I can’t believe it has taken me this long to write this blog post! Earlier this year I stayed at the new Conrad Orlando, and I’ll be honest – I didn’t know what to expect. Having stayed at Conrad Seoul and Conrad Bangkok previously, I had high expectations and didn’t know if a domestic Conrad would meet them. Well, consider me pleasantly surprised!

In this blog post I’ll detail everything about my 7 day stay at the new Conrad Orlando from the rooms and amenities to the restaurants and proximity to Disney World. Can the Conrad Orlando compete with the Four Seasons Orlando? Is the Conrad Orlando a good option for Disney or Universal park goers? Keep reading to find out if Conrad Orlando is the right hotel for you!

Getting to Orlando from Miami

After my solo cruise adventure on Virgin Voyages, my husband flew from Curacao to Miami where we picked up our rental car and drove straight to Orlando. For those of you considering driving, it’s a very boring 3.5 hour drive each way without traffic. Consider taking the Brightline train instead and read a book or take a nap, you’ll thank me later.

Why did we drive instead of taking the train? Two reasons. First, we’re weirdos who had plenty to talk about after being apart for almost 2 weeks. Second, we had a bunch of errands to run in Orlando that we wanted a car for. If I were to do the trip over again, though, I would just take the train and rely on rideshares and Conrad’s Disney shuttle. Seriously, it’s boring highway drive.

Location

Eventually, we arrived in Orlando and pulled into the Evermore Resort area and followed signs for the Conrad Orlando. Anyone entering Evermore Resort or Conrad Orlando is stopped at a security booth first, however Conrad key cards can be scanned at the booth after check-in. From the Evermore entry, the Conrad Orlando is a 2-minute drive away.

The hotel is located within the Evermore Resort, a sprawling 1,100-acre property known for their luxe vacation homes and residential amenities. The Conrad Orlando is well-situated on the Evermore grounds being near the entrance and with premier access to the crystal clear bay.

We took the car out multiple times during our stay and found everything a pretty easy distance from our hotel. Disney Springs was only a 10-minute drive away. The Mall at Millenia was a 25-minute drive away. Each Disney park was a 10 to 15-minute drive away with the complimentary shuttle. Had we visited Universal Orlando on this trip, it would’ve been a 30-minute drive from the hotel. I was pretty happy with the location of the Conrad Orlando considering this wasn’t a Disney-centric trip.

First Impressions

Pulling into the lobby entrance of the Conrad Orlando, I noticed that the landscaping was on point. Beautifully curated flowers and gravel gardens led to a sand-colored stone lobby drop off. The valet collected our car (no self-parking) and we were whisked away indoors where we were met by a jaw dropping view of the crystal blue bay from the windows.

The lobby has some of the tallest ceilings I’ve seen in a hotel. Because the lobby is uphill, the views look down and out across Evermore Bay with a few Disney Parks in the distance. I wasn’t expecting such dramatic views from an Orlando hotel, but that’s only one of the ways I was pleasantly surprised this trip.

Style

The Conrad Orlando is undeniably contemporary in design. From the warm wood accents to the curves of the walls with recessed lighting to accentuate movement, there is nothing old school or traditional about this property.

The design of the hotel is inspired by the movement of water which can be seen in the multiple pieces of art dotting the public spaces and the incredible wooden light fixture above the lobby doors in the shape of a boat. There are so many pieces of art at the Conrad Orlando that they’ve included a virtual Art Walk to see the pieces if you can’t get to all of them. They did a great job in designing this modern property, and the rooms stay within the theme as well.

Rooms

The Conrad Orlando has 433 rooms and suites, and while this may seem like a lot of rooms keep in mind that hotel guests can make use of the entire 1,100 acres of the Evermore Resort. Room categories range from Nature View Rooms and Lagoon View Rooms to the larger Family Suites and Conrad Suites. There’s also a Wellness Room category right by the Conrad Spa and it’s outfitted with a smart mattress, red lights, massage gun, aromatherapy shower head and more.

We booked a Nature View King and were upgraded to a Lagoon View King overlooking Evermore Bay. From our balcony we could see the Magic Kingdom fireworks and Epcot fireworks every night. Our room was a spacious 505 square feet and carried the same contemporary design touches that were reflected in the lobby. There was a loveseat and a separate bistro table with plenty of room to spare. Also, plenty of storage thanks to the floor to ceiling closets and additional drawers below the television. The bathroom was beautifully lit, though I will say it was odd that the toilet has a direct line of sight to the bed.

I absolutely loved our room and found it to be a comfortable retreat after a long day at the Disney parks. You’ll know from my review of the Four Seasons George V in Paris that opulent traditional design is not my thing. I love modern and contemporary properties. Give me harsh edges, a multimedia of textures, and top down lighting!

Other Rooms

Staying at a beautiful resort like this, of course I had to see what the other rooms looked like. I took videos of several different room categories. My favorite was hands down the Presidential Suite with the panoramic terrace!

I also posted a view of the spacious Conrad Suite, which is located on multiple floors with lagoon views:

If you wanted to see a walkthrough of our room – the Lagoon View King – you can check that out here:

Curious to see what the EPCOT fireworks look like from our Lagoon View King balcony? You can see that here:

Amenities

The Conrad Orlando shines when it comes to amenities. This is not a hotel where you drop off your bags and are out all day. No – you want to be here and experience all that they have to offer. At the Conrad alone, guests will find a heated pool, kids splash pad, a kids club, a fitness club, a private beach, two Jack Nicklaus designed golf courses, and the Tipu Lounge for early arrivals and late departures.

Being on Evermore property, Conrad guests have access to all of Evermore’s amenities as well. That includes the crystalline lagoon, water sports (kayaking and stand up paddleboarding), a rope swing, a family slide, beachside sports, hammocks all along the walking path, fire pits, movie nights, and even concerts. We heard Evermore employees telling guests that there are isolated hot tubs around the Evermore property that can be used as well. There’s no shortage of happenings at this property.

In terms of in-room amenities, I have no complaints! Toiletries were furnished by Byredo (same as The Newbury Boston) which I loved. Bathrobes were plush and dare I say stylish. Slippers were automatically provided which was much appreciated as I’m finding that hotels are skimping on this nowadays. And, of course, we were met with lovely in-room VIP Welcome Amenities which all of my clients receive as well when they book with me. Chocolate covered strawberries anyone?

Disney Amenities

Being a Disney Good Neighbor Hotel, you would think that there would be a lot of perks similar to staying on Disney property. However, the only real Disney perk is the complimentary shuttle to the parks. The concierge team will provide the link to the week’s shuttle schedule upon check-in, but it makes the rounds about once an hour. The shuttle is a luxury motorcoach with plush seats and air conditioning. I’d love if they played Disney music, but it’s a pretty quiet shuttle ride. Note that Conrad Orlando’s complimentary Disney shuttle only goes to the four main parks (Ticket and Transportation Center for EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom).

We used the Disney shuttle multiple days to get to the parks, and it was extremely handy. Keep in mind that the shuttle stops at every park each go around, so if you’re returning from Magic Kingdom it could take more than 45 minutes to return to the hotel. Returning back to the hotel, we mainly used Lyft since we didn’t coordinate with the shuttle schedule. The hotel has a dedicated rideshare pick up and drop off area at the meetings and events entrance.

I will say that the Disney amenities are lacking compared to a similar luxury resort like the Four Seasons Orlando, another favorite. The Four Seasons Orlando has a dedicated Disney Planning Center that can help arrange dining reservations, VIP guides, and private character experiences. They also have character breakfasts at one of their restaurants twice a week in addition to 30 minutes of early park entry. I’m eager to see how the Conrad Orlando’s relationship with Disney continues to grow, and perhaps more amenities will be added further down the line.

Spa

One of my biggest regrets during this trip was that I didn’t have enough time to make use of the spa. Did I see it? Yes. Did I purchase something from the spa boutique? Also yes, I forgot my sunglasses and had to buy new ones. I always love trying a spa treatment though, and I’m sad I won’t be able to report on that.

I can, however, tell you that the spa has 11 treatment rooms and full service salon. There is also a zen water garden with a hydrotherapy circuit you can make use of with a booked spa treatment, or if you’re staying in a wellness room. There’s a small boutique shop inside the spa reception with local items, sandals, coverups, bathing suits, sunglasses, and more for purchase. I was told that the hotel has plans to start selling Conrad merchandise in the future as well.

Restaurants

At Conrad Orlando, there are 3 restaurants, 1 bar, and 1 daytime cafe. Guests also have access to Evermore’s Twin View Restaurant, The Landing Food Hall, and two additional bars. There is also a mini marketplace selling snacks and alcoholic beverages connected to the Food Hall.

I will say, Little Spoon Cafe is so cute. They carried snacks, drinks, pastries, gelatos, coffees, breakfast sandwiches, and a little area for sundries like ibuprofen. I only wish they stayed open later as they close at 8:00 PM. The pastries looked divine, similar to the high quality confections you’d find at any other Deluxe Disney resort.

Ceiba Restaurant

We dined at Ceiba, the rooftop restaurant at the Conrad Orlando, on our second evening. Not only were we excited to eat Mexican cuisine, but we were also excited to see the fireworks at Epcot and Magic Kingdom from our table. While I had asked for the Conrad concierge to make the reservation for me, they advised I would need to make the reservation directly with OpenTable. I’m guessing this is because a credit card guarantee needed to be submitted. I requested a table with a fireworks view over a month in advance.

When we arrived at Ceiba, we were made to wait at least 45 minutes for our table to be ready. I also reminded them of the request for a fireworks viewing table and they advised it would be a longer wait for that, if it became available at all. While waiting, we sat in the open air lounge and watched the Magic Kingdom fireworks. Other Conrad guests had come up to the lounge to watch the fireworks as well, but were turned away by the Ceiba staff noting that the lounge is only for diners. It was a shame to see since there were some kids excited to see the fireworks.

When we were finally sat, the fireworks were just about over and we couldn’t really see them from our table. Unfortunately, our waiter was frazzled and we were met by various different waiters during the course of our meal. It was totally weird! All that said, the food was really good here. We ordered the queso fundido, corn salad, chicken enchiladas, and a watermelon mocktail garnished with tajin. For dessert, we ordered an incredible aztec temple flan cake hybrid thing and a corn-inspired mousse. Despite the poor service and delayed table, we found ourselves saying that we would eat here again.

Papaya Club

Papaya Club is the hotel’s chic Polynesian-feeling open air restaurant by the pool with menu items such as calamari, crab cakes, chicken wings, Pu Pu platter, salads, and more. We didn’t make a lunch reservation in advance and they were able to seat us within 5 minutes despite the restaurant being busy.

The Papaya Club also provides the food for the pool area which is ordered via your phone. When you get to the pool, an attendant will place towels on a chair for you and tell you to hit the button if you need service. There’s a box with a QR code linked to the Papaya Club’s poolside bites and drinks which are served in cute bento-type boxes.

When we sat down at the Papaya Club, we ended up ordering their stir fried cauliflower and shishito with furikake ranch along with two brioche steamed buns with pork belly. The cauliflower dish was a hit and I loved the crunchy quinoa giving texture. The pork belly was also delicious but they piled the sauce on top which made for a messy experience. Overall, a nice light tropical lunch with views of the lagoon. Can’t complain!

Sophia’s Trattoria

Sophia’s Trattoria is the Italian restaurant at Conrad Orlando, and this is where we ate breakfast (included!) daily. During the weekdays, the breakfast menu was served a la carte with classic breakfast staples like eggs benedict, avocado toast, yogurt and granola, bagel and lox, etc. On the weekend, the restaurant transforms into a decadent breakfast buffet with a live egg station, hot dishes, and a continental section.

On the days we had breakfast at Sophia’s early, we were sat immediately and service was on point. There were a couple days we started later around 9 AM and the restaurant was packed. Again, despite the service, the food was excellent. Some of the best hotel breakfast I’ve had in a long time. My favorite was the eggs benedict with crispy mortadella! As always I had to order a hot chocolate with oat milk but only received it 2 out of the 6 days due to machine issues.

We had Sophia’s by way of room service one evening. We ordered a chicken caesar salad and arancini balls, and they were both tasty. While we didn’t sit down at Sophia’s for dinner, we passed by the restaurant each night on the way back to our room and would consistently see it packed with guests. The restaurant has an indoor section, perfect for the hot summer days, and an outdoor patio with heaters on the chillier days. I highly recommend the weekend breakfast buffet as the selection is top notch.

Service

Aside from some dining hiccups, service at the Conrad Orlando was very good. Concierge kept in touch via text message and would check in with me daily. My husband forgot to bring his allergy medicine and the front desk staff were more than happy to get some extra from their back office. The valet attendants were friendly and would always ask us where we’re heading and if we needed any suggestions.

I absolutely love a hotel that does turn down service, and the Conrad Orlando housekeeping team was consistent and thorough. They even left blackberry or lavender chocolates on the bed in addition to replenishing the water. The few times we had to call down for more waters they were sent within 5 minutes. Service by the pool and private beach area was quick, and everyone that passed us always said hello.

The hotel went above and beyond even after we checked out. I had a package shipped to the hotel that didn’t arrive in time, and the concierge informed me as soon as they received it and when it was forwarded to the next address. Five stars!

Who Was Staying Here?

I saw a lot of families staying at the Conrad Orlando, and it makes sense since there are a lot of family-friendly amenities. There are also plenty of spacious suites and connecting room options that can accomodate large families. I encountered plenty of Disney families and adult Disney park goers on the shuttles in the morning, so guests are definitely making use of that perk!

There was a sales conference going on during our stay, and thankfully the event space has an entirely separate wing and entrance. There was one night where they had an event on the back lawn which ended at a reasonable hour and wasn’t overly noisy. There was also one night when the bar, Apero, was taken over by the conference team for networking but only for an hour or so. That is the reality of a large resort in Orlando, however, same as the Four Seasons Orlando which also has a sizeable event space. It didn’t significantly impact our experience.

Is This A Good Luxury Disney Option?

The Conrad Orlando is a very solid luxury resort in the Orlando area, but it’s not one for serious park goers. I say that because the amenities are sparse compared to the Four Seasons Orlando and even Deluxe resorts on Disney property. That said, you can stay here AND go to the parks – even we did! We made use of their Disney shuttle, but we also took our time getting to the parks. If this were a serious Disney trip, we would’ve valued more amenities that Deluxe Disney resorts provide, like 30-minutes early park entry and 7 day advance Lightning Pass purchases.

The best way to do Disney parks while staying at the Conrad Orlando is to either book a VIP Disney Guide or purchase Lightning Lane Premier Pass for each park day. At least with Lightning Lane Premier Pass you can go through the lightning lane for any ride that participates without having to pre-choose a time. This way you can go through the parks at your leisure and ride the best rides with shorter lines.

Who Is the Conrad Orlando For?

If the Conrad Orlando isn’t for serious Disney park goers, then who is it for? Well, I think that this hotel is a good fit for families or couples who want a luxury getaway in a resort setting who maybe want to do one park day only, if at all. The amount of amenities offered at the Conrad Orlando and Evermore are unmatched, and it makes a great destination for families to enjoy luxurious residential amenities in a modern setting. I would even say this hotel is great for those wanting a staycation or wellness-focused getaway.

The hotel is also a great fit for those who want to use Hilton Honors points to be close to the parks at a modern resort with family-friendly amenities. Compared to its sister property, the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, the Conrad is contemporary in style and newer. Both properties offer Disney shuttle service. The Waldorf Astoria has the 30-minute Disney park early entry perk, while the Conrad doesn’t.

Perks

I mentioned a few perks I received throughout my stay here, and I wanted to share that you can also receive these exclusive perks when you book the Conrad Orlando with me. These perks include:

• Room upgrade on arrival (subject to availability)
• Early check-in / Late check-out (subject to availability)
• Daily breakfast at Sophia’s Trattoria
• In-Room VIP Welcome Amenity
• $100 one-time resort credit
• Double Hilton Honors points (yes, you can still earn HH and get status perks when you book with me!)

These perks usually come with a higher status compared to a regular booking without perks. This means better service and more attention paid to reservations. Why not make your bookings with a luxury travel agent? You’re leaving value on the table when you book yourself!

Final Thoughts

Overall, I really enjoyed my time at the new Conrad Orlando. I loved the modern feel, proximity to Disney parks, the complimentary Disney shuttle, and the numerous amenities available. We spent a lot of time just walking around Evermore Bay stopping to spontaneously play beach Connect Four or corn hole. We took the stand up paddleboards out on the bay and just had fun. Sure, being close to Disney is a huge plus, but the Conrad Orlando is a solid standalone luxury resort. I can’t wait to go back again!