Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve

The smallest hotel in Orlando’s prestigious Grande Lakes resort community, Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve is a quiet property that appeals to families and couples. A Spanish-style entryway makes an elegant first impression, with a round driveway that leads to an orange-roofed portico. Inside, the lobby’s tall ceilings and gigantic wrought-iron chandelier bring wow factor to the otherwise simple space composed of a central seating area and a few reception desks. Dark woods, warm colors, and terra-cotta tiles continue the Spanish-inspired theme from outside. The majority of guests at the Lakeshore Reserve are families and couples on vacation. It’s an ideal spot for travelers who want to be within close proximity of Orlando’s theme parks, but want a space to escape from themed restaurants and character-inspired decor.  

Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve is located in Grande Lakes, a sprawling resort community home to prestigious names like the JW Marriott and the Ritz Carlton. The Lakeshore Reserve is connected to its sister properties via a winding foot path, so guests can walk between all three hotels within 10 to 15 minutes. Grande Lakes is about a 20-minute drive from both Disney World and Universal Studios, though it can take longer to reach a few of Disney’s attractions. The hotel is about a 15-minute drive from Sea World and the Orange County Convention Center, and is a 20-minute drive from Orlando International Airport. 

Lakeshore Reserve has one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment style suites with full kitchens, separate living spaces, in-unit laundry, and outdoor balconies. Rooms are spacious and ideal for families or large groups traveling together. Decor is standard-issue Marriott: a bit generic, albeit tasteful. Kitchens feature granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances, while living rooms and bedrooms have flat-screen TVs. Terraces are furnished with wrought-iron dining sets. The Deluxe Studio we visited was ideal for two people, but could potentially fit up to four with the living room’s pullout couch. The studio’s kitchen didn’t have an oven and the dishwasher was small, but it had an electric hob and other small appliances such as a microwave, toaster, and coffeemaker. Larger units have ovens and full-size dishwashers. Bedrooms are nicely outfitted with blackout curtains, USB charging stations, and armoires with ironing facilities and laundry baskets. Bathrooms are spacious, but not spectacular, with single-sink vanities and shower/tub combos. Magnifying mirrors and toiletries are provided.

The standout amenity at the Lakeshore Reserve is its awesome pool complex. With different, unique areas around the pool, guests can carve out their own individual space. There’s a loose lazy-river concept that connects the different parts of the pool as it passes through fountains, waterfalls, and jets. A shallow zero-entry area and two large waterslides can also be found at the pool. The pool clearly appeals to families with kids, but there are also some adult-friendly areas, including the private jetted hot tub on the pool’s center island. Next to the pool, there are several grassy areas with lawn games like cornhole, ladder toss, and shuffleboard. There’s also a kiddy playground with slides and a jungle gym. 

The hotel’s only restaurant, Blossoms, is a casual open-air spot next to the pool and game lawn. It’s open for lunch and dinner, and serves a variety of sandwiches, salads, and burgers, along with cocktails and beers on tap. For something on the go, a mini-market has snacks, breakfast fare, and a coffee counter that serves Starbucks beverages. The mini-market also sells sundries and vacation essentials like flip-flops and sunscreen. 

A mid-size gym is a modern space with LifeFitness cardio and weight-training machines. Lakeshore Reserve shares tennis facilities with the neighboring JW Marriott. The courts are located midway between the two properties. Scheduled activities for kids and adults include water aerobics, bingo, and mixology classes.

Parking and Wi-Fi are free, and there is no daily resort fee -- a rarity at Orlando hotels in this price range.