United States
Wyndham Grand Comes To Orlando
By Leo Jakobson
September 14, 2011
Surrounded on three sides by Walt Disney World and next door to the Waldorf Astoria Orlando—with access to Waldorf Astoria Golf Club as part of its group offerings—the Wyndham Grand Orlando is a relatively small property. “We are a 400-room property in a land of 1,000-plus-room hotels,” says James Moss, director of sales and marketing. “Our maximum group size is about 200. Our niche is small groups that will not get lost in our hotel. They will have it to themselves.”
The first Wyndham Grand property built from the ground up, and owned and operated by Wyndham, it has 25,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 7,950-square-foot Ponce de Leon Ballroom, which is divisible and can hold up to 800 for receptions or 580 seated for a banquet.
The hotel also has a 2,400-square-foot junior ballroom, 15 breakout rooms, and many outdoor spaces designed with group functions in mind, Moss says. These include four areas around the lagoon-style pool (which can accommodate a total of 400 on the pool deck) and a fire pit.
The property overlooks a 10-acre, manmade lake, and the views from the back include the pools, as well as Disney World’s Epcot Center. While it is not an official Disney hotel, guests drive through Disney World’s gates to reach it, and regular trams run to the park. The Wyndham Grand Orlando works closely with Disney World, and groups can access “pretty much all of the park for special events,” Moss says.
Other amenities include an outpost of Wyndham's Blue Harmony Spa and Fitness Center, with six indoor and two outdoor treatment rooms. There are also five bars and restaurants on the property, led by Deep Blu Seafood Grille, which can seat 200 and has a private dining room for 30. All dining and bar facilities are available to groups.
The director of activities has a number of teambuilding offerings and is in the process of establishing connections to local nonprofits for corporate social responsibility events, Moss says.
There are four classes of rooms at the Wyndham Grand, including 450-square-foot Grand Deluxe king and double queen rooms, as well as family-friendly versions of those rooms that have a small alcove holding single-wide bunk beds and a small TV and kids’ sink.
These concierge-level rooms all have private balconies and are located on the top two floors of the 14-story property, together with a concierge lounge featuring a 12-person boardroom. There are 52 concierge rooms and suites. Deluxe king and double queen rooms, and bunk rooms, are on the other floors. There are a total of 84 bunk rooms, although Moss says that the bunk alcove is discreet to be ignored by group guests. Pets under 25 pounds are allowed, with a $50 per stay fee.
The in-room Wi-Fi and hard-wired Internet connections are covered by the Wyndham Grand’s resort fee. Wi-Fi is also available in the public areas and meeting spaces for guests.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Updated to reflect property's opening on Oct. 1.
This page is protected by Copyright laws. Do Not Copy