This Walt Disney World Good Neighbor hotel is quietly serving up Orlando's best cuisine
This Walt Disney World Good Neighbor hotel is quietly serving up Orlando's best cuisine
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Caribe Royale, a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor hotel, is gaining recognition for its exceptional cuisine.
Executive Chef David Hackett prioritizes fresh, local ingredients, sourcing from nearby farms and suppliers.
The hotel offers a range of dining options, from casual poolside fare to an upscale steakhouse and a new sports bar with interactive experiences.
The hotel you choose for your Disney World vacation is much more than a place to sleep. It'll be your home base – where you recharge, refuel, take the little ones back for naps, and quickly commute to and from the parks. So, it should offer everything you want, including good food.
My experience with many Disney-area hotels is that good food – like amazing 'I drool just thinking about it' food – has always been hard to find (unless you want to spend big buckaroos at a five-star resort). That was until I spent one night at Caribe Royale. This affordable Walt Disney World Good Neighbor hotel is cooking up something quite special. And this 'something' makes it among the best food I've ever eaten in Orlando.
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So, what's the secret sauce? Complex Executive Chef David Hackett, who helms all the restaurants on site, blends freedom with skill and creativity. Since Caribe Royale is privately owned, he's not tied to a limited set of vendors like other hotel chains.
Ingredients are sourced from local farms, fishermen, and small ranches
Handpicking meat, produce, seafood, and other ingredients from his desired locations, Hackett upholds a standard that's hard for other area hotels to beat. Whether you're dining outside by the pool, in its upscale steakhouse, or at the hotel's new Stadium Club, an elevated sports bar and interactive experience, you can taste the quality in every dish.
When it comes to dessert, the same standard applies. Executive Pastry Chef Jessica Bingham has her kitchen make almost everything from scratch – from cakes and cookies to specialty candies and even popcorn. Ice cream, on the other hand, is sourced from an Orlando creamery and includes the hotel's signature flavor, Rum Cake Royale.
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The flavor is on point
With a colorful background that has included several years overseas, Hackett has cultivated global inspiration for the flavors he produces. At the Stadium Club, you aren't served your average tailgate-style foods. Asian-inspired wings (pre-roasted for the perfect bite), Stracciatella cheese pizza with whipped lemon ricotta, candied orange and rosemary bacon, and some of the best pork belly bao buns I've had in the United States are a few of its many dishes.
I feel assured about what is (and isn't) in the food
Unlike 'crunchy' moms, a term coined for those who live toxin-free and avoid processed foods, I strive for a natural family lifestyle but also believe that (almost) everything can be enjoyed in moderation – especially on vacation.
Indulging at Caribe Royale was guilt-free. You won't find most seed oils in the kitchen. Olive oil and fats like tallow and butter are preferred. Additionally, Hackett does not serve any plant-based foods due to their chemical content. To accommodate special dietary restrictions like vegan and gluten-free, the hotel gets creative with whole foods, even pickling their own vegetables.
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Mouthwatering food aside, Caribe Royale earns major kudos for convenience, comfort, and fun
Being a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor hotel means Caribe Royale is close to the parks, and families can enjoy shuttle service to and from the parks and Disney Springs (included in the resort fee).
All-suite accommodations sleep up to five and were recently gutted down to the studs. Each one-bedroom suite has a living room separate from where you'll sleep thanks to a door – a gamechanger if you want to hang out after the kids go to sleep or if your kids have trouble sharing a room.
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Need a little more space? Two-bedroom villas, which are in the pipeline to be completely renovated, sleep up to six and have full kitchens, ensuite laundry spaces, and access to a private pool. Both the suites and villas include accessible options.
Families can spend downtime cooling off in the main swimming pool with a water slide. A small fenced-in area features a kiddie pool and shaded playground, and there's an arcade a few steps away.
More fun can be had catch-and-release fishing at the hotel's pier (equipment is free to rent), biking or walking along the surrounding trails (bikes are complimentary), or at the sports court. On weekends, families can gather by the pool for movies under the stars.
For something you won't find anywhere else, rent out a sports simulator suite at the Stadium Club. You and your kids can peruse more than 10 sports and games, like pro-level golf and zombie dodgeball. (Worth noting: Simulator settings can be personalized, including for those who use a wheelchair, for a truly interactive experience.)
This Walt Disney World Good Neighbor hotel is quietly serving up Orlando's best cuisine originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
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