First Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy Resort in the US to open near Orlando's theme parks
Marriott already has a strong presence in Orlando, so much so that TPG recently dubbed it the best hotel brand for theme park fans. Soon, Marriott will be adding yet another option for Bonvoy loyalists looking to stay in the theme park capital of the world, one designed specifically for longer stays or travelers who prefer apartment-style accommodations when they are away from home.
Related: The best hotels near Disney World you can book with points
Villatel Orlando Resort offers two distinct ways to stay: The Villas and the first Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy resort in the U.S. The Villas, with accommodations that can sleep up to 26 guests, are open and bookable now (though the full slate of amenities will not be available until the grand opening on March 3, 2025). An exact opening date for the Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy has yet to be announced. Currently, it is listed as "early 2025."
Orlando's Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy Resort will be the third location of its kind. The first opened in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in late 2023. The second opened for bookings in Savannah, Georgia, earlier this year. Villatel Orlando Resort, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy Resort is currently the first Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy Resort in the U.S.
Villatel Orlando Resort's Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy Resort will house 256 apartments. Each two- or three-bedroom unit can accommodate up to eight guests, offering ample square footage, full kitchens and private balconies with resort views. Several units will also include games and themed bedrooms to further immerse you in the theme park "bubble."
Marriott bills its Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy product as "hotel meets residential living." Each luxury-style apartment is designed to be spacious, with sophisticated furnishings inspired by the local surroundings. According to the Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy site, housekeeping is available every seven days, and all units have a washer and dryer.
Marriott Bonvoy members can enjoy benefits similar to what you'd expect at a traditional Bonvoy property, including the following:
- Exclusive member rates and complimentary Wi-Fi.
- 5 base points per dollar spent on qualifying charges plus qualifying bonus points based on status. In addition, members will earn one Elite Night Credit per each stay night.
- Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy properties will convert points to miles for members who set their earning preference as miles.
- An Elite Welcome Gift of 500 Marriott Bonvoy Points per stay for Gold and 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points per stay for Platinum and above.
- Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy is included in the program's Ultimate Reservation Guarantee and Guaranteed Room Type, including compensation.
- Platinum Elite members and above will receive guaranteed late checkout of 2 p.m. and as late as 4 p.m. based on availability.
- The 48-Hour Guaranteed Room Availability applies to standard rooms only.
- Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy properties do not include lounges nor provide free breakfast because each apartment will offer residential amenities, including full kitchens, dining and living areas and separate bedrooms, as well as common workout areas.
Villatel Orlando Resort is located less than 10 minutes from Universal Orlando Resort and the soon-to-open Universal Epic Universe. Guests staying in The Villas or the Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy resort will have access to the 80-acre property's exciting amenities, including a water park with a lazy river, pool, splash pad and waterslides, basketball and pickleball courts, a fitness center, golf simulator and a poolside bar and grill.
Guests staying at Villatel Orlando Resort also have access to complimentary round-trip shuttle service to Disney World and Universal Orlando (reservations required).
"Villatel Orlando Resort was designed to fill a gap in Orlando's hospitality market by bringing people together in an elevated, ultra-playful setting that offers all the best comforts of home," Stephen Lobell, CEO of Villatel, said in a press release. "A vacation experience unto itself that's built for non-stop fun, we've created a dreamworld where travelers, ranging from multigenerational groups and theme park goers to sports teams and cheer or dance groups, can bond and make memories of a lifetime."
Stay tuned for further details, including an exact opening date for Orlando's Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy. In the meantime, you may want to start planning the other aspects of your next Universal Orlando or Disney World vacation. Here are a few stories to get you started:
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