If you’re planning a trip to Orlando and can’t decide where to stay, let me introduce you to the Omni Orlando at ChampionsGate. With stunning views, a staff that treats you like royalty and so much to do right on the property, it’s easily one of the best resorts in Orlando. We just got back from a mini vacation to the resort and I can’t wait to tell you all about it! By the time we’re done, you’ll be ready to book your stay. It’s that good.
The Omni Orlando at ChampionsGate: A luxury family-friendly resort
As you can tell from the name, the Omni Orlando at ChampionsGate is located in Orlando, Florida. It’s just about a 20-minute drive (or complimentary shuttle ride) away from all the best theme parks (including Universal Orlando, one of our favorites). In other words, it’s close enough that you can pop over for the day without spending an eternity in the car but far enough that you’re not smack-dab in the middle of the hustle & bustle.
The resort itself is loaded with fun activities so you’ll definitely want to plan at least a couple of days to just stay on the property and explore. Plus, they really know how to treat you right. The kids were greeted with cute Omni backpacks filled with fun things like playing cards, kids’ binoculars, crayons and the best chocolate chip cookies ever. The rooms are so spacious and beautiful that you’ll never want to leave! We had a beautiful view of the golf courses and adult’s only pool.
After checking in, my kids got a super cool surprise: Omni Teddy Bears. They were so happy! We also got a beautiful “welcome platter” loaded with local cheeses, nuts, chocolates & other treats, plus a bottle of red wine. We really enjoyed it while looking at the gorgeous view and planning all our family activities.
Speaking of activities, you’re going to love all of the options! From multiple pools to fun tours to delicious places to eat, you could easily spend your entire vacation right at the Omni Orlando without ever leaving if you wanted to. Let’s start with those pools, because they definitely deserve their own review.
The Omni Orlando Resort Pools
If spending the day swimming and having fun in the water is your idea of the perfect vacation, this is definitely the resort for you. We were really impressed by the pools!
The Omni Orlando has four main pools plus a super relaxing and fun lazy river. The adults-only pool is the perfect place to relax, read, or hop in the Jacuzzi. For families, head over to either the kids or family pool. Both have plenty of water activities for children of all ages. The kids’ pool has a water-slide big enough for two, which is fantastic if you have a child that’s scared to go down alone.
The family pool is great because it’s zero-entry, meaning the water just touches your toes and gets deeper as you go. Little kids will love the water playground and huge spilling water tower. Older kids can go on the huge water-slide (my kids’ favorite!). It’s humongous, with 125 feet of twisting, winding, watery fun! Just keep in mind that kids need to be at least 36-inches tall to go on the slides.
You’ll definitely also want to check out the wave pool. It’s Orlando’s only wave pool at a resort and it’s huge. It holds over 131,000 gallons of water!
We had such a blast jumping from one pool to another. When we got tired, we just hopped onto the lazy river and relaxed a bit, then my non-stop kids were back at the pools ready to enjoy the slides all over again.
While you’re spending the day at the pools, grab a private cabana for a break from the heat. It does cost extra but it’s so worth it. It’s so hot in Orlando, especially in the summer! We really enjoyed taking a break in the shade (the best shade ever!) with a tasty fruit platter and some frozen drinks.
If you want, you can order from Crocs, the pool’s cafeteria. Try the nachos! Just save some room so you can check out some of the delicious Omni Resort dining options.
The Omni Orlando Resort Dining Options
The Omni Orlando has ten (yep, ten) different dining options with cuisine ranging from quick and simple sandwiches to incredible Italian entrees. They include:
- Crocs: the pool cafeteria mentioned above, with delicious meals made with local ingredients. It’s perfect if you just want to grab a snack or a quick appetizer.
- Zen: a must-try if you love authentic Chinese food and sushi! Hours vary so check with your concierge for details.
- Trevi’s: a delicious Italian restaurant with indoor & outdoor dining. They have the best kids menu here.
- Trevi’s Terrazza: an outdoor garden restaurant with lighter fare and a beautiful fire pit.
- David’s Club: a perfect place to enjoy a cocktail before dinner. Also a must-try if you love upscale bar food or steaks.
- Broadway Deli: easy to reach from both the pool and the lobby, this is where you’ll want to go to grab a super quick bite. They have delicious gelato, pre-packaged salads, sandwiches and more deli foods.
- Piper’s Grille & Lounge: one of the few options that offers breakfast fare, you’ll want to make this your first stop in the morning. If you’re hitting the golf course, definitely take a break and grab a hearty sandwich.
- Lobby Bar: located right in the lobby, it’s the perfect first stop on your vacation if you want to grab a cocktail or a glass of wine before heading up to your room.
- Morsel’s: along with gourmet coffee & pastries, this quick stop near the stores also has healthier snacks like yogurt. We had the best ice cream and coffee here!
- Room service: of course, if you want to just stay in, you can always order room service! It’s only available for breakfast and dinner, so you’ll still need to head out for lunch.
Out of all the dining options, our favorite was the breakfast buffet and the Italian restaurant. The buffet had “make your own” everything, from omelets to parfaits, plus lots of fruit, local breads, and cheeses. We had dinner at the Italian restaurant and my kids got to “make their own pizza” which was a super fun activity for them. I love that their menus highlight many natural and local foods. All of the dining options use local ingredients whenever possible. It’s a nice touch.
Once you’ve had your fill of delicious food, head outdoors to check out some of the fun family-friendly activities.
Family-Friendly Activities at the Omni Resort
As I said earlier, there’s so much to do at the Omni Orlando that you could spend your entire vacation without ever stepping foot off the property. Along with the pools, our favorite activity was the Omni Hotel Eco Tour.
The Omni Eco Adventure: Our Favorite Outdoor Activity
This has to be one of our favorite tours ever, it was just so, so nice! Keep in mind that you’ll need to call ahead of your trip to reserve it and it books up fast. When you head out for your tour, Captain Eric will greet you at the main pool and take in a golf cart on your eco tour adventure. He’s so patient and knowledgeable. My kids asked a ton (and I mean TON) of questions and Eric was incredibly nice and patient with them. Thank you so much, Captain Eric!!!
First up, bird watching! Then, hop into a kayak at one of the hotel’s lakes for a little fishing. We had three kayaks one for me, another my husband and son and the other Captain Eric and my 4-year-old daughter who caught her first fish!!!!!!! Major kudos again to Captain Eric. He really made sure we had an awesome time and learn so much.
I love how ecofriendly the Omni Orlando is. They really take all measures possible to preserve, respect and honor the local environment from the flora to the fauna…including gators! Yes, we saw a bunch of them, but don’t worry! Captain Eric’s first priority is safety and he made us feel safe and enjoyed the tour.
Other fun activities for families at the Omni Orlando
The eco tour was definitely a highlight of our trip but there’s a lot more to do for families! It would be hard to list them all and not miss anything, so you can check out the complete guide here. We loved the mini golf course, basketball, outdoor kids’ playground and the arcade games.
Camp Omni kids camp is also available for an extra cost and loaded with fun activities for the kids (ages 4-12). We didn’t use it, but from what we saw, they really go all out to entertain your kids while you have some alone time. They offer different packages that give you a discount on the camp when you pair it with a spa package or dinner at Trevi’s, David’s Club or Zen.
If you’re looking for adults-only activities, you have a lot of options, too. We stuck to family-friendly activities, but grown-ups can hit the golf course, grab a relaxing massage at the spa, or head to the sports club to catch a game on one of their ginormous televisions.
While I don’t have any real complaints, I do think the restaurants could be a bit livelier and maybe offer some live music. While the resort itself is definitely perfect for families, it could use a bit more kid-friendly décor. Still, these are just small recommendations. There’s plenty to love about the Omni Orlando without live music!
The resort definitely focuses on family fun, though! It’s one of our favorite hotels so far and our new favorite spot in Orlando. We’ve never been to a hotel in Orlando before that offered so much for the kids!! We were so impressed with the service, the kind staff, eco-friendly focus and all the delicious local food offerings. Parents looking for nice hotels in Orlando definitely won’t be disappointed.
One last note: although we were guests of the Omni Orlando Resort, all opinions are entirely my own. For reservations, rates and more, check out the Omni Orlando at ChampionsGate resort website.
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