Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
6000 Osceola Pkwy., Kissimmee, FL 34747.
&
877/677-9352
or 407/586-2000. Fax 407/239-4822. www.
gaylordpalms.com. 1,406 units. $149-$269 double; $635-$2,700 suite. $15 daily resort fee. Extra adult
$20. Children younger than 18 stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $20; self-
parking $12. Take the I-4 Osceola Pkwy. exit east to the hotel.
Amenities:
3 restaurants; 4 lounges;
babysitting; supervised children's program; concierge; concierge-level rooms; health club; 2 outdoor
heated pools; room service; spa; free transportation to Disney parks; transportation to non-Disney parks
for a fee.
In room:
A/C, TV, CD player, fridge, hair dryer, computer (free), Wi-Fi (free).
99
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort
Finds
A favorite of honeymooners
and those seeking a luxurious adult oasis, yet there's plenty here for families as well. This
getaway's lobby has lush foliage from which macaws squawk at passersby, with winding
walkways and landscape lighting to add to the ambience. The 18-story atrium has inner
and outer glass elevators (ride the outers to the roof for a panoramic rush). The rooms
are beautifully decorated with a Laura Ashley flair and easily sleep four. If you find,
however, that you are in need of additional space, you can usually request a connecting
room for a discounted price. The west-side rooms on floors seven and up have a distant
view of Cinderella Castle and the Magic Kingdom's fireworks. (This vantage point also
shows how much of WDW and the surrounding area still remain wooded.) To ensure
that the resort remains at the top of the A-list, extensive renovations, including the addi-
tion of a full-service spa, a complete overhaul of the guest rooms and suites, the addition
of new dining options, and a redesign of the lobby and check-in area are slated for
completion at just about the time this topic goes to print. The Hyatt shares a golf club
and academy, racquet club, and equestrian center (though at press time the equestrian
center had been closed indefinitely) with its sister property, Villas of Grand Cypress (see
below); both offer excellent packages aimed at the sports set. The Hyatt's half-acre,
800,000-gallon pool is one of the best in Orlando and features caves, grottoes, waterfalls,
a rope bridge, and a 45-foot water slide. A very nice child-care facility is also available.
Hemingway's,
its signature restaurant (p. 158), has a Key West theme and a menu fea-
turing fresh and innovative seafood. At the
Chef 's Table
(p. 148), guests can indulge in
a unique and intimate dining experience—perfect for a special night out.
1 N. Jacaranda (off Hwy. 535/Apopka-Vineland Rd.), Orlando, FL 32836.
&
800/233-1234
or 407/239-
1234. Fax 407/239-3800. www.hyattgrandcypress.com. 750 units. $179-$509 double; $599-$5,750 suite.
Optional $15 daily resort fee (includes health club, free local calls, daily newspaper, and in-room coffee).
Extra person $25. Children 18 and younger stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking
$19; self-parking free.
Amenities:
4 restaurants; 4 lounges; babysitting; supervised children's program;
concierge; concierge-level rooms; 45 holes of golf; health club; large heated outdoor pool; room service;
spa; 12 tennis courts (5 lighted); watersports equipment rentals; free Disney shuttle; transportation to
non-Disney parks for a fee.
In room:
A/C, TV, game system (fee), hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (fee).
4
Villas of Grand Cypress
Finds
This is an exceptional place to retreat to at
the end of the day, though it's definitely a splurge in the budget department. At its “mod-
est” end, this Mediterranean-inspired resort starts with standard-size rooms with Roman
tubs and patios, many of them backing up to ponds whose inhabitants include mallards,
soft-shelled turtles, and largemouth bass eager for bread crusts or whatever else you can
spare. Floor plans progress to elegant one- to four-bedroom villas that reach about 2,800
square feet on the top end. Some include kitchens, dining rooms, and patios. The resort
shares a golf club and academy, racquet club, and equestrian center (at press time, this
was closed indefinitely) with the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort (see above). Inside
the resort, you're almost completely sheltered from Disney, which is situated only a few
hundred yards away. Take some time to wander the lush grounds, which are dotted with
lakes, bougainvillea, and hibiscus. There are also walking and jogging trails, biking trails,
