The Waldorf Astoria Orlando, a project three years in the making, opened October 1 on the 462-acre Bonnet Creek development. Twenty minutes from the Orlando International Airport, the hotel has 497 rooms, 169 of those two-room suites, and 28,000 square feet of meeting space.
The property's traditional meeting space is comprised of an 8,100-square-foot ballroom, two executive boardrooms, and 15 smaller meeting rooms for groups of 10 to 200, depending on the seating arrangement. Groups can also use the 132,000 square feet of meeting and prefunction space at the adjacent Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.
The hotel is the first under the Waldorf Astoria brand outside of New York and incorporates features inspired by its historic namesake. It has four dining options: the 159-seat Bull & Bear Steakhouse, breakfast and lunch spot Oscar's, small plates restaurant Peacock Alley, and the poolside grill Aquamarine. Bull & Bear and Oscar's each have a private room for groups of 12.
For outdoor events with as many as 2,500 guests, the 25,000-square-foot Bonnet Creek Island is available. The par-72, 7,108-yard golf course designed by golf architect Rees Jones has staffers can coordinate group golf outings and arrange private lessons with a P.G.A.-certified instructor.
There is also a 24,000-square-foot spa with 23 indoor treatment rooms and six outdoor areas and a 4,000-square-foot gym.
