pool Bar & Grill serves up poolside eats to share and tropical libations to sip in the cushy chaise lounges. It's a casual eatery with reasonable price points, making it perfect for families.
Back inside the hotel, you can choose from Siro Urban Italian Kitchen, Mikado Japanese Steakhouse where the chefs prepare your food tableside, High Velocity, a family-friendly sports bar and grill, and Latitude & Longitude which serves excellent Southern food in addition to the breakfast buffet.
Central Pantry is a convenient grab-and-go market if families are heading out for the day, or if they just want a low-key dinner in their rooms. In addition to the typical snacks and coffee options, Central Pantry serves up gourmet salads, sandwiches and flatbreads.
One thing I noticed and loved about Orlando World Center Marriott was the mix of families on vacation, business travelers and convention attendees all enjoying the vast property and myriad amenities. The resort seemed to offer each type of traveler exactly what they needed, whether that was an exciting holiday or a peaceful retreat.
For more information on the Orlando World Center Marriott, check out their website.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
