Disclosure: This post is part of our media visit to Encore Resort n exchange for coverage. However, typos, misspelled words and opinions are 100% mine.

Skip the hotel and stay in vacation homes! Hotels have always been everywhere and we’ve experienced the struggles of staying in one. Space is very limited and everyone is in the same room. Laundry is at an additional cost. That’s why renting vacation homes is the best way to make the most of your vacation, while still feeling the comfort of being at home!

These days, you can stay at home while you’re on your vacation. Not your real home, of course, but it will feel like home at any of the fantastic homes offered by Encore Resort rentals. With these amazing rental options, you can have luxury accommodations and the comfort of being in a home all rolled into one relaxing and beautiful package. The resort is centrally located in Kissimmee for easy access to all the parks and outdoor adventure that this area of Florida has to offer, and its homes are both comfortable and modern, making for one of the best lodging experiences.

Luxury Accommodations at Encore Resort Vacation Homes 

Encore Resort home rentals are beautifully decorated and offer the latest home amenities. These homes range from 3 to 13 bedrooms, 2,000 to over 7,000 square feet, so there’s always plenty of room for couples or families. We were 11 in our party. The homes’ open concept designs blend their kitchen, living, and dining areas seamlessly throughout the interior of the home, and each home features a pool and hot tub for fun in the water and relaxation at the end of the day.

Themed Kids’ Rooms

There were 6 bedrooms on the second floor and 2 downstairs which was a perfect setup for families that include the elderly.  Every bedroom had a king or queen-sized bed, equipped with a smart TV. Encore Resort vacation homes do something particularly wonderful for kids. The homes have kids’ rooms that are themed! That means the kids get a comfortable, private room all to themselves, but they still have that vacation feel with themes like Frozen, Avengers, and more. It makes for space the kids will really love.

I recently had the opportunity to stay at the Encore Resort at Reunion in Kissimmee, Florida and I could not have been impressed with the experience. I was amazed at the decor and amenities offered at the 8-bedroom vacation homes where we spent our 3-day trip. The modern exterior greeted us from the street, promising a beautifully modern experience, and it delivered. With chic, modern decor that was inviting rather than sterile feeling – no easy feat – the interior was both welcoming and sleek.

Theatre

As with all Encore vacation rentals, our home featured a pool and hot tub, which was wonderful, but one of the many things that impressed me the most about the home was its theater room! OMG! I could see myself getting used to this room, I would spend endless days working there and watching movies! The screen was huge, an amazing surround sound and the recliners super comfortable! We all felt like millionaires in the comfort of a home mixed with the experience of a resort. Theater lovers will enjoy the theater rooms offered in these gorgeous homes. The rooms feature super comfy recliners (as you can see below) as well as a huge screen and sound dampeners on the walls to give it a real theater feel. It’s the closest thing to a theater you can get without leaving the house. Vacation homes are the way to go!

Garage Converted to Playroom 

Converting a garage to a living space is such a great idea! The resort home we stayed in featured a garage that had been converted into a playroom. Yes, we weren’t able to park cars inside the garage, but we parked 5 cars outside with no problem whatsoever. PLUS there is extra parking just a few steps away. Kids get bored easily, and even though the house was already big enough, having a playroom is the perfect way to keep them occupied and engaged when you’re not exploring on your trip.

The Beautiful Pool

Our home featured a lovely pool, as well. It wasn’t too big or too small. It was just right for taking a quick dip or just lounging on a comfy chair or soaking your legs in the water. Plenty of seating area around the pool and in the covered porch/lanai area. Our pool even had a hot tub built into (Complimentary pool heat is available upon request. Requests made while onsite must be done at least 24 hours in advance). It was such a great way to relax and unwind. I liked the fact that it didn’t have a chlorine smell. The pool was a great way to bond with everyone especially after a day at the water park or the theme parks. was with the grill by the deck area, we had ourselves one big-time pool party with barbecue and all! All the homes have a pool isn’t that the most amazing feature?

Catering Service 

Encore Resort at Reunion also offers Catering Delivery! Catering Delivery is a drop-off style catering service, with disposable serve-ware, plates, cutlery, napkins, and glassware. You don’t need to worry about anything. This is a great option when you are hosting a casual meal. Catering Delivery is available to your vacation home and other select areas on the Encore property. Hotels don’t offer this amazing feature!

The Encore Resort at Reunion Water Park!

Of course, the luxury accommodations at Encore are beautiful and inviting, but the resort offers so much more. It features all kinds of fun things for families and couples to enjoy. For example, it has its own water park! Located across from our home and a short walk away. I must say the water park is a great selling point! This was probably the peak of Encore Resort at Reunion.

The FOOD at the Water Park

Great food and drinks are available poolside from The Bis Grill (means “encore” in both Italian and French) They serve grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza, soup and salads, fruits, sandwiches and so much more. They also have a full bar with a big variety of signature cocktails. You have the option of ordering your food at the order window, at your lounge chair or in the cabanas.  We had a server come to the cabana and the service was incredible! It’s great to know that you will spend a day and not go hungry or a need to bring your food.

Private Cabanas

Private cabanas are available as well at an additional cost. They make a great area for getting out of the sun and relaxing in the shade. We loved ours! It was stocked up with towels, water, TV, fridge, lounge chairs, fans, and outlets (offered at an additional cost). When the boys got too hot or decided they’d had enough of the sun, they just ducked into the cabana for a quick cool down in the shade. Then it was back to the fun. I highly recommend reserving a private cabana.

Chef and Bartender Service

When you want to go to dinner but don’t want to leave the house, enjoy the Encore Resort Chef Experience. The resort’s talented chefs will prepare a delicious multi-course meal right in front of you! Their catering team helps guests pick the perfect meal from the Chef Experience Menu. After the food is prepared, trained servers will handle everything else from the set-up to serving and cleanup.

For a more interactive experience, you can learn to cook a gourmet meal in the comfort of your vacation home. Their Catering Team will work together with you to plan a great menu, whether you’re looking to prepare familiar favorites or are daring to try something new! This is a great opportunity for family bonding or just to experience something new.

Free Shuttle Transportation and Concierge Services

Visitors will also enjoy free shuttle transportation to the surrounding theme parks, the resort’s 24-hour dedicated service team, and fantastic dining options. This is a huge selling point for many families like mine because it cuts down on the driving you’d have to do in the area. That’s a big plus because Orlando gets very congested at times.

Encore Resort at Reunion is all about making your stay unforgettable and we can surely attest to that! Their Concierge Team is super friendly and willing to assist. They can provide the following services:

• Resort Information & Services
• Restaurant reservations
• Resort activity bookings
• Car Detailing Services
• Grocery Delivery
• Directions
• Babysitting Services

When visiting Encore, it’s all about relaxing so leave the driving to them! Besides offering complimentary transportation to the Disney, Universal, and Sea World attractions, for an additional cost, they can also arrange transportation to local destinations. Get some shopping done or head out to dinner on the town, to the airports, and more. It’s all part of The Encore Resort at Reunion’s dedication to service and vacation lifestyle. Does a hotel offer all that? I don’t think so!

There’s plenty to do around the resort. Adults and kids will enjoy going for bike rides using the resorts rented bikes. There’s also Camp Encore, a summer camp for kids, swimming classes, and Hang Ten Hideaway, a fantastic kids’ club featuring entertainment, activities, and of course, video games to keep the younger set occupied. AND ladies…..there is a SPA!  Relax and rejuvenate with one of the many spa services available. The Ultimate Touch Professionals Mobile Spa Services offers facials, massages, manicures, and pedicure, plus many other options, all in the comfort of your vacation home rental. They only use the finest botanical products that are not only beneficial to our body but good for the environment as well. That is great!

Get Your Attraction Tickets at Encore Resort at Reunion

Encore Resort takes relaxation a step further by taking the stress out of purchasing attraction tickets. They’ve partnered with KGS Tickets to provide attraction tickets to all the major theme parks in the Orlando area, making it easy for guests to get tickets to their favorite parks. While staying at the Encore Resort at Reunion, guests simply contact Concierge Services for ticket info. You would be saving time and won’t have to stand in line at the parks!

Finn Restaurant

For dinner on the first night, we visited Finns Restaurant, a full-service restaurant offering a casual atmosphere, delicious food, and fast service. Encore Resort’s, Finn Restaurant is a great place to have a meal as a family. Their menu has everything from flatbreads and salads to burgers and sandwiches. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so it’s always a great time to head over.

I have to say that the food was great and very well presented. When we ate there, we enjoyed fish tacos, delicious burgers, and one of the best breakfast sandwiches I’ve ever had and the portions were generous. They were some of the best meals I’ve had in a long, long time.

Tons of Activities for the kids

A cool place designed just for younger guests, Hang Ten Hideaway offers fun stuff to do every day! Their indoor recreation area offers fun games and crafts as well as a large screen TV and the latest in gaming systems. What I loved about the space was that it appealed to both young and older kids, alike. The young kids will love all the brightly colored games and toys, while the older kids will appreciate the video games and the comfortable bean bag chairs provided. The boys had fun painting their faces and wearing funny balloon hats. They just love to be silly.

Stay in Shape – Fitness Center

For those who are looking to maintain their fitness regimen, Encore has a fully decked out fitness center located on the first floor of the clubhouse. That’s perfect for staying in shape. It features several treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, and weights to help anyone stay on track with their fitness.

Encore Resort at Reunion – Clubhouse

In addition to Encore Resort being a luxurious Family oasis, it’s also the perfect destination for your next group meeting private-event, holiday parties, etc. From gatherings of family and friends to corporate and social groups to weddings!  With Orlando’s perfect warm weather and no real off-season, it should come as no surprise that it has become a top choice among couples seeking a destination wedding.

Whether you dream of an open-air ceremony, tented outdoor affair, or an intimate gathering with family and friends, Encore Resort at Reunion can accommodate your event in one of several beautifully unique settings. More than a hotel, more than a resort—Encore is a coveted, group-friendly destination comprised of vacation homes, a wide range of amenities, and gorgeous event spaces. Great event venues are available. Encore is ready to host your event.

Encore Resort offers the best of both worlds! Check out some of the amenities they offer that are not offered at any vacation homes rental nor at a hotel:

• Gated community
• Free shuttle to the theme parks
• Bike and Surrey Bike rentals
• Gated community
• Volleyball, Basketball, and Tennis courts
• Full-size Soccer Field
• 24-hour security
• 2 Full-Service Restaurants and 2 Full-service bars
• Dining Delivery
• Catering
• Spa Services in the home
• Fitness Center
• Water Park
• Pool Area
• Free WiFi
• Authorized Disney Ticket Seller
• Equipment Rentals such as grills, cribs, strollers and more

Indeed, a Luxury retreat without the five-star price tag!

Vacation Home or Hotel: Which Offers the Best Value?

My experience at Encore Resort was truly satisfying on every level. They truly strive to bring families and friends together to create lasting memories. The vacation home was immaculate. The food was superb, The atmosphere was relaxing. The amenities were fantastic, and – here’s the big one for me – it was more affordable than a hotel! Staying at a 3-bedroom home for $349 a night is a far greater value than staying at a hotel for $200 a night. At a hotel, you get a room. At Encore, you get a fully appointed home, a water park, free access to the parks, and so much more. It’s the perfect travel experience.

If you are planning next year’s vacation and are looking for an elevated experience, Encore Resort at Reunion is for you and your family! Check out all the rental vacation homes rates here.