Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club and Lodge

After my reservation somewhere else fell through on Saturday, February 14, 2026, I had a hard time finding a place to stay. Kat at this hotel was a bright spot in a pretty stressful night. She was kind, easy to work with, and found a room so she could book me for two nights. Thanks to her and the rest of the staff.

We came away feeling like we’d made friends for life with Mary Blanch and Verny, and I hope we cross paths again. We’re not golfers, so we were unsure whether an adults-only resort would suit us, but everyone from the front desk to guest services went out of their way to help us feel at ease. Alex served us at dinner for our 26th anniversary and knew his stuff, with real pride in his service. Chris at the bar was a lot of fun and made people smile. Thanks to all of you for making our weekend special.

We ended up changing our park plans because we wanted more time at the club. The kids loved the pool and spa area, and after a day at Universal it was great to come back to such a luxurious place. We tried the pool restaurant too, since it looked so good from outside, and the food lived up to that impression. With two children, some formal club restaurants and member-only evenings weren’t options, but our room had a cocktail bar for the adults. Sitting on the balcony with a Long Island iced tea felt pretty special. We don’t play golf, but I enjoyed the morning walk around the course after our café delivery, taking in the design and scenery. We’d found the Arnold Palmer Bay Hill club through a Hotwire deal for a five-star hotel near the central Florida parks, and it was on another level. We’ve traveled quite a bit, and this place really stood out.

The resort has changed quite a bit since the days when we used to see Mr Palmer there, but the updates have been good. The rooms are redecorated and much brighter, and they’ve opened up the Grill area so it feels larger. My husband enjoys the golf, and the pro shop staff are great. The team throughout the resort is always helpful and accommodating. I’m sure Mr Palmer would be proud of what his daughters have done with the place. He was a wonderful person. Once, when my husband’s grandfather was in a hospital in Pennsylvania, some of his golf friends told Mr Palmer that his biggest fan was there, and he drove up to surprise him. It was so sad when Mr Palmer passed. We love the changes and would definitely recommend a stay if you’re in Orlando. There are also plenty of good restaurants and things to do nearby.