Reunion Resort, an AAA Four Diamond-rated property, is an exclusive 2,200-acre destination which promises a vacation wonderland and conveniently located six miles from Walt Disney World and only 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport.
Orlando is a town full of surprises and excitement around every corner. At Reunion Resort, you’re in the middle of all of it. It’s just minutes to downtown Orlando and to all the theme parks. No wonder this is a top family vacation resort year after year.
The resort’s accommodations include luxury 1 – 3-bedroom Villas and multi-bedroom vacation rental homes. No matter what you choose, they all include spacious living and dining areas, full kitchens, patios and balconies. Master Suites feature a king size bed and private master bathroom, fully equipped kitchens and flat-screen TVs and DVD/CD players in living room and bedrooms. Washers and dryers are available in most units. Some vacation rental homes include added benefits such as private swimming pools, game rooms and even their own putting greens. There’s also complimentary high-speed wireless internet and complimentary self-parking. Sit down and relax; this ain’t your average hotel room.
You’ll never run out of things to do at Reunion Resort. The fitness center offers cardio and weight-training equipment or, if you’d rather see more of the property, bike rentals are available. There’s also yoga available on Mondays and Thursdays at Heritage Crossing.
Reunion also offers an amenity that can be enjoyed by the entire family, a waterpark! There’s a one-mile lazy river where you can relax on an inner tube and just float to your heart’s content; waterslides with twists and turns, a large kid’s area with water activities, a kid’s pool area and volleyball courts. If solitude is more your style, there are 11 pools around the property.
After a day of energy-expending activities, the Boutique Spa is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Here you’ll find five luxurious treatment rooms where the staff embraces a personalized approach and offers soothing massages, signature facials, body wraps, manicures, pedicures and hair services. They use only the finest botanical products that provide stupendous results for every skin type. These services provide indulgences that enliven the senses, soothe the body and replenish the spirit.
Not all, but many of the guests at the Reunion Resort are here for golf. And why not? You’ve got three of the best courses in the area built by three of golf’s finest Champions: Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Arnold Palmer. It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity.
The Palmer Course is built on hilly, roller coaster-like terrain and boasts dramatic elevation changes – up to 50 feet in some places, which is a lot for Florida! Short par 4s and reachable par 5s create a unique variety of risk/reward shots. The greens feature quite a bit of undulation. Many of them are oversized, some feature multiple tiers, crowns and ridges; very seldom do you find yourself with a straight putt. While it may be the shortest of the three courses, it still offers a good mix of long and shot holes that will have you hitting every club in your bag. Something else you don’t usually experience in these parts of Florida are uphill shots. There are several elevation changes whether it is hitting over a deep depression on a par three hole or trekking uphill to the green on a par 5, it is certainly a welcome change from your typical Florida round of golf. Six tee locations on each hole make The Palmer Course enjoyable for golfers of all abilities.
The Watson Course is highlighted by fast, firm and wide rolling fairways, undulating greens and a variety of strategically placed bunkers and large greens. This was Watson’s first crack at a Florida design and for my money he couldn’t have done a better job. It has more of a links style to it than its two sister courses. The one hazard absent from this course is water – you won’t find it anywhere except at the comfort stations. What you will find is sand in over 120 bunkers of varying shapes, sizes and depths. If that’s not daunting enough, there’s also a few waste areas and some fairly significant elevation changes for this part of Florida. The Watson Course is as much about strategy as it is about length and embraces a shotmaker more than a long ball hitter. Using common sense and not trying to overachieve or be heroic as you make your way around the course will go a long way to putting up a good number.
The Nicklaus Course is a parkland-style layout that will test every level of golfer from tee to green. With elevated tee boxes and greens, this Signature design by Jack Nicklaus can be as deceptive as it is beautiful. There are more than 100 bunkers on the course, as well as small, postage-stamp greens, and a few forced carries. Tee boxes are beautifully landscaped and well maintained, fairways are meticulously trimmed and groomed, and the greens deserve their own article! Many of them are elevated and surrounded by evil bunkers and waste areas. The Nicklaus course is not your typical resort course; it’s more of a “player’s” course. Scoring well here requires a significant amount of accuracy off the tee – anything hit wide left or right will either be irretrievable or in some sort of hazard – most likely a waste bunker. A player who is more of a thinker as opposed to someone who wants to grip it and rip it will prevail out here.
All three courses are in great shape year-round and the grounds crew is painstakingly meticulous. Staff is friendly and helpful, especially the starters. If you haven’t played the course before, listen to them carefully. They will give you a wealth of information. If you’re in the area, you owe it to yourself and your golf game to play all three courses at Reunion Resort. It’s the perfect destination for a round of golf on one of three fabulous courses designed by three of golf’s greatest players. It’s also a great spot for a family vacation.
A world class resort needs world class dining and Reunion doesn’t disappoint. Their flagship restaurant Eleven, sits atop the Reunion Grande on the 11th floor, and is unquestionably Orlando’s unparalleled star gazing destination.
Eleven is best described as a modern steak house with a nouvelle feel. Their creative menu offerings include premium steak cuts and signature entrees. The ambiance and décor cater to today’s generation and the open-air veranda and nightly fireworks accentuate the sights and sounds of the open kitchen. Their dynamic wine list, signature cocktails and an expanded by-the-glass selection offers wine pairing for every palate. Seating is done on a first come, first serve basis.
If Italian’s more your mood, then Forte’s your answer. They are an authentic Italian Bistro, and serve up specially prepared dishes in a warm and rustic atmosphere. Their fresh ingredients are indigenous to the region of Tuscany, but also serve dishes found in all regions of Italy. The dining area is both formal and warm, with Italian music playing softly in the background. Forte features an extensive cabernet and merlot wine list as well as signature sections from different regions of Italy. No matter what your menus selection, the well-educated staff at Forte will help you find the perfect pairing. Forte is located on the main floor of the Reunion Grande.
If you find yourself famished after your round and can’t wait to bite into something, the restaurant at the Reunion Clubhouse is always a good choice. They feature regional American cuisine served in a casual and comfortable setting. The menu appeals to golfers, members and resort guests alike with selections that are simple and recognizable staples of American comfort food. Their servers provide speedy service so that you can get back to enjoying your favorite resort activity and forget about that one bad hole.
These are just some of the dining choices available to you at The Reunion Resort. If you’re planning on being in the area and are considering different resorts, why not pick the place that has it all – Reunion Resort. For more information or to book your next vacation, give them a call at 1-866-880-8563 or visit them online at www.reunionresort.com.