The 6 best Orlando hotels for families

To make sure your next vacation in Orlando is the best it can be for the family, you need to make sure you choose a hotel that you’ll all love. The city is blessed with many fantastic places to stay, but when it comes to the best Orlando hotels for families, some are a cut above the rest.

We’ve picked six such hotels for you and explained a little more about what makes them such excellent choices for you and the kids.

Whether you’re hitting the four Walt Disney World theme parks or not, the Four Seasons is a fantastic place to stay.

The facilities and amenities are top class, as is the service. You can make the most of six restaurants, do a little shopping at the boutiques, or relax at the spa after a day at the parks. The hotel also has its own water park, a golf course, a tennis court, and thanks to its location in the Golden Oaks community, amazing views of the nearby lake and forest.

But it’s the Disney side of things that makes this hotel particularly special. You’re only a short distance from the resort and there are regular complimentary shuttle services. Plus, you can book Disney character meals at any of the hotel’s restaurants and you can plan your trips to the parks at the useful onsite Disney concierge.

There are a number of spectacular family hotels in the Grande Lakes resort, but the JW Marriott Orlando is particularly impressive. The service is impeccable and the large rooms and variety of facilities are superb.

The sheer size of the resort means there’s plenty to do with the family, including the fitness center, the spa, giant outdoor pool, the indoor shopping arcade, the sprawling artificial lake and the crisp, green lawns. There’s even a golf course if you want to practice your swing.

If you want to head further afield, there are regular shuttle services to top family attractions including Walt Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center. But if you’d rather drive yourself, an onsite car hire service is also available.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress was once touted as one of Orlando’s ‘first luxury hotels’ back in the 1980s and nearly 40 years later, it still stands as one of the city’s premier family hotels.

The large and magnificent building houses all the amenities you might need. The service is especially excellent, with staff members following the same exemplary codes of etiquette that were first brought in when the hotel opened.

With a choice of top restaurants and large, well-furnished rooms, your family’s most important needs are more than covered. Alongside this comes all the other facilities to make your vacation complete. There are three large pools, a water park with slides, several children’s play areas, free-to-play golf and tennis, and even private water sports on the adjacent lake.

While the kids are entertained by all this, parents looking for some relaxation can also indulge themselves at the grand Marilyn Monroe Spa.

If you want to take your kids to a hotel that’s a little more boutique but closer to everything the city has to offer, you can’t go wrong with the Alfond Inn.

The hotel’s location in the suburb of Winter Park is near one of the city’s main railroads – which is perfect if you have a family who likes to get out and explore. There are also many stores, museums and places of interest within walking distance, as well as plenty of bus and shuttle services to Orlando’s major attractions.

While the convenient location is the main draw, the hotel itself is also excellent for families. Unlike hotels closer to the theme parks, this is quieter and much more serene. What’s more, the comfortable, generously-sized rooms and the wealth of outstanding facilities are wonderful to return to after a day out in Orlando. But you are of course also free to make the most of the quality gym and fitness facilities, the award-winning restaurants and large family-friendly swimming pools.

For families planning on going to Universal Studios, the endearing, Italian-inspired Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is the perfect choice. It’s located within the resort, giving you easy access and a useful means of beating crowds in the morning. Better still, guests get a number of benefits including Express passes to beat the queues.

The hotel itself comprises over 700 exceptional rooms spread over a 5-floor complex, all with décor that’s influenced by the architecture of the historic Italian seaside town, Portofino. The cuisine follows this European theme and the onsite Italian restaurants serve up delicious traditional dishes – although there are American options too.

Even after a day at the theme parks, there’s still lots for the kids to do at this hotel – from the outdoor pool to movie screenings, evening entertainment and games rooms. Adults can also get pampered at the exquisite Mandara Spa or indulge in a little vino at one of the regular wine tasting evenings.

This smart hotel is another excellent choice for families who are wanting to sample the delights of the city while staying in comfortable surroundings.

The Grand Bohemian Hotel is situated in the heart of Downtown Orlando and is within walking distance of some of the top attractions, as well as some of the main bus and train connections.

It’s not just the location that’s excellent though, the hotel itself is modern, grandiose and the walls across its 15 floors are neatly adorned with beautiful artwork. The service is just as impressive and the staff are knowledgeable, helpful and friendly.

The standard rooms are sophisticated, welcoming and well furnished. The larger family suites come with private lounges where you can enjoy complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner. The latter being an ideal solution for parents who want to take the hassle out of organizing their children’s meals each day.

You can of course easily head into Orlando to eat, but there are also several onsite restaurants to choose from. On top of this, guests can freely make use of the fitness center and swimming pool, as well as the secluded sundeck which is the perfect spot for chilling out after a long day of exploring.

Start planning your trip now! Search for flights and car hire options to explore the city or embark on an epic road trip across Florida. If you’re interested in alternative accommodation options, take your pick from a range of vacation rentals in Orlando.