You’ve probably seen the glass domes from the I-4. They look like giant greenhouses dropped into the middle of Kissimmee. Honestly, most people just assume it’s another massive Orlando hotel for people who couldn’t get a room at Disney.
That’s a mistake.
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center isn't just a place to sleep. It’s a 65-acre ecosystem that somehow manages to feel like a cruise ship, a botanical garden, and a high-tech city all at once. If you’ve stayed there lately, you know things changed significantly in 2025. The resort just finished a massive $134 million renovation. It’s not just a "freshening up" of the carpets. They basically ripped the soul out of the lobby and guest rooms and replaced it with something far more modern.
The Atrium Addiction (And the "Cold" Secret)
The heart of this place is the 4.5-acre atrium. It’s all under glass. It’s climate-controlled. And yeah, it’s kinda legendary for being chilly.
Frequent flyers here know to pack a sweater even when it’s 95 degrees outside. Why? Because keeping 500,000 plants and several different Florida "zones" alive while keeping thousands of humans from sweating through their suits requires some serious AC power.
The Three Worlds
The atrium is split into three distinct Florida-themed areas:
- St. Augustine: This is the history buff’s corner. It’s got a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos (the old Spanish fort). You can actually walk on it.
- The Everglades: It’s humid (on purpose), rustic, and home to the Old Hickory Steakhouse. There are literal gators and turtles hanging out in the swampy waters here.
- Key West: This is where the 60-foot sailboat "MOOR" sits in a 161,000-gallon lagoon. It’s basically the "chill" zone of the resort.
The new 2025 design moved away from the heavy, dark 1920s Spanish vibes in the lobby toward a Mediterranean Revival look. Think white oak beams, Venetian plaster, and way more natural light. They finally realized that people don't want to feel like they're in a cave when they're in Florida.
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Why Business Travelers Actually Like It
Most convention centers are soul-crushing boxes of beige. Gaylord Palms is different because the "commute" from your room to the Florida Exhibition Hall takes you past waterfalls and koi ponds.
It’s massive. We’re talking over 500,000 square feet of event space. The Osceola and Sun ballrooms were recently gutted and redone with $15.7 million worth of tech and decor. If you’re here for a trade show, you’re likely walking miles. Wear comfortable shoes. Seriously. I’ve seen people try to do the walk from the new Gulf Coast Tower to the exhibition hall in heels. It’s a workout.
The Expansion Nobody Talks About
In 2021, they added the Coastal Ballroom and over 300 rooms. The "old" part of the hotel—the Emerald Bay area—still feels a bit more "classic Gaylord," but the newer Gulf Coast Tower is where the modern, "Coastal" aesthetic really shines. It’s brighter. The rooms have 65-inch TVs and enough USB ports to charge a small army’s worth of iPhones.
The Dining Reality Check
Let's be real: Resort food is usually hit or miss. At Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, you have to know where to go.
Old Hickory Steakhouse is the crown jewel. They just spent $7.25 million on its renovation. It has a double-sided wine wall and is famous for its artisanal cheeses. If you want to impress a client or have a "real" dinner, this is it.
On the flip side, Socio (the Cuban-inspired bar) just tripled in size. It’s become the default "after-hours" spot. It fits 100+ people now, which is good because the old version was always packed. If you just want a quick caffeine hit, the Cocoa Bean is a Starbucks-adjacent spot that got a much-needed seating expansion.
Then there's MOOR. It sits on the water in the Key West atrium. They focus on sustainable seafood. Eating on a sailboat while looking up at a glass ceiling is a vibe you can't really get anywhere else.
Cypress Springs: Not Your Average Hotel Pool
If you have kids, you aren't staying for the marble lobby. You’re staying for the 3-acre water park.
It’s called Cypress Springs, and it’s included in the resort fee. It has:
- The Drop: A 35-foot freefall slide.
- The Falls: A 30-foot spiraling tube slide.
- The Action River: It’s like a lazy river but with a bit more "oomph."
- FlowRider: A surf simulator that will probably embarrass you in front of your teenagers.
The "South Beach" pool is the "adults-ish" area. It’s quieter, though still not exactly a library. If you want a cabana, book it weeks in advance. They sell out faster than you'd think.
The ICE! Factor
You can't talk about Gaylord Palms without the winter. From mid-November to early January, they bring in literal tons of ice.
For 2025-2026, the theme is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. They fly in master carvers from Harbin, China, to turn 2 million pounds of ice into a 9-degree walk-through attraction. They give you a giant blue parka, but you’ll still be freezing. It’s a weirdly magical experience to walk through a frozen North Pole and then walk 50 feet outside into 80-degree Florida humidity.
The Logistics (How to Not Get Lost)
The biggest complaint about Gaylord Palms is always the same: "It's too big."
It is. Navigating the 1,718 rooms requires a map, or at least a good sense of direction. The resort is basically a circle around the atriums.
Pro Tip: If you’re staying in the Emerald Bay section, you’re closer to the lobby and the "fine dining." If you’re in the Gulf Coast Tower, you’re closer to the water park and the newer meeting spaces. Choose your room based on what you’re actually going to do.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
If you're planning a trip to the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, here is how to actually do it right:
- Check the Convention Calendar: If there’s a 10,000-person tech summit happening, the lobby will be a zoo. Check their event schedule before booking if you want a quiet family getaway.
- Join Marriott Bonvoy: This is a Marriott property. You can use points, but more importantly, you can use the app for mobile check-in. The line at the front desk during peak hours is no joke.
- Pack a Layer: Even in August. The atriums and hallways are kept at "meat locker" temperatures to preserve the plants and the equipment.
- Book Dining Early: Old Hickory and MOOR fill up, especially on weekends. Don't assume you can just walk in at 7:00 PM.
- Explore the "Secret" Spots: There are hidden walkways and small garden paths in the Everglades atrium that most people skip. It's the best place for a quiet phone call or a moment away from the crowds.
Gaylord Palms is a beast of a resort. It’s loud, it’s grand, and it’s unapologetically "Florida." But with the recent renovations, it’s finally caught up to the modern expectations of luxury without losing the weird, immersive charm that made it a landmark in the first place.