Rosen Shingle Creek

9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, Florida, 32819, United States, Orlando, Florida, USA
Shutterstock

Why We Like It

Even though it's a particular favorite among conventioneers, the Rosen Shingle Creek resort offers a wide range of amenities to the vacationer seeking an escape. The golf course is spectacular, the spa is gigantic (but still serene), the food and drink choices leave nothing to be desired, the rooms are huge, the pool is lovely, and the views of authentic Florida are unparalleled. And its central location means you can easily get to Universal, SeaWorld and Disney parks.

Fodor's Expert Review

The jewel in the crown of local hotelier Harris Rosen, this imposing and sophisticated luxury resort is only minutes from the theme parks. Surrounded by 255 serene acres of verdant subtropical landscape, the award-winning (AAA Four Diamond designation) resort's amenities include a championship golf course, a golf academy, a cypress fringed creek, part of the headwaters of the Florida Everglades, fishing, nature trails, four swimming pools, basketball and volleyball courts, and a huge spa to soothe those aching muscles. With architecture recalling the Spanish Revival palaces in Palm Beach County, the resort offers more than a dozen dining options, some overlooking the splendid scenery. It may cater to the convention crowd, but make no mistake: this place offers plenty to those seeking fun and relaxation.

Tip The resort offers a TSA-approved remote skycap service that lets you receive airline boarding passes and check your luggage directly from the hotel.

Recommended Fodor’s Video

Room

Guestrooms, renovated in 2017, are designed to reflect the lush Florida landscape right outside the oversized picture windows, using blues and teals, accented with touches of copper, animal prints and faux leather. The 436-square-foot rooms are among the largest in the area, containing two queen beds with lumbar pillows and crisp, white linens, plenty of storage for a multi-day stay, work desk and chair, along with window-side easy chair and table. Technology updates include plenty of charging stations, 40-inch flat screen TVs with connectivity panels for most devices, along with a wireless keyboard.

Bathroom

A granite topped vanity with a single sink provides plenty of space for toiletries. The tub/shower and WC area is separated from the vanity area by a door. The bathroom features toiletries by Crabtree & Evelyn La Source, cedar and citrus scented amenities from The Spa at Shingle Creek, plush robes and luxurious towels.

Lobby

The dramatic two-story view of the vivid golf-course and forest landscape dominates the lobby, which offers lots of sociable places to sit and relax, enjoy drinks, or escape to the intimate library for some quiet time.

Pool

The resort is home to four heated outdoor swimming pools, one for laps, one for family swimming, one for the little ones, and a quiet pool with private cabanas.

Spa

The huge, full-service Spa at Shingle Creek contains nine treatment rooms offering a wide array of services, from therapeutic to relaxation, along with whirlpool, sauna and steam rooms, all focused on helping you unwind from stress. The signature scents -- cedar and citrus -- are inspired by local flora. Separate locker rooms feature showers, and you are given a robe and slippers before being directed to separate women's or men's lounges, tranquil spots to relax before treatment and enjoy refreshments and treats such as chocolate-covered strawberries.

.

Tip Resort guests with a spa treatment appointment can arrive early and spend the whole day relaxing, whether in the sauna, steam room, whirlpool, swimming pool or just lying about in the spa lounges.

Gym

The state-of-the-art fitness center offers both cardio and strength training equipment, in addition to lockers, showers and towels. Tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball courts, and nature trails are available for those who prefer to take their fitness quests outdoors.

You Should Know Use of the fitness center requires a $10 fee for daily use, or a $20 length of stay fee.

Dining

The range of dining available at this resort is varied enough that you never have to leave the premises, even if you are staying for a week. Dinners at the AAA Four Diamond award-winning steakhouse, A Land Remembered, (named after Patrick Smith's novel about Florida's past) feature prime beef, Gator Creek Stew and Key West Seafood Au Gratin. Another AAA award winning restaurant, Cala Bella, features Italian cuisine and an open kitchen, a boon for food lovers who enjoy watching their meals being prepared. Café Osceola, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offers a buffet and an a la carte menu. For lovers of Mexican food, Mi Casa Tequila Taqueria serves a wide variety of tasty bites for lunch and dinner, including guacamole made to order at your table. Banrai Sushi, with a view over the pool, offers sushi, sashimi and sake. Tobias Burgers & Brews serves up gourmet burgers, flatbreads and craft beers. There are also spots for a quick bite, a cup of coffee, or a scoop of ice cream scattered all along the lobby, by the pool or at the golf course.

Tip For a local treat, try the Shingle Creek Roll at Banrai Sushi, which contains a very special and unusual ingredient: gator.

Drinking

A Land Remembered lounge offers a sophisticated spot for drinks before dinner, or just cocktails because, cocktails; the huge Headwaters Lounge lobby bar, which seats 247 people, is the place for meeting and networking; Bella’s Bar, next to the Italian bistro, has a relaxing, intimate, piano bar atmosphere; and Tobias Burgers & Brews, a casual atmosphere for bourbon and other premium spirits, along with local craft brews.

Tip Tobias Burgers and Brews also serves the company’s own Alligator Drool, which may rival the Yukon's infamous Sourtoe Cocktail for drink with the most revolting name.

Golf

Rosen Shingle Creek is built around an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course redesigned in 2017 by the Arnold Palmer Design Company to reflect the golden age of golf course design, and add more challenges for golfers of all levels. Also at Shingle Creek is the the Brad Brewer Golf Academy, where players can practice, using state-of-the-art swing analysis and game improvement technology, the 70,000-square-foot driving range, and the 15,000-square-foot practice putting green, bunker and chipping area. Out on the course, golfers can rely on GPS equipped carts, while driving the fairways lined with the lush natural Florida landscape.

What's Nearby

Getting Around

The resort offers free daily transportation to and from Universal Orlando, SeaWorld and Aquatica. Ride share services and taxis are readily available, and the I-Ride Trolley service is nearby, which offers inexpensive transportation from one end of International Drive to the other. Regular transportation to Orlando International Airport is also offered by the resort, so a car is not absolutely necessary. But if Disney World or points farther afield are on your itinerary, a car, or ride-sharing service would be necessary.

Restaurants

If you weary of the many dining options at the resort, nearby International Drive expands the offerings tenfold. Pointe Orlando (8-minute drive) is home to dozens of restaurants, including The OceanAir Seafood Room, where seafood is king; Capital Grille, a classic chop and steakhouse; the atmospheric Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar. Farther along I-Drive, The Boston Lobster Feast (10-minute drive) is exactly what its name implies, an all you can eat seafood feast, including lobster. Look for the giant, red lobster consuming a small car. Shake Shack (12 minute drive) is a popular American burger spot. I-Drive offers dozens of chain eateries serving everything from burgers to pizza to tacos to American home-style comfort food.

Bars

Pointe Orlando (8-minute drive) and the whole of International Drive offer more choices of drinking establishment than could be visited in a week. Two bars cater to those who just can't get enough ice: minus5° Ice Experience, with coat rentals to stave off frostbite, and ICEBAR Orlando, which has a warm room next door for dancing. The Pub Orlando is a pleasant, British-style spot, where staff wear kilts and you can pour your own beer. Farther along I-Drive, you'll encounter endless opportunities to lift a pint or sip a tequila or more. One quite vibrant spot is Mango's Tropical Cafe (15-minute drive) a multi-story nightclub, with spectacular shows, dance floors, and multiple bars, where attractive male and female mixologists put on a show while shaking your tropical treats.

Quick Facts

HOTEL INFO

Phones: 407-996–9939;866-996–6338-reservations