ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE NEW MARRIOTT GRANDE LAKES ORLANDO. CONSIDERING STAYING THERE FOR TRIP TO UNIVERSAL . GOT RATES BETTER THAN ON-SITE HOTELS AND TOUTED AS BEING 5 STAR.

I don't think they are scheduled to open until July. When is your trip? Haven't seen it but know it's a huge hotel, 1,000 rooms in a setting where there is also a new Ritz. If part of it is to be 5*, it will be the Ritz, though I'm sure building the two of them together, the Marriott is going to be very nice as well--I'd guess a 4* but we'll have to wait on Mobil for that.

PLANNING TO GO IN AUGUST. DO YOU KNOW HOW FAR IT IS TO UNIVERSAL. OBVIOUSLY WE'LL NEED TO RENT A CAR.

Grande Lakes is quite close to Universal and closer still to Sea World. This is a huge property geared towards very large meetings and conventions. They have pulled out all the stops and it should be spectacular.

There is a luxury spa and a lazy river pool at the Marriott. 1000 rooms at the Marriott so they are dealing.

Cut & paste: http://grandelakes.com/spa.html

Norman Aiken of the top rated Norman's from Coconut Grove is opening the signature restaurant at the Ritz Carlton. Another top chef from Maine is going to open the signature Marriott restaurant. It is going to feature organic produce grown specifically for the restaurant.

I've booked us there for Thanksgiving. LilMsFoodie thinks this will be the turning point to get bigger conferences and maybe a national political convention to Orlando. This is something they(Orlando & the state of Florida) have wanted for a long time. Maybe George will give his baby brother a gift. LMF

I pass it on the way to work each day and it looks magnificent but it is at least a 10 minute drive to everywhere, so you definitely must have a car.