Orlando for Big Spenders

Orlando has a reputation of being able to provide pretty much anything you want for a memorable holiday, but one thing it had been notably short of until recent years was the true luxury touch, the chance to push the boat out with some style and really enjoy something lavish along with Mickey and Co.

However, the arrival of truly exclusive experiences like Discovery Cove (the sister park to SeaWorld), The Richard Petty Driving Experience (one of Disney’s hidden gems), Cirque du Soleil (another Disney highlight), Blue Man Group (wonderfully eclectic), the Grande Lakes Resort (a superb brace of hotels, plus golf course) and a host of genuine gastronomic restaurants have given the area a true five-star feel for the first time.

Admittedly, the Walt Disney World Resort has set extremely high standards in everything they do at the House of Mouse, leading the way for top-of-the-range resort hotels from the word Go! back in 1971. Their restaurants have also always been among the finest for quality, ambience and fancy frills (as well as price).

But it has taken the rest of Orlando quite a while to catch up and get wise to the fact people are not necessarily put off by high prices as long as what they receive lives up to the bottom line figure.

For years, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress (which opened in 1987) was the sole genuine offering for hotel grand indulgence, but now there are at least six more suitably luxurious options.

PRO SPOT: Now Orlando has caught up to other prime destinations for providing restaurants that rival the best, it is usually the case that you also need to make sure of your seat by booking well in advance. It is almost unknown these days to be able to walk up to a venue like Emeril’s in Universal’s CityWalk or Seasons 52 and find a free table. In most cases you need to book several weeks in advance, and that often means calling before you leave home.

So, what are the things you should look for if you have decided your holiday budget extends to something seriously special while in Florida? Well, to begin with you need to consider your Hotel choice (and you should contemplate a visit to at least one of our Exclusive Collection even if you decide staying there is a bit too rich for you).

Then you need to look for the One-Off Experiences which can really add to that five-star feeling. Next, you might like to consider some Superstar Shopping to feed your desire for the finer things in life. And finally you should certainly wrap things up with a gourmet meal or two to ensure you leave satisfied in mind AND body of the very best Orlando has to offer.

Hotel Deluxe
Exclusive Experiences
Superstar Shopping
Gourmet Dining