It’s safe to say that most visitors to the Orlando theme park area never travel north of Interstate 4, choosing to stay and play along the corridor between State Road 192 and east to Lake Buena Vista Road. There is, however, plenty to do on the west side – from restaurants to min-golf to outlet malls.
Best of all, there is the Palisades Resort just off SR 192 on Avalon Road. The first visit to this all-suite property might make it seem like Palisades Resort is a bit out of the way, but that’s not the case at all. In fact, visitors coming off I-4 drive west on SR 192 drive directly past the gates of Disney World less than 10 miles away from the resort.
Palisades Resort, part of the staySky Hotels & Resorts portfolio, has everything a family wants from an Orlando property. Each of its one- two- and three-bedroom suites features a full kitchen, large living room, washer-dryer, flat screen televisions (in the living room and each bedroom) and master bath with an oversized tub. The two- and three-bedroom Platinum Suites also each have an interior corner solarium that serves as a terrific separate dining area. It’s all basically for the same prices – if not less – than a higher-end Orlando hotels and resorts.
The covered parking that leads to the lobby is a great way to avoid the Florida sun. And for those who want the sun, Palisades Resort has an outdoor heated pool. The resort also features a sauna and nice equipment room – on the ground floor – as well as a game room and movie theatre. It’s a common sight to see families bring their popcorn and sodas from their suites to the theatre almost on a nightly basis.
The resort doesn’t have a restaurant but it does serve a good continental breakfast in a large dining room as well as a 24-hour snack room just off the lobby. The concierge in the lobby can help with tickets to each of the area’s theme parks and attractions.
For golfers, Palisades Resort is a great hub for “buddy trips.” Orange County National, which features a pair of courses – Crooked Cat and Panther Lake – is about 10 minutes away in Winter Garden, while other courses, such as Falcon’s Fire in Kissimmee and Grand Cypress and Shingle Creek, are about 30 minutes away in Orlando.
The next time you head to Orlando – head west.
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