If you're looking for a place that is 'hip', then let me advance the idea that Orlando isn't the kind of town you should be visiting!
WASP and worship for Portland based off a TV show...
Oh gosh, I don't want New York City, there's only one of those on the planet and it's in New York. I want Portland, Oregon but like Orlando. I want Palm Springs, but like Orlando. I want Seattle, Washington, but like Orlando. In short, I want funky and cool local culture, menus culled daily from the local farmers market and based on traditional local specialties, and old historic buildings oozing with charm and Politically Incorrect backstory but with hipster attractive people inhabiting them and creating new backstories.
In short, I was looking for a hip boutique hotel in Orlando, with a fun restaurant or bar attached. And I couldn't find one. That's all.
And my point is... that's kind of odd considering the tens of millions of people who visit Orlando yearly. But perhaps the Corporate Chain Vacation crowd really is the driving force there. Still, I thought maybe there was a little niche market for Portlandia style lodging that I didn't know about. Guess not.
It's okay though, because the Polynesian is getting old enough and weird enough to be hipster without trying.
Can't say there's a ton, but there are two options that fit the bill for me. I love Kessler's Grand Bohemian, which is probably the best (and only) example of what you're looking for in Orlando. Yes, it's a Marriott (formerly a Westin), but it's only flagged that way, and as soon as you walk in, it doesn't look or feel like a corporate chain in any way. The property itself is owned by Kessler, and he considers this one of his flagship Boutiques. His personal art collection is scattered throughout, as is a one-of-a-kind Bosendorfer piano in the lounge - sometimes the bar is fun, but if it's dead, just walk outside and find a place downtown. Good-to-great service, comfortable luxurious rooms and a great location for exploring downtown, which has a multitude of hip-ish (for Orlando) local spots to explore. Right downtown: Pine 22, Harp & Celt, Hue and a ton of others...then walk over to Thornton Park by way of Lake Eola and check out Dexter's and Graffiti Junktion...Also The Ravenous Pig in Winter Park and a whole bunch of places on Park Avenue, which is one of my favorite walking streets. Baldwin Park is a new neighborhood that's a reuse of the old Naval Base property and is filling in with some great neighborhood trendy places. It's not NYC or Portland, but for Central FL, it's getting there. My other hotel choice for a fun place to stay is Hard Rock at Universal. Feels boutique-y, fun lounge, and right off of CityWalk and the parks. I know Kimpton has been looking around in Orlando, so if they eventually bite, there will be another good trendy place to stay. I don't think it's Ace territory - still a little too down-south for Ace, but Bohemian's a nice start. And...there's always the Poly.Oh gosh, I don't want New York City, there's only one of those on the planet and it's in New York. I want Portland, Oregon but like Orlando. I want Palm Springs, but like Orlando. I want Seattle, Washington, but like Orlando. In short, I want funky and cool local culture, menus culled daily from the local farmers market and based on traditional local specialties, and old historic buildings oozing with charm and Politically Incorrect backstory but with hipster attractive people inhabiting them and creating new backstories.
In short, I was looking for a hip boutique hotel in Orlando, with a fun restaurant or bar attached. And I couldn't find one. That's all.
And my point is... that's kind of odd considering the tens of millions of people who visit Orlando yearly. But perhaps the Corporate Chain Vacation crowd really is the driving force there. Still, I thought maybe there was a little niche market for Portlandia style lodging that I didn't know about. Guess not.
It's okay though, because the Polynesian is getting old enough and weird enough to be hipster without trying.
Baldwin Park is a new neighborhood that's a reuse of the old Naval Base property and is filling in with some great neighborhood trendy places. It's not NYC or Portland, but for Central FL, it's getting there.... And...there's always the Poly.
Can't say there's a ton, but there are two options that fit the bill for me. I love Kessler's Grand Bohemian, which is probably the best (and only) example of what you're looking for in Orlando. Yes, it's a Marriott (formerly a Westin), but it's only flagged that way, and as soon as you walk in, it doesn't look or feel like a corporate chain in any way. The property itself is owned by Kessler, and he considers this one of his flagship Boutiques. His personal art collection is scattered throughout, as is a one-of-a-kind Bosendorfer piano in the lounge - sometimes the bar is fun, but if it's dead, just walk outside and find a place downtown. Good-to-great service, comfortable luxurious rooms and a great location for exploring downtown, which has a multitude of hip-ish (for Orlando) local spots to explore. Right downtown: Pine 22, Harp & Celt, Hue and a ton of others...then walk over to Thornton Park by way of Lake Eola and check out Dexter's and Graffiti Junktion...Also The Ravenous Pig in Winter Park and a whole bunch of places on Park Avenue, which is one of my favorite walking streets. Baldwin Park is a new neighborhood that's a reuse of the old Naval Base property and is filling in with some great neighborhood trendy places. It's not NYC or Portland, but for Central FL, it's getting there. My other hotel choice for a fun place to stay is Hard Rock at Universal. Feels boutique-y, fun lounge, and right off of CityWalk and the parks. I know Kimpton has been looking around in Orlando, so if they eventually bite, there will be another good trendy place to stay. I don't think it's Ace territory - still a little too down-south for Ace, but Bohemian's a nice start. And...there's always the Poly.
