My toes ached only slightly as my feet soaked in a footbath infused with freshly picked mint and rosemary. The memory of two strollers careening over my feet at Orlando International Airport two days earlier—parents and kids decked out in Disney gear—faded as I sipped herbal tea and relaxed in the warm sunshine on the intimate rooftop of The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes.
I didn’t expect to find such a peaceful retreat at Grande Lakes Orlando, a sizeable resort in central Florida made up of the 582-room Ritz-Carlton and the 1,000-room JW Marriott. Although it sits close to the nonstop energy of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios, the five-star property feels like an oasis: 500 acres of calm grounds, winding waterways, lush gardens and a Greg Norman Signature 18-hole golf course that together create a surprising pocket of tranquility and luxury.
Embracing its natural surroundings, Grande Lakes Orlando offers a variety of eco-conscious activities—from guided tours along the northern headwaters of the Florida Everglades to a fly-fishing school. I had kayaked on Shingle Creek the day before, spotting alligators and pink osprey, and the next day continued the resort’s eco-leisure theme with the Grande Eco Garden Hammock Experience on the rooftop of the 40,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa. The spa, a three-story palazzo-style building between the two hotels, houses 40 treatment rooms on its third floor and overlooks the serene resort landscape.
The rooftop sits above the spa’s 4,000-square-foot heated outdoor lap pool. It’s a private sanctuary with sweeping views of the manicured grounds, the golf course, gardens and a placid lake. A small garden grows a variety of herbs and colorful plants, and a hammock is suspended from a frame made from wood salvaged from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina—an intentional detail that ties environmental stewardship to the guest experience.
After the herbal soak and a brief foot massage, I moved to the hammock. Following the guidance of my friendly therapist, Rick, I lay crosswise instead of lengthwise, a position meant to elongate the spine and increase flexibility. Rick adjusted the hammock, covered my eyes with a mask to soften the sunlight, and began a 70-minute session. He started standing above the hammock, then repositioned beneath it to stretch and work through my entire body.
The treatment combined several modalities—reflexology, cranio-sacral techniques, shiatsu and elements of Thai massage—applied to my back, neck, head, hamstrings, gluteal muscles, calves, ankles and feet. The hammock rocked gently in rhythm with Rick’s motions. With a warm breeze, soft music and the spa’s calming ambient sounds, I felt weightless and soon drifted into sleep. I woke intermittently as Rick focused on pressure points to release lingering tension, and when the mask came off at the session’s end, a bald eagle soared overhead, enjoying the clear air after days of rain and humidity.
The Grande Eco Garden Hammock Experience is one distinctive offering among many on the spa’s curated menu. Treatments often incorporate local ingredients and themes: honey from the resort’s on-site apiaries is used for warm manicures and pedicures, while citrus-based scrubs and treatments featuring orange exfoliants brighten and revitalize the skin—an homage to Florida’s signature flavors.
Spa relaxation room © Grande Lakes Orlando
Feeling relaxed and renewed, I lingered in the co-ed lounge on the third floor before descending the spa’s grand staircase. On the ground floor, I visited the spa’s gift shop and the Scrub Bar, where a spa mixologist helped me create a personalized polish. We blended rosemary, essential oils and sea salt to craft a scrub that left my skin silky and glowing. Guests can choose from a selection of scents and take their custom blends home in TSA-friendly containers.
Next I explored the spa’s 6,000-square-foot wellness and fitness center, outfitted with modern cardio and strength equipment and offering classes ranging from yoga to Pilates. After a few miles on a treadmill, I used the women’s locker room, showered, and enjoyed the sauna, steam room and whirlpool—amenities that complement the restorative treatments and workouts.
I finished my spa day poolside in the area reserved exclusively for spa guests, and stopped at Vitale Spa Café for a light meal. Having already enjoyed indulgent evenings during my stay—dinner at The Ritz-Carlton’s Chef’s Table and a Harvest Celebration highlighting the resort’s farm-to-fork commitment and its Whisper Creek Farm—I chose nourishing options: a green smoothie and a fresh blue crab salad from Vitale’s menu, designed to rejuvenate body and mind after activity or treatments.
I spent the remaining time basking in the sun by the spa pool, savoring the peace and soaking up the scenery of Grande Lakes Orlando before heading back to Orlando International Airport and the bustle of travelers and strollers. The resort’s combination of luxurious spa care, natural surroundings and thoughtful, locally inspired treatments makes it an ideal escape for anyone seeking to recharge near Orlando’s attractions.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
4012 Central Florida Parkway
Orlando, FL 32837
tel 407 206 2400
ritzcarlton.com