
Now that the high-pitched whirr of skill saws and the unsynchronized chorus of hammers fell silent on the final phase of the $31 million-dollar renovation in the atrium of the Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld, the ultimate great room concept emerged. This fully re-imagined resort, conveniently located across from SeaWorld and adjacent to Discovery Cove, features the delightful luxury and distinctive dining that the Renaissance brand embodies for those who enjoy authentic expressions.
A lush and manicured tropical landscape of native plants presents the first impression, and a valet canopy of mosaic prints creates the picturesque and inviting sense of arrival that crescendo with an unexpected twist of savvy service at the registration desk.
“This is more than a renovation. We are building an entire experience worth discovering, enjoying and re-discovering,” said Jim Quinn, the general manager of the Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld. “We are across the street and next door to parks where you can interact with nature. This resort reinforces those experiences with a personal journey of discovery.”
In fact, there are 31 reasons to discover the delights that await meeting attendees and guests at this Renaissance.
Reason #1 – The Inviting Sense of Arrival. Whether our guests travel by plane, boat, train or automobile, we know the luggage haul. And that’s why every element of our greeting, from the ride onto the property to the décor and the savvy service, is designed to indulge the senses. When guests arrive at the registration desk, the staff notices an exaggerated exhale, as if to say: I’ve arrived. But the journey of discovery is just beginning.
Reason #2 – The Details are Covered. Renaissance Orlando Resort has one of the most seasoned hospitality teams in Central Florida, specializing in building extraordinary events. The knowledgeable and anticipatory staff has an average 9 years of service at the property. Each staff member is an expert in the area, from the restaurants to the attractions our staff brings old style service to this newly renovated property. Guests and planners can relax, knowing that the details are covered by professionals.
Reason #3 – Work or Relax in Comfort. Whether it’s an office, a living room or one of our 778 deluxe-spacious guest rooms, comfort is easy. In fact, our oversized guest rooms and the double vanity in each of the guest bathrooms provide a residential feel to the room. Each room features a high-definition, flat screen television and Internet access for maximum productivity.
Reason #4 – Get Lost or Find Friends in the “Great Room.” The 10-story atrium, bathed in natural sunlight, has 65,000 square feet of floor space where guests gather, work or just enjoy the surroundings. This is a perfect spot to locate a colleague and find a quiet place to talk during an intensive meeting. Within the great room concept, guests enjoy three different restaurants and lounges, including an American-style street café, a sports bar featuring classic boardwalk style and nautical elegance and a sushi and cocktail bar prominently located at the center of the atrium. The atrium and public spaces feature wireless Internet.
Reason #5 – The Place for Spectacular Meetings. With three ballrooms and 43 meeting rooms comprising of 185,000 square feet of meeting space, within the 185,000 square feet is a 65,000 square ft atrium which is the ideal location for food and beverage activities, this convention center has been the stage for spectacular meetings. Event staff at the Renaissance Resort at SeaWorld have organized indoor fireworks shows, penguin exhibits in conjunction with SeaWorld Orlando and much more.
Reason #6 – Among the Best Rooms to Space Ratios in Orlando. (Renovated 10/06) With 778 guest rooms and 185,000 square feet of meeting space, this resort can offer a generous amount of meeting space to groups requiring a meeting intensive environment.
Reason #7 – Championship Golf. A short shuttle ride delivers golfers to a challenging 18-hole, 72 par championship course with a driving range and pro-shop. Grande Pines is 7,102 yards of palm tree-lined, lush rolling fairways and greens. And for guests who are tempted by the lure of the golf course after they arrive at the resort, the pro-shop is prepared for pick-up games. Club rentals are available. Marriott Golf manages the golf course, so the service/operation is seamless for all guests.
Reason #8 – Distinctive Dining. (New as 6/07) With five flavorful food options in this resort, every palate is sure to delight. From the elegant Boardwalk Sports Bar, to the American comfort food at Tradewinds to the delectable sushi and cocktail creations at Mist, this resort’s culinary staff literally cooks something for every taste. And the food and beverage staff is lauded frequently for fanciful creations that are meeting specific.
Reason #9 –Fun Friendly Amenities. Three lighted tennis courts, an Olympic-sized outdoor pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and in-room entertainment are family friendly activities within the resort. Of course, shuttle services to nearby attractions, such as Discovery Cove and SeaWorld Orlando opens the doors to America’s Playground.
Reason #10 – Mist, Sushi and a Magnificent Media Bar.(New 6/07) Literally, the centerpiece of the resort, Mist is the sushi and cocktail bar in the atrium that sits beneath a large screen media wall of captivating undersea images captured by a professional videographer in the Florida Keys. Scenes of dolphins racing against a boat’s drift transitions to underwater scenes of humpback whales swimming majestically across the screen fades to clown fish of Nemo fame, swimming in the coral reefs.
Reason #11 – Savvy Service and Random Acts of Kindness. These staples of the Renaissance brand weave their way into daily greetings and non-routine service that illustrates the tenure of the staff. Because anticipatory service is the cornerstone of this resort’s promise, the staff here focuses on the little things that make big differences.
Reason #12 – Technical Knowledge. Large meetings and big productions don’t have to be big headaches. The professional audio/visual staff works with meeting planners, presenters and others to deliver the perfect meeting experience.
Reason #13 – Proven Ability. The American Automobile Association (AAA) awarded the Renaissance Orlando Resort its coveted 4Diamond Award for 18 consecutive years. And Meetings and Conventions Magazine has presented the resort with its Gold Key Award.
Reason #14 – 24-Hour In-Room Dining. Always on and always ready for guests, the kitchen staff has a 24-hour menu for room service. The menus are savvy and are a guaranteed win, no matter what time of the day!
Reason #15 – Successful Meetings. When meeting planners bring the agenda and the objectives, we provide the welcoming embrace, the flavorful dining, delightful luxury and savvy service that turn ordinary meetings into memorable events.
Reason #16 – Flavorful Foods by a Master Chef. According to CME Planner, Chef de Cuisine Rich Willerer’s modern cooking style is best described as contemporary American. Always attuned to trends, he portions plates for contemporary appetites and seeks ingredients that combine to make menu magic. Before coming to Orlando he went to college in his Detroit hometown, served as an apprentice for the culinary Olympic team and was awarded three Gold and two Silver Medals from the American Culinary Federation.
Reason #17 – Location! Location! Location! Across the street from SeaWorld Orlando, adjacent to Discovery Cove and one mile from the Orange County Convention Center, this resort is just off International Drive, which features nightlife, attractions and minutes from Magic Kingdom. In addition, just 15 minutes to the Airport.
Reason #18 – Unique Attitude. Slightly irreverent, always anticipatory and absolutely authentic, the staff has an attitude that reflects Orlando and Renaissance. Fact-50 of the staff member at the hotel has over 1000 years of combined service at the hotel.
Reason #19 – State-of-the-art Fitness Center.(New May 2007) This 2,088 square foot center features complimentary 24-hour access. The suite of cardiovascular equipment includes six treadmills, three recumbent bikes and two elliptical machines, all equipped with individual televisions for personal viewing. Life Fitness equipment, free weights and a yoga room complete the center.
Reason #20 – A Place for Pleasurable Business. At the Renaissance Orlando Resort, living well transcends normal life, where business and people come together and pleasurable business takes shape.
Reason #21 – Authentic Experience for your Travelogue. Parent/child moments happen every day at this resort. The pace of life slows to the beat of thoughtful conversations and travelogues are filled with memories made at SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, and other attractions and even in the atrium Starbucks.
Reason #22 – Inspiring Ideas. Sensational experiences and compelling presentations foster ideas and innovations that inspire. This resort built the wellspring where the senses will be stimulated and the journey promises to be one of discovery.
Reason #23 – Sensory Elements Build Lasting Memories. From the sense that a first impression reveals to the soothing sounds of the indoor water cascade in the atrium to the stunning images of sea life rolling across the Mist Media Bar, every experience at Renaissance builds on the next for a lasting memory.
Reason #24 – Meetings Where You Prefer Them. The resort features wireless Internet throughout the atrium and public places because business happens when people meet. The 65,000 square foot atrium features comfortable places to work, relax, network or collaborate.
Reason #25 – Sensational Spa.(Opening December 2007) Guests will decompress and unwind in style at the resort’s 8,000 square foot upscale spa, featuring traditional spa services that will help the journeying travelers escape, rejuvenate, rebalance and renew.
Reason #26 – A Champagne Greeting. Guests arrive in style. At registration, staff members present a glass of champagne and welcome each guest to the Renaissance Orlando Resort. It’s one small gesture that capstones the inviting sense of arrival.
Reason #27 – Lighted Tennis Courts. Three lighted tennis courts are adjacent to the Olympic-sized outdoor pool and cabana for those who enjoy mixing business with pleasure.
Reason #28 – SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove. Many of the guests, who come for business, stay an additional day for pleasure and visit these parks for amazing experiences. For example, swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove or spend the day with animal rescue specialists at SeaWorld Orlando.
Reason #29 – A Memorable Exit. Human psychology studies reveal that powerful personal encounters influence attitudes, perceptions and memories. When guests leave this resort, they will carry sensational memories of their journey of discovery with them.
Reason #30 – The $31 Million in Upgrades. This renovation investment turned ordinary into extraordinary, because the resort put its brand book on the table and re-imagined every point of service to build sensory experiences. As a result, guest interaction occurs with every step, every sound and every breath throughout the resort.
Reason #31 – Uniquely Renaissance. When guests visit for the imaginative style, they stay for the unexpected touches and extraordinary experience. Renaissance Orlando Resort is a little unconventional and its staff is refreshingly irreverent, but the experience promises to be unique, authentic and upscale.
There are $31 million in renovated upgrades and more than 31 reasons to discover Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld. Conservatively, there are millions of friendly discoveries to be made just off the resort’s property in the Orlando area. www.renaissanceseaworld.com
407.248.7343
dave.duncan@renaissancehotels.com
by Melinda Spaulding/ JoAnne Ratermann