Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate

By Terrence Jordan

There is no other way to begin talking about Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate than to start with the service. Each member of the staff is not only extremely adept at his or her job, but each one is unfailingly friendly and accommodating while performing their duties. Innumerable were the smiles and warm greetings I received from everyone, from the bellhop to the concierge to the General Manager of the resort’s two fantastic 18-hole golf courses. The entire staff of the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate is truly happy to serve you. In fact, the resort won the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotel Chains.”

One of the resorts many calling cards is its golf facilities. With two 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf courses, the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, and a 9-hole par-3 course, Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate has all the pieces in place to both improve and enjoy your golf game. Visitors have a plethora of options to choose from when it comes to the golf school, from private one-on-one sessions to three-day retreats. The school utilizes extensive chipping areas, putting greens, and a driving range, as well as the newest technology such as digital video, launch monitors, and computer analysis to build a solid foundation for anyone’s golf game.

The golf courses at the resort offer the perfect blend of enjoyability, challenge, and beauty. The National features several picturesque holes, my personal favorite being the 14th, a medium-length par-3 in which players can only see the top of the flag from the tee area. Shaping your line of view are trees that create a tunnel-like effect to the green, and any shot that comes up short will land in the hazard. This is a hallmark of both courses—intimidating shots that leave a lasting impression. The International course is heavily influenced by British links-style architecture. It features many holes that run alongside or over water hazards, and deep bunkers are everywhere. The fourth hole offers a fantastic risk-reward proposition. Long hitters can try to drive the green over water and a bunker that guards the front edge, but the safer play is to hit short and left of the green, avoiding the dozen pot bunkers that are sprinkled liberally throughout the fairway. Most holes give players options such as this, making course management of paramount importance. Luckily, all carts are equipped with a GPS system that gives exact yardage to the flag, as well as other landmarks on the course.

Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate’s goal is to “create memorable experiences.” While the service and golf accomplish this feat more than adequately, the food is the aspect of the Omni that is sure to leave an indelible stamp on each guest’s memory. Under the supervision of Food and Beverage Coordinator Gerard Sgrizzi, the cuisine at the resort is a sensory experience that those checking out will hate to leave behind. While there, I was lucky enough to partake in an excellent lunch on the sun-lit patio of Trevi’s, the resort’s Italian restaurant, that consisted of an array of flatbreads with wild mushrooms, seafood, and barbecued chicken, a stuffed eggplant dish, stuffed chicken breast, and the best marinated olives I’ve ever tasted. Dinner in the ChampionsGate room featured an out-of-this-world seafood spread that included enormous shrimp, stuffed lobster, oysters, clams, mussels, and even some filet mignon. The resort’s Pan-Asian restaurant, Zen, immerses guests in “The Zen Experience,” a sampling of about a dozen featured dishes such as sweet and sour pork, dumplings in peanut sauce, and sweet corn and chicken soup. A dizzying variety of wines can be chosen with each meal, so that guests can customize their dining experience to perfection. Without exception, each of the Omni’s restaurants is a conduit of exquisite tastes and beautiful presentation.

There are countless ways to spend your time at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Directly in front of the resort is a lazy river, water slide, pool, and hot tub for your aquatic pleasure. Exercise can be had on places other than the golf course, as the resort is home to basketball, beach volleyball, and a fitness room. Guests that just want to relax can receive one of dozens of massages, treatments, wraps, and facials that the Omni’s spa offers. I was lucky enough to undergo a deep tissue massage from the lovely Laurel, who, despite calling me Michael Jordan when I first arrived (although there are certainly worse people to be mistaken for), gave an excellent massage that I highly recommend. There is even a sauna and a steam room at the spa.

For three days, the resort blew me away from start to finish. The exhaustive work and preparation done by Vice President and Managing Director Andy Papoutsis and Director of Marketing Paul Pebley resulted in an experience unlike any other. While many resorts offer great golf, delicious cuisine, or superb service, not many are able to successfully combine the three. The ability of the resort to make guests feel at home truly does result in memorable experiences. From setting the unofficial course record of 92 holes of golf in three days, including 54 holes on the Omni’s par-3 course, to the amazing culinary experiences, to shooting pool at David’s, the resort’s sports bar, into the wee hours of the morning, my time at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate will not be forgotten. To create your own memorable experiences, visit www.omnihotels.com or call 407-390-6664.