JW Marriott Bonnet Creek vs. Grande Lakes: Which is finest in your subsequent Orlando trip?

Whether or not you are a dyed-in-the-wool theme park fan or a enterprise traveler headed to any variety of conventions within the space, many Marriott Bonvoy loyalists discover themselves in Orlando on a reasonably common foundation. You’ll be spoiled for alternative on the subject of deciding on lodging. From cost-effective manufacturers like 4 Factors by Sheraton to top-of-the-line luxurious choices, similar to The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott has one thing that is the correct match for each traveler visiting “The Theme Park Capital of the World.”

I desire premium resorts like these inside the JW Marriott model, which presents quite a lot of room classes and on-site facilities starting from a number of eating venues to golf programs, swimming pools and even water parks.

Associated: 30 finest Marriott resorts on the earth

Two JW Marriott properties put you inside placing distance of Orlando’s theme parks: JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. I’ve stayed at each. Let’s focus on the best way to choose the correct one in your journey.

Location

Which resort location you choose in your Orlando trip — Bonnet Creek or Grande Lakes — will possible be dictated by which theme parks and different websites you intend to go to.

Associated: The most effective resorts close to Disney World you’ll be able to guide with factors

Drive time to in style vacationer spots

Be aware: Orlando visitors will be intense. These drive occasions are estimates offered by Google Maps.

In case you’re a hard-core Disney fan with plans to hit all of the parks from rope drop to closing time, JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek — which is flanked by Disney property on three sides — will, at first blush, appear to be your finest guess for the reason that commute to Disney parks is shorter.

Nevertheless, if Common and SeaWorld are in your dance card, JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes would imply much less driving.

There are lots of different elements to contemplate, although, and we’ll focus on them now.

Resort footprints

Regardless of being a part of the JW Marriott model, the 2 resorts are fairly totally different size-wise.

Bonnet Creek, which opened in 2020, is a smaller constructing with 16 flooring and 596 rooms (80 of that are suites).

In the meantime, JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes — which shares many facilities with The Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lakes subsequent door — has almost twice as many rooms (1,010) unfold throughout 26 flooring. Grand Lakes additionally presents 60 suites (48 government suites, seven studio suites, 5 grande suites and 4 presidential suites). It opened in 2003 and was renovated in 2023.

Each resorts cater to conferences and conventions, with a bit extra space dedicated to that aspect of the enterprise at Grande Lakes. We’ll discuss this later, however since Grande Lakes encompasses two resorts, there are extra facilities to benefit from there than at Bonnet Creek (a stand-alone property).

Setting apart the query of facilities, I desire the extra intimate setting of Bonnet Creek. Nevertheless, if I deliberate on internet hosting a big gathering or touring with household (particularly youngsters), Grande Lakes would sway me because of the facilities, which I will focus on beneath.

Rooms and suites

As talked about above, Bonnet Creek has roughly half the variety of rooms as Grande Lakes, and the design and decor are fairly totally different.

My private type hedges extra towards Bonnet Creek. The rooms really feel gentle and ethereal. Los Angeles-based design agency Kay Lang + Associates achieved this by liberally incorporating pure wooden, wicker, reeds and vegetation as decor. Lots of the textures and patterns that catch your eye had been primarily based on the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s basketry paintings from bygone days.

I stayed in a set at Bonnet Creek, whereas my home-away-from-home at Grande Lakes was an entry-level king visitor room. Your mileage could differ relying on which room kind you guide at both resort.

The suites at Bonnet Creek are additionally a few of my favorites of any Orlando resort (although the Waldorf Astoria Orlando suites rival them).

In case you select Bonnet Creek, you’ll be able to guide loft household suites. Youngsters have a tendency to like this feature.

The rooms at Grand Lakes are a bit extra conventional, and whereas the resort says its inside design was impressed by the pure setting and colours proper outdoors its door, the room I used to be assigned nonetheless felt darker than these at Bonnet Creek.

For households at Grande Lakes, there are two- and three-bedroom household suites (with bunk beds) that may make all of the distinction for a snug keep when you’ve got a giant crew. A particular prearrival VIP course of features a concierge who will create an age-appropriate itinerary for your loved ones journey. The most effective half? A nightly in-room amenity — like milk and cookies and in-suite toys — is a practice your youngsters will sit up for.

If cash is not any object, try the just lately renovated presidential suites at Grande Lakes. They’re gorgeous.

Facilities

Grande Lakes contains two very giant resorts with loads of facilities for all these friends to share. Bonnet Creek is extra intimate, but it surely nonetheless presents main facilities, as I will element beneath.

Transportation

The Bonnet Creek location presents complimentary shuttle service to Disney Springs and the Disney parks, whereas Grande Lakes offers transportation to SeaWorld, Walt Disney World and Common Studios.

Swimming pools

For anybody vacationing with youngsters and those that love an excellent lazy river, JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes wins — hands-down — concerning which resort has higher water-centric play areas.

Grande Lakes Waterpark is huge. There are three swimming pools, three slides, a lazy river, a “sanctuary” zone, a VIP space, cabanas and a splash play exercise space.

If waterslides are your factor, there are three of them:

• The Present: reasonable pace for single riders (top requirement: 40 inches)
• The Rapids: medium-speed tube slide for single or tandem riders (top requirement: 42 inches)
• The Chute: quick slide for single riders (top requirement: 48 inches)

AquaVenture is one other space of the advanced that encourages youngsters to climb bridges and traverse steadiness beams which can be suspended about 4 toes above the bottom — all whereas water sprays, shoots and dumps from all angles.

Moreover, the water park has different attention-grabbing areas, together with the Sanctuary on the very middle and the Oasis VIP lounge space with a hearth pit.

Several types of for-fee daybeds and cabanas can be found throughout the water park:

• Lagoon daybed (from $125; most of two friends)
• Oasis trellis daybed (from $150; most of two friends)
• Swim-up daybed (from $250; most of two friends)
• Bespoke cabana (from $375; most of two friends)
• Splash Cove cabana (from $550 and consists of some meals and drinks; most of eight friends)
• Sanctuary cabana (from $675 and consists of some meals and drinks; most of eight friends)
• Oasis Grande cabana (from $875 and consists of some meals and drinks; most of eight friends)

Nevertheless, there are some situations when the swimming pools at JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek are a greater possibility. The resort presents a household pool and an adults-only pool.

Every time we have visited this property, we have had the primary pool almost all to ourselves. So if you happen to desire having loads of house in your group and are not thinking about climbing atop an inside tube to drift the day away on a lazy river, Bonnet Creek is the place for you.

The for-fee cabanas and daybeds had been additionally a bit cheaper at Bonnet Creek than Grande Lakes:

• Household commonplace cabana ($200; most of six friends)
• Household poolside suite ($350; most of six friends)
• Household premium ($250; most of 4 friends)
• Grownup suite cabana ($350; most of six friends)
• Grownup premium cabana ($250; most of 4 friends)
• Daybed ($125; most of three friends)

All however the daybed consists of some meals and drinks within the value.

That mentioned, the cabanas and daybeds at Bonnet Creek’s principal pool do not fairly have the identical zing because the choices at Grande Lakes.

Spa and health

Grande Lakes has a bigger spa facility that measures 40,000 sq. toes and consists of 40 remedy rooms, a salon and a barbershop. The power additionally has a health middle and tennis and pickleball courts.

However Bonnet Creek additionally presents a spa, salon providers and a health middle.

Youngsters membership

Each properties have youngsters golf equipment and age-appropriate actions.

There is a enjoyable “exercise backyard” proper outdoors the Bonnet Creek youngsters membership that anybody can go to. It consists of miniature golf, wellness lessons, a jungle health club and a for-fee climbing wall.

Grande Lakes additionally has loads of kid-friendly exercise areas, together with jungle gyms and desk tennis.

Golf

There isn’t any golf course on the Bonnet Creek property, however you’ll be able to play (or take classes) at Grande Lakes on the Greg Norman-designed course at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Membership.

Further experiences

Grande Lakes bests Bonnet Creek on the subject of add-on paid experiences. Listed below are just some issues you’ll be able to get pleasure from at Grande Lakes:

• Falconry
• Archery
• Fishing
• Bocce ball
• Wakeboarding
• Pedal-boat leases
• Mountain biking
• Eco excursions and dawn safaris

Eating

Though the Bonnet Creek location has fewer eating places, I’ve had higher eating experiences there than at Grande Lakes. One among our favourite eating places in Orlando is Sea + Sear Woodfire Grill (open for dinner solely). The menu focuses on prime meats and seafood.

Unreserved Meals Bazaar is a much less formal restaurant with indoor eating for breakfast and lunch and a enjoyable outside beer backyard (open from 11 a.m. to five p.m.).

We particularly loved the beer backyard.

We have not dined at Bonnet Creek’s Japanese restaurant, Illume, but it surely will get rave opinions and has a stunning outside terrace with views of Walt Disney World within the distance.

You may additionally discover a grab-and-go deli, a pool grill and in-room eating.

The standout meal we had over at Grande Lakes was at chef John Tesar’s Knife Burger, the outside restaurant by the pool. My Mediterranean bowl was unbelievable, and my husband loved The Magic burger, served on an English muffin.

I wished to like the resort’s Italian restaurant, Primo, however we had an underwhelming dinner right here. Nevertheless, breakfast at Citron, a brasserie, was scrumptious.

Different eating venues embody a grab-and-go store, a Starbucks and Whisper Creek Farm for farm-to-table eating. If these choices aren’t sufficient, simply stroll subsequent door to The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Lakes for the steakhouse Knife + Spoon, Highball & Harvest and the Vitale spa cafe.

Worth

Staying at JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes prices about the identical.

Paying with factors

In case you use factors to cowl your keep, the nightly price at each resorts ranges from 44,000 to 87,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors. In case you’re a Platinum Elite or larger Marriott Bonvoy member, you’ll be able to choose complimentary breakfast for your self and a visitor as your welcome reward.

You need to use a Marriott free evening certificates value as much as 35,000 factors at both JW Marriott property in Orlando. Nevertheless, you will have to “prime it up” with extra factors out of your account — and that can solely work when reserving nights on the lowest price.

You possibly can earn these certificates at every account renewal with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit score Card (see charges and charges) and the Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise® American Specific® Card. Plus, you will earn one other free evening award after you spend $60,000 on purchases together with your Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise Amex in a calendar yr.

Associated: Tips on how to earn and use a Marriott Bonvoy 35,000-point certificates

Paying money

There is a bit extra of a variety if paying money. The bottom price for an entry-level room at Bonnet Creek was $319 (together with a $50 per evening resort price) and $234 at Grande Lakes (together with a $53 per evening resort price). The best value we discovered for those self same rooms was $760 and $838, respectively.

Each Bonnet Creek and Grande Lakes take part in American Specific Superb Resorts + Resorts. In case you’re paying money, examine charges by way of Amex to get complimentary breakfast, a $100 property credit score and extra perks.

Resort charges and inclusions

I discussed these pesky resort charges. You get extra in your cash at Grande Lakes.

JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes

The $53 nightly resort price consists of:

• Mountain bike rental (two bikes for one hour per day, per room)
• Tennis court docket entry for 2 friends (one hour per day, per room; tennis rackets and balls are included)
• Pickleball court docket entry for 2 friends (one hour per day, per room; pickleball paddles and balls are included)
• Entry to on-property waterslides
• Entry to the resort’s AquaVenture water park
• Shuttle transportation to SeaWorld, Walt Disney World and Common Studios

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek

The $50 nightly resort price covers:

• Shuttle service to Disney Springs and Disney parks
• Resort-wide enhanced web, together with in visitor rooms (although any Marriott Bonvoy member already will get free Wi-Fi entry)
• Entry to the resort’s miniature golf course and mountain climbing wall

Parking

Frankly, contemplating how a lot wide-open house stays in Florida, I discover these parking charges outrageous. It prices the identical to park at each of those resorts.

• Valet: $54 plus tax per evening
• Self-parking: $38 plus tax per evening

Backside line

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek at all times wins my enterprise over the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. I desire the eating venues, design sensibilities and suites on the former.

That is to not say Grande Lakes is not the correct alternative for you. That is very true if you happen to’re touring with youngsters and wish to benefit from the lazy river and different family-friendly facilities. If in case you have no plans to go to a theme park, Grande Lakes is the higher possibility because of the sheer variety of on-site actions.