An Unforgettable Romantic Getaway at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Last weekend marked a significant milestone for my husband, Jon, and me: our first night away from our vibrant, energetic toddler. The mix of nerves and overwhelming excitement was palpable as we prepared to embark on a much-needed escape. It had been 16 months since our lives revolved solely around each other, 16 months of every moment being dictated by the needs of another precious human being. Any parent understands the profound shift this brings, and the vital importance of reconnecting as a couple. This getaway also served as a belated celebration of our anniversary, making the occasion even more special. We opted for a staycation, choosing a destination close to home yet offering the feeling of a world away.
Choosing Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Our destination of choice was the illustrious Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, right here in beautiful Orlando, Florida. My desire was to find a sanctuary that felt miles from our daily routine, despite being just a short drive away. The Ritz-Carlton effortlessly delivered on this promise, providing the exact sense of escape and rejuvenation we craved. After dropping off our beloved dog and our lively toddler, we finally set off for the resort. Jon had faced a few unexpected work emergencies that morning, causing a slight delay in our departure. However, our pre-booked 2 PM couples massage provided a clear deadline, ensuring we arrived at the magnificent property by 1:30 PM at the very latest.
Upon checking in, the gracious front desk host confirmed that our room was ready. With eager anticipation, we quickly made our way upstairs to deposit our bags. The room itself was a vision of comfort and elegance, but it was the bathroom that truly left an impression. Staying in high-end hotels always sparks my creativity, offering a treasure trove of design inspiration. As we’re on the cusp of renovating another home, my eyes were wide open, soaking in every exquisite detail, from the fixtures to the finishes.
A Journey into Serenity: The Spa Experience
We arrived at The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando precisely at 1:30 PM, hoping to grab a quick bite before our massages. To our pleasant surprise, the attentive manager swiftly intervened, ensuring we received a delicious chicken wrap within a mere five minutes. We gratefully devoured our meal – perhaps not the leisurely dining experience we envisioned, but we were incredibly thankful for the manager’s efficiency in accommodating our tight schedule. Fuelled and ready, we headed back to the check-in desk, where we were then gracefully escorted to the separate men’s and women’s locker rooms. Shortly after, we reunited in the co-ed relaxation room upstairs, where we met our skilled masseuses.
I had booked a 50-minute couples massage, knowing Jon would feel most comfortable sharing the experience with me. The massages were nothing short of pure bliss, each minute dissolving tension and stress. For me, the 50 minutes seemed to fly by far too quickly, leaving me wishing for more. Jon, however, perceived it as a wonderfully long, extended hour – a humorous difference in our temporal perceptions. If you ever find yourself in Orlando, I wholeheartedly recommend dedicating a day to The Spa at Ritz-Carlton. The impeccable service and luxurious amenities are, without a doubt, unparalleled. Having visited numerous spas, I can confidently say this one holds a top spot on my list.
Post-Massage Bliss and Reconnection
Following our profoundly relaxing massages, we retreated to the serene relaxation room. There, we savored warm tea, snacked on a delightful trail mix, and snuggled together on a plush two-person lounger. The soft, low lighting created an intimate atmosphere perfect for flipping through the captivating book, Fifty Places to Dive Before You Die. We spent a full hour immersed in each other’s company, free from any schedules, demands, or the constant needs of a little one. It was a rare and precious moment of quiet, undisturbed connection. As avid scuba divers, the book was incredibly fitting. A fun fact: I’ve only managed to dive in two of the featured 50 locations, while Jon has explored four, possibly five. Regardless, it’s clear we have many more incredible dive sites to explore together!
After our shared moments of tea sipping and quiet conversation, we parted ways for an hour, each indulging in the individual pleasures of the whirlpool and saunas. If there was a single minor drawback, it was the absence of a co-ed whirlpool and sauna, which would have allowed us to continue enjoying these amenities together. However, the individual experiences were still incredibly revitalizing.
Earlier, I had raved to Jon about the most incredible grapefruit sugar scrub. I enthusiastically encouraged him to lather up with it, promising it would leave his skin exceptionally silky smooth – a promise it delivered upon for both of us! This scrub is seriously the most amazing I’ve ever used, and I’ve tried my hand at making many of my own. I’m now determined to recreate this luxurious recipe at home.
An Evening of Culinary Delights and Unexpected Romance
By the time we concluded our spa treatments, it was around 5:00 PM. We made our way back to our room to prepare for dinner, filled with a sense of calm and anticipation. Upon re-entering, we were met with a truly delightful surprise: a chilled bottle of exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, accompanied by a heartfelt note. We didn’t hesitate, uncorking the bottle immediately. It was absolutely delicious, and I must confess, I can’t recall the last time Jon and I finished an entire bottle of wine in one evening. It had truly been a while, making this moment even more special.
Instead of committing to a single dining establishment, we decided to indulge in a unique culinary adventure: restaurant hopping across the resort’s magnificent offerings. This flexibility was one of the many luxuries of our stay.
Dining at Highball & Harvest: A Southern Charm
Our gastronomic journey began at Highball & Harvest. I was particularly eager to bring Jon here, as I had visited earlier in the year and was utterly captivated by its charm and cuisine. We started by ordering the Southern Platter and the Crab Cakes with Fried Green Tomatoes. The pimento cheese dip and pickled vegetables on the platter were exquisite, and we both agreed that the crab cakes were so phenomenal, they could easily have served as our main course. Made with generous lumps of crab and minimal filler, they were perfectly complemented by the most amazing corn relish. I’ve had this dish three times now; while the first two experiences were absolutely flawless, this time, the fried green tomatoes were slightly over-fried, making them a little chewy. Still good, but not quite as stellar as my previous visits. Both dishes were incredibly flavorful and quite filling. We thoroughly enjoyed the live acoustic guitar player, whose repertoire spanned everything from 90s hits to popular contemporary music – reminiscent of the “coffee house” channel on Sirius XM, and simply awesome.
Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen – A Farm-to-Table Gem
Next, we took a pleasant stroll over to the adjacent JW Marriott, where we decided to dine at Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen. This restaurant prides itself on its farm-to-table philosophy, specializing in delectable small plates (tapas style) and artisanal flatbreads. Feeling quite satisfied from Highball & Harvest, we anticipated this would be our final culinary stop for the evening. Jon, who had been craving oysters, ordered a half-dozen raw oysters – a craving I was more than happy for him to satisfy, as oysters aren’t quite my preference! I opted for a slightly larger “small plate” of perfectly cooked grouper served over creamy grits with a rich ham hock broth. Oh my goodness, the ham hock broth was absolutely divine. I was tempted to pick up the bowl and drink every last drop! After this delightful meal, we both agreed we were wonderfully full. We began our walk back to The Ritz-Carlton, choosing to walk outside to warm up a bit, as the air conditioning inside had been quite brisk. Our steps led us right back into Highball & Harvest, where we enjoyed a little more live music before finally retiring for the evening.
A Night of Enchantment and a Morning Farewell
Upon returning to our room, we were met with yet another breathtaking surprise: the most romantic turndown service imaginable. Rose petals were meticulously scattered everywhere, transforming the bed into a dreamscape. I was utterly astonished and, honestly, didn’t want to disturb them. My initial thought was to simply sleep with the petals still adorning the bed, but Jon, ever the pragmatist, gently reminded me that wasn’t quite feasible. What a party pooper! In all seriousness, though, I deeply appreciated every thoughtful detail The Ritz-Carlton had arranged for us. On our wedding night, I had dreamed of a room filled with rose petals, but the hotel we stayed at didn’t offer such a service, so we had to enlist a friend to do it for us. This experience, however, was far more magical and exceeded even my wedding night dreams!
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The following day, we savored a rare luxury: sleeping in, until we were gently roused by the sounds of maintenance blowing leaves off the pool deck. We rose, dressed leisurely, and headed downstairs for breakfast, once again choosing the familiar comforts of Highball & Harvest. Both of us opted for the chicken and waffles. While it was good, it wasn’t the absolute best I’ve ever had. Afterward, it was off to the pool, despite the gloomy and very rainy weather that had settled over the weekend. We managed to enjoy about an hour of fresh air before the rain decided to make its persistent return. Lying by the pool, I found myself experiencing a peculiar feeling: boredom. I so rarely have the opportunity to simply relax and do nothing. While I cherished the moment, I couldn’t sit still for too long. I playfully coerced Jon into the pool with me, needing to engage in some activity. I am incredibly glad we had this wonderful opportunity to get away before diving into the renovations of our new home. It was the perfect duration for our first time away from Ryder, just enough to recharge without feeling too long. I jokingly asked Jon if we could make this a yearly ritual, adding an extra night away for each year Ryder gets older. He simply gave me a look that spoke volumes! I have about ten months to work on convincing him. Although, knowing how much he enjoyed himself, I don’t think I’ll truly need to twist his arm to embark on another luxurious escape with me!