Orlando is the most visited tourist destination in the world! With world class theme parks, countless attractions, amazing food and unparalleled shopping, this place is at the top of the list for many families. The only problem with coming here on vacation is you either stay in a hotel that is nothing more than a hotel or you are running so much that you need a vacation from your vacation! Luckily, located just a few short miles from the entrance to Walt Disney World is the Villas of Grand Cypress. This luxury resort mixes the conveniences of having a condo with world class golf and amenities that cannot be found anywhere else in Orlando. I had the opportunity to spend a night at the Villas and see what all there was to do! Let’s look into one of the top villa resorts in Orlando!
What does the resort have to offer?
The Villas of Grand Cypress has a ton of things to do and see to keep the entire family happy! For dad, there are 45 holes of championship golf! For mom, there’s in-room spa services, a gym, and a hot tub to help her relax. As for the kids, there is a huge pool, game room, rock climbing wall, fishing in the ponds, and, yes, Walt Disney World right around the corner! Being that the Villas are owned by Hyatt Regency, you can also enjoy everything that the Hyatt Grand Cypress has to offer right down the street! (The best part is that there is free shuttle service around property and between the Villas and the Hyatt!) Here’s a list of just some of the things that the Villas of Grand Cypress has to offer:
- Grand Cypress Golf Club
- Grand Cypress Academy of Golf
- Grand Cypress Racquet Club
- In-Room Spa Services
- On-Site Transportation Services
- Lake Windsong and Marina
- Health Club and Fitness Center
- Babysitting Services and Camps for kids
- Easy Access to Orlando’s famed attractions
- Two Pools, both with waterfalls and one with two waterslides
- 9-Hole Pitch ‘n’ Putt golf
- 24′ Rock Climbing Wall, Jogging, Biking, and Fitness Trails
- Game Room
- Renowned art collection throughout the resort
- Picnic Areas
- Beauty Salon
- Fishing on select resort lakes
The Villas
The Villas at the resort is a place to go and unwind. This is a place that has everything that you need to make you and your family completely happy and satisfied while here in this amazing city! When I stayed at the Villas I was in a 1 bedroom unit. What does the 1 bedroom Villa have? The website describes the villa perfectly!
“Come away in the height of style and luxury with what will feel like your own private penthouse. Enjoy the Florida sun on your large outdoor patio before enjoying dinner together in your large Villa dining room. The One Bedroom Villa comes with an expansive 1,150 square feet of privacy, consisting of a voluminous master bedroom with a king bed connected to a living room, dining room, and fully equipped kitchen. And out your window? A view to write home about—the peaceful trees and hills of the Grand Cypress golf course or the quiet waters of one of the resort lakes. Highlighted by streamlined entertainment centers, sectional sofa sleepers and club chairs in rich American Leather, and broad-loomed, custom-designed Axminster carpets, you won’t want to leave heaven in Orlando.”
This villa had everything that a person could want while here on vacation! I had a fully equipped kitchen, amazing living room with a fireplace & leather sleeper sofa, dining room with a table for 8, a bedroom with a work area & sitting area with sleeper sofa, as well as a bathroom that would make any woman cry! I have stayed at a good amount of villas, resorts, and hotels and this was by far the most amazing place that I have been. From the time you walk into your fully stocked kitchen (sorry, no food included) you feel at home! Best part of the villa? For us, the best part was the huge walk around patio outside with ample seating space to watch fireworks from Walt Disney World at night!
Entertainment
The Villas of Grand Cypress is known for their golf! This 45 hole golf course, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus, features not only the beauty of the natural landscape here in Orlando but also the wildlife that calls Orlando home! On my outing, I saw plenty of birds and even a few deer! There are 4 separate courses here at the Villas and they have been winning a ton of amazing awards! Some of the awards that they have received include:
Course of the Year
by the Florida Golf Course Owners Association
Top 100 You Can Play
by GOLF Magazine
Par 2000 – The 500 Best Golf Holes in the World
by GOLF Magazine
Gold Tee Award from Meetings and Conventions Magazine
If you forget your golf shoes, golf shirts or accessories or even forgot your clubs, the clubhouse has you covered! From rental clubs to the latest in golf fashion, this clubhouse has everything you need to have a great time on the greens! I know after spending some time in the store, I have decided that I really want a Villas of Grand Cypress golf polo!
If golf isn’t your thing, there are plenty other things to do! There is a huge swimming with a nice outdoor bar and 2 different hot tubs to relax the day away! By the pool is a state-of-the-art fitness center and rock climbing wall to test your strength and endurance! If water sports is more your thing, then there is kayaking, canoeing, and fishing at the lakes located around the property! For the young and the young at heart, there is a game room to play some of the latest and greatest video games from around the area!
After spending some time around the resort, I am sure that you are getting hungry right?
Restaurants
I am only going to hit on the restaurants at the Villas of Grand Cypress because I have another article coming out soon on one of the most amazing restaurants anywhere in Orlando, Nine18! Nine18 is one of two 4-star Forbes restaurants located in the Orlando area. The only other restaurant that has the 4-star distinction is Victoria and Albert’s at Walt Disney World. (Check back soon for the review of Nine18!) This restaurant had a great selection of amazing food, great wines, and a romantic atmosphere that overlooks the golf course! If you get a chance, I highly recommend Nine18 at the Villas of Grand Cypress!
If you are looking for some food before or after a day on the greens, then try The Club located by the golf shop in the club house. This restaurant and bar overlooks the greens of the North and South golf courses and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner! However, if you do not feel like preparing food in your villa and do not want to go out, there is always 24 hour in-room dining!
Overview
The first thing that I have to say about the Villas of Grand Cypress is WOW! What an amazing place! This resort does a great job of letting you get away and enjoy what Orlando has to offer! This place is also great for people like my family who live here, but want a “staycation” every now and then! The best part of this resort isn’t the golf, the amenities, or even the villas themselves! The best part of this resort is the price!!! The night we stayed, the price for our Villa was $245.00 a night! For what this place has to offer, I believe that this place ranks higher than a lot of the Disney resorts for the simple fact that you can step away from the “tourists” and relax! I also love the fact that you can join villas together to accommodate larger families or groups!
I loved staying at the Villas of Grand Cypress and cannot wait to get back! Have you ever stayed at the Villas of Grand Cypress? If so what did you think? If not, do you think you will try it on your next vacation or even staycation? Comment below and let me know!
Jason Mayhew
My name is Jason Mayhew, and I am the owner of OFF On The Go. When not traveling with the website, I own my own marketing and PR company, J Mayhew Marketing. I have the best job where I get to travel the world and showcase the most amazing and unique experiences!
