奥兰多环球万豪酒店：会议团体的“商务+休闲”理想之选

Last summer, I took my niece and two nephews to the Orlando World Center Marriott for a few days of fun. Over the years, I’ve taken them to just about every Orlando adventure imaginable: Gatorland, Magic Kingdom Park, Universal Studios, ziplining and plenty more.

So, I’ve seen my fair share of wide-eyed reactions. But I’ll never forget the moment we walked into the soaring lobby of the Orlando World Center Marriott.

“Aunt Jennifer, you outdid yourself,” my 16-year-old nephew Jack exclaimed, looking straight up toward the heavens—and we were still just in the lobby!

This year, I returned as a guest of the resort itself, along with several other writers, and the team at Orlando World Center Marriott managed to outdo themselves all over again.

If you’re planning a meeting or convention and your attendees want to squeeze a little vacation into the business trip, this resort makes the “bleisure” part a breeze.

Morning Meetings With Waterpark Fun to Follow

With more than 500,000 square feet of flexible function space, upgraded technology, modern design and a newly reimagined Grand Ballroom, Orlando World Center Marriott can handle everything from executive gatherings to large-scale conventions, all without making you feel like you need a map, a shuttle and a compass to get around.

But once the meetings are over, the real fun begins.

The group-friendly resort is also an aquatic oasis that features the River Falls Waterpark and Falls Pool Oasis, with seven slides, including a 90-foot speed slide, two 200-foot twisting body slides and multi-rider inner-tube slides called Boomerango, Aquasphere and Tailspin.

If launching yourself down a waterslide isn’t your idea of relaxation, there’s always the Lazy River.

I spent time floating around the massive 400,000-gallon lagoon-style pool, where giant screens made it possible to watch football without getting out of the water.

Now that is what I call multitasking.

Cabanas, Cocktails and Some Florida Sunshine

*Orlando World Center Marriott pool at night*

The pool deck at Orlando World Center Marriott is practically its own destination, and the private cabanas make it particularly appealing for groups looking to unwind after a day of meetings.

We lounged, swam and even enjoyed a personalized permanent-jewelry experience, offered most weekends to resort guests.

And because this is Florida, there’s always a little something extra going on.

On some days, guests can get up close to some of the state’s most fascinating wildlife during an interactive experience brought to the resort by Gatorland, a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve just south of Orlando.

Because nothing says “teambuilding exercise” quite like facing an alligator together.

Come Hungry!

One thing became very clear during our stay: You won’t go hungry here.

We sampled sushi at the lobby bar, watched dinner become a full-blown performance at Mikado Japanese Steakhouse, and enjoyed an Italian feast at Siro Urban Italian Kitchen, with highlights including salsiccia pizza with fennel sausage and sweet peppers, gnocchi al tartufo, pasta bolognese, tiramisu and cannoli.

And then there’s my favorite discovery: the hidden onsite speakeasy called The Stockroom, because that’s just what it was until it was turned into a private set of rooms for cocktail classes and exclusive events, complete with signature cocktails and light bites.

Breakfast That Means Business

Breakfast each morning at Latitude & Longitude is less “Grab a muffin and run” and more “How am I supposed to choose?”

The buffet seemed to stretch forever, with everything from made-to-order omelets to meats and cheeses, pancakes, waffles and plenty more on the menu, if you choose that route.

It’s the kind of breakfast that can fuel you for a full day of meetings—or a full afternoon of waterslides.

A Taste of the World Center

During lunch one day, we experienced Taste of The World Center, a culinary showcase featuring signature dishes and flavors from across the resort’s restaurants.

There was seafood ceviche with succulent shrimp, scallops, crab and snapper, pulled smoked-chicken sliders and a decadent chocolate mousse.

Basically, it was a greatest-hits tour of the resort’s dining scene—and yes, I tried everything.

Research, people. It was research.

Winter Wonderland Comes to Orlando

*Twelve Nights of Wonder at Orlando World Center Marriott amenity*

Our visit also included a holiday preview of the resort’s Winter Wonderland, which transforms the property into a festive holiday escape.

Meeting groups lucky enough to be visiting during the Twelve Nights of Wonder, December 20–31, can add another layer of holiday magic to their stay.

And then came the finale.

From our suite, we watched a spectacular Disney fireworks display while enjoying crafted cocktails, indulgent s’mores and hot cocoa cookies.

Fireworks. Cocktails. S’mores. Hot Cocoa Cookies.

I was happy.

The ‘Bleisure’ Sweet Spot

Being a “bleisure” sweet spot is really the magic of the Orlando World Center Marriott.

For meeting planners, it offers the scale, technology and flexibility needed for serious business. For attendees and their families, it offers something equally important: a reason to stick around after the meeting ends.

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Orlando World Center Marriott