Is Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — with caveats. Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa offers large villa-style rooms, extensive family amenities (multiple pools, a paid-entry water park, mini golf and kids’ activities) and an on-site spa, making it a good pick for families or groups who want on-property recreation; note the mandatory resort fee, separate Treasure Cove Water Park admission, and the property’s logistics when planning your trip.
In this guide
Getting there and location
This property is on an island reached by boat or ferry, with no road access and no cars; off-island places are reached by the resort’s boat transfer plus ground transport. The resort’s listed address is 9500 Turkey Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819 for booking and directions.
Shuttle service to major Orlando theme parks (Universal, SeaWorld, Disney) is available for registered guests on a scheduled basis; the resort does not list airport shuttle service. If you rely on public transport, expect transfers and longer travel times to Orlando International Airport or area attractions.
- Island-only access: boat or ferry + ground transfer
- Scheduled theme-park shuttle for registered guests
- No advertised airport shuttle
| Point | How to reach from the resort |
|---|---|
| Universal Studios / theme parks | Resort shuttle or arranged ground transport |
| Orlando International Airport (MCO) | Public transport requires transfers; no direct resort airport shuttle |
| On-island excursions | Boat/ferry from the island; check resort transfer options |
Rooms and villa options
Rooms range from studio villas to multi-bedroom villas suitable for large families or groups. Room names listed by the resort include Room (Resort Select), Room, 1 Bedroom, Deluxe Villa, 1 Bedroom, Studio (Villa), Villa, 2 Bedrooms, Villa, 3 Bedrooms and Villa, 4 Bedrooms.
Many villas include kitchenettes or full kitchens and multiple sleeping areas, which helps reduce dining costs for families. Expect villa-style layouts with separate living/dining areas and options that include whirlpool tubs in some units.
- Room (Resort Select): 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
- Room, 1 Bedroom: 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
- Deluxe Villa, 1 Bedroom: 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
- Studio (Villa): 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
- Villa, 2 Bedrooms: 2 Double Beds, 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
- Villa, 3 Bedrooms: 2 King Beds, 2 Double Beds and 2 Double Sofa Beds
- Villa, 4 Bedrooms: 3 King Beds, 2 Double Beds and 3 Double Sofa Beds
| Room type | Typical bed setup |
|---|---|
| Room (Resort Select) | 1 King Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed |
| Villa, 3 Bedrooms | 2 King Beds + 2 Double Beds + 2 Double Sofa Beds |
| Villa, 4 Bedrooms | 3 King Beds + 2 Double Beds + 3 Double Sofa Beds |
Pools, Treasure Cove Water Park and family activities
The resort features seven heated outdoor pools, seven hot tubs and multiple children's wading pools spread across the property, plus on-site family recreation such as an 18-hole mini golf course, playground, sand volleyball and sports courts.
Treasure Cove Water Park is a pirate-themed, paid-entry water park on the property with dual waterslides, a wave pool, a lazy river and a splash pad. Water-park admission is sold separately to registered on-property guests and has rules about swimwear, coolers and child supervision.
- Seven pools and seven hot tubs across the resort
- Treasure Cove Water Park requires separate paid admission (guest-only tickets)
- Children must be supervised at the water park; swim-diaper rules and ride height/age restrictions apply
| Facility | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pools | Seven heated outdoor pools (guest hours commonly 8:00 AM–10:00 PM) |
| Treasure Cove Water Park | Paid-access, hours listed separately (example hours shown as 11:00 AM–6:00 PM; weather-dependent) |
| Kids’ amenities | Wading pools, kids’ club (Wes T. Gator), splash play areas |
Dining, bars and on-site conveniences
Westgate Lakes has multiple on-site dining options for casual and family meals: Drafts Sports Bar & Grill (American sports-bar fare), Sid's Bistro (coffee, pastries and ice cream), Marketplace & Deli (groceries and deli items) and Cordovano Joe's (pizza and Italian-style dishes). Poolside bars serve cocktails and beer during afternoon hours.
In-room delivery is available (Cordovano Joe's and a villa menu), and Marketplace & Deli covers basic groceries and snacks if you plan to cook in a villa kitchen. Restaurant hours and services can vary seasonally, so check current hours with concierge.
- Drafts Sports Bar & Grill — lunch & dinner, casual dress, TVs for sports
- Sid's Bistro — Starbucks coffee, pastries, ice cream (morning/day hours)
- Cordovano Joe's — pizza, pickup/delivery/in-room delivery
- Marketplace & Deli — groceries, deli counter, snacks
| Venue | Typical offerings |
|---|---|
| Drafts Sports Bar & Grill | Burgers, steaks, draft beer, cocktails (reservations accepted) |
| Sid's Bistro | Coffee, smoothies, pastries, Hershey's ice cream |
| Cordovano Joe's | New York-style pizza, pastas; poolside and in-room delivery |
Spa, fitness and extra services
Serenity Spa by Westgate is a full-service spa on the property with multiple treatment rooms (including couples rooms), a steam room, sauna and a fitness center that offers classes such as yoga. Spa hours and a credit-card hold with a 24-hour cancellation policy apply to appointments.
Other practical services include complimentary self-parking and free valet parking, EV charging stations, free Wi‑Fi bundled in the mandatory resort fee, luggage storage and housekeeping on request. A refundable deposit may be required at check-in to cover incidentals.
- Serenity Spa: massages, facials, body treatments and a kids’ spa menu
- Fitness Center located at the spa with cardio and weight equipment
- Resort services: valet and self-parking, EV charging, Wi‑Fi included in resort fee
| Service | Key point |
|---|---|
| Spa appointments | Credit card required; 24-hour cancellation policy |
| Parking | Complimentary self-parking and free valet |
| Wi‑Fi | Provided and included via the mandatory resort fee |
Practical considerations: fees, rules and who it's best for
A mandatory daily resort fee is charged at check-in and covers items such as Wi‑Fi, miniature golf, bike/sport equipment and fitness-center access; the exact fee amount can vary by booking source. Expect a refundable deposit (commonly reported at $200) and specific pet fees if traveling with dogs.
The resort is family-friendly and works well for groups and families who want on-site activities and villa-style space. It’s less ideal for travelers who expect water-park access included in the room rate, those who want on-demand airport transfers from the resort, or visitors who prefer small, quiet boutique hotels.
- Mandatory resort fee covers Wi‑Fi, activities and some equipment rentals
- Treasure Cove Water Park costs extra and requires per-person admission for guests
- Pet policy: up to two dogs per room (combined weight limit) with a non-refundable pet fee charged at check-in
| Good if you want | Less good if you want |
|---|---|
| Lots of on-site pools, activities and space for families/groups | Water-park access included with room rate |
| Villa kitchen/kitchenette to save on meals | A small boutique or adults-only environment |
| On-property dining and delivery options | Complimentary airport transfer from the property |
