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Orlando, Florida
Where to Stay and Play in America's Family Fun Capital
Part One
By Elisa Ast All
Not many places in the world conjure up as many images of family fun, happiness and togetherness as Orlando, Fla. Located in sunny central Florida, Orlando has wonderful weather and awesome attractions, making it a delightful destination for families worldwide.
On a recent trip, we focused on three key areas within Orlando: Universal Studios, Disney World and Sea World. These three destinations are mini-cities unto themselves, filled with resorts and theme parks of their own.
Our first stop was the Portofino Bay Hotel At Universal Studios Escape, a full-service, 750-room hotel replicating the Mediterranean fishing village of Portofino, Italy. This Loews Hotel is like stepping through a window of time. The genius behind this elegant hotel is its ability to transport you to another place: All at once, you are in Portofino, Italy, at a lovely waterside hotel. The tranquility is everywhere. From the moment you walk in the doors to the stroll along the boat-filled bay to the incredibly appointed guest room filled with every amenity you could ever need, you are at peace.
The Portofino Bay is luxurious. Residing on the grounds of Universal Studios, it is the kind of place you never want to leave. Italian opera music wafts through the air, scrumptious foods surround you, lovely shops abound. You could spend your entire vacation on site and have all you need, and then some.
The rooms have comfortable beds with cozy comforters and high-tech audio/visual equipment. The huge bathrooms are to die for: A bathtub lies under a shuttered window that you can open to view the room. Across the way is a walk-in shower, next to a double sink with rich shampoos and lotions to soothe your body. Views of the grounds, with their greenery, games and pools, are lovely.
The zero-depth pool, with real sand beach, was a huge hit with our kids. The fun of getting sandy and then running into the pool to rinse off is an advantage for child and parent alike. Eating poolside was a pleasure, too.
