Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is the crown jewel of luxury accommodations in Orlando. It's one of the few five-pearl hotels in Central Florida, and it outshines its competition -- The Ritz Carlton, the JW Marriott, the Waldorf Astoria, and the Grand Floridian -- in every aspect, from room decor, to pools, to dining options. What we love most about the property is its flawless blend of Disney wonder and adult sophistication. The stunning lobby wows with coffered marble walls and shimmering chandeliers, but the tasteful display of princess crowns and hidden Mickeys in the hallway wallpaper subtly pay homage to the resort’s surroundings. Guests can decide how much they want Disney to be part of their resort experience. At the Four Seasons, little girls in princess costumes are as common as middle-aged men in suits. Families with kids, couples, and business travelers will all feel welcome here, where the atmosphere is upmarket without feeling pretentious.  

Located in the Walt Disney World Resort, the Four Seasons is technically considered part of Disney World -- though it isn’t owned by Disney or considered a Disney hotel (like the Grand Floridian or Animal Kingdom). The resort is located in a luxury master planned community called Golden Oak, which is comprised of upscale private homes, the Four Seasons Resort, and the exclusive Tranquilo Golf Club. All of Disney’s theme parks and water parks, as well as Disney Springs, are within a 15- to 20-minute drive, and the hotel offers a free regularly running shuttle service between the parks. Other Orlando attractions, like SeaWorld and Universal Studios are also about a 20-minute drive. LEGOLAND Florida is about a 50-minute drive. Orlando International Airport is a 30-minute drive, though it should be noted that The Four Seasons does not have Disney’s Magical Express benefits. 

Rooms at the Four Seasons are understated and elegant, and they're stocked with high tech features and luxurious amenities. Though decor varies a bit between rooms and suites, guests can expect classic design elements with contemporary flair. In true Four Seasons fashion, walls are covered in various textures: sleek blond paneling frames the bed, patterned wallpaper defines the entry space, and thick teal drapery creates a streamlined silhouette around the sliding glass doors. Crown and baseboard moldings add depth, while beveled mirrors add visual interest and make already large rooms (entry level rooms start at 500 square feet), feel even larger. The Four Seasons has 12 different types of rooms and suites. All rooms are essentially the same, but have varying configurations and different views. Standard Rooms have two queen-size beds or one king-size bed and a pullout sofa. The hotel’s various suites range in size from 825 square feet to 6,000 square feet. Large parties traveling together can rent the entire 16th floor, which combines the Presidential Suite and the Royal Suite to create a nine-bedroom penthouse that comes with private elevator access and a personal concierge.    Rooms are equipped with iPads that guests can use to order 24-hour room service, read on-site restaurant menus, or book spa appointments. Additional features include free Wi-Fi, Nespresso machines, Bose sound systems, flat-screen TVs, electronic safes, and mini-fridges with free bottled water. All rooms have outdoor furnished balconies that overlook the resort complex or the surrounding Golden Oak community. From some rooms, like the Park View Room we visited, guests can see Disney fireworks nightly. Bathrooms are marble masterpieces with gray tile in various striations and honeycomb patterns. Large vanities feature double sinks and a nice display of C.O. Bigelow toiletries that are a far cry from typical hotel-sample size shampoos and conditioners. Bathrooms are also equipped with large soaking tubs, separate glass-enclosed shower stalls, and private water closets. Robes and slippers are provided.

Despite the fact that it’s located in one of the country’s premier vacation destinations, the Four Seasons stands alone as a destination in its own right. Travelers can easily visit the property and never leave -- there are enough entertainment options and dining venues to keep customers satisfied for days. In our opinion, the best part about the Four Seasons is that guests can immerse themselves in the Disney experience as much or as little as they want. There’s an on-site Disney Planning Center, free shuttle service to the parks, a weekly character breakfast, and a resort boutique that sells all things Disney. But travelers who don’t want anything to do with Mickey won’t feel inundated by his ears and magical cheer. The resort is large enough that families, adults, business travelers, and vacationers can all carve out their own space. 

Any Orlando resort worth its salt has to have an incredible pool. The Four Seasons has three of them, plus an 11,000 square foot lazy river and two waterslides. The adult-only oasis pool is the ultimate retreat for couples and friend groups. The rectangular pool is surrounded by cushioned lounge chairs, shaded day beds, and private tented cabanas. The atmosphere is quiet since it's out of earshot of the lazy river and waterslides, and the pool’s sleek infinity edge overlooks the property’s central lake. The lagoon-style family pool has a zero-entry point and an infinity edge, plus a tiny waterslide and a volleyball net. Surrounding lounge chairs and umbrellas provide plenty of poolside seating, though if we had one gripe, it would be that the lounge chairs aren’t cushioned like the ones around the adult pool. Don’t mistake the name “family pool” for a rowdy atmosphere, the area is usually pretty subdued. It’s also where the hotel hosts dive-in movies in the evenings. The kids' splash zone, lazy river, and two-story waterslides are a dream come true for families. The splash zone features stone ruins and choreographed fountains with 30 foot spouts. Next to it, the waterpark-quality lazy river meanders around palm fringed islands, through spontaneous zig-zagging jets, and beneath towering waterfalls. For even more excitement, check out The Drop, a two-story waterslide complex with two different slides (one open and one enclosed). 

The Four Seasons has four on-site restaurants, two bars, and a coffee shop. Like everything else here, dining is expensive, but exquisite. Ravello, the hotel’s signature restaurant, is where guests will find breakfast in the morning and Italian cuisine at night. Ravello offers both buffet and a la carte breakfast, but the menu is strictly a la carte at night. Capa, the 17th floor rooftop steakhouse, serves Spanish style small plates, Florida seafood, and prime cuts of beef. The outdoor patio is the perfect place to catch theme park fireworks at night. Plancha serves lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch overlooking the golf course. A Cuban inspired menu features items like empanadas, chuletas, tostones, and of course, Cuban sandwiches. PB&G is the hotel’s open-air poolside spot that serves Floridian fare for lunch. The Lobby Bar, a Four Seasons signature, is a warm, sophisticated space with an inventive cocktail menu. Hungry bar goers can order off a substantial small plates menu, or pick at bar snacks like toasted almonds and marinated olives. Once happy hour starts, the Lobby Bar sees a constant flow of guests, keeping the atmosphere upbeat and communal. Capa Bar is located on the 17th floor within the Capa restaurant. It’s a swanky spot, ideal for pre- or post-dinner drinks. Lickety Split, the hotel’s adorable coffee shop sells excellent coffee drinks, baked goods, and light sandwiches and salads at lunch time. 

Inspired by the Florida everglades, the 13,000 square foot Spa at the Four Seasons features indoor and outdoor elements that combine to enhance the overall wellness experience. The spa has 18 treatment rooms, including two waterside spa bungalows, plus multiple relaxation rooms, saunas, hydrotherapy pools, and experience showers. At the salon, hair and nail treatments are available for junior “princesses” and “knights.” The adjacent 24-hour fitness center is a light-filled space with top of the line Matrix cardio and weight equipment. Fitness classes, like yoga and indoor cycling, are available daily. Personal trainers are available upon request for a fee. The Four Seasons has free athletic clothing and sneakers for guests to borrow during their stay.

Along with the family pool, the splash zone, lazy river, and waterslides, guests with children can take advantage of the free kids' club, Kids for All Seasons. Parents can drop their kids off for a few hours or the whole day. The club has a regular schedule of activities, from scavenger hunts to pool games. For older kids, the supervised teens' club, The Hideout, is a fun space with gaming equipment, pinball, air hockey, and a cool outdoor lounge. Additionally, the hotel has a playground, a rock climbing wall, and a beach volleyball court. Families planning to visit Disney theme parks can take advantage of the Four Seasons’ on-site Disney Planning Center. At the Planning Center, Disney cast members are on hand to help guests with park tickets, restaurant reservations at Disney restaurants, or merchandise delivery services. One of the lobby’s boutiques exclusively sells Disney products like princess costumes, toys, and stuffed animals -- and it’s fairly common to see little Cinderellas and Prince Charmings walking around the hotel. For park transportation, the Four Seasons provides free shuttles that regularly run between all Disney parks and the hotel. 

Tranquilo Golf Club is the exclusive Tom Fazio designed golf course at the Four Seasons. At the beginning of 2018, the course was privatized, and is now only open to hotel guests and club members. Private lessons are available for those looking to sharpen their game. For tennis enthusiasts, the hotel has three Har-Tru courts and an on-site pro. 

The Four Seasons has 38,000 square feet of meeting space, ideal for business travelers or those hosting large events. The hotel’s two ballrooms measure 6,000 and 14,000 square feet, and can accommodate up to 400 and 900 guests (respectively). The resort’s king meadow lawn has space for up to 600 people. For smaller groups, the hotel’s meeting rooms are housed in private freestanding cottages along the lakeside. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.