We recently stayed four nights at Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort during our quick weekend trip to Disney World. With its convenient location, complimentary parking, no resort fees, large villas, on-site golf and many other activities, the Grande Vista is an excellent choice for an Orlando getaway! Here’s our full review covering everything you need to know about this fantastic resort.
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Overview
Having never stayed at a Marriott Vacation Club property before, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. We are Marriott loyalists and have stayed at all kinds of Marriott properties around the world, but never an MVC property.
We were enticed to book Marriott’s Grande Vista for our Orlando trip because the nightly rates were very reasonable and the villas are large, making them perfect for our family trip.
Location
Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort is located just off of International Drive, where you’ll find lots of nearby restaurants and shops. The resort is conveniently located to many of Orlando’s top attractions, with SeaWorld and Discovery Cove only a 5-minute drive away. Disney Springs is six miles away and Disney World about 13 miles away.
How to get to Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort
From Orlando International Airport: Renting a car at the airport is the best option, in our opinion, as it makes it much easier to get around Orlando. We rented from Avis and had a great experience. The car rental center is conveniently located on-site so you don’t need to take a shuttle like at other airports (eg. LAX).
Fun fact: Did you know Orlando is the biggest car rental market in the world?!
It’s about a 14 mile drive to the resort. From the airport, head to FL-528 and continue on it for about 9 miles before exiting onto International Drive. Continue for about 2 miles before turning left onto Avenida Vista, where you’ll find Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort.
Note: Marriott’s Grande Vista does NOT have an airport shuttle.
Marriott’s Grande Vista to Disney World
From the resort, it’s an easy 12 mile drive to Disney World. We were in Orlando specifically to go to Disney World and we found Marriott’s Grande Vista to be an excellent base for our trip. Getting to Disney World by car was no issue and only took us about 20-25 minutes.
If you choose not to rent a car, note that there is no shuttle so you’ll have to take a taxi or ride share. Lyft or Uber will cost about $20-25 one way.
Read: Magic Kingdom 1-Day Itinerary with Kids – Make the Most of Your Visit!
Parking
Marriott’s Grande Vista offers complimentary parking! We were so pleased to see this as we are used to normally getting charged $30-50 per day at other hotels.
The lots are quite large so we had no issue at all finding parking in front of our villa despite the resort being very full during our stay.
Check-in
Upon arriving at the resort, you will first drive through the welcome gate before continuing on to the resort lobby where you will check in. We arrived late at night so there were no line-ups at the front desk, but we’ve heard it can be quite busy in the afternoon.
The check-in process was quick and efficient. We were provided with bottled water, a map and an activity guide. The friendly staff oriented us on the map and explained how to find our villa. They also showed us where we could find all the restaurants, pools, etc, and answered all our questions.
The resort is very large so after checking in, you’ll need to hop back in your car and make your way to your assigned village and building.
Check-in time: 4:00pm
Check-out time: 10:00am
Pet Policy
Pets are not allowed at Marriott’s Grande Vista resort. Service animals are of course allowed, however.
Bonvoy Elite Status Recognition
If you have Marriott Bonvoy elite status, you may or may not already know that it offers very limited benefits at Marriott Vacation Club properties. So, unfortunately, the perks you’ve grown accustomed to with your status don’t apply here.
Upon checking in at the front desk, we were thanked for our loyalty, but that’s about it. There are no complimentary room upgrades, late checkout, free breakfast, nor gift shop discount. However, you WILL receive elite night credits and points for all qualifying charges.
Booking
You can search your dates here on Booking.com for the cheapest rates available at Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort.
If you are a Marriott Bonvoy member, you can use your points or Free Night Awards here. You can sometimes find villas for under 50,000 points per night which would make good use of a 50k free night certificate!
Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort Phone Number: 1-407-238-7676
Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort E-mail Address: mvcmcogv.prearrival@vacationclub.com
Rooms and Villas
The main selling feature of this resort, in our opinion, is that it has spacious villas with full kitchens, laundry, and patios at a very reasonable price.
There are four room and villa options available at Marriott’s Grande Vista:
- Standard guest rooms (412 sq.ft., 4 people maximum)
- 1-bedroom villas (884 sq.ft., 4 people maximum)
- 2-bedroom villas (1296 sq.ft., 8 people maximum)
- 3-bedroom villas (1710 sq.ft., 12 people maximum)
These large villas are perfect for family vacations! We went as a family of four (two parents, one child, and a grandparent) and were initially looking to book just a guest room. However, when we saw the great prices for the villas at the Grande Vista, we realized it was worth paying just a little bit more for a 2-bedroom villa here!
2-Bedroom Villa Review
A few weeks prior to our arrival, we received an e-mail from the resort inviting us to submit our preferences, such as what type of view we preferred and if we wanted to be near the elevator, etc. This was a nice touch.
Since Ryan loves golf and our daughter prefers quiet, we requested a golf course-view room on a higher floor away from the elevator. Our requests were honored and we were assigned Room 6226, a two-bedroom villa on the 2nd floor of Building 86 in the West Village overlooking the golf course.
Our villa appeared to be nicely updated. It wasn’t the most modern, but was not tired or dated either. Our daughter got excited to see the Disney World artwork on the wall, and Ryan appreciated the golf-inspired artwork.
Entry
Upon entering the villa, you have the kitchen on the left, dining room ahead, and the laundry closet and bathroom to the right.
Kitchen
The full kitchen was stocked with everything we could need during our stay:
- cups, both glass and plastic
- wine glasses
- mugs
- pitcher
- salad bowl
- knives
- utensils
- cutlery
- cutting boards
- plates and bowls
- serving platters
- casserole dishes
- cheese grater
- whisk
- kettle
- pots and pans
- toaster
- colander
- plastic storage container
- coasters
- dish cloths
- dish drying rack
The fridge and freezer were full-size and could fit a week’s worth of groceries.
There’s also a large pantry as well.
A coffee maker was provided with complimentary ground coffee (not the best), sugar and International Delight creamer.
I appreciated the double-sink with garbage disposal and a full-size dishwasher! All the cleaning supplies were provided as well, such as dish washing detergent, dishwasher pods, sponge, paper towels, dish cloths, and a broom and dustpan tucked away in the pantry.
Dining Room
We appreciated having an actual dining area to enjoy our meals in. There was a nice large dining table that comfortably sat eight people. It had a comfy bench on one side plus four chairs.
For a quick bite to eat, there are also bar stools at the kitchen counter.
Living Room
The living room is fairly spacious and a nice spot to relax after a busy day. There’s a three-seater sofabed, plus two large armchairs, a coffee table in the middle, and an entertainment center against the wall with a flat-screen TV.
Our daughter was pleased she was able to easily set up Netflix on the TV and watch her shows.
To the right of the entertainment center is a door to the screened patio.
Bedroom 1
The master bedroom is located off of the living room area and is very spacious. It features a king-size bed and its own bathroom.
Next to the bed is a large desk. To the right is a sliding door to the patio.
You’ll also find another TV in this room, and beside it, a good-sized closet.
Bathroom 1
The primary bath is separated from the bedroom by a sliding barn-style door. Inside you’ll find a double vanity with lighted mirrors, huge walk-in shower, and a separate toilet room.
The shower was a highlight. It was so spacious with a rainfall showerhead and large bench.
A hair dryer is provided in the cabinet, as well as a makeup mirror on the countertop.
Bedroom 2
The second bedroom is located off of the dining room and consists of two queen-size beds, large closet, and another flat-screen TV.
You also have your own private balcony with chairs, but this one is not screened in.
There’s no ensuite, but there is a door that conveniently connects the bedroom to the Jack-and-Jill bathroom.
Bathroom 2
This Jack-and-Jill bathroom is located by the front door of the villa and is connected to the second bedroom.
It is smaller than the primary bathroom, but has a full-size tub, single vanity with lighted mirror and extra counter space.
There’s also another hair dryer located within the cabinet.
Balcony
The main balcony located off of the living room features a nice large round table with four chairs. It is entirely screened-in so you don’t have to worry about mosquitoes and other bugs.
It’s a great place to enjoy a morning coffee or even a full meal, with nice views over the pond and golf course. It was truly so peaceful sitting out here.
Laundry
Another great thing about staying here is that the villa comes with a full-size washer and dryer! It enabled us to travel with carry-on luggage only as we didn’t need to bring as many clothes. Going home without a suitcase full of laundry to do was so nice.
They provide you with everything you need: laundry detergent, laundry basket and an iron.
Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided in all villas and throughout the resort! We had no issues with the connection.
Restaurants
There are four dining options available at Marriott’s Grande Vista resort: a quick-serve breakfast option, two pool bars, and a sit-down restaurant. In addition, you can pick up some quick snacks and drinks at the Marketplace.
However, with a full kitchen in your villa, you may not even feel the need to venture out to any of the on-site restaurants. We didn’t end up dining at any of them, but it was nice to have them as an option if we were too tired to cook!
Brewcoast Coffee Co.
A casual spot to pick up specialty coffee drinks and the usual quick breakfast options.
If the in-room coffee just isn’t doing it for you, make the trek over here for a better quality coffee.
Hours: 6:30am-1:00pm daily
Copa Loca Bar & Grill
This poolside bar and grill is located in the West Village next to the Plaza del Sol pool. We didn’t dine here but we did frequent the pool and the food options looked enticing.
It was a popular place for a casual meal and drinks by the pool. The blended drinks looked very refreshing.
On the menu you’ll find a variety of appetizers, such as a giant pretzel with cheese sauce, quesadillas, nachos, wings, and even cauliflower bites. There’s also a handful of salads to choose from and burgers, sandwiches, wraps and bowls. And there’s a kids menu as well.
Prices are average for a hotel pool bar, eg. $15-20 per item.
Hours: 11:00am-9:00pm daily
The Grande Cove Restaurant and Mist Pool Bar
This is another casual, quick-serve option located in the Main Village overlooking the Club Village pool.
Prices and options are similar to the Copa Loca but you’ll also find artisanal pizzas here.
Hours: 11:00am-11:00pm daily
The Grill at Grande Vista
This casual sit-down restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with nice golf course views.
Breakfast options include french toast ($11), biscuits and gravy ($9), and classic eggs bendedict ($15). For lunch and dinner, the mains are mostly gourmet burgers and sandwiches, ranging in price from $18-$28.
Hours: Breakfast 8:00am-11:00am, Lunch 11:00am-5:00pm, Dinner 5:00pm-9:00pm
Activities
One advantage to staying at Marriott’s Grande Vista is that they put on a number of daily activities for all ages and interests. Each week they print out an activities schedule, which we were given at check-in, but it’s also available to pick up in the lobby anytime.
The activities schedule shows all the resort’s planned social events, poolside fun, kids’ programs, and health and wellness activities. If you are staying at the resort for a number of days, there will be tons of activities to keep the whole family occupied!
From paint parties, to aquaFIT, to tea parties, dive in movies, and more, there is so much fun to be had, and it’s mostly all free! (The rare activity requires a small fee of $5 or $10).
Since our trip was primarily a weekend trip to Disney World, we unfortunately did not have enough time to partake in any of the activities. However, there were lots of activities that our daughter wanted to participate in!
Facilities
Pools
One of the main draws of Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort for our family was the pools. There are a total of four large pool areas at the resort, with a lap pool, splash pad and kiddie pools as well.
- Club Village Pool
- Golf Village Pool
- Plaza del Sol Pool
- Village Center Pool
All are heated so they can be used year-round.
Our favourite was the Plaza del Sol pool. It was a short walk from our villa and our daughter loved the splash pad.
The Village Center pool seemed to be the busiest pool and has a large screen for poolside movies. It was too loud and busy for our daughter so she preferred the Plaza del Sol pool. We didn’t get over to the Club Village or Golf Village pools, but we heard they are quieter and smaller.
Our daughter enjoyed the pools so much that we could have just spent full days at the pool without even going to Disney World!
Grills
If you love to barbecue, you’ll be happy to know that there are many grills available between each building for guests to use.
Playground
If you’ve got kids, there is an awesome playground located by the Golf Village, behind building 87. It was a short walk from our villa and our daughter absolutely loved it.
We were quite impressed with it for being a resort playground. It was well-maintained and not very busy. We often had it all to ourselves.
Sports and Fitness
There are many facilities to keep you active at Marriott’s Grande Vista! In addition to the golf course and fitness center, you’ll also find:
- Tennis courts
- Basketball court
- Pickleball courts
- Sand Volleyball courts
Golf Course
A big draw of staying here for Ryan was the fact that the resort has its own 9-hole golf course on-site! The Grand Vista Golf Club is a scenic course for a quick round during your vacation.
Fitness Center
If you’d like to keep up with your fitness routine while on vacation, there is a great gym located in the Main Village. They even have scheduled fitness classes (which you must make a reservation for) as well as aquaFIT at the pools!
Boathouse
Head to the resort’s boathouse for small boat and fishing pole rentals. Note that there is an extra charge for this, however.
Also, beware that there are alligators in the water.
Hours: 9:00am-4:00pm daily
Spa
If you’re craving some pampering and relaxation, head to The Spa at Grande Vista. It was being renovated during our visit so we didn’t get a chance to check it out, unfortunately.
Game Equipment
Outside by the boathouse you’ll find foosball and ping pong tables, as well as basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, and pickleball and tennis racquets.
Nearby Attractions
- SeaWorld Orlando – 2.5 miles away
- Universal Orlando – 7.6 miles away
- Walt Disney World – 11.8 miles away
Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort and Villa Video Tour
Final Thoughts
Our stay at Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort was a very pleasant one. Although not as luxurious as other Marriott properties we’ve stayed at, it suited our family vacation perfectly.
The nightly rate was excellent for what we got. We’ve never stayed in such a large villa at such an amazing price. Having a full kitchen, two bedrooms and two bathrooms was wonderful. The on-site activities, pools, playground and golf course were so much fun.
We would definitely stay here again for a family trip to Orlando and recommend it to any family looking for a spacious, clean and fun stay in Orlando.
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