Four Seasons Resort adds job boost to area

ORLANDO, Fla. — As metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy hits its highest point in years, joining the competition is the The Four Seasons, which opened its door to its first guests Saturday.

The hotel is the newest addition to Walt Disney World resorts.

The resort is hoping to grab the city’s first five-star hotel rating.

“It’s 443 rooms, 26 acres and just a vast array for all of our guests,” said the resort’s manager, Ben Shank.

Shank said part of that array includes two sprawling pools, a redesigned golf course and a 5-acre “Explorer Island” just for kids.

Guest rooms start at $449 a night, all equipped with iPads for guests to customize their stay, with some touting a view of all four theme parks.

A special Florida resident rate is $269.

Shank said what truly sets the resort apart is service, with five restaurants and an on-site spa open to the public.

“I just know that if it’s going to be Four Seasons it’s going to be top notch and it’s going to be a retreat,” said guest, Tamara Muller, of Winter Springs.

Muller said she and her husband couldn’t wait to be first to check out Disney’s version of their favorite getaway.

“The competition is stiff here but we have a really great team that’s been put together. We feel pretty confident that we’ll get there one day,” Shank said.

WFTV found out 75 percent of the resort’s 500 new jobs were local hires.

With a roof top restaurant and more retails shops due to open in September, there are plans to add an additional 500 employees.

WFTV