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How I traded snowflakes for palm trees: My winter escape to Caribe Royale Orlando

A sunny holiday escape at Caribe Royale Orlando

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Caribe Royale Orlando
Emily Caldwell / The Manual

I love spending time inside my cozy home in Pennsylvania, yet I try to leave the house as little as possible during the brutal cold weather months. Unless, of course, it involves escaping the state or the country for to get away to a brighter, warmer destination. Though I do appreciate the occasional snow day, the cold weather and short, dark days can quickly ruin my mood and leave me dreaming of a tropical escape. This year, I booked a last-minute quick weekend getaway at Caribe Royale Orlando, one of my favorite hotels in the Orlando area. It’s amazing how just three days of sunshine can turn your whole mood around.

An escape from the cold

Caribe Royale Orlando
Emily Caldwell / The Manual

As soon as you step into the lobby at Caribe Royale Orlando, it’s easy to see why so many trade cold-weather climates for Florida sunshine during the holidays and peak winter months. If you’re into the theme parks, this resort is centrally located just minutes away from Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, and SeaWorld. Whenever I visit Orlando near the holiday season, I love visiting Epcot to try festive foods at Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays.

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If you don’t want to step foot outside the doors of Caribe Royale Orlando during your stay, this resort is the perfect spot for a resort vacation all in itself. From warm-weather activities like pickleball and padel at the Sport Court to catch-and-release fishing, there’s so much happening right at the resort itself.

Festive food & drinks

Caribe Royale Orlando
Emily Caldwell / The Manual

One of my favorite parts about Caribe Royale Orlando is their festive pool area, which includes Calypso’s Bar & Grille. Even in the winter months, the pool area is truly the heart of the resort. For those of us visiting from the North, it can be tough for it to “feel like the holidays” when it’s nearly 70 degrees outside. However, this pool bar & restaurant does an excellent job of getting guests into the holiday spirit with fun, festive cocktails like the Mistle-Melon Punch and Snowflake Spritz. Other restaurants and bars throughout the resort also have holiday-inspired food and beverages, like The Grinch cocktail at the lobby Rum Bar and the Santa Cocktail at The Venetian Chophouse.

Winter wonderland decor

Caribe Royale Orlando
Emily Caldwell / The Manual

The property at Caribe Royale Orlando is beautiful year-round, but the team really goes all-out when it comes to creating a true winter wonderland feeling. Just because I’m escaping the cold weather and leaving the snow on the ground back in PA doesn’t mean I don’t want to get into the holiday spirit. Every area and space in this hotel is decked out with tasteful decor that truly makes the experience.

North Pole Express

Caribe Royale Orlando
Emily Caldwell / The Manual

I loved all the winter decor at Caribe Royale Orlando, however, my favorite is the massive 32-foot long chocolate ‘Caribe Royale North Pole Express’ train in the lobby. The first time I walked by this I didn’t even realize that the entire train is made of chocolate! This incredible confection is hand-crafted by the pastry team. Little touches like this set the hotel spot apart in the competitive Orlando hotel market. Though my husband and I were traveling to Orlando without children, I noticed little festivities around the resort like cookie decorating and the hot cocoa bar that will appeal to families looking to create a memorable holiday family vacation.

Emily Caldwell
Emily Caldwell
Contributor
Emily is a Features Writer at The Manual, where she specializes in food, beverage, and travel content. She focuses on weaving… Read Full Bio
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