Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas- Lake Buena Vista

With dozens of three- and four-story buildings spread across well-manicured grounds, the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas- Lake Buena Vista looks more like a residential condo complex than a hotel. Two-way streets with speed bumps and stop signs crisscross the property. Kids ride bikes along the sidewalks, and joggers run past manmade lakes and fountains. In other words, it looks like every upscale residential neighborhood in Florida. At the entrance of the property, the hotel’s lobby (known as the welcome center) makes a solid first impression with modern decor featuring light wood and turquoise tones. Multiple check-in desks help facilitate the registration process, and the team behind the Tickets and Transportation Desk can help guests with reservations for area attractions. The Sheraton is most popular with families, and no matter the time of year, there are always tons of kids around the property. The hotel’s amenities (multiple pools, arcades, Escape Game) are geared toward younger guests, but the hotel’s clean, apartment-style units have broad appeal, so a smattering of couples, older adults, and business travelers always work their way into the mix. 

The Sheraton Vistana is located in Lake Buena Vista, east of Disney World and south of Universal Studios. The property is about a 10- to 15-minute drive from most of Orlando’s theme parks, including all Disney Parks, Universal Parks, and Sea World. LEGOLAND is 50 minutes away by car in Winter Haven. Orlando International Airport is a 23-minute drive from the hotel. The immediate area surrounding the hotel is composed of multilane highways lined with strip malls, chain restaurants, and grocery stores. 

The Sheraton has a whopping 1,682 rooms, all of which are apartment-style units with full kitchens, one or two bedrooms, separate living spaces, and in-unit washer/dryers. Most units also have screened outdoor patios or balconies with dining tables. The two units we visited differed a little in terms of color scheme and layout, but featured the same contemporary style, with rich wood furniture, neutral tones, granite countertops in the kitchens and bathrooms and homey decor such as leaf-designed ceiling fans. The look is a bit generic, but nonetheless attractive. Kitchens are fully equipped with full-size appliances (including dishwashers), microwaves, coffeemakers, toasters, blenders, cutlery, flatware, pots and pans, and other cooking essentials like spatulas and ladles. Bathrooms feature glass-enclosed shower stalls and small vanities, as well as toiletries and hairdryers. Two-bedroom villas have ensuite master bathrooms with soaking tubs. Additional amenities include flat-screen TVs in the living rooms and bedrooms, electronic safes, ironing equipment, and USB charging stations. Parking is available in front of all hotel buildings, so guests can park their cars near their villas. Note that not all buildings have elevators. 

The Sheraton Vistana has tons of on-site amenities, many of which are geared toward kids and families. There’s a mini-golf course, several arcades, multiple playgrounds, and even an Escape Game (extra cost). Guests can visit the on-site activities center to rent board games, tennis equipment, bikes, DVDs, and even art supplies. Wi-Fi and parking are free. 

There are seven pools at the Sheraton Vistana, each with a unique look and atmosphere. Each cluster of apartment units has its own pool and community center, which typically includes a game room, and a bar or restaurant. Some are quieter (the Courts Pool and the Springs Pool), while others are more activity-oriented (the Super Pool). The Cascades Pool has waterfalls and shallow splash pads, the Lakes Pool has a zero-entry point, the Fountains Pool has designated lap lanes, and the Falls Pool has its own waterslide. Many guests choose to swim in the pool that’s nearest to their building, since other pools can be a 15- to 20-minute walk (or five-minute drive) away, due to the Sheraton’s sprawling layout. Unlike many Orlando resorts where daytime pool crowds are few, the Sheraton’s pools always seem crowded. All of the pools are surrounded by ample lounge chairs, so guests usually don’t have trouble finding a place to sit.

The Sheraton Vistana has three on-site restaurants and a mini-market. None of its restaurants are culinary superstars, but instead serve the kind of casual bar food that people crave while on vacation. Zimmie’s Bar and Grill is the only restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The other two, Castaways and the Tacky Tiki, serve lunch and dinner. All three restaurants have full bars. The mini-market is an excellent amenity for families. It sells grocery items, souvenirs, and beach apparel, and has a full-service Boar’s Head deli. The deli serves grab-and-go breakfast and coffee in the morning, and sandwiches and salads throughout the day.  

The Sheraton’s fitness center is small, but equipped with modern LifeFitness cardio and weight-training machines, along with several free weights. Guests who prefer to exercise outdoors can take advantage of the hotel’s outdoor sports courts (basketball and volleyball), as well as its 13 tennis courts. The Sheraton has nine clay courts and four hard courts, all of which have lights for nighttime play. Guests can rent equipment for the adjacent activities center, or schedule lessons with the on-site pro.