The Gaylord Hotels are known for their creature comforts, great service, and luxurious rooms. The resort chain is rated upper-upscale by industry expert STR, Inc.
One step through the entrance of the Orlando-based Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center leads you to the logical conclusion that STR, Inc. got it right.
An atrium room view is the move to make for your stay at Gaylord Palms. The king-sized bed is comfortable. The marble bathrooms are impressive. It checks in at 410 square feet but feels bigger. Having the terrace is a nice perk. If you get the right room, you can watch the holiday light show from your terrace!
No matter the room you choose, you will have access to the onsite Cypress Springs Water Park.
As for the eats at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, Donna and I have tried every restaurant but the Sandbar (flatbreads, salads, sandwiches, children's menu) and Socio (Cuban tapas in an upscale bar-lounge)
All check in with top-notch food. All but one has the service to match the food.
Our breakfast is typically Villa de Flora. Villa is a Mediterranean-styled restaurant that specializes in buffets of high quality and wide variety, complimented by impeccable service with a smile.
Just a sample to whet your appetite: terrific omelettes were matched by the equally great biscuits and gravy and oatmeal. They offer a wide selection of charcuterie, fruit, salmon, grits, and breads.
What might be most impressive about Villa is the attentive nature of their waitstaff.
One morning, our waiter went out of his way to make sure Donna had the tea she had asked for. He left Villa de Flora, went to the Starbucks, about a three-minute walk, got the tea, and brought it back to our table. Outstanding.
Emerald Bay Café & Market is very good for any time of the day. It combines healthy foods, quick bites, adult beverages, coffee, tea and other drinks in a Pret A Manger style. There is table sitting.
What was less than impressive was our breakfast experience at Jamba Juice. The service was slow, and the menu was outdated.
For instance, this location only offers one size for acai bowls while showing two choices on the in-store menu. In general, the staff could have been better trained.
For lunch, Donna and I often hit Wreckers Sports Bar. Everywhere you look there are big screens to view the hottest sporting events while enjoying the food.
On four occasions one of us has dined on the Wreckers' Super Food Salad (GF) with either grilled chicken or Key West Shrimp. I've paired mine with a Sartori Family Pinot Grigio. It is a delight. Wreckers has a lively, fun atmosphere and great outdoor seating.
Lately, we've headed straight to Moor (seafood) for dinner. Part of the restaurant includes a docked boat set for dining, inside the atrium. The ship is moored in a lagoon that has fish in it. The food and service are outstanding.
It's been many years since we dined at Old Hickory Steakhouse. Rather than offer an opinion at this time, in a few months, we will be eating there and maybe the other two aforementioned eateries we've yet to dine at and will offer a complete review shortly thereafter.
With beautiful rooms, great food, excellent drinks, and an expansive atrium, one would think Gaylord Palms has done enough.
But there is more, especially around holiday celebrations.
Gaylord Hotels typically have holiday-themed alcoholic beverages.
For one vacation, Donna and I went to the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. It was during Halloween. I found a specialty bar serving Halloween-themed drinks. I decided on a drink that had a marshmallow in it that looked like an eyeball. It was weird to bite an eye, but nevertheless, it was tasty.
Back in Orlando, Florida, during the holiday season at Gaylord Palms, there are free-standing booths with Christmas-themed drinks for sale.
I dove into a Green Nog as it had so much that I liked in one drink: Baileys Irish Cream, BACARDÍ Rum, Crème de Cacao, and Monin Mint Syrup. It wasn't what I hoped it would be; I wouldn't order it again.
On another holiday season visit, I indulged in the Gingerbread Mule, a combination of SVEDKA Vodka, Monin Gingerbread Syrup, Lime Juice, and Fever-Tree Ginger Beer. It did not disappoint.
A gentleman in our party tried the Kringle Old Fashioned and responded, "I loved it." The Kringle Old Fashioned consists of Wild Turkey Bourbon, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, and Simple Syrup.
The holiday season at Gaylord Hotels is more than the food and drinks. At Gaylord Palms. Cirque du Soleil holds residency with a mesmerizing show.
Long-time visitors like to reminisce about when the show was free. Don't let the days of yore sway you; drop some cash for a ticket, as It is worth every penny of the admission price.
Like all Cirque shows, the acrobatic moves made by the performers are unbelievable and, at times, scary, as you are not quite sure what will happen next! The upper body and core strength
that the performers have is impressive. The show is fantastic.
As is another holiday mainstay at Gaylord Palms, ICE!
ICE! features over two million pounds of sculptured ice depicting Christmas themes such as A
Charlie Brown Christmas, Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Polar Express. The nativity scene is an annual ICE! display.
The 20,000 square feet of sculptures are toured at your own pace. Most folk walk through in about 30 minutes. There are also ice arches, slides, and tunnels. All fascinating. Beware, the sculptures are chilled at nine degrees Fahrenheit or -12.78 Celsius. But you are given a parka.
Gaylord Hotels is part of the Marriot Bonvoy collection of fine hotels and resorts. There are five locations, all within the United States.
Other than the two mentioned above, you can find them in Aurora, Colorado; Grapevine, Texas; National Harbor, Maryland; and on May 15, 2025, there will be a Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center in Chula Vista, California.
Whether for a day trip or an overnight stay, I recommend checking in, not just for the holidays, rather for any time of the year.
You will not be disappointed.
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See ya soon!
Photo credit Gaylord Palms, My Central Florida Family and me
~30~
The sights at Gaylord Palms
Please like, comment, and share.
See ya soon!
Photo credit Gaylord Palms, My Central Florida Family and me
~30~
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