Review: The Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Getting there

Booking details

In December 2023, the Waldorf Astoria Orlando emerged from an extensive property-wide renovation. While the hotel hosted me, here’s how I’ll book it when I return on my own.

Standout features

• 30-minute early entry to all four Disney theme parks plus complimentary transportation via motorcoach
• Fantastic pool deck with cabanas and access to next door’s lazy river complex at Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
• Amenities including an 18-hole golf course, spa, fitness center and Kids Club

Drawbacks

• No grab-and-go snack shop (though you can walk over to the one at the nearby Signia by Hilton).
• It’s a convention hotel and popular for weddings, so you may see lots of groups during your stay.
• Bull & Bear and afternoon tea are popular with locals. Dining reservations are recommended.

The vibe

Accessible luxury is how I describe the vibe at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. Anticipation builds as you approach the hotel from Bonnet Creek Resort Lane. As the resort comes into view, you’re greeted by soaring palms lining the entrance and the very friendly and efficient valet staff.

Gorgeous double-height wrought iron and dappled glass doors open to reveal the refreshed lobby area.

It’s here that you’ll find the brand’s signature clock tower at its center. This is also where you’ll get acquainted with the resort’s brand-new style. Parker-Torres Design was at the forefront of the “floor-to-ceiling transformation,” which heavily borrowed from the colors and textures of the 482-acre Bonnet Creek Preserve in which the hotel is situated. Soothing colors from nature, such as white, earthy beige and brown, are accented with brighter greens, oranges, yellows and pinks.

The lobby’s color palette now focuses on white, cream, light gray and gold. The high ceiling, white marble arches and signature Waldorf Astoria clock make a statement. The design and decor have an updated art deco feel.

The front desk, with a new focal art piece behind it, is on the right. You’ll find the concierge desk and entrance to Peacock Alley, the resort’s lobby lounge, on the left.

Artwork and seating areas are directly across from the grand entrance, with panoramic windows overlooking the expansive grounds and pool area.

Intriguing art, lighting and woodwork will catch your eye as you explore the corridors leading to the spa, Bull & Bear restaurant and meeting rooms. Once outside, you’ll immediately understand that the Waldorf Astoria Orlando employs a top-notch gardening team. The grounds are artfully designed, with beautiful shrubs, trees and flowers at every turn. Two pools, cabanas and day beds, a hot tub and some outdoor game areas beckon guests to linger. The 18-hole golf course and promenade round out the resort.

All of the employees you meet — including the valets, bellmen, front desk staff, housekeepers and restaurant servers — are friendly and seem truly excited to introduce you to the property. It’s clear the staff is proud of the renovation and enjoys working in these reimagined spaces.

The room

This is a large hotel with 502 rooms and a whopping 171 suites, but it honestly never felt crowded during my stay. As part of the Waldorf’s renovation, all guest quarters were not only freshened but also redesigned. Parker-Torres took the lead on the project. The colors are a reprise from the lobby, with the addition of neutral greens and “sunset tones” of pink and orange. The idea was to bring a little bit of that Florida wilderness inside.

The hotel assigned us a 1,780-square-foot one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath corner Waldorf Suite on the 12th floor. We’ve actually stayed in that very suite twice before. The renovation greatly improved the comfort and usability of these accommodations.

The design team removed a countertop island and reimagined the space with a roomy dining table and four very pretty and comfortable gray dining chairs.

The bar area is still along the wall with a sink, minibar, separate minifridge, Nespresso coffee machine, glasses and coffee/tea cups, ice bucket and storage areas.

This is an excellent option for a family since the bedroom — with a very soundproof door — offers a king bed, while the living room sofa converts to a memory foam queen bed. There is plenty of space for a pack-and-play as well.

Between the sofa, sitting chairs and dining chairs, there’s plenty of seating for all and a super comfortable place to watch TV or movies after a day in the parks or enjoying the resort pool or lazy river at next door’s Signia by Hilton hotel.

We always prefer a room with a balcony.

We enjoyed sitting outside each morning and evening. It offered views of the golf course, pool, convention center and Epcot, the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the distance.

The bed was extremely comfortable, and the rooms were pin-drop quiet. The AC didn’t make a lot of noise, and I never heard sounds coming from nearby rooms or the hallway — even when housekeeping was making its rounds. (Housekeepers are available 24 hours a day, and our suite was serviced twice per day.)

The design is modern and elegant but supremely comfortable. Amenities across room types include bathrobes and slippers, Frette bed linens, 55-inch high-definition LCD TVs, Oliver Hemming alarm clock, electronic safe for laptops, plenty of USB and USB-C outlets, blackout curtains, Aesop toiletries and a Nespresso coffee machine plus an electric kettle.

Bathrooms are spacious and accented with Italian marble, glass-door shower and separate bathtub. The master bath is huge. The only downside is that there is no door between the rest of the room and the toilet.

I appreciated the Aesop toiletries, which include full-size hand wash, body balm, shampoo, conditioner and body cleanser, plus a small bottle of mouthwash. Additional amenities are from Gilchrist & Soames and include a shower cap and shave kit. The master bath has a lighted makeup mirror.

Both the master and half bath have soft night-lights under the cabinets that kick on when someone walks in.

The only drawback of this suite is that both the master bathroom and half bath are inside the bedroom. There’s no way for anyone to access the half bath from the living room or entryway.

Food and drink

The quality of the food offerings is one of the major reasons we return to the Waldorf Astoria Orlando again and again. (This was our third visit.)

Oscar’s

On the ground floor, Oscar’s has a lovely indoor dining room as well as tables in an outdoor courtyard setting that faces the pool. There’s a small a la carte menu with entrees such as the classic Waldorf Astoria eggs Benedict for $27 or a version with lump crab for $35. Pancakes or French toast will run about $25, omelets are $27 and steak and eggs cost $39.

However, most people seem to go with the $40-per-person buffet. That’s what we did, and it was enjoyable. There was a little bit of everything, from smoked salmon to fresh-cut fruit to oatmeal, Southern-style biscuits and gravy, bread pudding, pancakes, waffles, sauteed vegetables, crisp bacon, pork sausage, cheese and charcuterie as well as pastry and juice bars. You can also order a made-to-order omelet.

You can also visit the Croissant Bar from 6 a.m. to noon to get a pastry and coffee to go.

Aquamarine

Let me say this: The staff at Aquamarine are absolutely lovely, and they frequently check on guests at the pool (including those who’ve booked a cabana). Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., you can order food to enjoy in your pool cabana, at your lounger or at the restaurant’s shaded tables.

The menu is a mix of “picky” items, such as chips and salsa ($12.75), hummus ($16.50) and chicken wings ($22), salads ranging from $17 to $21 and wraps and sandwiches ($18 to $28). The Waldorf chicken salad wrap is $21. You can also order Mediterranean kebabs (marsala beef tenderloin, grilled shrimp and tandoori chicken) for $28.

And, of course, you can also order all sorts of cocktails, mocktails, wine, beer and Red Bull energy drinks.

Comfy seating and fire pits are situated between the pool and the restaurant. You can get a s’mores kit from Aquamarine.

The Clubhouse Grille

Exit the hotel through the lobby and to the right of the entrance and at the golf course’s 19th hole is The Clubhouse Grille, the restaurant that’s mainly frequented by golfers who tackle the resort’s course. However, it’s worth a stop for families, as the meals are huge and well-priced.

We stopped by since executive sous chef Jeremy Gibboney had told us that Bull & Bear actually prepares a handful of signature items for The Clubhouse Grille: house-smoked pulled pork sliders with homemade barbecue sauce and southern slaw on a brioche bun ($16), onion dip with homemade Kennebec chips ($14), a smoked bacon barbecue burger ($20) and smoked brisket with fried onions and house-made pickles on Texas toast ($24).

Other menu items include a beer-battered grouper sandwich ($28), chicken club ($18), Caesar salad ($16), beef hot dog ($16) and more.

Lunch is served 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the bar remaining open until 6 p.m.

Bull & Bear

If you love fine dining and excellent service, do yourself a favor and make a reservation for Bull & Bear — even if you aren’t staying at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. It’s that good. It’s considered a destination restaurant in Orlando, so make reservations. Lots of special occasions, from birthdays to anniversaries, were celebrated on the evening we were there.

We’re foodies, and we regularly drive all over Florida in search of the state’s best restaurants. Helmed by executive sous chef Jeremy Gibboney, chef de cuisine Juan Suarez and pastry chef Franck Riffaud, Bull & Bear is one of our favorites. The menu is a mix of classic steakhouse fare plus some options that are a bit further afield.

Service is old-school: polished and friendly, and everyone who approaches your table has an encyclopedic knowledge of the menu and wine list.

We always start with the colossal chilled Gulf shrimp ($21). They never disappoint, but one of these days, we need to try the Caesar salad for two ($39), which is made tableside.

Since we were hotel guests, they also brought a few extra dishes for us to try, including the Pasta Explosion of Pata Negra de Bellota with Parmigiano-Reggiano. It was delicious — the type of dish where you are literally scraping every last drop of sauce off the plate.

Other popular appetizers include lobster bisque ($24), oysters Rockefeller ($24) and dry-aged yellowtail crudo ($24). Or, if you’re with a group, order the Grand Seafood Tower ($160 for two or $320 for four). The tray arrives on your table piled high with oysters, jumbo shrimp, Alaskan king crab, crab cocktail and Maine lobster. You can add some Petrossian osetra caviar for $75.

There are plenty of steaks as main dishes, as well as an upscale version of fried chicken ($50), Dover sole ($78), seafood paella ($95), veal Oscar ($74) and more.

I ordered the double-cut Iberico pork chop ($58), and it was delectable. I would definitely make the three-hour drive to have the opportunity to order this again — flavorful meat cooked to exactly the right temperature. My husband opted for the 18-ounce Allen Brothers prime 28-day dry-aged Delmonico ($128).

The chef also brought the $100 Baked Potato out to us. This delicious extravaganza was expertly prepared tableside. This was a high-quality spud, and it was huge. It was dressed with sour cream, Iberico ham, Petrossian osetra caviar and gold leaf.

We also tried two desserts: the Ring of Yuzu ($25) combines yuzu mousse with a buttery sable Breton and strawberry whipped ganache on a basil sponge cloud — yummy! — and La Fraise, which is a take on strawberry shortcake with ice cream made tableside.

Peacock Alley

This comfortable lounge was freshened, and it’s all for the better. The space retains its art deco vibe but feels more open with the addition of plants that liven things up.

The piano is still here, and there’s lively music in the evenings. There’s a full bar setup, and a light menu is served. Lunch is from noon to 5 p.m., with dinner following until 11 p.m. Guests can dine on the outdoor patio when the weather cooperates.

It’s the cocktails that people seek out, though. Favorites include:

• The Waldorf Cocktail (Bulleit rye, Carpano Antica, Cardamaro, St. George absinthe verte; $20)
• Peruvian Spritz (spiced purple corn cordial, lemon, prosecco and bitter lemon soda; $17)
• Forbidden Fruit (chili-infused Komos Reposado Rosa tequila, Grand Mariner Cuvee du Centenaire, prickly pear and black lava salt; $50)

There’s also a full list of wines, spirits, beer and nonalcoholic beverages.

Afternoon tea

Don’t get your hopes up for afternoon tea unless you’ve booked way in advance. When we visited in early June, afternoon tea designed by pastry chef Franck Riffaud was already sold out for the entire summer. It costs $75 per adult and $40 for children. Bull & Bear’s dining room is commandeered for this experience.

In-room dining

When done right, room service is such a luxury. What’s better than someone bringing you all your favorite foods exactly when you want them? We tried room service for breakfast on the morning of our departure. We preordered and requested 9 a.m. delivery. There was a knock on the door at 9:01.

This was one of our favorite meals at the resort. It was beautiful and delicious. We tried a pastry board (OMG! It was worth every evil carbohydrate — so delicious), granola-yogurt parfait and steak and eggs.

Dining options at Signia by Hilton Bonnet Creek

You can also walk over to nearby Signia by Hilton Bonnet Creek to try any of its restaurants. We enjoyed a nice Italian dinner at La Luce.

Amenities and service

This is one of Orlando’s most luxurious properties, and it offers more amenities and a higher level of service than most standard hotels in the area.

Park transportation

Transportation to the four Disney theme parks plus Disney Springs is a coveted perk guests appreciate. Buses depart from the hotel’s porte cochere roughly 20 times per day for the Magic Kingdom. From about 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., the shuttle runs every 30 minutes. Then just once an hour until later in the afternoon (around 3 p.m.) when service resumes every 30 minutes.

Departures to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are once hourly from 7:35 a.m. until 11:35 a.m. and then less frequently through 8:35 p.m. Get up early if you’re headed to Animal Kingdom, as the first motorcoach departs the hotel at 6:35 a.m. Then it’s once hourly for the rest of the morning.

The bus to Disney Springs starts operating around noon, with the last bus headed to this entertainment complex a little after 9 p.m. The last return bus to the Waldorf departs Disney Springs at 11:20 p.m.

Check specific departure/arrival times when you arrive at the hotel.

Pool and private cabanas/daybeds

The resort has two accessible pools and one hot tub. The larger of the two pools is zero-entry at one end, so you can simply walk in or use the stairs to access it from several other locations. Chair lifts make it easy to access the smaller pool and hot tub.

If you want to lock in on pool seating, you have two options: shaded daybeds or a cabana.

Daybeds are for two people from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and include a pitcher of fruit-infused water and a dedicated server. The cost is $75 per day plus a $30 gratuity.

Cabanas accommodate six people and offer a sofa and a chair, plus two loungers in front of the cabana, cable TV and a minifridge.

We enjoyed the fruit platter, bottled water, soft drinks, and fruit-infused water that came with the package.

Book in advance at the hotel’s website ($350 per day plus a $30 gratuity).

Lazy river at Signia by Hilton and the on-site Kids Club

If you’ve got kids — and even if you don’t! — walk next door to the Signia by Hilton at Bonnet Creek. It’s got a meandering lazy river. It’s supremely relaxing to float along the river in an inner tube. The Waldorf’s Kids Club also has plenty to keep little ones happy for hours.

Golf

This 18-hole golf course, lined by cypress trees, got a lot of use while we were at the resort.

Our balcony overlooked the course, and we saw many groups playing a round. Golf course architect Rees Jones designed the thoroughfare that balances beauty with challenging play.

There is also a practice range, putting green and golf club with a restaurant, bar and shop. You can book private lessons through the Golf Academy on-site.

Spa

While I couldn’t squeeze in a spa treatment, I toured the 4,000-square-foot facility, and it just oozed tranquility. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It’s best to make an appointment as soon as you know when you’d like to visit.

The beautiful sitting rooms set the stage for guests waiting for treatments that range from massages to facials (starting at $250) to Himalayan salt therapies (starting at $160) to Normatec leg recovery (starting at $75).

The salt rooms combine a massage with an inhalation experience.

These relaxation loungers are also very popular at the spa.

If you aren’t in the mood for a spa treatment, the salon offers a wide variety of options so you can get your hair or nails done on-site.

Fitness center

The gym, inside the Waldorf Astoria Spa, is open 24 hours a day and features a free weight station, Precor workout equipment such as treadmills and elliptical machines, as well as brand-new Peloton bikes.

Out and about

The list of what you can do and see in Orlando is seemingly never-ending. TPG has extensive guides to visiting both Universal and Walt Disney World. Refer to these stories for more information.

Walt Disney World

Universal Orlando

Accessibility

Checking out

I love this hotel for a quick, rejuvenating staycation, and I recommend it for couples or families visiting Orlando — whether they plan to use it as a home base to visit the theme parks or simply to enjoy the pools, hot tub, lazy river, golf course, spa and dining outlets. The Waldorf Astoria Orlando is a fantastic value using cash on off-peak dates and points during peak season. We’ll definitely be back soon.

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