Luxury in Orlando is The Wave at Lake Nona
When clients plan a luxury trip through Orlando, the conversation usually starts with the parks. But a quieter question often follows, especially from travelers flying in late, sailing out of Port Canaveral, or simply wanting a more grown-up stay: “Is there a genuinely nice hotel near the Orlando airport that’s worth staying at for its own sake, not just because it’s convenient?”
It is a good question, because “airport hotel” usually means a place you tolerate for one night. I recently stayed at Lake Nona Wave Hotel, and it is one of the few properties in the area I would recommend as a destination in its own right. Here is what stood out, and who I think it suits best.
Where Lake Nona Is, and Why the Location Matters
Lake Nona is a planned community in southeast Orlando, about ten minutes from Orlando International Airport. That proximity is what first puts the Wave Hotel on a traveler’s radar, but the surrounding area is what makes it worth a longer stay. The hotel sits at the center of Lake Nona Town Center, with walk-able dining, miles of walking and biking trails, and an atmosphere that feels residential and calm rather than tourist-driven.
In practical terms, this makes the Wave Hotel a strong fit for a few specific situations:
- The night before or after a cruise from Port Canaveral, when you want to arrive rested rather than rushed. We have special rates that include the transfer! <— CLICK HERE to get a quote!
- Late arrivals or early departures at Orlando International, without settling for a basic airport property.
- A short adults’ getaway or business trip where dining and wellness matter more than theme parks.
- The quiet bookend to a family Orlando vacation, giving everyone a calmer night before the flight home.
The Rooms: Space to Actually Settle In
The first thing I noticed was the space. The rooms are genuinely roomy, with a layout that gives you somewhere to unpack, work, and relax rather than living out of a suitcase at the foot of the bed. The design leans modern and artistic, with in-room technology that lets you control lighting and temperature from your phone, though it never feels complicated or gimmicky.
For travelers who are used to cramped rooms near airports, this is the single biggest difference. A spacious room changes how restful a short stay feels, and it is especially valuable for busy professionals who need to work, or for families sharing a room before or after a long travel day.
Dining: Two Restaurants Worth Planning Around
Many hotels have a restaurant. Few have two that local diners seek out on their own. The Wave Hotel has both, and each has been recognized by the MICHELIN Guide.
Bacán focuses on the flavors of Central and South America, built around a dramatic open “theater” kitchen. Part of the experience is watching the kitchen at work, along with table-side touches that make dinner feel like an evening out rather than a hotel meal. It is an excellent choice for a celebration dinner or a group that enjoys bold, shareable flavors.
Nami is the hotel’s contemporary Japanese restaurant, more intimate and precise in feel. Its chef’s counter offers a small-format tasting experience for just a handful of guests at a time, which is exactly the kind of reservation that needs to be secured in advance. For couples and food-focused travelers, it is a highlight of the stay.
My advice: if dining is part of why you are choosing this hotel, plan your reservations before you arrive. These are not restaurants where you want to hope a table opens up that evening.
Fitness: A World-Class Club Just Across the Way
The hotel has its own fitness studio, but the real advantage is what sits just across the way. Hotel guests have access to the Lake Nona Performance Club, a 130,000-square-foot fitness and well-being center with group classes, an aquatic center, a climbing wall, golf training, and far more than any typical hotel gym could offer.
For travelers who keep a fitness routine on the road, this is a meaningful difference. Instead of a treadmill in a small room off the lobby, you have a full athletic club a short walk from your door. It is one of the reasons I see this hotel as a smart choice for wellness-minded travelers and for anyone extending a business trip into a few restorative days.
The Sculpture Garden: A Calm, Unexpected Highlight
The part of the stay I did not expect to love as much as I did was the Lake Nona Sculpture Garden. Set right outside the hotel, it is a 50,000-square-foot tropical garden featuring works from The Lewis Collection, one of the world’s largest private art collections, including one of Arturo Di Modica’s bronze Charging Bull sculptures.
It is a lovely place for a morning coffee or an evening walk after dinner, and it gives the property a sense of place you rarely find near an airport. Art continues inside the hotel as well, so even a short stay feels more like a visit somewhere memorable than a stopover.
Who This Hotel Is Right For, and Who It May Not Be
Being honest about fit is part of our job, so here is how I would summarize it.
A strong choice for:
- Couples looking for a refined, food-focused weekend in Orlando
- Busy professionals who want space to work and a serious place to exercise
- Cruise travelers wanting a restful pre- or post-cruise night with a transfer to the cruise port
- Families and multi-generational groups wanting a calm night before or after a park-focused trip
Probably not the best fit for:
- Travelers who want to be steps from the theme parks every day, since Lake Nona is a drive away from Disney and Universal
- Anyone looking for a resort with water parks or extensive children’s programming
Let Life is Better Traveling Help You Plan Today!
This is where firsthand experience makes a real difference. Knowing which room types feel most spacious, when to secure a seat at Nami’s counter, how to time a stay around a cruise departure, and whether this hotel fits your trip better than one closer to the parks is the kind of guidance that is hard to get from a booking site.
We plan these details for busy professionals, families, multi-generational groups, and travelers who simply want things handled well. When you book through us, we also look at whether any partner benefits or added amenities are available for your dates, so you are getting the most from your stay.
If you are considering an Orlando trip, a Port Canaveral cruise, or simply a refined weekend close to home, I would be glad to talk through whether Lake Nona Wave Hotel is the right fit. Simply fill out the form below and we will reach out to you soon.
