Summertime in Florida can be a difficult time to find things to do with your family that will beat the heat. Fortunately, those that live in the Central Florida area have access to some of the most amazing hotels and pools not far away. Perfect for a weekend getaway or a one-night retreat, these hotel pools have amazing features, and many are comparable miniature waterparks. A one-night stay with access to the pool can cost much less than waterpark admission for your entire family, plus you get a night away!
We’ve put together a list of some the greatest pools in the area. Give one a try this summer. Or, give all of them a try.
Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort (Above)
This 650-room hotel embraces a rock-and-roll theme with a rock-star experience that features stylish, music-themed rooms to the rest-style pool. The pool is an enormous 12,000-square-foot oasis that is surrounded by sand and features a 260-foot water slide, hot tubs and an underwater sound system, which means you can groove while you swim. The resort is conveniently located near Universal Studios theme park, so you can ride the movies before you cool off.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando
This hotel strives to please both couples and families — and manages to pull it off. How? The property offers three very distinct pools that cater to each type of guest. The main pool, the children’s pool, is a large stone fort with a sandy shore, shallow zero-depth access, lifeguards on duty, food and drink service, and a Roman aqueduct-style water slide. Couples might prefer the scenic villa pool, a lap pool framed by palm trees and manicured lawns, or the hillside pool, an oval pool that’s nestled at the edge of the property. This hotel is sure to please with something for everyone.
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
This hotel seems like an amusement park in itself, with an 1,800-room hotel inside Universal Orlando, it comes with a bowling alley, arcade and rooms outfitted in whacky colors. Even more fun are the two big pools and lazy river, where guests can float around on tubes past tropical plants, faux islands, rocks and waterfalls. Both pool areas give off a mini-water park vibe, with a sandy “beach,” a kids’ fountain play area and a large water slide. A popular place is the pool bar area, which features a mini rocket ship and colorful machines swirling daiquiris.
JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes
Give your legs a rest after a long day of waiting on theme park queues and head to the property’s winding lazy-river pool. A canopy of trees tilt toward the water, creating a Jungle Book vibe and offering some shade. (Guests also have access to the pool at the nearby Ritz-Carlton resort.) Cabanas, cushioned lounge chairs and floaty rafts await.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
At Four Seasons, you can take a break from your hectic life and take a ride along the lazy river. The lazy river is more than 11,000 square feet. If you’d rather take a swim, you can visit the adult-only pool, which features underwater audio and a jacuzzi to change up the mood, or the family pool that overlooks the lake and has a sloping entry into the water.