Craving Spas, Shopping, Great Dining, Fun, Relaxation? Plan the Ultimate Girlfriend Getaway in the International Drive Resort Area!
Let’s face it: everyone needs some down time. It is a proven fact (it must be!) that one of the best stress releases for women is to get away with girlfriends for some fun and relaxation.
 
Whether it is to celebrate a special occasion or to simply reconnect with your gal pals, the International Drive Resort Area in Orlando offers an endless menu of activities for the perfect girlfriend getaway.
 
Sample schedule:
  • Wake up late.
  • Call room service and order something that you would never fix at home.
  • Enjoy a chocolate body scrub followed by a citrus blossom manicure and pedicure (am I dreaming?).
  • Skip workout (you can do that at home!).
  • Take I-Ride Trolley (who wants to drive on a getaway?) to one of the area’s famous outlet malls and indulge your inner fashionista (maximize your buying power with great savings!).
  • Pack yourself and your purchases back on the Trolley and return to hotel for a swim and refreshments.
  • Long soak in a hot tub.
  • Throw on something Florida casual/chic and enjoy sharing tapas at Cafe Tu Tu Tango or go to Bahama Breeze for outdoor dining (a girl has to keep up her strength for another great day tomorrow!).
  • End the evening doing something really cool: take a walk through ICEBAR Orlando (warm attire provided) and end the evening in the Chill Lounge (you can’t do this at home!)
 
When it comes to putting together the perfect Girlfriends Getaway with your best girlfriends, the I-Drive Area has all of the components: great choices of accommodations, theme parks, shopping, spas, great dining and more shopping. There are also great opportunities to visit museums, art galleries and theatres in Orlando. So contact your friends and start planning!
 
 
The options are endless. Suite hotels, world class resorts, well-known chains. For any budget! Many accommodations have special packages for girlfriend getaways or will assist in creating just the perfect one for your stay. A list of accommodations is provided on this site.
 
 
Everyone can use a day of pampering with girlfriends to renourish and relax. If a fast-paced lifestyle has you craving some down time, imagine yourself in a soothing spa where the only decision that you have to make is what kind of massage you should select. Give yourself a break. Unplug. Escape to one of the area’s full-service spas or have a massage at one of the many hotels in the area that will set up an appointment that fits into your schedule.
 
At the New Spa at The Peabody Orlando, gal pals can indulge in ultimate relaxation with the spa's signature Mango Giner Infusion full-body massage.  Yum!
www.peabodyorlando.com / 407-352-4000
 
L’Esprit Day Spa at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando offers a full array of pampering, rejuvenating services to nurture the body, mind and spirit.
www.lespritspa.com/407-352-1100
 
The Spa at Hilton Orlando embraces the essence of Florida in its Neroli based products, treatments, and services.  Neroli is the essential oil that comes from the orange blossom and is known to have rejuvenating, toning, refreshing, and soothing qualities.  It is also known to promote cell renewal.  Enjoy a menu of services that enable you to rest, relax, rejuvenate, restore, and refresh.
www.thehiltonorlando.com / 407-313-4300
 
The Neu Lotus Spa at the Renaissance Orlando Hotel at Sea World provides a vacation indulgence, a stress reducer or a pre-wedding massage. The specialty here is making you feel completely at ease with packages like “my time-out,” and “lazy day indulgence.”
www.neulotusspa.com/407-248-7428
 
The Mandara Spa at the Portofino Bay Hotel, at Universal Orlando Resort, offers an exotic spa experience rooted in Balinese healing traditions passed from generation to generation. This is a sanctuary where you can relax and indulge in exotic Mandara signature therapies.
www.universalorlando.com/portofino/407-503-1244
 
The Spa at Rosen Shingle Creek harnesses the essence of Florida in a menu of spa services that include citrus and cedar-infused massages and body treatments. Relax and rejuvenate while you experience the warmth of a mud wrap, the comfort of a soothing massage, or the tranquility of signature facials.
www.rosenshinglecreek.com/407-996-9939
 
Body & Sol Spa at the Rosen Centre Hotel next to the Orange County Convention Center, offers a full service spa with a menu that includes pampering services with facials, massage therapy, body treatments and more. Short on time? Try the Escale Beaute (a hydra-flash facial.).
www.rosencentre.com/407-996-9840
 
Tips for having a great day (or treatment) with your girlfriends at a spa:
  • Talk to the therapist about the treatment. Let the therapist know where the aches and pains are so they can pay special attention.
  • Book treatments in advance. Make it fun! Let the spa know that you are with your girlfriends and ask for special amenities such as refreshments or a spa lunch. Plan ahead and select your services so that you will get the treatments that you want.
  • Arrive early and relax! Take advantage of amenities such as sauna to make the most of your experience. Depending on the type of treatment or package you purchase, many spas allow you to use the sauna, steam room and showers, as well as their “relaxation” or “meditation” rooms, before your treatment.
 
 
What is getaway with girlfriends without shopping?
 
Grab your purse and head for one of the great shopping complexes in the International Drive Resort Area: Orlando Premium Outlets - I-Drive, Pointe Orlando, Orlando Premium Outlets - Vineland Ave.
 
From designer boutiques with deep discounts to outlet malls with quality shopping at bargain prices, Orlando’s popular International Drive Resort Area is a well-known destination for serious shoppers who want to maximize their buying power!
 
More than 485 shops and outlets make shopping in this popular destination an attraction that is not to be missed! All at great prices, the area is known for its “shop until you drop” experience. Many outlets and malls offer discount coupons, group services and special promotions so be sure to ask.
 
Tip: Rosen Shingle Creek and Renaissance Orlando Hotel at SeaWorld both offer shopping packages designed for girlfriend getaways. Check out www.rosenshinglecreek.com or www.renaissanceseaworldorlando.com.
 
Do something totally wild!
 
Try something that you would never do at home!!
 
Swim with dolphin at Discovery Cove. It is an experience that you and your gal pals will never forget and you will have photos to keep forever.
 
Five of the world’s most famous attractions are just a hop from any hotel in the area: SeaWorld Adventure Park Orlando, Discovery Cove, Wet’n Wild, Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure. Be a kid again!
 
The choices never stop. Rent go karts at Magical Midway (this is a getaway!). Go bowling at World Bowling Center. Play golf at Shingle Creek Golf Club or Marriott Grand Pines Golf Club. If miniature golf is more your style, check out Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf or Putting Edge Fun Center. Go see a chick flick at Regal Cinemas Stadium 20+ IMAX at Pointe Orlando or at Cinemark at Festival Bay at Festival Bay Mall. Eat popcorn with extra butter. Laugh a lot. See Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando.
 
 
You have to eat to keep up your strength to have all this fun!
 
Cuisine choices range from fast food options to American, Brazilian, Caribbean, Chinese, Cuban, Indian, Irish, English, Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean, Kosher and much more. Dinner theaters entertain while you dine and attractions and hotels offer themed dining experiences. And don’t forget, room service! This is your getaway, so splurge!
 
For a fine dining experience, try Emeril’s at Universal Orlando, or the incredible Capital Grille at Pointe Orlando. On the north end across from Festival Bay Mall, Texas de Brazil serves Brazilian-inspired fare. Café Tu Tu Tango transports diners to a funky Spanish artist’s loft, where flamenco dancers, a palm reader and local artists at work serve as complements to the tapas-style meals. Have a great meal and purchase some art! Fun!
 
Popular Ming Court serves traditional Chinese cuisine and Japanese sushi. The Capriccio Grill Italian Steakhouse at The Peabody Orlando specializes in chops and prime steaks from Chicago’s renowned Ruprecht’s, fresh seafood and pastas. For some island flair, try the Tommy Bahama Bar & Grill at Pointe Orlando.
 
The award-winning Atlantis, located in the Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld Orlando offers ocean delicacies served amidst hand-painted murals. Sharks Underwater Grill at SeaWorld Orlando serves upscale, 'Floribbean'-style food as guests are immersed in the underwater world at the Shark Encounter attraction.
 
To help plan your perfect girlfriend getaway from start to finish in the I-Drive area, this site provides information and listings for accommodations, attractions, spas, shopping and dining. Most are accessible by the fun and convenient I-Ride Trolley.
07/2011