Orlando, Florida, Is Getting a $1.5-billion Resort With an 8-acre Lagoon, a Food Hall, and Vacation Homes With Private Pools — Here's a Sneak Peek

The long-awaited Evermore Orlando Resort will open on January 1, with 15 restaurants, fire pits, golf courses, and amenities galore — all next door to Walt Disney World.

In 2022, Orlando's theme parks and natural attractions drew more than 74 million travelers, making it the most-visited destination in America. And its hospitality scene is keeping up with the demand for family-friendly lodging.

On January 1, the area will welcome the long-awaited Evermore Orlando Resort, a vacation resort boasting more than 2,000 bedrooms spread among a diverse array of accommodations, including rental homes, villas, apartments, and a hotel: the new Conrad Orlando. There's also an artificial lagoon, two golf courses, and 15 dining concepts, and fire pits, among many other amenities. Best of all? The resort is just a short ride from many of Orlando's theme parks, including Walt Disney World next door.

"We've taken the absolute best features of vacationing in a home, layered in luxury hotel-style services, and mitigated the problems of renting someone's personal home," Christopher Kelsey, president of Dart Interests, the property's developer, told Travel + Leisure.

The accommodations, designed with families and groups in mind, feature all the comforts of a private home, including washer/dryer units, fully equipped kitchens, spacious living rooms and outdoor gathering spaces. Travelers can choose between two- to four-bedroom villas with lagoon or golf course views; four-bedroom, four-bathroom apartments that accommodate up to 11 people; and luxury vacation homes that range from five to 11 bedrooms and up to 7,800 square feet in size. The homes have heated saltwater plunge pools, outdoor kitchens, and a la carte housekeeping services. Guests can also hire a private chef or a bartender to service their homes.

"Our purpose-designed vacation rental homes take the guesswork out of choosing a place to stay in Orlando with every need anticipated in our well-appointed homes," said Rene Smilek, the director of resort operations at Evermore. "Evermore will forever change how we think about luxury travel and what that means for groups of all types — families, reunions, weddings, corporate retreats, girls trips, and golf trips."

Those who prefer a more traditional hotel experience can book a room at the brand-new Conrad Orlando, which will open on January 9. The property will feature 433 rooms, including 51 suites and 10 residential-style family suites, with private balconies, contemporary decor, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel will also have a private pool area with a splash pad, private cabanas, a rooftop, and a spa (all guests at Evermore Orlando Resort can make spa reservations). Conrad Orlando will be home to three full-service restaurants and two bars.

And speaking of dining, guests craving a more casual experience can head to the resort's food hall and gourmet market with several eateries, while those in the mood for a sit-down meal can book a table at the resort's signature restaurant overlooking the lagoon and golf course.

The property's activities program will seriously make you think twice about leaving the resort and heading to a theme park; a long list of daily workout classes is available to all guests, as well as a pickleball court, a sports lawn, and, of course, the lagoon.

This unique facility is filled with 17 million gallons of water and surrounded by beaches with sand imported from Pensacola Beach. The lagoon is eight feet deep at the center and has several zero-entry points. Guests can borrow kayaks and paddleboards, swim, or simply lounge on the beach and enjoy the sun. A family waterslide, a rope swing, and several jump platforms add to the lagoon's many amenities.

"Before Evermore, visitors to Florida had to choose between the attractions or the beach. Now, with neighboring proximity to the world's greatest theme parks and Evermore Bay, our stunning beach complex with crystal blue waters, travelers no longer have to choose," Stewart Brown, the executive vice president of Dart Interests, added.

Reservations at Evermore Orlando Resort are now available on evermoreresort.com. Nightly rates start at $278 for a two-bedroom villa, $611 for a four-bedroom apartment, and $1,379 for a five-bedroom vacation home.

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