Just in time for winter vacation planning, JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, has unveiled a number of multimillion-dollar renovations designed to entice luxury travelers in search of a family-friendly, warm-weather escape.

The transformative project across the entire Grande Lakes Orlando resort—nestled on 500 lush acres at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades, and also home to The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes—offers guests Marriott’s industry-leading hospitality and world-class experiences just minutes away from Walt Disney World and a slew of other theme parks.

Designed to deftly integrate the complex’s idyllic, sprawling surroundings with its sleekly designed interior spaces, JW Marriott Orlando’s new amenities and offerings include a world-class waterpark, a buzzy casual dining destination from award-winning chef John Tesar, refreshed guest rooms, new executive family suites, and a redesigned lobby lounge.

“We are very excited about the completion of the repositioning of JW Marriott Orlando,” said Greg Dickhens, managing partner at Trinity Real Estate Investments LLC, one of Grande Lake Orlando’s owners, in a press release. “The well-appointed guest rooms, reimagined food and beverage offerings, and the spectacular new water park and poolside amenities make the JW Marriott Orlando one of the best resorts in the United States. Along with the newly completed renovations of The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, the Grande Lakes Resort is a premier Orlando destination of which we are extremely proud.”

Enhanced Waterpark Experience

The expanded and reconfigured Grande Lakes Waterpark now features a variety of private, full-service cabanas, as well as a redesigned layout with six zones that include a signature lazy river, Headwaters Slide Tower with three waterslides, a new restaurant, and Oasis, a VIP fire pit lounge. With areas designed to encourage family fun or facilitate more secluded relaxation, the waterpark melds seamlessly into its artfully landscaped environs, and is poised to become a primary attraction for Grande Lakes Orlando guests. The new waterpark experience opens to the public on November 20, 2022.

New Poolside Dining

Hot on the heels of earning one coveted star in the 2022 edition of the Michelin Guide Florida for his steak and seafood restaurant, Knife & Spoon, at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, chef John Tesar, a three-time James Beard “Best Southwest Chef” semifinalist, has opened a new poolside restaurant, Knife Burger, at JW Marriott Orlando. Part of the just-completed Grande Lakes Waterpark, guests can break for a bite close to the splashy action without having to head inside. In keeping with his mission to create the tastiest burgers in town, Tesar sources the prime ingredient from top-quality Black Angus purveyor 44 Farms in Texas.

Reimagined Lobby Lounge

Overlooking the resort’s scenic gardens and lakes from its sunny perch on the lobby level, the elegantly refurbished lobby lounge, EvrBar, serves up signature craft cocktails and scrumptious sharing plates like deconstructed sausage sammies on pretzel buns and a mezze platter with crispy garbanzos and kale chips starting at dusk. Neighboring Primo, the hotel’s Michelin Guide Florida 2022-recommended Italian restaurant, the newly revamped space offers a soignée setting and panoramic views of the grounds through walls of floor-to-ceiling windows.

Refreshed Guest Rooms & Suites

Each of JW Marriott Orlando’s 1,010 rooms has been updated with new fixtures and furnishings to optimize the in-room guest experience, incorporating a soothing neutral palette that complements the property’s natural splendor.

Meanwhile, seven new, two- and three-bedroom executive family suites feature built-in bunk beds ideal for kids of all ages, king-size beds for parents, and separate living areas. Guests who book a family suite will receive customized VIP pre-arrival planning that includes guest services’ assistance in building an age-appropriate itinerary for kids and one in-room amenity per night, ranging from milk & cookies to in-suite toys and activities to entertain even the youngest visitors. Rates start at $1,400/night for a two-bedroom suite, which accommodates up to eight guests, while a three-bedroom suite begins at $1,800/night and sleeps 12.

In celebration of the property overhaul, JW Marriott is offering the Grande Escape package—which includes 20% off the room rate, self-parking, and a $50 nightly resort credit—valid November 20-30 and December 20-26, 2022. The package is also available at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, from December 20-26, 2022, with complementary valet parking replacing self-parking. To book, use code D3Q on the resort website.

For more information about JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, and to book a stay, visit www.grandelakes.com.