Marriott's Imperial Palms Villas Review Using Points
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The Marriott Imperial Palms Villas is part of Marriott's Vacation Club and offers a luxurious stay for travelers looking for spacious accommodations (3-bedroom villa), especially families or larger groups. Marriott's Imperial Palms Villas offers the largest rooms of any Marriott near Disney World. The Palms Vilas are about a 10-minute drive from Disney World, making it a great place for families.
Marriott Vacation Club resorts ordinarily are timeshare resorts, however they also can be booked using cash or Marriott Bonvoy points. There are several Marriott Vacation Club locations near Disney World, most offering one and two-bedroom villas. Marriott's Imperial Palm Villas is located on the same property as several other hotels including the Marriott World Center Hotel and Marriott's Vacation Club Sabal Palms, allowing guests to use the hotel's services at all 3 locations (there is a shuttle service the resorts)
Imperial Palm Villa’s Accommodations
The Imperial Palms features three-bedroom, two-bathroom villas that can comfortably sleep up to 10 guests, which is perfect for larger families or groups. The villas are huge, at approximately 1,600 square feet of space. The villas are equipped with a full kitchen, a spacious living area, a dining area, and 2 bathrooms, providing the space of a home. Traveling and having a full kitchen (full-size fridge and stove) and 2 bathrooms is a huge perk. The Villa includes a master bedroom with a king-size bed and a private bathroom, a queen-sized bed, and a third bedroom with 2 twins. The living room also has 2 pull-out sofas, allowing 4 more people to sleep in the same hotel space. Typical hotel rooms would not have had as much space or privacy as this 3-bedroom villa had. Each villa has a private balcony or patio, offering beautiful views of the resort grounds, and some even have golf course views.
In April 2024, we traveled to Disney World with my kids and parents. I wanted to stay in the same unit as my parents, yet have a bit of privacy as well. In this 3 bedroom unit, we each had separate bedrooms and bathrooms, yet had the same living room and kitchen area.
Having 3 bedrooms, allowed us to spread out and get comfortable for our 8-night stay with the comforts of home. The fully-equipped kitchen meant we could eat breakfast in the villa before hitting the parks. We were able to stock up on breakfast items and produce at the supermarket. It was so nice to be able to pack containers of fruit to bring with us into the parks each day.
Marriott Imperial Palms Villa's Resort Amenities
The resort has an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub onsite, a basketball court, and there’s also a children’s play area for younger guests all within a short walking distance from the hotel rooms. A big perk as a mom was each unit had its own washer/dryer. There is no need to go outside of your villa or to another floor to use the washing machines as in a typical hotel. This allowed laundry to be done easily during our stay.
Guests staying at Marriott Imperial Palms Villas also have access to all amenities at the neighboring Orlando World Center Marriott, which includes several swimming pools, a spa, a fitness center, tennis courts, family activities, and an 18-hole golf course. There are multiple restaurants and bars within the complex, offering a variety of dining options without needing to leave the property. Many other hotels charge for parking, however, the Imperial Palms Villas offers free parking.
Palm Villa’s Location
The location is a significant selling point. Being minutes away from Walt Disney World theme park enthusiasts. The easy access to the parks allows for a balanced mix of relaxation and adventure. The drive is under 10 minutes to Disney World and is very easy to navigate.
We didn’t hesitate to take afternoon breaks back at the hotel since it was so close to the parks. Most park days we did take a break back at the hotel before returning for fireworks or nighttime shows, and it was nice knowing the villas were just a short drive away. Taking a midday break to use the outdoor pool was a much-needed respite from the heat on many of our park days.
Despite its close location to major attractions, the resort still feels peaceful and secluded, offering a retreat from the hustle and bustle of Orlando’s tourist spots.
Using Marriott Bonvoy Points for a Free Hotel Stay at Disney World
If you are looking for a truly no-cost hotel stay near Disney World, Imperial Palms Villa is a great option. There is no shortage of Marriott Properties near Disney (Swan and Dolphin to name a few), however many charge a resort fee or charge for parking even if you are booking your stay using Marriott Bonvoy points.
We stayed here for 8 nights and did not have any cash charges associated with our stay. Other typical hotels in the Disney area will charge a resort fee or charge for parking. One caveat, it can be difficult to find availability when reserving the Palms Villas using points. When booking, I had to check the Marriott website and app regularly to find this stay available on points.
Having the ability to spread out and have the space of home but the services of a hotel is a very nice perk for family vacations. Having 3 separate bedrooms, allowed for adults and children to sleep on slightly different schedules.
I usually wake up before the rest of my family, and I was able to start prepping for the day without waking up the kids. This allowed us to get out the door sooner without cranky kids due to being woken up.
The Imperial Palm’s Villa also requires significantly fewer points for a much larger space than the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve. While Marriott Imperial Palm Villas do have their perks booking using Marriot Bonvoy Points (no cash outlay, fewer points per night, and more space), they do not have the perks of an “On-Property” Disney Hotel like the Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin do.
Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
Earning Marriott Bonvoy points to get your free stay at one of the many Marriott Hotels near Disney World is pretty simple using co-branded credit cards and general travel rewards cards. For general travel rewards cards, several are offered by Chase or American Express (be sure to verify the card's transfer partners for general travel rewards cards).
For Marriott Co-branded credit cards there are several offered by American Express (Bevy and Brilliant) and Chase (Boundless). The American Express Marriott Bevy, American Express Marriott Brilliant, and the Chase Marriot Boundless all offer significant sign-up bonuses that can be used towards your stay at the Marriott Imperial Palms Villas or other Marriott hotels near Disney World.
To make the most of your travel rewards cards, keep signing up for new cards once you have reached your minimum spending requirements for a sign-up bonus, make sure to charge all of your everyday spending to your travel rewards cards, and take advantage of using a travel partner (you each sign up for separate cards and combine or pool your points).
The Marriott Imperial Palms Villas is an excellent choice for families or groups traveling to Disney World who prefer the comfort of a spacious villa while still enjoying resort amenities. Its location close to Disney World and the option to access the world-class facilities at Marriott World Center make it a top contender for those looking for convenience, relaxation, and value.