The weeks leading up to Christmas tend to move quickly, filled with plans, obligations, and a sense that time is slipping through your fingers.
Before the holiday rush truly set in, my mom and I booked a weekend away at Caribe Royale Orlando after a kind invite was made, not to chase attractions or pack our schedule, but simply to be together. What we found was a resort that felt expansive yet intimate, festive without being overwhelming, and perfectly suited for a pre-holiday reset.
A Resort with Roots and Room to Breathe
Caribe Royale has long been a fixture in Orlando, but it doesn’t feel dated or static.
The resort’s history as an independently owned, all-suite property is evident in the way space and comfort are prioritized. Recent renovations have refreshed the look and feel throughout the resort, giving public areas and accommodations a more modern, streamlined aesthetic while preserving the warmth that longtime guests appreciate.
Unlike many hotels in the area, Caribe Royale never feels crowded or rushed. Spread across more than 20 acres, the resort invites guests to explore at their own pace. Walking paths wind past pools, lagoons, and quiet seating areas, offering moments of calm that feel especially welcome during the holiday season.
Our one-bedroom suite set this stay apart from a typical hotel weekend. With a separate living room, a generously sized bedroom, and a spacious bathroom, the suite felt less like a temporary stop and more like a comfortable retreat.
Mornings were unhurried, and evenings were meant for relaxation in a suite that feel more as your own personal apartment home, one that urges you to really relax in between afternoons or even mornings exploring what Orlando has to offer visitors.
Eating, Drinking, and Settling In
Food and drink quickly became a defining part of our weekend, not because of extravagance, but because of how naturally those moments fit into the flow of our stay.
One evening, we settled into the Rum Bar, an intimate lounge designed for lingering. The menu leans heavily into rum-focused offerings, and we chose a curated rum flight that showcased a range of styles, including smooth, lightly sweet pours alongside deeper, spiced selections with notes of oak and vanilla. The knowledgeable bartender explained the extensive menu in detail, and she also made us an Old-Fashioned made with Zacapa Rum, a favorite of mine, that worked well with the smoky and at times sweet flavors that make up the classic drink’s personality.
On another night, we embraced a completely different energy at Stadium Club, the resort’s lively sports bar and entertainment space. The atmosphere was casual and buzzing, with multiple screens, games, and an easygoing crowd. The menu focuses on elevated comfort food, and we ordered crispy wings, generously sauced and satisfying, and a basket of truffle fries that were hot, salty and impossible to stop picking at.
We paired everything with cold beer, eventually transitioning to a glass of Chardonnay, ready to head upstairs afterwards to relax at our suite.
The contrast between these two experiences stood out. One night was quiet and reflective over rum tastings; the next was social and playful over wings and fries. Together, they captured the versatility of the resort, which is a place that accommodates different types of moods without trying to be everything all at once.
Carrying the Feeling Home
By the time Sunday arrived, neither of us felt the usual post-trip fatigue. What began as a simple weekend away turned into something more meaningful: uninterrupted time together in a setting that made slowing down feel natural, with plenty of opportunities to explore and enjoy the different amenities at the resort without feeling rushed.
Caribe Royale Orlando, 8101 World Center Dr., Orlando; 407/238-8000; cariberoyale.com
