The last few years have been difficult on many families financially from job layoffs to loss of homes – trying to maintain a home and budget have not been easy. Quality family time is something that most families desire to achieve on a on-going basis but has proven challenging because of budget constrains. The age of ‘staycation’ (where a family vacations near or at their home) and vacationing together as an extended family (grandparents, uncles, cousins) has greatly risen due in part of wanting to still have quality family time within a budget. Regardless of budgetary needs, most do not want to sacrifice quality when on a vacation with their families. The idea is to get the most out of your dollar while enjoying the much needed time with your family. We recently had the opportunity to stay at the conveniently located and beautifully spacious Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa.
FAMILY FRIENDLY AMENITIES
The Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa is an official hotel of the Walt Disney World Resort and is ideally located directly across from the Downtown Disney area at 1900 E Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830. The amenities are truly for adults and children to enjoy from children’s playground and arcade to full service salon and spa for adults. On-site amenities include the following:
- Tropical Recreation Island offers fun family activities (family volleyball, painting, sand art etc) and pool concierge
- Three heated pools & whirlpool spa
- Lighted tennis court (and a basketball court and sand volleyball)
- Four championship Disney golf courses offering preferred privileges
- Seven onsite restaurants and lounges (including The Outback Restaurant, specializing in fresh and delicious seafood and steaks)
- Full service Spa and Salon (a soothing and comforting 10,000-square-foot facility with over 60 Spa services)
- Fully equipped fitness center
- Children’s playground and video arcade
- Official Disney store
SPACIOUS ROOMS & SUITES
As a wife, mother (to a teen boy and preschool identical twin boys), daughter (to my parents who we often include on our travel plans because we live nearby to each other), and business owner, its important for me to have enough space to provide the most comfort possible when traveling with my family or on business. Whether on business when office-type services are needed (internet & printer access, wi-fi in guestrooms) or on a family vacation (where room to ‘spread out’ is highly desirable), the Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa guestrooms and suiterooms are truly compatible for any traveler.
- 1,014 guestrooms throughout the property and guestrooms offer a generous 400+ square feet each with a private balconies. Choose from either a water, resort, Downtown Disney, or Disney Fireworks view room. Rooms come with two beds (over 600) feature queen beds (as opposed to the standard double beds).
- 92 family suites are available that feature the following:
- One king (or 2 queen beds) with a sleeper sofa
- One bedroom with separate living room area
- 800 square feet of functional and modern decorated living space
- One full master bath (and some have in conjunction) one half guest bathroom
- Wired and wireless AT&T internet access
- Private balconies
- Choose from water, tower one, and penthouse suites
We were able to stay in several of the family suites (including a connecting guestroom) and from first hand experience, the rooms were wonderfully accommodating and very spacious. The boys had plenty of places to run around and relax in a separate living room with a television. The bedroom area was quite big with a lounge sofa and full sized master bath. The entire suite was very well suited for the a large family or a business traveler needing to work and unwind.
DINING FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN
As parents we love to spend quality time with our children together as a family and create memories. Though we almost always strive as parents to spend ‘alone’ time together with our partner to connect as parents and as a couple, it can be difficult to achieve with children in the home. The dining choices at Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa create a wonderfully inviting atmosphere for families and couples.
The Outback Steaks and Seafood Restaurant
Not to be confused with the chain restaurant with a similar name, The Outback Steaks and Seafood Restaurant, is a Australian-themed decor steaks and seafood eatery with a waterfall, koi pond and an open-grill display kitchen. From market fresh fish to filet mignon, the menu selections are complimentary to a date night, business meeting, or even eating with the family. My parents can be tough critics on restaurants – in part because their former executive jobs which gave them access to some of the best restaurants in the world – yet they really liked the food and quality of service at The Outback Steaks and Seafood Restaurant. Reservations are suggested and a menu can be viewed by clicking: HERE.
The Watercress Café
The Watercress Cafe offers a beautiful lakefront scenery and a full service breakfast buffet featuring omelets, eggs, waffles, fruit, baked goods and other tasty dishes. The buffet is well stocked with favorite breakfast foods (for children and adults). Menu selections are available and the staff is helpful. A special treat for families is that Sundays are Character Breakfasts, where Disney characters are available for photos while eating a buffet breakfast with the family and extra hugs!
RELAXATION
The Spa at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa
Vacations should be relaxing and there is no better way to be comforted than at a spa and salon. The Spa at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa boasts over 60 comprehensive spa and salon services from massages to haircuts. Amentities also include secluded outdoor whirlpool, lap pool, and complimentary fitness center. Parents can enjoy a couples massage in the same room or moms and daughters can get a mani and pedi together in the salon – its all truly a soothing and relaxing experience.
DATE NIGHT FOR PARENTS
When not traveling with the grandparents or extended family, parents looking for a date night can go to kidsniteout.com and hire in-room sitters and care at Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa.
Family looking for a local getaway in the Central Florida area?
Couple wanting a romantic weekend?
Business traveler?
Need accommodations for the upcoming holiday season?
The Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa is an excellent and quality choice for all!
Connect at http://www.buenavistapalace.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BuenaVistaPalace
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BVPalace
Check out special deals and packages at http://www.buenavistapalace.com/specials-packages-en.html
Joscelyn, Owner of Mami of Multiples & Mami Innovative Media
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AWESOME review! We are looking for a hotel to stay when we are in town in December. This resort looks great! Thanks for the info.
The hotel looks really nice! Suites really are roomy and everything is well maintained. Will be bookmarking.
Amazing hotel. I love the spa. Thanks for sharing your experience.
The suite looks great! What a fun family place to stay in Orlando. Thanks for the information.
The hotel looks so beautiful!!! I’m amazed