When it comes to family vacations in Orlando, one of the biggest decisions you will have to make is where to stay. There are thousands of options ranging from standard budget-friendly hotels to massive vacation homes to rent. Trust me, I’ve stayed in Orlando more times than I can count, and some hotels are better than others. If you’re looking for a mix of the traditional hotel experience with all of the luxuries of a home, consider staying at Evermore Orlando Resort.
The sprawling property has a variety of accommodation styles, an incredible eight-acre pool, 20 acres of beach, 12 dining and drinking venues, two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses, and so much more. And even better, the resort is part of the Hilton Honors program so you can earn and use points here. Still wondering what it’s all about? Keep reading for my full review of the property and why it’s great for families near the theme parks.
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Three styles of accommodation at Evermore Orlando Resort
Evermore Orlando Resort has three different accommodation styles: 41 villas, 206 flats, and 69 houses. The villas are either two or four-bedroom, each with a private terrace. Flats have four bedrooms and four bathrooms, with an ultra-modern look. They also have a full kitchen and an outdoor seating area with incredible views of Evermore Bay. The final accommodation style is the houses, which range in size from five to 11 bedrooms.
What it’s like staying at an Evermore Orlando house
When I stayed at Evermore Orlando Resort I booked an eight-bedroom house with some friends. Our 5,522 square foot house slept 24 people in 15 beds over three floors. It also had nine bathrooms, a dedicated parking area, and a small heated pool.
It was nice to have extra room so everyone had their own space, including a bathroom attached to each bedroom. The house had two bedrooms on the bottom floor, of which I took one. The room was elegant with a king bed and a massive bathroom with a rainfall shower and soaking tub. I unpacked my suitcase and had plenty of room for all of my belongings on the shelves in the closet. Plus the bathroom counter space was big enough for all of my daily necessities.
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The house had a fully equipped kitchen inside plus a gas grill outside, making it easy to cook meals. The kitchen also had two dishwashers, two microwaves, two refrigerators, and a separate butler’s pantry to keep everything organized.
Evermore offers add-on packages so your kitchen is fully stocked upon arrival, which is nice, but I would opt for a grocery delivery service like Instacart or Kroger. The Evermore grocery delivery options are somewhat limited and doing your own grocery order ensures you get the items you want. It may also be cheaper since Evermore charges state sales tax plus a 22 percent service charge on grocery delivery.
Because the house had a kitchen, it was easy for me to make breakfast for everyone. Making meals is a big money saver, especially breakfast and snacks, which can be pretty pricy in Orlando. It would also be easy to make lunch or dinner at your Evermore house instead of going out to eat.
One amenity I loved trying at Evermore is the Private Chef Experience, which brings one of the resort’s chefs to your house to make a four-course meal. When Chef Vinny arrived, he had a whole team ready to serve us. Dinner was ordered from a curated menu, and everyone enjoyed the same dish. Our meal started with a charcuterie board for the table, then a delicious burrata and stone fruit salad. The main course was a perfectly cooked beef tenderloin with mashed potatoes, beans, and a peppercorn demi-glace. Of course, the best part of the meal was dessert, where the pastry chef torched merengues for the key lime pie right in front of our eyes.
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The Private Chef Experience is a splashy event that costs a pretty penny ($125 per person, plus tax and gratuity). However, having a restaurant-caliber meal inside your home is a great alternative to the headache of dining in a restaurant with a large group of people.
What else can you do at Evermore Orlando Resort?
There’s so much to do at the resort, which shares some amenities with the onsite Conrad Orlando. You could easily spend a few days away from the theme parks at Evermore and never be bored.
Evermore Bay and beyond
The biggest draw to the property is Evermore Bay, which features an eight-acre pool surrounded by white-sand beaches. Evermore Bay has dedicated swimming areas, but you can also paddle board and kayak, take on a rope swing over the water, or glide down the family-sized water slide.
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Near the pool, is a beach volleyball court, hammocks for lounging, fire pits for s’mores, and nighttime movies. You even have the chance to turn into a mermaid at Mermaid School every Saturday. The resort also has a 24-hour fitness center, pickleball courts, and a host of family-friendly activities.
The Conrad Spa
Adults looking for some relaxation can indulge in a massage or facial at the Conrad Spa. You can enjoy the tranquil outdoor water garden before or after your treatment.
During my stay, I opted for a massage, and it was easily one of the best I’ve ever had, only rivaled by one in Hawaii. The water garden was a nice spot to hang out and enjoy quiet time. I was one of just a handful of guests outside in the gardens, which offered three different pools, including a cold plunge that seemed colder than the polar plunge I did in Iceland.
Dining and drinks
If you’re looking for a full-service restaurant at Evermore Orlando Resort, consider Twin View, a stunning restaurant overlooking Evermore Bay. The menu is filled with so many great options it was hard to decide what to order. I went for the chef’s recommendation of the Parisian sandwich, which was a big hit. The French dip-inspired sandwich was piled high with shaved beef and gruyere cheese, served with a savory jus. And even better, the baguette was nearly as good as the ones I had in France. I learned that every restaurant on the property makes its own bread, except for hamburger buns, which I thought was pretty impressive.
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Another great option is Sophia’s Trattoria, which is a celebration of Italy, but is also a great breakfast option if you don’t want to cook in your house one morning. Papaya Club is the spot for tiki drinks and sharable plates.
If you’re looking for a spot with great views of the evening fireworks from Magic Kingdom, head up to Ceiba at the Conrad Orlando. The rooftop restaurant boasts incredible views and a bar where you can order a margarita and enjoy the show in the sky.
Why Evermore Orlando Resort is great for families
There’s nothing better than spending time with your family on vacation. Besides the incredible pool, endless accommodation styles, and things to do at the resort, you’re close to some of the best theme parks in the world.
I timed my drive from Disney Springs to Evermore Resort, which took about seven minutes. From Evermore to the Ticket and Transporation Center and Magic Kingdom’s parking lot was about 10 minutes. Some Disney Resorts aren’t even as close to Cinderella Castle as Evermore is. And if you’re hoping to get to Universal Orlando Resort, it’s about 20 minutes away. Just know that Evermore doesn’t have theme park shuttles, so you’ll have to drive yourself or take a ride share.
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The prices of the houses start at about $1,500 per night for the five-bedroom option. I’m sure you’re like me and the alarm bells are going off at the cost. But splitting that between five groups for three nights equals about $900 per family for the three-night stay. That’s a pretty good deal in my book when some deluxe hotels at Disney or Universal can charge that much for just one night.
If you’re planning to split the cost of a home between other family members or friends, which you definitely should, Evermore has a split payment tool that makes sharing the total cost of a home super easy. No more chasing after a Venmo payment from that one friend we all have.
In the end, Evermore Orlando Resort is in an ideal location for a theme park vacation, without all the hustle and bustle of the theme park hotels. You can return to your flat or vacation home to find a serene oasis waiting for you, but you’re just minutes away from the rollercoasters and character-themed treats. Even better, renting a house with lots of friends or family may be cheaper than staying at one of the theme park hotels if you plan your vacation right.
