Last weekend, I had the opportunity to visit Grande Lakes Orlando, a beautiful 500-acre resort in central Florida located 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO). Comprised of a 582-room Ritz-Carlton and 1,000-room JW Marriott, the resort offers guests a number of on-site leisure activities. During my stay, I was able to enjoy a peaceful guided eco-tour on the northernmost headwaters of the Florida Everglades and enjoy the excitement and thrill of a zip-line course.

After a quick ride in a golf cart from The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in the rain, my companions and I gathered under palmettos to listen to our guide tell us about the inhabitants we were about to see on our tour of Shingle Creek. While he explained the possibility of seeing gators and the need to stay away from them, we saw one peek out of the water not far from where we were standing. Right before stepping into our kayaks and canoes, we heard a very loud crunching sound, which our guide explained was the gator eating the turtle, shell and all. Convinced the gator was full, we set off and paddled through the scenic natural preserves in the peaceful rain. We saw a variety of wildlife, including beautiful osprey and a family of wild turkeys.

After enjoying a lunch of fresh grouper at Fairways Pub, our group walked over to the resort’s ropes course for another adventure. The multilevel structure included several traversing and climbing elements and six aerial zip lines. After suiting up and listening to instructions, I scaled the rock climbing wall and made my way across tightropes and swings in the rain. Rather than climb down the stairs to get back to the ground, I opted for an exciting and quick ride on three zip lines. 

Other leisure facilities include a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole championship golf course, jogging trails, a 40,000-square-foot spa with 40 treatment rooms, guided fishing and several pools, including a fun 24,000-square-foot lazy river that winds through small waterfalls. No matter your interests, Grande Lakes Orlando offers an endless array of activities for guests to enjoy without the need to leave the resort.

— Monique Barrett, advertising and editorial coordinator