Stay close to the Magic Kingdom: The best hotels near Walt Disney World
The massive Orlando tourist honeypot that is Walt Disney World is surrounded by hotels of just about every shape, size and quality. That means there is a bewildering array of choice – inside and outside of Disney – when it comes to where to stay. Here, cutting through the clutter, are our top 10.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
Orlando, Florida, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
The Four Seasons Resort in Orlando brings genuine five-star luxury to Disney World. The architecture is Spanish Revival in style but interior design and décor is more modern Italianate, to the point of art gallery cool. The whole ambience is imbued with a studied calm that never feels rushed or frenetic. Amenities include tennis courts, volleyball and basketball, plus two elegant infinity pools, a lazy river feature, water park with slides, fitness centre and sumptuous spa. A special Disney concierge can arrange all theme park tickets and bookings. Rooms above the fifth floor (west side) have the right elevation for views of the nightly Disney fireworks. Read expert review From £374 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Orlando, Florida, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
This is Orlando’s original luxury hotel, opened in 1984. The grand and sophisticated atrium lobby is loaded with wow factor, but there is still a relaxing ambience despite the resort’s size thanks to a series of elegant seating areas, fountains and pools. The fresh, tropical aspect of the hotel carries through beautifully to the rooms, which are both notably spacious and extremely well provisioned, and all benefit from fabulous views, either of the lake, gardens or pools (and Disney fireworks). Four restaurants run the gamut from casual all-day menus to seafood fine dining.Disney Springs is five minutes’ drive, and Disney’s theme parks just 10 minutes beyond that. Read expert review From £100 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Orlando, Florida, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
One of Orlando’s most luxurious resorts, with prices to match. Sumptuous is the watchword, from magnificent marble flooring to the signature clock in the foyer. Golf is a major draw, with all skill levels catered to on the 18-hole Rees Jones-designed course. A lap pool and large family pool sit side-by-side, with lush wood-sided cabanas. There are six restaurants of an exceptional stanadard. It's situated in a quiet enclave within the confines of Walt Disney World – but distinctly separate from the House of Mouse. The resort offers a complimentary shuttle to the Disney parks. Read expert review From £151 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Orlando, Florida, United States
8Telegraph expert rating
This hotel sits on a quiet nature preserve within the Disney resort complex’s boundaries. It's an elegant property with funky design touches, notably in the lobby, where the story of the Bonnet Sisters is told via an extensive motif that extends into the Myth bar. With 1,001 rooms it would be easy for the resort to feel massive; instead, public areas are busy but intimate, with plenty of space to spread out. Guests benefit from Disney’s Extra Magic Hours programme, featuring early entry into a specified park each day, or an extra two hours in the park after official closing time. Read expert review From £98 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Orlando World Center Marriott
Orlando, Florida, United States
8Telegraph expert rating
This flagship property of the famous brand is the world’s largest Marriott, with a dazzling array of amenities – plus Walt Disney World right on its doorstep. It's thoroughly contemporary in style despite its 1980s vintage, immense in both its dimensions and activities, starting with the glistening lobby’s impressive open atrium and glass-sided lifts. There is a dazzling array of creature comforts, from the 18-hole Hawk’s Landing golf course to superb water features. Four pools include the enormous Falls Pool Oasis, with a 90-foot speed slide. Shuttles to Orlando International Airport and Disney are available. Read expert review From £90 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Grove Resort & Spa
Four Corners, Orlando, United States
8Telegraph expert rating
This huge, stylish resort on the edge of semi-private Lake Austin is packed with amenities that make long stays comfortable, especially for families. The modern, elegant lobby sets the tone for this expansive property – a combination of resort and holiday home community – surrounded by lush natural landscaping. The highlight for families is the big 'Surfari' water park with a gigantic pool, two water slides, lazy river and a Flowrider learn-to-surf facility. Standard rooms are enormously spacious and maintain the bright airy style of the public areas. The resort feels wonderfully secluded and self-contained, but still close to Walt Disney World (six miles/10 km). Read expert review From £106 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
Lake Buena Vista, Orlando, United States
8Telegraph expert rating
A spectacular, sprawling resort set in 27 acres of lakeside property adjacent to the extensive Disney Springs area of Walt Disney World. It features an eye-catching central, 27-storey tower, with a separate, quieter, Island Building on the far side of the property. Outdoors is centred on the massive pool deck, with two pools, two whirlpool tubs, private cabanas, a lazy river, firepits and pool bar and grill. Despite the fact the hotel has 1,011 rooms, there are plenty of quiet nooks and crannies that make great chill-out spots. The vast majority have balconies and good views (especially of Disney’s nightly fireworks). Local buses call at Disney Springs for transport beyond Disney World. Read expert review From £86 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Caribe Royale
Orlando, Florida, United States
8Telegraph expert rating
Caribe Royale is slightly off the main tourist track, but with Orlando’s theme parks only 4-8 miles away (7-14km). It's refreshingly contemporary and individual, with a spectacular view of the hotel's waterfall pool through the grand Italianate lobby. Active guests can enjoy catch-and-release fishing, a one-mile (1.6km) walking and biking track, basketball and tennis; those seeking total relaxation will enjoy the large pool and Island Spa. Opt for a room on one of the top two floors as they offer terrific views of Disney in the distance. Read expert review From £69 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek
Orlando, Florida, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
The Wyndham Grand is a ‘hidden’ luxury hotel that’s close to Disney but often overlooked: the parks are barely 10 minutes away by shuttle bus, while Universal Orlando is just a 20-minute drive away. It's vividly contemporary with a modern take on classic hotel grandeur. The main pool and children's pool are enhanced by two hot tubs and cabanas, while the gorgeous Blue Harmony Spa has its own outdoor terrace, private patio and plunge pool. Almost half of the rooms have a balcony. Ask for an upper floor one for spectacular views of the nightly fireworks from the Disney parks. Read expert review From £111 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
B Resort & Spa
Lake Buena Vista, Orlando, United States
7Telegraph expert rating
If you can’t be in a Disney hotel, this is the next best thing, right on the doorstep of 47-square-mile Walt Disney World (with a free bus service). It is less than a mile from the shopping, dining and entertainment of Disney Springs. The fabric of the 394-room hotel may be 1970s but everything feels fresh and modern, with bold use of accent colours and a high-tech approach with the lighting and info touch-screens throughout the sleek, white lobby. A concierge can assist with Disney dining reservations, park tickets and golf tee times, or arrange off-site tours, while the AVEDA-stocked boutique spa provides just the right level of indulgent pampering. All rooms have a balcony, terrace or ceiling-to-floor window, some with a view of Magic Kingdom’s fireworks. Read expert review From £90 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
