Courtyard by Marriott Orlando SouthGrande Lakes Area

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Weekend Notes | February 15, 2023

Courtyard by Marriott Orlando South/Grande Lakes Area

Orlando, Florida (the greater Orlando area) is only the fourth largest city by population in the state (Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando), in the United States it ranks number 23 according to metropolitan statistical data. But you wouldn’t know that by the traffic. It can take an hour to get 13 miles across town, and usually a half hour to get along the west side of town up I-4 towards Universal Studios or The Florida Mall from Walt Disney World or Celebration.

If you’re tired of the drive or coming to town, why not stay in the area at this Courtyard by Marriott Orlando South / Grande Lakes Area convenient to the Florida Mall, Sea World, and Universal. Instead of fighting traffic, enjoy the spacious rooms with one or two beds and sofa bed, two televisions (yes the noise does compete, so be forewarned) and a microwave and mini-fridge. There’s seating for someone to curl up with a good book and the curved sofa bed is surprisingly comfortable to stretch out on the sofa portion and watch a movie – Showtime (theirs) and Netflix (yours) are available around regular network television. It’s a restorative time so you’re ready to be back on the run in the morning.

If you’re like me and have switched to streaming services, it’s a nice break back to network television – kind of funny how that works. I enjoyed seeing NCIS: LA live after watching the three crossover episodes between NCIS, NCIS: LA, and NCIS: Hawai’i streaming event on Paramount Plus.

You can use their facilities to break up your routine. For me, the gym provided a wonderful respite after my early morning writing session. The café is open for breakfast until 10 am, so I watched an entire episode of an old series whilst on the elliptical at 9. Weights, balance ball, and the medicine ball completed during the commercials are good weight training regimens with your cardio. The gym supplies yoga mats and stretch bands and, perhaps most important, a water cooler so you can refill your water bottle regularly to stay hydrated. It’s especially important in the Sunshine State’s climate.

The pool was not heated but does typically warm up during the mid-day sunshine if you’d like to jump in for a refreshing swim. It is pretty to sit out around the pool or the accompanying patio off the main lobby with patio tables and chairs and a waterfall feature as you exit the lobby doors. Use the side door, though, by the gym, if you’re running from pool to room, wet from your adventures.