Last Updated on July 1, 2024 by Katrina
Headed to Orlando? There’s a good chance you’re going for a theme park—Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando—or some combination thereof. Having a hotel where you can recharge is key—and a great pool is a vital part of that formula. These six hotel pools in Orlando are so awesome, you may need a set aside a full day.
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (1700 Epcot Resorts Blvd.; 407-939-5277) Lake Buena Vista
No serious talk about hotel pools in Orlando is complete without mention of this nautically themed Walt Disney World hotel, which shares a three-acre water park with its neighbor, Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Stormalong Bay has a zero-entry sandy-bottom pool, a 230-foot-long waterslide, a lazy river, and a climbable pirate shipwreck play structure. “Stormalong Bay has a crazy water slide coming off the mast of a pirate ship, plus sandy shores,” says Frommers. “It’s easily the best pool on a Disney property.” No surprise, the pool complex can get crowded, but it is still special. “We have stayed at a lot of hotels at Walt Disney World and the Yacht Club is by far our favorite,” they write. “Stormalong Bay was expansive and amazing, and the hotel’s proximity to Epcot was extremely convenient.” >> Book this hotel for less
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort (10100 Dream Tree Blvd.; 407-313-7777) Lake Buena Vista
With an adults-only pool, a zero-entry family pool, a lazy river with waterfalls, a splash area, and two water slides “The Four Seasons Resort Orlando is practically a theme park of its own,” says Travel+Leisure, and “defies expectation, boasting the most impressive pools in the area.” For starters, it has a great location. The 443-room hotel on 26 acres sits within the Walt Disney World Resort. As one Google reviewer says, it offers an excellent balance for a theme park vacation. “The only way to survive multiple days at Disney parks is to rest and recover at the Four Seasons Orlando,” she says. “The pools, including one where you can watch a Disney movie, are all fantastic. The poolside service is incredible, you don’t need to bring a thing, just yourself and your bathing suit.” >> Book this hotel for less
Hard Rock Hotel, Universal Orlando (5800 Universal Blvd.; 407-503-2000) Orlando
Staying at this 650-room hotel offers lot of perks if you’re focusing on Universal Orlando. You get early access to one of the two parks, free Universal Express Unlimited ride access. There’s also free water taxis or shuttles to the parks. Plus, it has a showstopping 12,000-squre-foot pool with a 260-foot water slide, two hot tubs, a volleyball court, and more. “The California-style hotel is built around its pool,” says Frommers. “It also has underwater speakers so you can hear the beat even when you’re submerged.” One Tripadvisor user says this is “the best resort in Orlando. The pool area is amazing—you feel like you are away in a tropical island. The poolside food and drinks were very good, and we were in walking distance to City Walk and all parks.” >> Book this hotel for less
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress 1 Grand Cypress Blvd.; 407-239-1234) Orlando
This 21-acre Hyatt Regency resort is one mile from Disney World and about 8 miles from Universal, and offers shuttles to both. But you’ll want plenty of time to explore the 800,000-gallon, lagoon-style pool area—with waterfalls, swim-through cave, and suspension bridge. It’s “one of the most elaborate swimming areas of any hotel in America,” says Frommers. “The pool is amazing and they show movies at night,” says a Tripadvisor user. “The fire pits were very relaxing and you can purchase a bag with all you need to make s’mores.” >> Book this hotel for less
JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes (4040 Central Florida Pkwy.; 407-206-2300) Orlando
This hotel on 500 acres sits about nine miles from both Disney and Universal. In addition, it shares a pool complex with its upscale neighbor, the Ritz-Carlton. That means, says Frommers, you can choose from “the meandering lazy river, at the top of the city’s list for length and richness. Not far away, the formal-style pool at the Ritz is better for adults and suntanning.” The pool deck area also features a giant chess board, surrey bikes, and a lake where kids can feed fish. The resort symbiosis works well for reviewers: “Superb hotel, and easy access to Ritz-Carlton,” says one Google reviewer. “Kids will love the water features; grownups will love the scheduled events at WhisperCreek Farm,” a farm-to-table restaurant and nano-brewery. >> Book this hotel for less
Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa (8113 Resort Village Dr.; 407-597-0214) Lake Buena Vista
Don’t want to blow the budget? This modest condo-style resort, six miles from Disney World, pulls out the stops its pool. “The pool itself isn’t very big, but oh, what a set piece—a full-size pirate ship with slides and cannons,” says Frommers. One Tripadvisor user loved the wealth of family-friendly options close by. “A pirate ship with a slide that the kids and dads couldn’t get enough of, and three spas for families or couples,” they write. “Close enough to Disney for a quick hop in the car to Disney Springs, 10 minutes or so. Food selection down the road and Walmart almost across the street.” >> Book this hotel for less
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