Did someone say staycation?!
That’s the thing about living in a tourist town. You can travel a very short distance and immediately be in “vacation mode”. One of my favorite Orlando staycation spots is Gaylord Palms. Here’s how you can adult like we did on our last 24 hour getaway…
LUNCH AT MOOR
Check in and head directly to MOOR in the Key West atrium. This is where you are going to have lunch. MOOR has a fab menu with one of the best burgers in town. They also have local craft beers on draft and in the bottle. Sit at the bar. Ask for Tianna. Tell her Amanda sent ya. Then order the bread service. Trust me on this.
Jalapeno Cornbread & Cheddar Biscuits
Vanilla Sea Salt Cream Cheese | Caramel Apple Butter | Bacon Jam
RELAX IN THE SOUTH BEACH POOL
After you’ve satisfied your hunger it’s time to change into your beachwear and head on down to the Adults-only South Beach Pool.
Separate from the Cypress Springs Water Park area of the pool deck and flanked on either side by palm trees, this kid-free oasis is the perfect spot to soak in the Florida sunshine.
Be sure and ask the cocktail waitress for a pitcher of sangria from the SandBar. You don’t even have to get out of the pool.
EXPLORE THE ATRIUMS
After you’ve caught the appropriate amount of sun…you know, enough so that when you go home it looks like you’ve been on a proper vacation…set aside some time to wander through the three enclosed glass atriums. Take in an alligator or fish feeding, pop in to Wreckers Sports Bar for a cocktail or sip on a Starbucks coffee.
DINNER IS SERVED
Gaylord Palms has quite a few dining options when the sun goes down. You can go casual at Wreckers Sports Bar, sample sushi at Sora, enjoy a meal under twinkling lights at Villa de Flora, sip wine at the resort’s signature steakhouse Old Hickory or take in a bite on a sailboat at MOOR.
Flame Grilled Ribeye
Bone Marrow Butter | Arugula Salad
RETIRE TO YOUR ATRIUM VIEW ROOM
If given the option, always pick the atrium view room. It doesn’t matter which section of the resort you choose (Key West, Everglades or St. Augustine) they are all magnificent. Sit out on your balcony and take it all in before retiring for the night.
Rooms at the Gaylord Palms Resort start at around $180 per night. Ready to book? Visit Marriott.com or call 1-407-586-0000.
Special thanks goes out to the Gaylord Palms Resort for hosting me. All opinions are of course my own.
