Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center

This expansive resort offers a memorable escape, distinguished by its stunning indoor atrium featuring lush gardens, waterfalls, and unique wildlife exhibits, creating an immersive environment that captivates guests. It is an ideal destination for both families seeking extensive entertainment and business travelers attending conferences, providing a seamless blend of leisure and professional amenities. Guests consistently highlight the resort's beautiful grounds, comprehensive facilities, and the generally attentive service. To maximize your experience, consider exploring the diverse dining options on-site and be aware of the resort's large scale, which may involve considerable walking.

Facilities & Amenities
The resort boasts an impressive array of facilities, with the water park being a major draw, featuring thrilling slides, a lazy river, and a FlowRider. Many guests praise the variety of activities available, ensuring there's always something to do without needing to leave the property. The fitness center is noted for its size and equipment, and a spa offers relaxation services. Throughout the property, guests find various shops and an arcade, adding to the entertainment options. The atrium itself is a significant amenity, hosting light shows and housing unique animal exhibits. While the pools are generally well-received, some guests expressed frustration over the policy of charging for premium lounge chairs, noting that many remain unoccupied due to these fees. Wi-Fi is available, though its inclusion in resort fees is a point of discussion for some.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be clean and spacious, with many appreciating the recent renovations that have updated the decor and feel. The beds are often described as comfortable, contributing to a restful stay, though a few guests found mattresses to be too firm or showing signs of wear. Rooms are well-equipped with mini-fridges and ample outlets for devices. Many rooms offer balconies, with those overlooking the atrium being particularly popular for their unique views. However, some guests reported issues with noise, including construction noise during the day, sounds from neighboring rooms, and lobby music echoing into the atrium-facing rooms. Isolated reports of cleanliness concerns, such as unvacuumed carpets or minor mold, were also mentioned. The absence of a microwave in rooms was a minor inconvenience for some.

Dining & Food Quality
The resort offers a wide range of dining options, including a steakhouse, a sports bar, and a buffet restaurant, along with coffee shops and a deli. Most guests praise the overall food quality, describing meals as delicious and fresh. The breakfast buffet is noted for its variety, though many guests found it to be quite expensive. The restaurant atmosphere across the property is generally well-regarded, with unique settings like a boat-themed restaurant. Room service is available and often described as efficient, though some found the food served cold or overpriced for the portion size. While the convenience of having multiple on-site choices is appreciated, the high cost of food and beverages throughout the resort is a recurring theme in guest feedback.

Location & Accessibility
The resort's location is highly praised for its convenience, being close to parks and other major Orlando attractions. Many guests appreciate the shuttle service provided, which offers easy access to popular destinations like Disney Springs. For those driving, parking is available, but it is consistently mentioned as being expensive, with options for both self-park and valet. Some guests found the self-parking layout confusing and a considerable walk from the main hotel areas. While the resort offers a comprehensive experience that minimizes the need to leave, its immediate surroundings are not easily walkable, making personal transportation or the shuttle essential for exploring outside the property.

Staff & Service
The staff at the resort consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentive service. Many guests highlight specific instances where staff members went above and beyond to accommodate requests, from assisting with check-in to resolving in-room issues. The check-in process is generally described as quick and efficient, though some guests experienced long waits or initial difficulties with room assignments. Housekeeping is often commended for maintaining clean rooms, though a few reviews noted inconsistencies in daily service. Valet service is available and appreciated for its convenience, despite some mixed feedback on its efficiency during peak times. Overall, the dedication of the staff to providing excellent service is a significant positive aspect of the guest experience.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of several additional policies and features that impact their stay. The resort charges significant resort fees and parking fees, which are often mentioned as being high and sometimes unexpected upon arrival. The property operates on a cashless policy, which some guests found inconvenient. Ongoing construction and renovations were noted by several guests, occasionally leading to noise disturbances or temporary closures of certain areas. The resort is generally pet-friendly, though specific details about pet amenities are less frequently mentioned. For loyal guests, rewards program benefits are often recognized, with some receiving room upgrades or other perks.