What are the best golf resorts in Orlando, Florida?

In this blog post we’re going to take a look at some of the best golf resorts in Orlando.

This is a city which receives millions of tourists monthly, let alone every year. Although golfers probably make a smaller percentage in the grand scheme of things.

And this is despite a great choice of courses, many of which are open to the public.But if you are going on a golfing vacation in Orlando, where are the best places to stay?

Well without any further delay, let’s jump into the best Orlando golf resorts.

See also: What are the best golf resorts in Florida?

The best golf resorts in Orlando

Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate

We kick off our list of the best golf resorts in Orlando with the fantastic, Four-Diamond rated Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate. 

This impressive resort is positioned south west of central Orlando, thirty minutes drive along Interstate 4. As you arrive onsite, you enter fifteen acres of sprawling landscape. And central to this is the imposing Omni Orlando Resort.

With over 860 accommodation options onsite, it is no wonder this is such a large structure. Yet despite its size, it doesn’t lose any character. 

The resort has a whole range of different amenities onsite to enjoy. Which is largely why they market themselves as the perfect family-friendly getaway. Kids and adults will enjoy the lazy river, the whirlpool, water slides and even an awesome-fun wave pool. 

If you are traveling without kids, there is an adult’s only pool with private cabanas and bar service.

When dining at Omni Orlando Resort, you’re certainly not lacking choice. Chinese specialities are served at Zen, whilst Trevi’s Terrazza serves up classic Italian dishes. And for good ol’ American steak, go no further than David’s Club.

When it comes to the golf options, there are two Greg Norman designed championship courses to enjoy. The sprawling International Course is a links-style layout, with wide open fairways and plenty of pot bunkers. At over 7,360 yards from the back tees, this is a mighty challenge to take on. 

The National Course in comparison, is more traditional in style. This American-style course meanders through wetlands and woodlands and provides a perfect alternative to the International.

Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lounge

You simply can’t talk about the best Orlando golf resorts without mentioning Arnold Palmer’s iconic Bay Hill Club & Lodge. This has been a mainstay on the PGA Tour, hosting for many years the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

But what many people probably don’t realize is that you can also stay here. The polar opposite to Omni Orlando Resort which preceded it on this list, Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge is far more quaint in style, featuring a selection of lodges and cottages.

And in a vast contrast, there are only 70 rooms to choose from. So this is far more cozy and homely, which will suit some and maybe not others.

What it might lack in amenities compared to some of the other mega-resorts on this list, it makes up for in prestige and service. 

There aren’t a myriad of pools to choose from, instead one heated lane pool. But the resort does offer a fantastic spa and fitness center, with additionally six fine tennis courts. 

The elegant Grill & Classic Rooms, Bay Window and Splash Casual Poolside Dining, offer a range of different fare to enjoy. You also have the option of being seated indoors or outdoors. 

Personally, my favorite place to unwind is in the Member’s Lounge, which contrary to first impression, is open to hotel guests! This is a classy fireside bar which serves fine wines and local beers.

But clearly the reason most people will come and stay here, is the fantastic Arnold Palmer designed Champion/Challenger course. This is a beast off the backs measuring over 7,300 yards and will allow you to walk in the footsteps of the pros.

Rosen Shingle Creek

Just a mile or so away from the massively popular SeaWorld Orlando, is the luxury AAA Four Diamond Rosen Shingle Creek. 

This fantastic resort is located in a prime area to the south of central Orlando, just off Universal Boulevard. It is also a ten minute drive from Orlando’s International Airport. 

As one of the rare independent resorts in southern Orlando, it prides itself on its award winning customer service. And although impressive, there is so much more to Rosen Shingle Creek.

Set within a lush tropical setting full of grand cypress trees and lakes, the hotel has a mind-boggling 1,501 rooms! These range from Double Queens right up to outstanding Presidential Suites. 

Guests can enjoy various amenities including a spa, and a choice of four outdoor heated pools. But where Rosen Shingle Creek takes another step up, is in its dining choices.

There is a wide selection of different eateries onsite which cater for a whole range of different appetites. The signature Italian bistro of Cala Bella. An award-winning steak house, a Mexican Taqueria, Sushi, Burger Bar…and this is not the end of it. Literally spoilt for choice.

And when it comes to playing golf, you have the fantastic Shingle Creek Golf Club. 

This Arnold Palmer designed layout wraps itself around the property where players get to experience the best of the stunning grounds. Perfectly manicured fairways, elevated greens and strategically positioned bunkers make this a firm favorite.

See also: What are the best golf courses in Orlando?

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Surrounded by all the various Walt Disney resorts, some would argue the Waldorf Astoria Orlando is perfectly situated. Of course, if you’re not that way inclined you’d probably argue otherwise. But then the simple solution is to just not stay here.

But those guests who do stay at the magnificent Waldorf Astoria will be staying in one of the most elegant golf resorts in Orlando. 

This is sophisticated and stylish, with decor and an ambiance to match. Because of its location and the fact guests can benefit from early theme park entry and complimentary shuttle buses, its inevitable families will stay here. 

But the resort just feels more adult-orientated. The elegant rooms are spacious and smart and offer stunning views across the surrounding golf course and Disney parks. 

The outdoor pools just ooze class and refinement. Whilst a number of private cabanas up-the-game for that extra bit of privacy and service. There is also a first-class spa with a range of wellness experiences.

Again, the dining options are perfect for couples of groups of golfers. The Bull & Bear is an award-winning steakhouse whilst the poolside Aquamarine and Clubhouse Grille both offer something a bit less formal. 

And there is no better place to end the night than in Sir Harry’s Lounge which has a private club feel. It serves a range of beers and great cocktails.

And to round things off, you have the superb Rees Jones designed 18-hole championship golf course. Considered one of the best golf courses in Orlando, it is one not to be missed.

Reunion Resort

From one epic golf resort to another, we move straight on to the iconic Reunion Resort. This is without doubt one of the golfing meccas within Orlando.

The resort is a little further out of town towards Championsgate, arguably more Kissimmee than Orlando. But it’s still only a forty-five minute drive from the international airport and boy is it worth the drive.

Unlike many of the other resorts on this list, Reunion Resort offers a range of villas and rentals. First up you have the choice of one to three bedroom villas, which are spaced out across six different onsite communities. 

Alternatively, there are over eighty vacation rentals which are essentially luxury homes starting from three bedrooms up to fourteen! This really is the ultimate option for larger groups or families who are looking for more of a self-catering setup.

Intermingled throughout the resort are seven pools, a fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts and even the 5-acre Reunion Resort Water Park. 

Assuming you don’t want to cater for yourselves, you have the choice of seven restaurants and bars. 

My personal favorite is the 7593 Chophouse serving fresh seafood and steaks. For something a bit more sophisticated, consider The Grande Eleven. This is the rooftop restaurant which serves craft cocktails and a choice of smaller plates of food. 

And as for the golf, there are three championship golf courses to choose from. Each was designed by an icon of the game; Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus. In fact, this is the only golf resort in the world with a golf course designed by these three golfing stalwarts.

Hilton Vacation Club Mystic Dunes

Hilton Vacation Club at Mystic Dunes is yet another great option for groups of golfers. 

The resort offers a selection of one to three bedroom suites and is perfectly located in southern Orlando. This would be ideal if you’re playing a selection of local courses and yet looking for great value.

It’s a Hilton property so you can be assured of a level of service and comfort. But compared to many of the other options on this list, it is more modest and not on the same grand scale. Yet that might suit some people down to a tee. 

Granted, there is no spa. But after a day playing golf, what more do you need than being able to relax by the pool with a cold beer!? And this is perfectly feasible here.

The restaurant is called Kenzie’s and is located onsite at the Mystic Dunes Golf Club clubhouse. You could probably walk there in five minutes, but realistically it is a short drive from the hotel. It offers traditional and informal American dishes.

When it comes to playing golf, Mystic Dunes Golf Club is on your doorstep. This fine championship course was designed by the Champions Tour Player Gary Koch and is awesome fun. 

Alongside a couple of isolated ‘island’ greens, it features huge sand dunes, lakes, wetlands and mature oak trees. Definitely a course you’ll want to play again.

See also: What are the best golf resorts in Tampa, Florida?

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

With the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, we go back to the grand, visually impressive resort. This is another huge resort as popular for business trips as it is for families, it does a bit of everything.

Conveniently located next to Interstate 4 and minutes drive from the Disney resorts, there is a reason this is one of the most popular Orlando golf resorts. In fact in 2021, it received a Reader’s Choice Award by Condé Nast as being the 9th best Orlando resort. No mean feat considering the competition.

There is ample choice of accommodation with 779 modern rooms and suites. Whilst you’ll find a degree of sophistication and style you’d come to expect with a Hyatt hotel.

Within the resort you’ll find three outstanding restaurants, and it’s difficult to choose which is the better. The Lakeside Sushi Bar has a very high reputation, as does the Lakeside Restaurant & Bar which offers a wide variety of food styles.

But the winner has got to be the Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen. Using the best Florida produce you’ll be in for a treat. The raw seafood dish is exceptional, whilst the Swordfish Prime Rib and Crab Raviolo are to die for. 

Outdoors, guests will enjoy a huge lagoon-style pool with twelve waterfalls, which will entertain adults and kids alike. There is a health club and various other onsite amenities. 

And finally the golf, and on this occasion it is the Grand Cypress Golf Club which opens its doors. A short drive up the road, this is a sensational layout and one of the best public golf courses in Orlando.

A Jack Nicklaus design, the Links Course is his homage to the Old Course at St Andrews. Set across a large open meadow, expect wide expansive fairways, pot bunkers, double greens, stone bridges and burns. 

Mission Inn Resort

Walking a lonely road, Mission Inn Resort is the only golf resort on this list which is located to the north of Orlando. To be precise it is located up toward the glistening Lake Harris, approximately forty-five minutes drive from central Florida and just under an hour from the airport.

Mission Inn Resort is an elegant option and as popular for families as it is for business travelers. One reason for that is not being in the hustle and bustle of all the theme parks. 

Its location gives the resort a more relaxed feel. Whilst Lake Country is a beautiful area to explore and the pace of life is a little less adrenaline fueled! 

The resort itself is located within 500 acres of lush verdant surroundings. Orange groves and picturesque hills. Serene lakes and plenty of natural foliage. You can’t help but unwind when you arrive onsite.

There are 176 one to three bedroom studios split across three two-storey buildings. Again, another good option for golf groups of families.

Four restaurants provide guests with ample choice and variety. Choose between formal or informal. Steak, seafood, clubhouse fare, indoor or outdoor seating. Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed. Whilst La Chiquita Cabana is a poolside bar which gets popular late afternoon. 

Spa Marbella has all the treatments and services you would expect of a luxury spa. Whilst heated pools, billiards and games rooms will keep you occupied when not playing golf. 

There are two championship golf courses onsite, El Campeon and Las Colinas. Both have been littered with praise and accolades from the likes of Golf Digest and Golf Advisor.

El Campeon is one of the oldest courses in Florida and is far more traditional in style. Whilst Gary Koch designed Las Colinas, which opened in 1992, is an inland-links style course. Both are spectacular and provide great variety for your golfing vacation.

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes

And so we move to the last, but by no accounts the least on this list. The outstanding, class and quality Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is one of central Florida’s finest golf resorts.

South of Orlando in Williamsburg, just off the Central Florida Parkway, it is located right in the central hub of activity. Just minutes drive from all the main resorts and attractions.

The resort is situated within 500-acres of elegant and verdant surroundings. Glistening lakes, a myriad of palm trees and stunning views, this is pure bliss. 

The accommodation is a mixture of rooms and suites that are both intimate and comfortable. Many have been recently renovated and get the balance absolutely spot on between modern and cozy. 

When it comes to dining, choose from some thirteen outlets. Thirteen! Yep, you heard me. They range from the Michelin starred Knife & Spoon steakhouse, to the Southern-inspired recipes at Highball & Harvest. And there is plenty more in between. 

The nature-inspired spa is magnificent, set across 40,000 square feet. There are around forty treatment rooms in this wellness retreat with a whole range of different treatments on offer. Whilst the outdoor heated pool is a tropical paradise and adults-only.

And the golf certainly holds up its end of the bargain. A superb Greg Norman designed championship course which is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. This challenging layout is a regular host to many PGA Tour players in the annual PNC Championship. Yet with its choice of tees, it is open to all abilities of golfers.

A hallmark of the Ritz-Carlton chain is its uncompromising focus on providing the best service and quality. You’ll be sure to get that here.

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