Sneak peek on the first Flats by Marriott Bonvoy Resort within the US

In case you’ve ever needed to skip the usual resort room and calm down in a real trip dwelling with out sacrificing resort facilities, an ideal new choice simply opened in Central Florida. This new resort is like nothing I’ve ever seen earlier than, and with its shut proximity to Orlando’s theme parks, you would possibly really by no means need to depart.
My household travels lots, however my youngsters have by no means been extra thrilled with their trip lodging. Simply think about strolling right into a four-bedroom villa with a non-public pool, an arcade online game machine, an Xbox and a “Shrek”-themed bed room with bunk beds.
Whereas this would possibly sound like one thing out of a storybook, it is very a lot a actuality on the Villatel Orlando Resort.
The property additionally options the primary Flats by Marriott Bonvoy Resort within the U.S., the place you should utilize your Marriott Bonvoy factors to remain in a multiroom villa with resort-style facilities.
What’s the Villatel Orlando Resort?
Villatel Orlando Resort presents 270 villas, starting from 4 to 9 bedrooms.
All villas characteristic their very own pool (the bigger ones even have a sizzling tub), a big kitchen, a household room and a themed bunk room (or two). And whereas all supply a Villatel-branded arcade online game machine and Xbox, in a few of the bigger villas, you will even be entertained with a sport room with actions like pool, foosball, shuffleboard and your individual movie show.
1 of 4
Villatel Orlando Resort. VILLATEL ORLANDO RESORT
With many various themed bunk rooms, your kid’s favourite fantasy involves life. They may be sleeping in a fort with their favourite princess or really feel like they’re within the Tremendous Mario Bros. sport. My household and I visited Shrek’s (surprisingly luxurious) swamp. These rooms additionally function a playground with slides, ladders and alternatives for an epic sport of hide-and-seek.
Pricing can also be pretty affordable for such a big home with superb resort facilities. In early December, a four-bedroom villa goes for about $330 per evening, however there are extra taxes and costs added than you will discover with an everyday resort room. However for this explicit four-night keep, you are taking a look at simply $500 per evening in any case is alleged in accomplished, which comes out to $125 per bed room.
In fact, a nine-bedroom villa is dearer, however for a similar dates, it is also moderately priced at round $800 per evening. After taxes and costs, the value per bed room is even decrease at simply $118 per evening.
Every day Publication
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day e-newsletter
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
However if you happen to do not want as giant an area, you’ll be able to go for one of many 256 residences which can be a part of the Flats by Marriott Bonvoy at Villatel Orlando Resort. These residences are all two- to three-bedroom residences, that includes an open-concept full kitchen and household room, in addition to a non-public balcony. These residences are simply as thrilling for youths because the bigger villas as a result of in addition they embody a themed bunk room and arcade sport machine.
1 of 4
Flats by Marriott Bonvoy at Villatel Orlando Resort. JENNIFER YELLIN/FOR THE POINTS GUY
By reserving an condo, you obtain entry to the entire Villatel Orlando Resort facilities and perks. Pricing is a bit more favorable per bed room; a three-bedroom condo is $326 per evening, or about $109 per bed room, throughout the identical dates in December.
In case you’re touring with a bit one, you’ll be able to request many child necessities, resembling a excessive chair and pack-n-play, at each the villas and the residences.
Water park, swimming pools, Topgolf and extra
There is not any scarcity of facilities on the Villatel Orlando Resort. Whilst you might by no means need to depart your superb villa or condo, inside the sprawling 80 acres of house, there’s additionally a whole amenity heart that includes a water park, poolside eating, health heart and sporting actions.
The most well-liked amenity amongst households is certain to be the water park. Right here, you’ve entry to 4 waterslides, a lazy river, a pool and a splash pad for youths.
Subsequent to the pool space, there are a number of pickleball courts, a basketball court docket, a playground and a grassy space.
Everyone knows there is no higher strategy to calm down than with a chilly drink or good meal, which you will obtain on the poolside Aqua Bar & Grille. I opted for a strawberry-mango smoothie, which I extremely advocate.
Contained in the amenity heart, you’ve entry to a big health heart and a Topgolf Swing Suite.
The place is Villatel Orlando Resort positioned?
Whilst you might by no means need to depart Villatel Orlando Resort, the property is completely located close to the entire space’s major points of interest.
Associated: 10 new rides and leisure choices coming to your favourite US theme parks in 2025
In fact, it is laborious to plan a visit to Orlando with no go to to Common Orlando Resort or Walt Disney World. Common is barely about seven minutes away, as is the soon-to-open Common Epic Universe. Disney is nearer to a 20-minute drive, however Villatel gives complimentary transportation to and from these parks so long as you make reservations forward of time.
Moreover, if in case you have only a few hours of downtime you are seeking to burn, Dezerland Park is simply down the highway, the place all Villatel visitors obtain a present card for some household enjoyable. Right here, you’ll be able to take pleasure in arcade-style video games, bumper vehicles, go-kart racing and extra.
Utilizing your Marriott Bonvoy factors at Villatel
As that is the primary Flats by Marriott Bonvoy Resort within the U.S., that is the proper alternative to make use of your Marriott Bonvoy factors. While you ebook one of many residences with money or factors, you’ve entry to the whole resort and its facilities.
At present, solely the three-bedroom residences can be found to ebook with factors; charges vary from 68,000 to 80,000 factors per evening, with a two-night minimal. This equates to fewer than 27,000 factors per evening per room — plus a resort price of $45 per evening. That is fewer factors per bed room than what you will discover at a number of limited-service properties within the space with fewer facilities.
There are a number of Marriott bank cards that make it straightforward to accrue factors to place towards your keep.
Associated: Marriott Bonvoy card presents — earn invaluable factors to cowl your subsequent keep
Accessibility at Villatel Orlando Resort
In case you’re seeking to keep at one of many villas, know that they don’t seem to be compliant with the People with Disabilities Act. Nonetheless, the resort will make lodging the place doable, resembling putting in ramps at entrances. Moreover, each villa features a bed room and loo on the bottom ground.
The residences supply extra accessibility, as they’re all on one ground — in contrast to the villas, that are two tales — and have an elevator. Right here, you’ll be able to ebook a wheelchair-accessible room with options like a 32-inch-wide door, lowered counter tops, bathtub seize bars and extra. Marriott has its personal accessibility web page that can assist you decide if the lodging provided work on your wants.
Nonetheless, all through the resort, you will additionally discover many further accessible options, resembling accessible parking, swimming pool entry, and wheelchair accessibility to the enterprise heart, health heart, restaurant and major entrance.
Backside line
We spent 2 1/2 days on the Villatel Orlando Resort, and it wasn’t sufficient. My youngsters are already begging me to take them again, and I fully perceive why. Whereas the situation gives a gateway to the various theme parks and water parks positioned in and round Orlando, the true attraction is the resort itself.
Associated studying:
Supply hyperlink