The lazy river is the newest amenity with Orlando resorts that are hoping to attract families - and adults who are young at heart. It is the equivalent of a manmade river, a winding flow of water three feet deep that snakes its way through lavishly landscaped grounds carrying swimmers and tube riders at 2-8 MPH, depending on environmental conditions. The old days of a standard hotel pool are long gone. The Omni Orlando Resort has virtually created its own water theme park.
Back to the cabana, which is nearly larger than some hotel rooms at other hotels - overhead a ceiling fan keeps me cool, I watch television on a full size TV with a remote, enjoy the fruit tray which comes with the cabana rental, and surf the net on the wireless internet that is provided at no extra cost throughout the resort. (You’ve got to bring your own laptop.) It doesn’t stop there – there is even a small refrigerator in the cabana, complimentary refills on soft drinks and I can pick up the phone that is in the cabana at any time and order meals or snacks from Crocs, the poolside restaurant. As far as I am concerned, it doesn’t get much better than this for someone who only likes to get small doses of sun, but is the father of a child who could swim all day long.
If you haven’t heard of the Omni Orlando Resort, or can’t say that you have even seen it during your last visit to Orlando that may be because it is nearly brand new. The spectacular resort opened in October 2004. It is uniquely located on what some would describe as the outskirts, or fringe, of Orlando. It is west of all of Disney exits on Interstate 4, but by only one exit (approximately six miles). For the many visitors who fly into Orlando International, they may never gain a glimpse of its impressive 16-story Mediterranean themed architecture, which is visible from I-4 (Exit 58) unless they intentionally go looking for it.
Swimming and poolside relaxing is fun, but the Omni Orlando Resort, however, was built for golfers. The reason the developers chose a more remote area for the location of the resort is for the on-site golf and the acreage required – an amazing 1,200 acres, only a few hundred of which are visible from the hotel. From higher floors on the hotel, you can see what central Florida used to look like, cattle crazing and in the distance and small rolling hills with orange groves. The location is close enough to be convenient, yet far enough away to be out of the Orlando congestion. In addition, the resort is equipped to provide guests staying at its 730 rooms with everything they need so you won’t have a reason to leave. Room rates vary greatly depending on the season and range from $129 - $229 for a standard room.
Surrounding the hotel is its two signature golf courses as well as the lighted par 3 course. As far as the two-18 hole courses, they were both designed by Greg Norman. When the entire resort, golf and Champions Gate residential community is completed, it will represent an investment in the $1 billion range – putting it on a par with any other resort in the state or nation for that matter. The resort is also the home of The World Headquarters of the Leadbetter Golf Academy, and the on-site helicopter landing pad has been put to use often as jetsetters fly in for day, week or even an hourly visit with the famous golf pro to hone their golf skills.
For more information on the Orlando Omni Resort at Champions Gate call 1-800-The-Omni or visit www.omniorlandoresort.com.
