The award-winning Waldorf Astoria Orlando has unveiled a property-wide reimagination led by interior design firm Parker Torres Design, emphasising the resort’s unique geographic position…
The re-design of Waldorf Astoria Orlando, includes a floor-to-ceiling transformation inclusive of all guestrooms and suites, the lobby arrival experience, new design and culinary innovations at the award-winning restaurants Bull & Bear and Peacock Alley, enhancements to The Waldorf Astoria Spa and a complete restoration of the esteemed 18-hole Waldorf Astoria Golf Club. These renovations complete the renewal project, which began last year with the comprehensive enhancement of the hotel’s meeting and event spaces.
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“We are thrilled to introduce the eagerly awaited completion of our reimagined Waldorf Astoria Orlando, solidifying the hotel as a top-tier luxury destination for visitors to Orlando,” said Ryan Fitzgerald, General Manager of Waldorf Astoria Orlando. “Every detail has been meticulously considered and upon its full realisation, Waldorf Astoria Orlando boasts a design-forward ambiance complemented by the exceptional service and amenities our guests have come to anticipate”.
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Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed by a grand sense of arrival inspired by organic sophistication and timeless luxury. White marble floors paired with a dramatic focal wall behind the front desk and a Waldorf Astoria brand clock centre the space, allowing the guests to truly feel they’ve arrived at a tranquil oasis.
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All 502 guestrooms, including 171 suites, were redesigned by Parker Torres, who drew inspiration from the nature reserves’ indigenous wildlife, vegetation and twilight hours. Through this vision, the guestrooms evoke a palette of neutral tones and soft greens punctuated with sunset tones of pink and orange, captivating the guest with sophisticated organic forms and a modern-day sense of history and tradition. The Parker Torres Design team customised the artwork to complement the design features which speaks to the organic contours, shapes and textures found in nature.
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A new era has been ushered in for the award-winning signature restaurant Bull & Bear. Helmed by creative mastermind Chef Juan Suarez, this fan favourite for Orlando locals and visitors alike has been reimagined with playful and innovative culinary experiences. As guests step into Bull & Bear, they’ll notice a transformed space with the heightened experience of a classic steakhouse accented by notes of Mid-Century Modern era style. Hues of emerald green, white and black peek out of the dark woods that envelop the room and welcome guests for an unforgettable culinary journey. Chef Juan and his team have introduced many new menu items, all with an emphasis on genuinely immersive guest experiences.
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The revamped cocktail program introduces a new list of libations anchored by the Smoking Bull, a tableside-smoked Old Fashioned. The menu adds The Aristocrat, a Black Truffle infused Beluga Gold Line Vodka cocktail topped with gold leaf. The wine program is equally impressive, boasting rare wines such as The Flight from Screaming Eagle and Bordeaux wines such as the Mouton Rothschild 2020 and Smith Haut Laffite. Bull & Bear allows diners access to these exquisite wines often reserved for private collectors.
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The Waldorf Astoria icon Peacock Alley, now draws design inspiration from the shape of the Peacock’s feathers juxtaposed with a fresh, modern take on Art Deco Design, paying homage to the Peacock in a more discrete way. The space possesses an airy design palette with pops of color. Debuted with the renovation, the lounge features a sophisticated new cocktail menu.
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The new Waldorf Astoria Spa puts ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation at the core of every guest experience. With the reimagination comes new signature treatments and experiences, such as The Isle of Serenity Room, inclusive of the new Lemi Spa Dream tables, which combine the use of colour therapy, spherical sand-like quartz and a heated water mattress to completely envelope the body in a total sense of inner relaxation in either a couples or single guest Sand & Sea Treatment.
The Isle of Serenity is not the only immersive experience the spa now has to offer. The renovation also includes the introduction of The Salt Solace Room, where guests can combine a customised massage with an inhalation experience for a full body reset. Guests can expect new treatments to roll out throughout 2024, including an expansion of the hotel’s partnership with renowned UK brand Lola’s Apothecary.
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Meticulously restored over the last year, seamlessly weaving sustainable water conservation and landscaping practices with premium playing conditions, the signature 18-hole Rees Jones-designed course is a golfer’s delight. Amidst lush nature preserve greens and pristine fairways, golfers embark on an unforgettable adventure. With this restoration, the course was brought back to a more dramatic windswept character, with three holes having undergone a full redesign, returning the golf course to its original Par 72, 7,000-yard layout.
The names of many individual holes harken back to the Waldorf Astoria New York, with titles such as ‘Starlight’ for the 18th hole. Waldorf Astoria Golf Club is open to the public, available to guests and non-hotel guests, and offers best-in-class golf design, course condition, and amenities.
Enhancements to the hotel’s meetings and events offerings were unveiled at the end of 2022 with the brand-new Central Park Ballroom, which offers an 700-plus square metre ballroom and nearly 250 square metres of pre-function space. Parker Torres led the design of this new ballroom with a focus on paying homage to both the Florida destination through ornate carpeting and drawing a connection to the Waldorf Astoria New York’s Art Deco roots. This addition brings Waldorf Astoria Orlando’s meetings and events offerings to nearly 6000 square metres of multi-functional meeting space — inclusive of two ballrooms, two boardrooms, 13 meeting rooms and exquisite outdoor spaces such as Signature Island and the Promenade.
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