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Waldorf Astoria Orlando to get a complete makeover

Waldorf Astoria Orlando will undergo comprehensive, multi-phase renovations expected to be unveiled this December. The renovations will see enhanced rooms and suites, lobby spaces, select dining venues (including the Bull & Bear restaurant), a spa and the 18-hole golf course.

The transformation of the rooms and suites is being led by the interior design company Parker Torres Design. The enhancements will be the biggest since the resort opened in 2009. The transformation will be completed in phases to lessen disruptions for guests.

Located in the 482-acre Bonnet Creek nature preserve and surrounded by the Walt Disney World Theme Parks, the Waldorf Astoria Orlando features 502 rooms and suites, two outdoor swimming pools with private cabanas, a spa and 13 dining and lounge experiences. As an official Walt Disney World Resort, the property offers daily early park entry and complimentary transportation to all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks and Disney Springs.

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

The property-wide reimagination follows an extensive renovation of the hotel’s meeting and event spaces in 2022. While the top-to-bottom transformation is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, enhancements began last year, with the opening of the new Central Park Ballroom, which includes more than 8,000 square foot ballroom, around 2,600 square feet of pre-function space and a planned 8,700 square foot covered outdoor patio.

These additions bring the hotel’s event space to around 60,000 square feet of multi-functional meeting space, including two ballrooms, two boardrooms, 13 meeting rooms and outdoor spaces along with the soon-to-be-built Central Park Gardens.

“As a Waldorf Astoria hotel, our guests expect the best in luxury accommodations and world-class amenities, and we are committed to providing them with an exceptional experience that surpasses their expectations as soon as they walk through our doors,” said Ryan Fitzgerald, general manager, Waldorf Astoria Orlando.

Rendering of the Peacock Alley

Elements of the reimagination include:

  • Hotel lobby:  From April through June, this area will be elevated. The refreshed space will keep the original Waldorf Astoria brand clock as an iconic welcome, designed with marble accents and a natural color scheme.
  • Rooms and suites: The Parker Torres design tram has derived inspiration from surrounding flora and fauna. Parker Torres Design collaborated with Soho Art Consulting to customize the artwork in these spaces. Rooms will also feature high-end furnishings and amenities, like custom millwork, minibars, wet bars and custom bathroom amenities.
  • Peacock Alley: After the lobby’s completion, the lobby restaurant — Peacock Alley — will be transformed. Between June and August, guests will be able to dine in at Sir Harry’s, which will open as The Croissant Bar. The return of Peacock Alley will also bring back the Royal Tea program.
  • Bull & Bear: Featured as one of the leading eateries in Orlando, the iconic restaurant will be revamped into a fine dining restaurant.
  • Waldorf Spa: The spa will be redesigned and offer a customized experience, including signature treatments incorporating locally sourced honey and a Himalayan Salt Therapy Room. New Lemi Spa Dream tables will be added for couples’ treatment.
  • Waldorf Astoria Golf Club: In 2022, Tees Jones Inc. created a new Master Plan for the golf course to add improvements to each hole, including rebuilding all tees, widening the playing corridor, expanding green surfaces to their original shape and size, and restoring the bunkers to their original character. In addition, the 16th, 17th and 18th holes will undergo a complete redesign, bringing the golf course back to its original Par 72, 7000-yard layout. The restorations are scheduled to be completed by January 2024.
  • Waldorf Marketplace: Situated adjacent to Peacock Alley, the new, multi-functional all-day space is dedicated to the craft of coffee, handmade baked goods, prepared foods and an expert chocolate program.

Currently, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts has a global portfolio of more than 30 properties.

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