I Stayed There: Villatel Orlando Resort

Travel insights from Dr. Terika L. Haynes, CEO and founder of Dynamite Travel

Dr. Terika L. Haynes Published January 10, 2024

The Vibe

Villatel Orlando Resort is contemporary in design with very spacious accommodations. Each home has at least one themed room that is unique and is not repeated in any other home. The furniture and decor are modern but comfortable. There is artwork throughout the home that aligns with the decor. The location of the resort is very convenient, making it easy for guests to get out and explore Orlando. The resort is unique because guests can have a vacation home stay with resort style amenities and service. The target audience would be families, groups, sports teams or businesses looking to do corporate retreats. The privacy of each home allows the guests to create the ambiance that they would like to have for their vacation.

kitchen — *Photo by Dr. Terika L. Haynes*

How I Felt

Prioritized. When I stepped into the home, I felt like I was the very first guest that ever stayed there. The home was immaculate from top to bottom; all the furniture and decor looked brand new. The floors and walls were clean, and even the outdoor areas were very clean. The cleanliness of the home made it very inviting, and I was put at ease and confident that I would have a great stay. The staff was very attentive and timely with all of my requests. I was surprised to get this level of service in a vacation home setting. I truly felt like a VIP throughout my stay.

The Digs

My townhome style accommodations had four bedrooms, including one room that was a themed room with four twin beds for kids. Each of the other three bedrooms had king beds. Each room either had a bathroom that was in-suite or adjoining to the rooms. There was a full kitchen, a spacious living room with a large sectional and a dining room space with a table that accommodated eight guests. The home included an outdoor area with a pool, lounging chairs, a grill and a shuffleboard. Kitchen cookware and dishware were included along with bathroom toiletries.

kids bed that looks like a pirate ship — *Photo by Dr. Terika L. Haynes*

The Agenda

From the pool to the themed room and large gathering spaces, I had no need to leave the home! I spent my entire stay enjoying the home and all that it had to offer. However, the resort is located in close vicinity to Universal Studios as well as restaurants and outlet malls.

The Eats

Villatel is steps from International Drive, which is the home to many restaurants, allowing for easy dining out or in-home delivery options. The homes also have a full kitchen which allows for guests to dine in and cook meals themselves. I did a combination of dining out and dining in the home.

bathroom — *Photo by Dr. Terika L. Haynes*

Why I Would Go Back

The attention to detail and service are the reasons why I would return. The staff left no stone unturned and really thought of everything for an enjoyable stay. The meticulous cleaning efforts were impressive and some of the best I’ve seen in a vacation home setting. The location is also perfect and has easy and low-stress access to activities to help guests have an enjoyable Orlando stay.

Note: Villatel Orlando Resort just recently opened and is not fully completed yet. The property has additional homes to finish, and some amenities, including the pools and water park, are expected to be completed later this year.

About the Author

Dr. Terika L. Haynes is the CEO and Founder of Dynamite Travel, an award-winning, five-star rated, luxury travel and media consultancy that has been providing travel planning service excellence to clients for 15 years. Dr. Haynes, a savvy business professional, sought out to create a company that would not only assist clients with curating customized vacations, but would also assist clients with creating unforgettable travel experiences.

Breaking glass ceilings and creating unique opportunities is a specialty of Dr. Haynes. She is the recent recipient of the 2023 ASTA Travel Advisor of the Year Award. In addition to superb travel planning execution, Dr. Haynes has utilized the opportunity to engage the masses of travel enthusiasts by extending her services as a travel expert and contributing to notable media outlets. As such, her knowledge and expertise have been featured in leading media publications such as: Travel+Leisure, The Washington Post, USA Today, TripSavvy, Fodor’s, BRIDES, CNN, Real Simple, BBC, Reader’s Digest, Travel Noire and more.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a strong passion for Dr. Haynes Under her leadership, Dynamite Travel is certified by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), and U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce (USBC). Dr. Haynes serves as a Board Member and Treasurer of the Central Florida chapter of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). Additionally, she is a member of IGLTA, The Pride Chamber (Central Florida’s local LGBT Chamber of Commerce), the ForbesBLK community.