Orlando, FloridaKissimmee
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Glass-domed waterpark resort
Kissimmee Orlando, Florida
Renovated
2025
Price
$$$
Rated for
Resort Wellness SocialOutside the door
The house
Gaylord HotelsGlass-domed waterpark resort
A 4.5-acre glass atrium encloses living Florida landscapes, where Everglades waterways and a Key West sailboat sit under climate control.
What it’s good at
Remarkable
A three-acre water park features seven slides and the Crystal River Rapids action river.
Listed
Relâche Spa pairs botanical aromatherapy rituals with a twenty-four-hour Life Fitness gym.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
The grounds occupy a self-contained estate in Kissimmee, just south of the Walt Disney World theme parks.
The rooms
Inner-facing balconies look straight down into the glass atrium, hovering over the indoor waterways and gardens.
The water park
Bring a swimsuit.
Palm trees border the South Beach adult lap pool, and a multi-level water playground centers on a 300-gallon tipping bucket.
The spa and gym
Couples suites and a tea room span the 25,000-square-foot spa. Next door, cardio machines face floor-to-ceiling windows.
Restaurant
Villa de Flora
Patio tables sit beneath string lights inside the glass atrium, surrounding an attended seasonal Mediterranean buffet.
At the table
Old Hickory Steakhouse pours from a 3,600-bottle wine wall along the atrium boardwalks. Outdoors, SandBar shades poolside tables.
How it began
The resort opened at precisely 2:02 p.m. on February 2, 2002, shaped by focus groups with thousands of event planners.
Orlando
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.