Golf Aficionado recently spent a weekend at the Villas of Grand Cypress; a AAA Four-Diamond luxury golf resort located in Orlando, Florida. During our stay, we had the opportunity to experience all that the resort has to offer, including the 45 golf holes designed by Jack Nicklaus. The weekend was a whirlwind full of golf, dining, and resort activities. At check-in, the staff rolled out the red carpet, after completing the normal check-in process we were quickly escorted to our villa by one of the staff members where he promptly brought in our luggage and gave us a complete overview of our high-tech villa.
From the outside our villa looked like a quaint little bungalow. However, once we walked in we were surprised by the luxurious accommodations. Walking into the villa, the first thing we noticed was our foyer with a little shelf perfect for our car keys and room card. After turning the corner, we could see a large flat screen TV and dreamy king size bed. Our high-tech villa featured ready to go wireless internet, numerous USB charging ports, HDTV, and under the cabinet floor lighting for when you wake in the middle of the night or early morning. However, the highlight of the room was the over-sized bathroom featuring both a roman tub and standing glass enclosed waterfall shower.
The cherry on top was the private patio. As you open up the patio doors and walk out, you can take a seat and catch all the action on the first hole of the North Course. It was great being right on the course and best of all, the clubhouse was only a 2 minute walk down the cart path.
As I walked down to the clubhouse, I was able to ask for a golf cart and quickly make my way to the Grand Cypress Academy of Golf. This 21 acre facility is a golfers paradise complete with 3 Jack Nicklaus designed golf holes (Par 3, 4, and 5). Fred Griffin, the Golf Academy’s director since its inception in 1986 has been recognized by Golf Magazine as one of the top 100 instructors in America.
The head instructors; Todd, Harry, and Gus have been with the Academy for an average of over 20 years each. Academy instructors use science based instruction to help golfers achieve their best swing. The best news is, use of the Academy is included in the resort fee and is a must visit! One of the things I noticed is that the range at Grand Cypress can get extremely busy. However, the Academy’s practice range open only to members and guests of the resort always has plenty of space. What’s better than hitting high quality range balls before your round? Going out and playing 3 top notch practice holes!
After spending a few hours working on my game at the Academy; I was ready to relax and enjoy the pool. Fortunately, the pool centrally located between all the villas was just a few steps away from my front door. I was surprised to see that the pool area also had other outdoor activities that include a ping pong table, foosball table, and bikes ready to be checked out at no additional cost.
If that wasn’t enough, there was even games and arts & crafts available for children. After playing some ping pong and enjoying the pool, I headed back to my villa thinking I had seen all that Grand Cypress had to offer.
Then I remembered that the resort amenities included all the amenities at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress located just down the street. I called the resort shuttle service and within a few minutes they picked me up and dropped me off at the Hyatt. Walking into the Hyatt, you’re welcomed by a huge atrium lobby that instantly makes you feel at home. Just down the hall from the lobby, is the brand new Marilyn Monroe Spa. The spa provides a full line of services to guests of both the Villas and Hyatt. I had a chance to experience the Marilyn Signature Massage and was delighted. If you like to be pampered don’t forget to visit the spa and book a treatment.
I decided to check out the Hyatt pool area after my massage and felt like I was walking into a pool party, the kids were out enjoying the water-slides and servers were delivering food poolside.
If you want the VIP treatment you can book one of the plush cabanas which include a TV, ceiling fan, and refrigerator. The pool design is great because they have 3 separate pools including multiple waterfalls and a covered cove offering something for everyone from the kids enjoying the slides to adults looking for peace and quiet. Aside from the pool there is so much to enjoy at the Hyatt including fishing, rock climbing, bike riding, paddle boarding, 9 holes of pitch and putt, and clay tennis courts. The resort is only a mile away from Disney World and only a few more miles away from Universal Studios Orlando. The shuttle service takes care of everything all you need to do is decide which park you want to visit. So let the kids spend time with Mickey Mouse and Harry Potter while you enjoy world class golf and amenities at the Grand Cypress resort. It’s hard to believe all the amenities included in the $25 resort fee; weather you stay at the Hyatt or Villas of Grand Cypress make sure to take advantage of all the amenities each resort has to offer.
The location, accommodations, amenities, and of course golf are all top notch at Grand Cypress. If you love to play golf and want to treat your family to a Walt Disney World or Universal Studios Orlando vacation I strongly advise you to consider the resorts of Grand Cypress.
Make sure to read my detailed review of both the New Course and North South Course at Grand Cypress.