JW Marriott, Grande Lakes Orlando - March 2

Rating - 9.87

This is an AWESOME property...beautiful entry with a classic look and fabulous rooms. LOVED my room (#2503), the space, huge bathroom, flat screen tv, and VERY COMFORTABLE bed...such a good nights sleep....and it is QUIET even though it is located right next to JW Suite. Even being on the 25th floor I never really had to wait for an elevator to get up/down to the room. Only issue is the room is hot in the afternoon with the sun on it, but I was in a conference almost the entire day.

Fitness center is between the JW and adjacent Ritz - it is top 1% of all hotel fitness centers. I loved the free weights and plenty of treadmills and various ellipticals. It gets a bit crowded in the afternoon, but there is plenty of room, and they towls and water all over. Best of all its VERY CLEAN.

Cab was fairly expensive to get from MCO to the property - $42, but you have to pay $15 I believe to park. They have town car service to get back to the airport for $45 (plus tip) and the trip takes only 20 minutes.

I did not eat in any of the restaurants, except the lobby bar the first night. The bar is large with a semi-circular bar in the middle, and service is very good from very attractive waitresses. The area is VERY CROWDED after 8:30 pm.....lots of conferences here and everyone ends up back in this area. Food is marginal at best, didn't think the cheeseburger was that good (only ate half).

We did have our CONFERENCE here and facilities are GREAT. Well coordinated, nice meeting space, and plenty of room to do breakouts. Breakfast service is not that good, but lunch for a large group (chicken) was solid. At night we had cocktail parties - bartenders were great, friendly and fast, and food was EXCELLENT. We did a different "theme" each night and I LOVED IT.

I am not much into gossip, but I did learn that the martini bar at the Ritz is where Tiger would hang out and met some of his female "friends".....never did venture over there.....

DON"T PLAY THE GOLF COURSE - http://talesfromtheroad-mwalno.blogspot.com/2010/03/ritz-carlton-golf-club-orlando-fl-march.html

Room rate was $175 + 21.88 each night for taxes = $196.88

Total - Three nights + a few bars tabs - $1,024.46