Championsgate Orlando
If you haven’t been away from the kids in a long time (if ever), don’t fret. According to local counselor Kimberly Rodgers, LCSW: “Vacations without the children allow parents to de-stress, re-energize, and refocus with a fresh perspective. Parents easily get caught up in the parenting role and lose sight of who they were before having children. Spending social time with other adults or time alone away from home allows parents to reconnect with their identities beyond the parent role. A strong sense of self is vital to feeling fulfilled in life.”
Now that you’re convinced that a getaway is a good idea, it’s time to plan. My suggestion is a romantic spa/golf trip to Orlando (yes, romance and golf do go together!). I spent a few days over Valentine’s Day last year at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Our itinerary included a full day at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, two rounds of golf and several spa services at the Mokara Spa.
It was the perfect combination of activity and relaxation for two golf lovers! But, the resort offers so many amenities that non-golfers will enjoy it just as much. Plus, it’s a great compromise for a golfer/non-golfer couple. While the golfer is at the academy practicing new skills, the non-golfer can be relaxing poolside or using the spa.
The Omni Orlando Resort is a beautiful hotel with 720 guest rooms as well as larger villas. A formal pool for adults only has private cabanas. There is a huge family pool with an 850-foot lazy river, water slide and water tower. A poolside restaurant makes a casual lunch or drinks and a snack convenient.
We started off our stay with a round of golf the afternoon we arrived. ChampionsGate has 36 holes of golf. We started out on the National Course–it winds through 200 acres of secluded woodlands, wetlands and former orange groves. The scenery is stunning and most of it is wide open with nothing to obstruct the beauty.
We also played the International Course during our stay, an authentic links style course designed by Greg Norman. The course has 160 (yes, 160) pot bunkers. It’s tough, I won’t lie, but it’s so gorgeous that you’ll forgive Greg for the difficulty.
Our second day was devoted to learning! The Leadbetter Golf Academy is truly first class. Arriving at the practice range about 30 minutes before our lessons were to start, we found a mountain of balls set up for each of us with printed name plates. Everything is top quality and your needs are definitely anticipated.
The Leadbetter Golf Academy can accommodate groups and individuals for sessions lasting from one hour to half-day and full-day lessons, as well as one- to three-day retreats. The instructors are first-rate and I felt encouraged even when I was struggling with new skills. The one- and two-day “mini schools” offer full swing analysis plus instruction as well as a personalized plan for ongoing improvement. After arriving home, we received a link to our online video lessons so we could watch at any time.
After a day of golf, the next morning was devoted to the spa. You can choose from a menu of services including massages, wraps and body treatments. There are also full- and half-day packages available including the couples package–two hours of massage and body treatments that I can promise will result in unknotted muscles and peaceful dispositions.
Omni Orlando has several excellent restaurants on the grounds. Sushi and Asian dishes at Zen, Italian at Trevi’s, or steaks, ribs and fish at David’s Club are all options. Croc’s is poolside for casual lunches and there is also a grille at the golf courses. We had at least one meal in each of the restaurants and all of them were very good to excellent. The resort is also in close proximity to several casual and chain restaurants in the town of ChampionsGate.
Need a little more encouragement that a quick getaway will be good for your relationship?
Kimberly Rodgers concludes: “For couples, it is challenging to find quality time together and tune into one another when daily parental duties take priority, from homework to activities to household maintenance. Parents who vacation together without children are able to tune back into their connection before the family routine took over. Beyond just rekindling the romance, time together as a couple that is relaxing, fun, or adventurous allows their bond to strengthen when the children are not present and the focus of attention. Parents can also have time to complete important discussions that may often be interrupted by mini-me’s.”
Take Kimberly’s advice and make plans for a getaway now! You’ll find a unique combination of activity and relaxation that will rejuvenate and refresh you and your partner at The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.
One final tip: Be sure to sign up for Omni’s Select Guest Program. It’s free and you can sign up at www.omnihotels.com. As a member you get a variety of special extras including a complimentary morning beverage delivery to your room, newspaper and bottled water. There are also other benefits depending on the status level.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
1500 Masters Blvd., ChampionsGate, Florida, 33896, (407) 390-6664
The Resort offers a variety of packages and specials. For the most current information, check www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/OrlandoChampionsGate/SpecialOffers.aspx.