Being the common man that I am, I feel a bit uneasy asking for this advice but here it goes:

Will be in Orlando for a conference to be held at Grande Lakes. Our group rate is the same ($189/night) for either hotel, so the question becomes should I book it for the Ritz or the JW ?? They appear to be right next to each other, so I assume location is not an issue. I will be at the conference all day while my wife stays behind... not sure it that is a deciding factor or not. I have never stayed at a "Ritz" before either.

thanks !!

They share the same complex (spa, pool, etc) but have different lobbies. Although it's more ritzy to say you had a stay at the Ritz, I liked the JW lobby better. Soaring column type of thing. The Ritz was more elegantly sedate. Why don't you check each website and take a look at the photos to help you decide. You could also call and ask the room size and "view" for the convention/price. That's what would help me decide! The good news is you can't go wrong with either - especially at $189. (I just booked the Marriott at a rack rate of $379 for the night.) Have fun!

I've stayed at both and prefer JW. Each hotel has its own amenities, including pool. They are not shared. The spa has its own private pool which is very luxurious. The Ritz Spa here is wonderful and uses Naturopathica and Carita products which I still order and use 16 months after my spa visit.

The Ritz Hotel is much smaller than the JW and the rooms were no larger. The views are really the same on the horizon...I could see the Disney fireworks and the Universal light shows from my rooms in both.

Very good restaurants in both but again I prefer Primo as it is casually elegant rather than formal like Norman's at the Ritz. If you do a search you'll find my reviews here of the restaurants and the hotels.

Good Greg Norman golf course available to both Grande Lakes hotels and it is a great place to walk as the resort has done its best to retain wildlife (birds in particular) on the course. They had a walking tour in the morning when I was there that discussed the landscaping and environmental conservation steps the resort had taken (more than likely the hotel is required to do this as a trade off for being to build on this land) LMF

Ms. Foodie,

Although each hotel does have its own pool, I had asked if guests at either can use each others. They have confirmed to me that both pool complexes are open to guests of either hotel. Has that not been the case in your experience? I would really like to know. If not, which hotel pool and pool area do you like better?

Thanks for the info.
Guess I am leaning towards the JW.

The JW Marriott pool is a lazy river thingy and has beacoup kids, at least the two times I've been there it was inundated.

This might tell the tale: (of the two pools) I do not remember the Ritz pool at all. I do remember the Ritz Spa pool which is open to spa guests only and it was simple and elegant with pavillions facing poolside for massages. Small pool with no kiddies. Just right for LMF.

LMF