Salamander’s Reunion Resort

Photography by Salamander Reunion Resort

Travel is a natural response to the desire for a break from everyday life. We leave our normal lives, if only for a weekend, to venture to some unknown place. Some prefer the adventure of a backpacking trip across South America or Europe, while others favor the relaxation and tranquility of a nice chair in the sand along a beach. Then there are the travelers who combine these two elements for a vacation with a healthy mix of adventure and relaxation. For those who uphold this sentiment, there is no better vacation spot than the magnificent Salamander Reunion Resort near Orlando, Florida.

Originally founded in 2005, the AAA Four Diamond-rated resort sits on 2,300 spectacularly green acres in Kissimmee, a city known for theme park adventures and located just minutes from the Orlando International Airport. The property’s multitude of luxurious and recently updated amenities include a massive water park, a tennis center, a state-of-the-art spa, and three world class golf courses designed by golf legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. Exploring the offerings of Reunion Resort is a journey all on its own, and guests will surely find an activity that appeals to their desired caliber of leisure.

Blending adventure and relaxation is Reunion’s specialty, and it does so from the moment guests step onto the grounds. The vibrant blues of Florida sky and rush of green fauna contrast to perfection with the soft corals and yellows of the resort’s accommodations and facilities. Vacation mode sets in at the Grande Lobby check-in, where a tranquil fountain flows and even the lobby furniture beckons you to relax.

When vacationing at Reunion Resort, guests have a choice of accommodations: a one, two, or three-bedroom villa or a multi-bedroom vacation rental home. Each option includes spacious living and dining areas, a fully-equipped kitchen and a private balcony or patio as well as 24-hour guest services. Rental homes feature the addition of private pools, game rooms, home theaters, or putting greens. Guests of Reunion Resort enjoy shuttle service and unlimited access to the resort’s amenities.

It isn’t necessary to leave the comfort of your accommodations for breakfast or dinner, as Reunion’s in-room dining menus are extensive. But should you choose to venture out for a bite, the resort’s selection of internationally-inspired fare and beverages is impressive and appetizing.

The Sushi Bar in the Grande Lobby is an elegant option for an appetizer and cocktail after check-in. It also features a choice selection of beers and wines to pair with freshly prepared sushi offerings nightly.

Authentic Italian cuisine is a must on vacation, andForte Italian Bistro, located on the main floor of the Reunion Grande, is the perfect atmosphere in which to enjoy traditional Italian dishes with fresh seasonal ingredients and a wine list that boasts a signature regional Italian selection.

If you journey to the literal top of the Reunion Grande, you’ll find the unparalleled food haven Eleven, a progressive modern steakhouse that has won TripAdvisor.com’s Certificate of Excellence three years in a row. The restaurant lives up to its name in more than one dimension; it’s located on the 11th floor, it incorporates 11 hot ingredients on the menu, and it has a spice blend that is derived from 11 delicious spices. Enjoy Eleven’s chic ambiance, heavenly views, and curated menu with a glass of wine, then head to the rooftop patio for star gazing and a show of nightly fireworks from nearby Walt Disney World.

Other dining options at Reunion offer more casual food selections. The Clubhouse is just a short walk from the golf courses and features an inviting, laid-back atmosphere and an instantly recognizable menu of American comfort food. The Grill, located at the water park, and the Cove, which overlooks the Seven Eagles Pool Pavilion and Palmer course, employ a similar easygoing, relaxed atmosphere. Meals at the Grill are family-friendly, providing staples such as hamburgers, hot dogs, wings, and salads. The Cove has a lighter menu predicated on sandwiches, smoothies and other snacks.

With plentiful opportunities to eat well, it is necessary for resort guests to balance their palate’s adventures with more active endeavors. At the water park, which is situated in a lush tropical setting that stretches across five acres, families enjoy water slides, mega jenga, and a lazy river. The three golf courses at Reunion provide varying levels of difficulty for experienced and novice golfers, and offer a picturesque backdrop for those enjoying the scenery of the resort. Other activities at Reunion include tennis or pickleball at the resort’s award-winning Tennis and Pickleball Centre, which features clay “Hydro-Grid” tennis courts, group lessons and clinics taught by certified professionals, and a fully-stocked Pro Shop.

At some point during your stay, there’s a chance that you’ll be sore from a fun-filled day at the water park or after 18 holes on one of Reunion’s signature golf courses. Visit Reunion’s state-of-the-art Spa and Salon for a relaxing massage, body, or facial treatment in one of its five carefully appointed treatment rooms. Treatments range from 25 to 80 minutes and include tailored options such as the Golfer’s Massage, Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow, and Calming Recovery Facial. Pampering continues at the salon, where guests can receive manicures and pedicures, hair style and color, and special event makeup applications. Time to Relax, Reflect, and Revitalize is the Spa and Salon’s motto, and it could not be more true.

The unfortunate fact about vacations is that they inevitably must end. As the saying goes, “Time flies when you are having fun.” Your stay at Reunion will assuredly end too soon. However, the resort has no doubt left an impression, as it does for each of its guests as evidenced by the number who return year after year. For those who seek a vacation pairing of tranquility and excitement, consider the Salamander’s Reunion Resort, and prepare for just that.