Gaylord Palms. One word: WOW.

[nile455]

I got to visit this brand new resort last weekend, and it is unbelievable. Already it is the nicest hotel in Orlando (yes including the Grand Floridian). I just couldn't believe the sheer size of this place. I asked an employee the price tag, and he told me "about 400 million".

400 million! That is what you'd expect an airport to cost. Or a brand new football dome! Or a theme park! Not a resort!

[wdisneelvr]

Please tell us more about this resort...

Where is it located?

Is there a website?

What is the star rating for this hotel?

Thanks for any info you can give :D

[Gillian]

http://www.gaylordpalms.com/

I know Priceline has it rated as a resort. I think it's too new to have any real ratings yet. It looks beautiful! I love the way everything is inside, but under a glass roof, so it feels open. It looks very much like the opryland hotel. It's owned by the same people.

Here is a link to an area map so you can see where it's located. I don't know what other hotels are in that area.
http://www.gaylordpalms.com/jobs/gallery/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=5918

[mkymouse4ever]

wow, interesting, will have to have lunch there. But pretty expensive rack rates. Thanks, MKY

[FLeisure]

I went on Friday evening as we wanted to try the Old Hickory Steakhouse. A friend of mine suggested we wait 4 mths before going so all the kinks could be ironed out. Needless to say the fire alarm went off during our meal !

Anyway, GP is a fantastic hotel and I rather feel it is trying to create a Vegas type of hotel here. To find GP, get on Osceola Parkway and follow it along .... you can't miss it !

The entranceway is impressive and the feel of the place is very spacious. We had a good walk around before we went to our restaurant and enjoyed seeing the differing areas. There is a small shopping arcade with, of all things, a Harley Davidson shop ! Wierd !

Anyway, the meal - the meal was very good. The mussels are to be recommended (wife says so !) and the lobster bisc was excellent. Our friends had the crab cakes and these were also excellent. Moving onto the main entree and the Black Angus filet was superb. Those that had rack of lamb said that was the best they had had in a long time. The chef is French so it stands a chance he'll know how to cook !

The wine list has a very good selection and suprisingly, wasn't too overpriced as some fine dining restaurants like to do.

During the fire alarm demonstration, we had an amble around the outside of the hotel and have to say that I did like the pool area , particularly with it's roll in feature for guests with wheelchairs. I'm pleased to see hotels are now doing this as standard.

After the meal we went to Duelling Pianos and whilst the guys were OK, JellyRolls on Boardwalk is so much better. It probably didn't help that we had a miserable waitress who proceeded to rip us off on a glass of wine - c'est la vie !

Apart from that, the only real dislike I had was the elevator shafts which were exposed and looked really ugly. Something needs to be done there.

Unfortunately we didn't get to see the guest rooms but in a hotel of this nature, they should be good. Overall, the hotel is excellent and the vast majority of the staff are nice and friendly. Don't want to say much more...go and experience it !

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

We had the pleasure of staying at Gaylord Palms in May for 4 nites and WOW it is..I absoluetely fell in love with this hotel so much so that we are going back in December. I can't compare it to the Grand Floridian (have never stayed) but as far as the WL, POLY, and AKL I would take Gaylord Plams any day. It was just fabulous. The rooms were lovely and the balcony overlooked the atrium. I really can't say enough about this place. You need to see it to experience it.

[ChiTownZee]

Originally posted by MOMTOMOOTOO
The rooms were lovely and the balcony overlooked the atrium.

Do you know if all the rooms have balconies? The pictures of the rooms they showed all had french doors, but I couldn't find any layouts.

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I think there are rooms that DO NOT have balconies, they are called the Florida View. We stayed in the Emerald Bay section and I know that section all has the balcony overlooking the amazing atrium.

[DVC~OKW~96]

If you are at WDW and want to do a visit or drive by, an easy route to this resort is to head for Disney's wide world of sports. At the intersection of Victory and Osceola parkway take a left. The Gaylord will be in view on the right. It is absolutely well worth the visit.

As lovely as it is, inside and out, I still get a real chuckle out of the immediate surrounding area. Look just beyond the resort grounds and what do you see? Other than I-4, COWS! What a hoot!

[pooh6890]

If this hotel is ANYTHING like the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, it's absolutely gorgeous. I remember driving down Oceola Parkway and seeing them build it. At first we thought it was the AKL. The pictures of the rooms and hotel areas are beautiful. I have been getting e-mails all along from them with updates on construction and specials. So far, it's still very expensive. I think that once this place takes off, they will give Disney deluxes a run for their money. For what you pay at their deluxe, you can pay a little more and get this luxury hotel. And let's face it, right now the prices are sky high and they will find they HAVE to give discounts to Fla residents, AAA and even Disney packages. I cannot wait to tour this hotel in November on our way to the YC.

[Jane E.]

We stayed two nights for a conference there in May and had a great time. The place is huge. We stayed in the Everglades section & did not have a balcony. Our section was very quiet. We loved the dualing piano bar. I'll have to see Jelly Rolls if they are better because we thought this place was great. (Last year we tried to see Jelly Rolls but it stormed terribly the night we wanted to go. I'll put it on my to do list this year!) There are lots of restaurants & shops in this hotel. We loved the mediterreanean buffet for lunch. It was delicious especially if you like seafood. Dh loved the cervice shrimp & seafood lasagne. It was a fun place to have a conference. I had to laugh because a couple of other conference goers told me that Gaylord Palms was way to expensive to stay at. They stayed nearby & saved money. HOwever, when they actually set food in the hotel they were just a tad bit disapointed that they hadn't made plans to stay at least one night there! I made up my mind to have that count towards vacation as well as conference time & we took our kids with us. While I conferenced dh & sons swam!

[tazdeb]

For anyone staying at HIFS,GP it is just a short 5 minute walk. Enjoyed their bars and resturants while staying at Holliday Inn prices.:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

[BELLA1]

THis hotel is absolutely amazing. THe rooms are huge...elegantly done. We had an atrium balcony room....on a turn so it was a bit larger than the other rooms we saw....i think our room was 5107.

The different area around the hotel lobby/atrium area are really fun to explore. THe pool area ...zero level entry..very fun for kids.

we ate at the restaurant in the key west area..... ANd it was Fabulous. THe conch CHowder...really worthy of a key west award....even if the hotel was aweful..i would go back just for that.

This hotel is a must see...even if you are just looking for something to do outside of the parks for one evening.

check out my website (http://www.diznutz.com/id20_how_do_you_and_your_family_count_the.htm)

[tink2dw]

any other reviews?? What was the cost of a nights stay??

[debbie655]

Tazdeb-- Please let me know how you walked to this hotel from HIFS. We are staying there for part of our stay and would love to walk over. I do remember seeing the hotel under construction last summer but didn't pay much attention to where it was as I wasn't doing the driving. I've never noticed anything within walking distance from HIFS?

[tazdeb]

To walk to GP from HIFS, go out the main doors of the lobby and turn right. Walk 700 yds and there you are. The hotel that was under construction where the road HIFS is on ends is the Gaylord Palms. We did this walk with our 5y old DD and she made it but we are a walking family. If you've ever been to Vegas I'd estimate the walk to be the same as the TROP to Bally's. Either way it's a 1 minute car ride. If your staying at HIFS checkout the GP it's a cool if pricy place.........TAZ;)

[SimonV]

I stayed at the GP in late May and was seriously impressed. It's expensive but worth it. Huge rooms, comfortable beds, very high-tech for business use; great restaurants (superbly scenic) and wonderful facilities (right up to the Canyon Ranch Spa). It fully deserves the 'resort' tag and is easily the best outside Disney, IMHO. Whether it quite beats the GF for quality I'm not so sure, but this is more my style than the GF so I would probably vote it my No 1 for now (until the Grande Lake resorts open in 2003). My top 10 would be:

Gaylord Palms
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Hard Rock Hotel
Portofino Bay Hotel
Yacht/Beach Club
Royal Pacific Resort
Grand Bohemian (downtown)
Hyatt Grand Cypress
Marriott's Orlando World Center
Peabody Hotel

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

SimonV, We were also there in late May and absolutely loved the hotel..everything about it. I think I got the best haircut of my life at Canyon Ranch. We are booked December, unfortunately the budget does not permit 10 nites, so we are ending our vacation at Gaylord Palms the last three. Your top 10 seems very interesting to me. We are also booked at RPH, but I am seriously considering switching to either Grand Bohemian or Peabody. We have three little kids but we like to stay in nice places and not neccesarily on site. Could you please share your
experience at both the Peabody (which I'm leaning more towards) and the Bohemian which my husband seems to favor. Thanks alot.

Laura

[debbie655]

Thanks Tazdeb, We'll definitely be checking it out when we are there in 2 1/2 weeks! Any problems getting in and looking around if you are not staying there?

[debbie655]

We are looking for a really nice place to have dinner for a special occasion and this hotel sounds like it would foot the bill perfectly. Does anyone have information about menus or pricing? Also are the restaurants formal or casual? Would love to hear anyones dining experiences here.

[SimonV]

Debbie, I think they are quite keen for people to go in and look around (and perhaps spend a few $$$s at one of the bars or restaurants!). There was certainly nothing to stop people doing that when I was there. For a full directory of the three restaurants (and menus), check out this link: Click here! (http://www.gaylordpalms.com/things_todo/dining.cfm)

Momtomootoo, the Peabody and Grand Bohemian are both primarily upmarket business/convention hotels, with a 5-star range of facilities. The GB in particular is geared towards a sophisticated level of customer appreciation (the standout piece of furniture is a $250,000 Bosendorfer grand piano!), and may not necessarily be great for kids. The restaurant there, La Boheme, is quite simply one of the best in town, and the whole place is a bit like staying in a grand art gallery as much as a hotel. The Peabody does have more all-round appeal as it boasts a huge swimming pool, good choice of restaurants (including one of my faves, the B-Line Diner) and the daily Duck March, which kids usually enjoy. It can get busy with convention business, but it is also well located on I-Drive for walking to places like The Pointe.

[MICKEYKART]

Debbie655

If you walk out of the main lobby of HIFS into the parking lot and turn right, the Gaylord Palms is about 1/2 mile down the road at the first traffic light you come to.

[debbie655]

Thanks MickeyKart, 1/2 mile is not bad of a walk at all. Looking forward to seeing this new resort. Do you happen to know if the 7-11 opened up yet near the HIFS? Hubby said he saw a sign there last summer saying opening soon. A strange question I know..lol. Thanks!

[Blondie]

Sounds like a beautiful resort, does it offer the monorail to Epcot and the MK? ;) ;) ;)

[SimonV]

LOL, that's about the only thing it hasn't got Blondie!

[erikthewise]

I remember seeing this resort on our way to Publix last December while still under construction. It was really strange to see this huge hotel being built out in the middle of nowhere; no other development as far as the eye could see! (I suspect the HIFS was hidden by the huge bulk of the Gaylord itself.)
Perhaps we'll check it out this year.