By: Marcia Abramson
After about a half-hour's drive from the Orlando International Airport, I arrived at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Blending in with its Florida landscape was a charming Mediterranean-style resort, surrounded by two-challenging 36-hole golf courses.In spite of all the adversities that befell Florida prior to its October 2004 opening, Andy Papoutsis, the vice president and managing director, told me that he met his target date and the scheduled meetings and conferences in the off season kept the hotel hopping.I saw evidence of meeting participants, proudly wearing their nametags in the handsomely furnished lobby. This new pristine resort has poolside cabanas, a lazy river, towering palm trees and water fountains and is indeed a welcome sight in post-hurricane Florida. The two par-72 championship golf courses (the National and the International) were designed by President Bill Clinton's favorite golf great Greg Norman. Golf Magazine has included these fairways in the "10 Most Distinctive Places to Play." One is compared to the famed British Isles links style course and the other has an awesome American-style layout with 18 extraordinary shot-making challenges set amidst natural wetlands, tropical lakes and greenery on 900 acres of the 1,200-acre community. They have been opened for four years and are the locale for the nationally NBC-TV Office Depot Father/Son Golf Challenge. Golfing enthusiasts have recognized David Leadbetter as the world's best golf instructor with a "holistic" approach to teaching. His expert teaching staff has helped many guests improve their strokes and handicaps at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy's world headquarters at ChampionsGate. Meeting planners can also arrange for mommy and the kids to enjoy a day at Walt Disney World, which is only 10 minutes from Disney's gates, and the Omni Orlando Resort. Daddy can attend his meeting or arrange to tee off at the conveniently located fairways on the resort's grounds after a meeting session. Paul Pebley, director of marketing told me that the Resort was originally designed to foster productive meetings, but also planned for leisure activities for the participants and their families. There is also a fitness center, a formal heated outdoor pool, a family activity pool with water slides, nature walks and jogging trails, two lighted tennis courts, volleyball and basketball courts. I noted that the 850-foot lazy river seemed to be a family favorite. It is also anticipated that the golfers will make the two ChampionsGate Fairways a primer vacation destination for the whole family. My favorite leisure activities involve the spas and the Omni Orlando has a spacious, 10-treatment or European-style Spa with a variety of body scrubs, wraps and massages. I actually discovered the hot stone massage in Cancun, Mexico. The stones, used by therapists, had to be in pairs and had to be replaced if their uniformity was broken. I have found this to be the most relaxing and soothing form of massage and have recommended this therapy to all massage aficionados. At the Omni this therapy is called the "Ocean Stone Massage," but it is the stone held in the hands of the therapist that has the soothing quality which I found very therapeutic and do suggest that you indulge. You can also take various aromatherapy massages, deep tissue or Swedish massages at this spa. I decided on splurging on a deep cleansing facial and felt years younger in the face even if I didn't look it, but it did feel good. Patricia also gave me a great pedicure and manicure. On my next visit I hope to try the hair salon. I can also recommend the Omni restaurants for a gourmet dining experience. The Zen is an upscale Asian oriented eatery with Japanese, Chinese, and other Oriental delicacies. The ambience and service was excellent. Ciao's has an interesting Mediterranean menu with delicious meals served either indoors or outside surrounded by an aromic herb garden. Then, there is David's Club - a sports bar and grill overlooking the golf course, Croc's Pool Bar and Grill for wraps, burgers and desserts. It is hard to go hungry because there is also 24-hour guest in-room dining in addition to a ChampionsGate Clubhouse Restaurant. What a fantastic place for a meeting and a luxury vacation for the whole family including family pets under 25 pounds. And the Camp Omni for the children. For further information call 1-800-THE-OMNI.
Copyright by Marcia Abramson; E-mail: mascribe@aol.com.
