Happy Thursday Hidden Gem Travel community and welcome December! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. I am grateful for all my amazing clients and am thankful for every single one of you every single day 😊
While much of my business is custom itineraries to Europe, Africa, Asia and beyond, I also match clients to their ideal sun+sand destinations. Last week, I had a flurry of interest in the Caribbean islands, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and other warm destinations for 2025 (and even last-minute Christmas/New Year’s week). Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday were in full force!
This wave of beach vibey bookings came when I was enjoying a few days at Conrad Orlando, a newish resort not far from Disney World in Florida. It was a convenient location for meeting up with my family at a 5-star resort with tons of amenities and delicious food at the on-property restaurants. I work with a number of terrific resorts in Florida where I’m able to get clients valuable perks – note they are all 4.5 to 5 stars level of quality. So, if you’re after a shorter flight for your elevated sun+sand vacay, be sure to reach out.
Read on for the scoop on the Conrad Orlando…
The Property & Location
Conrad Orlando is celebrating it’s one year anniversary, and its newness shows! If you like a tastefully decorated, modern-luxe vibe resort with top-notch service and dining venues, you’ll love this resort.
Conrad Orlando is under the Hilton umbrella. It shares property and some facilities with a sister complex that has villas, flats and houses with up to 11 bedrooms. There is a trolley that takes you around or you can walk the lagoon perimeter which I did after dinner every night.
My room was very family-friendly and well-appointed overlooking the pool. Instead of adjoining rooms, you can book one bedroom with bunk beds in the large living room. This option comes with two bathrooms, making it ideal for families of 4. The balcony with couch was a nice spot to relax – and stash the golf clubs. Of course, there are other room options that are equally lovely for couples and families alike.
Service was attentive and thoughtful – every staff member was very helpful and friendly; many remembered my name, my preferences and made sure every request was handled quickly and efficiently.
Activities & Spa
The huge lagoon looks like a pool but is spring-fed. You can paddleboard or kayak around and fly down the four person slide that’s adjacent to the lagoon. The Conrad has its own pool area just for their guests.
Surrounding the lagoon, there are many comfy seating areas, cute cabanas, game spaces (like volleyball and corn hole), and fire pits that are lit at night for evening gatherings.
For the adults, there are two golf courses, an amazing spa, and two outdoor bars overlooking the lagoon.
Conrad guests enjoy free shuttle service to/from the Disney Parks; since I hadn’t been to Disney in many years, I went to Epcot one day which was a fun throwback. For families of teens and adults, I recommend arriving in the afternoon and staying for drinks and dinner then the fireworks.
The Spa is heaven! I had a restorative massage and then enjoyed the outdoor water garden with hot, warm, and cold plunge pools. Inside, the sauna, steam and aromatherapy shower made for a trio of relaxation experiences.
💎Hidden Gem Tip: There’s a lounge for early arrivals and late departures which is very handy so you can easily enjoy the resort if your room isn’t ready or if you have a late flight home like I did. There are showers and changing rooms.
Dining
There are a good number of restaurants on property – some are at the sister resort (note that you can’t charge to your Conrad room). Conrad has an Italian trattoria which also serves breakfast (included with your room when you book through me) and a fantastic rooftop Mexican restaurant where you can see the sunset and later fireworks in the parks in the distance.
Of course, you can venture off property for all of the dining that Orlando has to offer. There’s no lack of options in the area, including at Disney Springs which offers entertainment as well.
Bottom Line: I really enjoyed my stay at Conrad Orlando and was impressed by how friendly and helpful the staff was. It’s important to note that I was here at less than 50% occupancy, which makes any resort a more pleasant experience than full occupancy, in my opinion. If you’re after a nice place to stay in Orlando and don’t need to stay in the parks but nearby, I highly recommend Conrad Orlando.
Inspired? Reach out to me now to get your questions answered and begin the planning process for your next vacation. Make 2025 a year to go somewhere you’ve never been before!
Wishing you amazing travel adventures,
Susan
Travel News You Can Use
💎 Hidden Gem Tip: What’s a ‘Coolcation’ and why is it becoming so popular?
A Coolcation is a trip that takes you to places that don’t typically experience high temperatures like many places do these days. With 100 degrees+ temperatures across Europe, Asia and many other countries in summer season, this trend is becoming increasingly popular.
While predicting the weather isn’t easy with extremes being common, places to consider for a coolcation include: Alaska, Antarctica and the Arctic regions, Iceland, Scandinavia. For winter travel, these themes are always popular: Christmas Markets (especially on a river cruise), snow sport trips, and Northern Lights. And remember, when it’s summer in the US, it’s winter in the southern hemisphere so perhaps consider you summer vacation in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa or Argentina for example?
So next summer, I recommend thinking cool – set up a consultation to discuss your options!
About Hidden Gem Travel Consulting
Hidden Gem Travel Consulting was founded by Susan Wilson. After decades of traveling the world and working for Fortune 50 companies and global nonprofits, she opened her own travel business which is affiliated with Virtuoso – the leading global network of agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel.
Through her deep network and signature consultative process, she designs customized travel itineraries that elevate your escape and speak to what will wow everyone on the trip.
It’s a new way to travel – a vacation that allows you to feel the full vibrancy of the destination while giving you access to perks, amenities, and experiences that are “ungoogleable.”
Enriching. Experiential. Effortless. Hidden Gem Travel Consulting is your trusted travel advisor.
Hidden Gem Travel clients get some fab perks at many premium and luxury hotels around the world!
Want to book a hotel on your own and get upgrades and perks? Follow this link: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/SusanWilson?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dinner_and_a_show&utm_term=2023-05-11
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