Orlando: noun. a city in the US, in Florida: site of the most magical place on Earth, and home to Meliá Orlando Celebration!
The author received compensation for writing this article. All thoughts and opinions expressed are their own.
Meliá Orlando Celebration is a beautiful luxury hotel located just minutes from the many parks and attractions in the Orlando area. I’m a frequent traveler to the Orlando area, because we love visiting Walt Disney World, and we have family that live nearby. I have a short and specific list of criteria I use when searching for the ideal hotel in Orlando, and Meliá Orlando Celebration checks every box. If you’re an Orlando first-timer or are looking for a new hotel in the area, my list of Orlando hotel must-haves, is a must-have list:
1. Location, location, location
Orlando is a big town, and when visiting I want to be at the heart of it all. Being within 15 minutes of the parks is super important to me because we like to get up early and head to the parks for rope drops, so being nearby allows us to hit the snooze button guilt-free. We also like having the option of coming back to the hotel on park days for a nap or pool time in the afternoon, especially on those hot Florida afternoons.
Meliá Celebration is located just minutes from Walt Disney World®, Universal Orlando™, SeaWorld Orlando™, and others, and even offers free transportation to nearby theme parks. It’s also located in the adorable town of Celebration, where you can do a little shopping or dining. I loved the happy hour and clam chowder at Celebration Town Tavern!
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2. Quality on-site dining with kid-friendly options
I don’t know about you, but when I’m traveling I absolutely refuse to eat at any chain restaurant that I could eat at back home. I also love having the ability to enjoy a slow breakfast just steps from my hotel room or have a nice dinner without having to get back in the car and drive across town.
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Even though we’re not oceanside in Orlando, when I’m in Florida I crave coastal cuisine! The Wilson is the brand new restaurant at Meliá Orlando, and its seaside-inspired menu hits the mark for me. The Wilson serves up coastal cuisine with global influences, along with some incredible cocktails!
Don’t sleep on their old-fashioned, it’s absolutely delicious! The Wilson is famous for its brunch in NYC, and it’s sure to be a favorite of Orlando visitors as well. It’s the perfect spot for slow, easy mornings and a nice dinner after a day at the parks. The kid's menu is awesome — my daughter would eat every single item listed with a smile on her face.
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3. Rooms with space to breathe and cook
My ideal Orlando hotel room has its own mini checklist. For me, the must-haves are a balcony or patio, a bedroom that’s separate from the living space, and a full kitchen. The mornings and evenings are beautiful in Florida, and I love sitting outside and sipping a cup of coffee before everyone wakes up, or enjoying a glass of wine after my kiddo has gone to bed. A bedroom that's separate from the main living space is key to my sanity. If your family is anything like mine, they’re loud, messy, and come with a ton of baggage — literally. Having the bedroom separate is nice when the adults want to stay up later, or the kids are acting crazy and you need a little P&Q.
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It also allows a little more space for all of our stuff, which seems to just explode out of the suitcases the minute we walk into the hotel room. And the kitchen is a must-have because we don’t eat out every meal when on vacation. It’s nice to have the full refrigerator for drinks and snacks, and the ability to make a quick but hearty breakfast or lunch a few days that we’re there.
At Meliá Orlando Celebration, the spacious modern rooms offer all these amenities and more. There’s a ton of closet and storage space, room for the family to spread out, and beautiful views from attached balconies.
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4. An awesome pool
The pool/pool area is one of the most important things on my list. While we enjoy the parks, we also like a good day off from them. There’s nothing better than waking up knowing you have nothing to do that day besides sit poolside and watch the kids play.
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Meliá Orlando Celebration has an amazing pool that’s great for all ages and every season. It’s a 360-degree Vanishing Edge pool, and one side is zero-entry which is great for toddlers. The pool is climatized, so moms like me, who are resistant to cold pools, will be sure to enjoy it, too. There’s also a giant television poolside for watching football games while enjoying a margarita or floating in the pool.
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The pool hours are also important to me, especially depending on our arrival time. Meliá Orlando Celebration pool hours are 6 am-11 pm, so you can enjoy this beautiful amenity even if your flight gets in later, or after fireworks at the parks.
Meliá Orlando Celebration brings the fun with pool floaties, giant beach balls, water aerobics, and more poolside fun each weekend.
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5. Fun for the whole family
Meliá Orlando Celebration has all sorts of fun activities and amenities available for families to enjoy. You can work out at the Celebration Fitness Centre, or enjoy services at The Celebration Spa. Golf enthusiasts can play a round at Celebration Golf.
There’s even fun for your furry family members! Meliá Orlando Celebration is a dog-friendly hotel with the most adorable dog park for both large and small breeds. (The Wilson restaurant even has a doggie menu — be sure to check it out!).
The Meliá Orlando Celebration staff is incredible and they host a number of fun poolside events each weekend. You might even get a visit from a costumed character or two during your stay! The people working at the hotel are kind, helpful, and a total blast. The hotel provides live music and poolside entertainment on the weekends, which you don’t get at many places in Orlando.
Meliá Orlando Celebration checks every box on my Orlando hotel must-have list, and has so much more.
Meliá Orlando Celebration takes pride in the cleanliness of its hotel, and they are one of the only hotels in Orlando that boasts a UVC disinfection robot. They have rooms and suites to fit any size family, and even have wellness and fitness suites which have ensuite fitness rooms, sunrise simulator alarm clocks, and showers with Vitamin-C infused water.
Meliá Orlando Celebration would be the perfect place to stay in Orlando for a girls' trip or if you're coming with a large group with multiple families too.
Meliá Orlando Celebration has thought of everything, and truly gives you a resort-style experience in the heart of Orlando. I’d love to share more about my stay with anyone who is interested in hearing more about this amazing hotel experience, so please give me a shout if you’d like to learn more!
