Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate

The watchwords here are "sensible luxury" and it shows from the casually elegant lobby to diverse recreation options just outside one of the first true destination resorts in Orlando. Pictures of the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate

Just five miles from Disney World's gates, this Mediterranean styled resort is nonetheless tucked away in a quiet spot surrounded by 1200 acres of natural wetlands. Despite the convenient location, you may feel you never need to leave, with recreation options such as a lazy river and water slide, a nine hole pitch and putt course (as well as access to the adjacent David Leadbetter Golf Academy and 36 holes of golf), a full-service spa, and five restaurants.

730 guest rooms and suites in citrus colors inspired by the locale: yellows, oranges and greens. Comfortable, "sink-in" beds are triple sheeted and piled with pillows. Bathrooms have standard tubs, but curved shower rods and extra lighting are nice touches. Marble vanities hold Swiss Institute amenities. Rooms have complimentary Wi-Fi and work desks. Suites have living and dining rooms and 42" plasma TVs. Rates from $135. See pictures of room 844.
Compare rates on Kayak

70,000 square feet of meeting space includes a grand ballroom. Meetings transform seamlessly into leisure time as the resort can provide a fleet of golf carts outfitted with clubs in a staging area just outside the conference rooms. The Meditation Garden is a picturesque spot for pictures or an outdoor event.

Several swimming pools include a formal pool flanked by cabanas stocked with TVs, Wi-Fi and refrigerators stocked with smoothies and fresh fruit. A lazy river, meandering through landscaped grounds past waterfalls and a water cannon, is a big hit with kids and adults alike. A zero entry family pool sports a 125-foot corkscrew water slide. Nearby is a fountain play area and a sandy beach.

For golfers, the resort offers a 9-hole Champions course (lit for night play) as well as access to the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, ranked one of the top 10 golf schools in the U.S. The full-service Serenity Spa has a whirlpool, sauna and a couples massage room. Two lighted tennis courts, basketball and sand volleyball courts, and a state-of-the-art fitness center round out the options.

Besides the pool area, kids will enjoy the Omni Kids Camp, a 2,000 square foot facility overseen by Le Petit Academy. At check-in, kids receive a goody bag with an activity book, sunglasses, and a kids' cup providing them with unlimited refills at any of the restaurants. A playground, video game arcade, and puzzles and video games by request at the concierge guarantees kids will be occupied.

Breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner at Trevi's, a casual Mediterranean restaurant with indoor and outdoor garden seating. At Zen, the highlight is the Zen Experience: a taste of everything on the menu, which leans toward the Chinese influence, for about $35; it does sushi equally well. Poolside bar and café Croc's has burgers and salads. David's Club has pool tables, plasma TVs and a full bar, but also serves steaks and seafood.

Five miles from Walt Disney World, 16 miles from Universal Orlando, adjacent to the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. The hotel provides free daily shuttles to Disney World. A shuttle to Universal Orlando can be arranged by the hotel for $14 round trip per person.
1500 Masters Boulevard, ChampionsGate, Florida 33896
phone: 407.390.6664, 800.THE.OMNI; fax: 407.390.6600;
web site: Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate

If you think of Orlando as theme parks and International Drive, you'll be in for a treat when you travel through the large formal gates and down the tree-lined drive to this destination resort. Between golf, the spa, the restaurants, the swimming pool complex, and the proximity to theme parks and shopping, everyone in the family should be quite content. Versatile meeting space, a 24-hour business center, and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel make it easy to be productive, and the hotel offers a wide array of options for leisure time.

• "The walls are paper thin..."
  3 out of 5 -- Jenny, visited July 2007
  
• "Overall I enjoyed my stay and the staff did a great job..."
  5 out of 5 -- Jo, visited August 2006
  

Have you stayed in the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate? What did you think? Add your comments here.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation, meals, and flight for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our [link url=http://about.com/gi/pages/ethics.htm]ethics policy.