
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Best for families and golfers who want resort-scale grounds, multiple pools and a large spa complex.
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The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is a 500-acre luxury resort with a large spa, golf course and family facilities; this guide is for travelers who want a spacious property with resort activities. Waldorf Astoria Orlando is a Bonnet Creek five-star hotel close to Walt Disney World; this guide is for travelers who prefer a compact, high-end hotel near Disney attractions.
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Best for families and golfers who want resort-scale grounds, multiple pools and a large spa complex.

Best for travelers who want a luxury Bonnet Creek address with easy access to Disney and a polished hotel experience.
When The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes wins: choose the Ritz-Carlton if you want sprawling grounds, an on-site Greg Norman 18-hole golf course, a very large 40,000 sq ft spa and family programming (Ritz Kids) — it’s a resort for multigenerational stays and active guests.
When Waldorf Astoria Orlando wins: pick the Waldorf if you want a compact, traditionally styled luxury hotel inside the Bonnet Creek resort area with straightforward access to Disney parks and a refined on-site spa, pools and dining in a smaller footprint.
Bottom line: both are five-star Orlando properties with strong spas and dining; take the Ritz-Carlton for resort scale, golf and family amenities, or the Waldorf Astoria for a tighter luxury hotel near Disney.
| Category | The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes | Waldorf Astoria Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large resort complex, resort activities, family-friendly with adults-only spa spaces | Compact luxury hotel in Bonnet Creek focused on refined hotel service |
| Location | Central Florida Parkway, near SeaWorld and convention center; resort set on 500 acres | Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, within the Bonnet Creek resort cluster and close to Disney parks |
| Size (rooms / grounds) | 582 rooms; property set on 500 acres | Not published |
| Target guests / ages | All ages — family programs (Ritz Kids) plus adults-only spa areas | All ages — not adults-only; family-friendly features listed |
| Pools | Three outdoor pools (family pool, kids pool, adults-only spa lap pool) plus shared access to JW Marriott waterpark features | Outdoor swimming pool(s), hot tub and pool with view; on-site poolside services |
| Restaurants & bars | 11 on-site restaurants across the resort including Knife & Spoon (signature steak/seafood), Highball & Harvest, pool bars and spa café | Multiple restaurants, bars and poolside dining; breakfast and room service available on site |
| Spa & wellness | The Ritz-Carlton Spa — 40,000 sq ft, ~40 treatment rooms, adults-only spa pool, saunas and steam rooms | Spa with body treatments, massage, steamroom, sauna and fitness centre (size not published) |
| Golf | On-site Greg Norman–designed 18-hole course (The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club) and driving range | Waldorf Astoria Golf Club adjacent / on-site |
| Parking & transport | Valet-only parking; resort fee and shuttle services for theme parks available (fee applies) | On-site car park and valet/parking services; shuttle service available |
| Close to Disney parks | Shuttle service to Disney available via resort fee; Disney is a short drive (listed ~9–11 miles depending on park) | Within the Bonnet Creek/Disney area; Epcot and Disney Springs listed within a few km |
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes sits on a large 500-acre resort complex off Central Florida Parkway, set a short drive from SeaWorld and the convention center.
Best if you want resort acreage and easy access to a variety of Orlando attractions by car.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando is a five-star hotel located in the Bonnet Creek resort area, with straightforward access to Walt Disney World parks and Disney Springs.
Better if you want a high-end hotel within the Bonnet Creek/Disney cluster and shorter transfers to Disney parks.
Ritz-Carlton rooms and suites include many larger configurations, Club options and balcony views across a resort footprint.
Choose the Ritz for more room types and larger-suite options within a resort layout.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando offers luxury guest rooms with standard upscale in-room amenities and some rooms with balconies or terraces.
Pick the Waldorf for a conventional luxury hotel room experience near the parks; check the supplier for exact room categories and views.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes offers a broad on-site dining portfolio spanning steakhouse, farm-to-table Southern, casual pool bars and a spa café.
The Ritz-Carlton is the pick if you want many on-site dining styles without leaving the resort.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando lists restaurants, bars and poolside dining with daily breakfast, room service and bar options.
Waldorf Astoria provides refined hotel dining and convenient on-site options; confirm signature venues directly if you need a particular restaurant.
Ritz-Carlton offers three outdoor pools, plus shared access to JW Marriott waterpark features and private cabana rentals.
Take the Ritz for more pool variety and family waterpark access without leaving the property.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando lists outdoor swimming pools, hot tub and a pool with a view as part of its amenities.
Waldorf Astoria gives the expected hotel pool and hot tub experience; check the property for family or adults-only pool details.
The Ritz-Carlton's spa and fitness offerings are extensive and designed for both adults and separate kids/teen menus.
Ritz-Carlton is the clear pick for a large, full-service spa and 24-hour fitness access.
Waldorf Astoria's wellness offering includes a spa, fitness center and spa treatments listed in the supplier listing.
Waldorf Astoria provides a full hotel spa and fitness experience; confirm treatment menus and hours with the hotel for specifics.

Ritz-Carlton — larger resort footprint, Ritz Kids program, family pools and shared waterpark access with JW Marriott.

Ritz-Carlton — on-site Greg Norman 18-hole golf course and driving range.

Waldorf Astoria — located inside the Bonnet Creek resort cluster with short transfers to Disney parks.

Waldorf Astoria — smaller hotel footprint and refined, hotel-centered service within Bonnet Creek.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes — it offers a Ritz Kids program, kids pool and access to the JW Marriott waterpark; it’s explicitly set up for family stays.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando sits in Bonnet Creek and lists Disney Springs and Epcot within a few kilometers; it offers easier transfers to Disney parks than a larger, more spread-out resort property.
Yes. The Ritz-Carlton has a very large 40,000 sq ft spa and an on-site Greg Norman golf course; Waldorf Astoria lists spa and golf club amenities on its supplier listing.
No. Both properties are all-ages resorts, though The Ritz-Carlton reserves certain spa and pool areas for guests 18 and older.
Explore how The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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