ORLANDO, Fla. -- Grande Lakes Orlando continues to expand its myriad of activities with the introduction of Grande Lakes Outfitters, a program that features an Orvis-endorsed Fly Fishing School as well as eco-tours on Shingle Creek, the headwaters of the Everglades. This is one of the few luxury resorts in the U.S. to offer such a program on site and managed by the resort.
Starting at $60 per person, fly fishing and eco-tour adventures are available to guests at both The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels, as well as to all outside visitors. Grande Lakes Outfitters offers private fly fishing instructions, full-day fly fishing seminars, fly fishing tours with professional guides and private guided eco-tours on Shingle Creek. Guests can book the outings through the hotel concierge or directly through The Ritz-Carlton Golf Shop, which features the new Orvis fly fishing corner, offering guests the latest in fly fishing equipment and apparel. Upon booking, a Grande Lakes Outfitters “camouflaged real tree cart” will pick up guests from the hotel lobbies for their outdoor adventure.
“Our resort sits on 500 beautiful acres, located at Shingle Creek, the headwaters of the Everglades so its only fitting that we offer our guests the chance to experience the luxury of some of the natural surroundings,” said Marc Hoffman, vice president and managing director, Grande Lakes Orlando.
“As our director of fly fishing Matthew Calderaro is a seasoned fly-fisherman with years of experience and knowledge, we are able to join only a handful of resorts in the U.S. that can offer and manage such a comprehensive service on site, without using an outside company.”
Fly fishing activities take place on the 12-acre Shingle Pond (parallel to Shingle Creek), which sits on the most remote section of Grande Lakes. Here, Hyde Drift boats take guests out to the picturesque waters, where fly fishing enthusiasts reel in the catch of the day. During their fly fishing adventure, guests can also catch a glimpse of bobcats, deer and wild turkey roaming at the shoreline.
For guests who want to experience Florida’s natural preserves, Grande Lakes Outfitters’ interpretive eco-tours offer guided canoe or kayak tours of Shingle Creek. Guests can learn about the history of Shingle Creek and observe the native species in their natural habitat, such as alligators, bald eagles and bobcats.
Guests at both hotels can enjoy all the facilities and services at Grande Lakes Orlando, including the 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Greg Norman, the 40,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa offering a wide selection of natural treatments, baths and hydrotherapies, and advice from the world’s first Citrus Consultant.
For reservations, call: The Ritz-Carlton Orlando at 1-800-576-5760/ JW Marriott Orlando at 1-800-576-5750. For more information about Grande Lakes Orlando, visit www.grandelakes.com.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with over 2,700 lodging properties in the United States and 66 other countries and territories. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C, a winner of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1992 and 1999, operates 59 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. For information or reservations, call (800) 241-3333 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com.
JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts cater to discerning upscale travelers seeking a lodging experience of high comfort and prestige. The JW Marriott portfolio includes 30 hotels in 15 countries. For information or reservations, call (800) 228-9290 or visit www.jwmarriotthotels.com.
