The Best Boutique Hotels to Book in Orlando, Florida

Gables, sash windows and a wraparound porch welcome you to this boutique hotel in Orlando. In the Downtown area, it’s set in and around an 1883 Victorian home. There are nods to its heritage in some of the rooms, including period fireplaces, antique dressers and freestanding baths. It’s the leafy garden that sets this place apart from other Orlando boutique hotels, though. There’s a craft cocktail truck here that serves drinks with names like Jeepers Creepers.

The rooms at this Downtown Orlando boutique hotel are high spec. They come with 55in LED televisions, digital concierges, bathroom mirrors with integrated clocks, mobile keys and in-room tablets, which you can use to order from the on-site restaurant, Delaney’s Tavern. The drinks menu here features microbrewed beer and craft cocktails, and the food offering includes New American cuisine, such as tacos and pulled-pork sandwiches.

In Downtown, the luxurious Grand Bohemian Hotel is the last word in opulence in the city. The 247 guest rooms and suites are lavish, with lush velvet drapes, oversized bathtubs and wood furnishings. Awarded the prestigious AAA Four Diamond rating, it has many amenities, including the Grand Bohemian Gallery, in-room spa treatments and massages. Also, the red-and-black Bösendorfer Lounge has a grand piano.

Lake Eola is one of the most beautiful spots in Orlando, and as such, the Eõ Inn enjoys an esteemed local reputation on account of its proximity to the lake. Each ensuite room at the hotel represents a miniature oasis for escapists; some have a balcony with panoramas of Downtown and the Lake Eola Park area. Additionally, the hotel’s proximity to the fine-dining and shopping district of Thornton Park and the downtown club scene cement the property’s status as the leading boutique hotel in the city.

For beach bums who can’t manage a day out of the water, the Inn at Cocoa Beach, 18mi (29km) from Downtown, is right on the water’s edge. A stay in this surfing paradise means you can lose yourself out on the waves – after a trip down the road to the world-famous Ron Jon Surf Shop – or, if you prefer, in the comfort of your local craft-designed room.

This resort, once owned by legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, caters to the active and the relaxed traveler. For the five-iron folk, Bay Hill is one of the most beautiful and challenging PGA golf courses that incorporates 27 holes along the Butler Chain of Lakes. Meanwhile, for those who might prefer to stay in the clubhouse while family members play the green, Bay Hill offers the signature version of the Arnold Palmer cocktail.

The Lakeside Inn is a cool spot to get out of the Florida sun. Pull up a wicker chair on the veranda and watch as the sun sets over Mount Dora village and Lake Dora. When hunger strikes, the inn has several dining options, including the Beauclair Dining Room for Southern dishes and the cozy and casual Tremain’s Tavern.

A landmark on the Orlando hotel circuit, the Edgewater Hotel opened in 1927 as one of the most technologically advanced hotels at the time, and the current owners have strived to retain that ambience. There are antique touches, such as the original washbasins and the 1920s Otis elevator. For the urban explorer, the hotel lies on the doorstep of the 22mi (35km) West Orange Trail, and the Chef’s Table at the Edgewater is a great spot to dine in the evening.

The Castle Hotel, a Marriott-operated boutique hotel on Univeral Boulevard – and within touching distance of the main theme parks – showcases local design skills in the rooms. Enjoy a relaxing stay with elegant marble bathrooms and pillow-top mattresses. In addition, there’s the Antler’s Lounge, a social hub for mingling and cocktails.