With luscious weather all year long -- give or take -- and gobs of sparkling pools, activities and staff to cater to your every need, you're one-visit away from the Omni Orlando ChampionsGate becoming your family's new all time favorite resort.

From a distance, the Omni Orlando duly impresses with a palm tree-lined entrance and formal arches proclaiming "Champions Gate." The sumptuous lobby is decked in sparkling chandeliers and miles of creamy marble floor -- all overlooking a view of a lazy river, pools, golf course greens and Orlando sky.

This place has it all. Well, obviously, in Central Florida they don't have a beach, but besides that if you stand near the Omni's pool, close your eyes and sway a little -- you'll swear you're in Maui. Located an easy 35-minute drive to LEGOLAND Florida in one direction and a breezy 30-minute drive to Disney World in the other, you can easily get to the mini-figures and ditch them for this incredible hideaway when you need to chill. And hideaway is an apt description of the Omni Orlando. This jewel of a resort is definitely off the beaten Disney path -- and good for it! -- you'll find yourself thinking. With so much hub and bub in Orlando you can easily end your trip needing a vacation from your vacation. Not so at the Omni Orlando.

Let's start with the Omni's pools. There's a lot of them. You'll find a beautiful zero-entry family pool with it's own water slide. Immediately next to it is the 850-foot foliage-laced lazy river -- a magnet for kids and adults alike. Nearby are two whirlpools and an elegant quiet pool flanked by spiffy cabanas for weary adults.

Need more? The Omni has 36 holes of championship golf, tennis, walking paths, a gleaming fitness room and a European spa. Kids receive a backpack brimming with toys upon arrival and milk and cookies delivered to the room on the first night. Camp Omni Kids Escape offers an active kids' club every evening so adults can get away and play.

But the Omni had me at their luxury villas. These two- and three-bedroom marvels stun with Pottery Barn-like decor, full kitchens, garden tubs and a washer/dryer combo. For those preferring a traditional stay, the Omni also offers lovely guest rooms (with refrigerators) and several full-course and casual dining spots.

For the LEGO-fanatics in your family you might want to book the Omni's LEGOLAND or LEGOSCAPE packages. In each you receive LEGOLAND Florida tickets for a family of four and a lot more depending on which package you choose.

The only downside to our stay at the Omni was that we planned two full days at LEGOLAND Florida and didn't pack in as much lazy river time as everyone needed. (We'll get it right next time.)

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