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The Lake Nona Wave Hotel is a design-led, tech-heavy hotel in Lake Nona Town Center, southeast Orlando, about 7 to 8 miles by road from Orlando International Airport (MCO). It suits adults who want serious restaurants, a colorful rooftop pool and a calm base away from the theme park corridors. You must be 21 or older to check in.
We checked the hotel’s website, its booking engine and the MICHELIN Guide in October 2026. We did not stay there, and policies change, so confirm the details for your dates.
Quick answer: Book the Lake Nona Wave Hotel for a stylish adults’ stay near the airport, the USTA National Campus or Lake Nona’s Medical City, with MICHELIN-listed dining and free access to the Lake Nona Performance Club. Skip it for a park-heavy trip: Disney and Universal are 16 to 24 miles away by road, there is no park shuttle, and the rooftop pool has no slides or splash area.
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Lake Nona Wave Hotel at a glance
- Area/address: 6100 Wave Hotel Drive, Orlando, FL 32827, in Lake Nona Town Center (Orange County).
- Distances: By road, about 7 miles to MCO Terminals A and B, 16 miles to Epic Universe, 19 miles to Universal’s main garages, 20 miles to EPCOT and 22 miles to the Magic Kingdom parking area.
- Rooms and who they sleep: 422 sq ft rooms with one king (two guests) or two queens (four), 875 sq ft one-bedroom suites (four) and 2,266 sq ft two-bedroom penthouses (four).
- Pools/water features: The rooftop Wave Pool, open daily from dawn to dusk, with private cabanas. The hotel lists no slides or lazy river.
- Breakfast and restaurants: Breakfast is not included in standard rates. Garni Café serves it daily; the other venues are BACÁN, Nami, The Nectar Room and the Living Room Bar.
- Parking: Self-parking in the adjacent Wave garage, listed as complimentary on direct bookings. Valet costs extra.
- Resort fee: None on direct bookings, according to the hotel’s booking engine.
- Park perks: None listed, and no theme park shuttle.
- Best for: Couples, food and design lovers, wellness travelers, tennis players and early flights.
Lake Nona Wave Hotel photos
A closer look at the towers, lobby bar, suites and restaurants from the hotel’s own photo gallery. Tap any photo to enlarge it, or see the full gallery and current rates on Booking.com.
Location: Lake Nona Town Center and distances
The hotel sits in the middle of Lake Nona Town Center, a walkable district of restaurants, bars and shops that includes Boxi Park, an open-air food park built from shipping containers. Nemours Children’s Hospital is about a mile away by road, and the USTA National Campus about 2.7 miles.
The trade-off is distance from the parks, which lie on the far side of the airport. Most routes west use the SR 417 toll road, so read our guide to Orlando toll roads before you rent a car. The figures below come from OSRM route checks in October 2026; times assume no traffic, so allow more at rush hour.
| Destination | Road distance | Drive, no traffic |
|---|---|---|
| MCO Terminals A/B | About 7 mi | 17 min |
| MCO Terminal C | About 8 mi | 25 min |
| SeaWorld Orlando | About 15 mi | 25 min |
| Epic Universe | About 16 mi | 24 min |
| Universal (main garages) | About 19 mi | 29 min |
| Disney Springs | About 18 mi | 27 min |
| EPCOT parking | About 20 mi | 31 min |
| Magic Kingdom parking (TTC) | About 22 mi | 31 min |
| Animal Kingdom parking | About 24 mi | 37 min |
| Port Canaveral | About 46 mi | 57 min |
The hotel’s “eight miles from MCO” matches the road distance to Terminal C. To compare Lake Nona with other bases, see our guide to where to stay in Orlando.
Rooms and suites
Technology is the Wave’s calling card. Rooms list View smart windows that tint automatically and block 99% of UV light, an in-room tablet with a digital concierge, voice and app controls for lights, temperature and drapes, a 65-inch smart TV, keyless SALTO locks, Wi-Fi 6, a TOTO Neorest smart toilet and a Nespresso machine. Standard rooms add Frette linens, bathrobes, Ellis Brooklyn bath products, daily turndown and a mini refrigerator. You check in with the Living Room hosts or through the Wave App, which doubles as your key.
| Room type | Size | Sleeps | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| King or two-queen room | 422 sq ft | 2 (king) or 4 (queens) | Some with balconies |
| Well+ech room | 422 sq ft | 2–4 | Sleep-focused bed, circadian lighting |
| One-bedroom suite | 875 sq ft | 4 | Living area, wet bar, soaking tub |
| Penthouse suite | 2,266 sq ft | 4 | Two bedrooms, overnight valet |
Balconies vary. The FAQ says rooms and suites have private balconies, but the guestroom page says select rooms do, and the booking engine sells balcony rooms as their own category. If you want outdoor space, book a room with “balcony” in its name or a one-bedroom suite, most of which have one.
Well+ech rooms add a Bryte “restorative” bed, Healthe circadian lighting and air filtration. The two top-floor penthouses have a full-size refrigerator, a microwave and the option to connect a third bedroom for a charge, plus overnight valet and priority restaurant reservations.
The MICHELIN Guide lists 239 rooms; Lake Nona’s developer lists 216 rooms, 16 suites and two penthouses. Accessible rooms offer roll-in or transfer showers.
The rooftop Wave Pool and recreation
The Wave Pool is a rooftop deck with bold colors, metal palm sculptures and private cabanas, each with a sofa, a coffee table, a TV and curtains you can close. It is open every day from dawn until dusk, and cabanas can be reserved. The hotel lists no waterslide, splash area or lazy river, so this is a lounging pool, not a water park. For more pools with a view, see our list of Orlando hotels with rooftop pools.
The hotel also runs events such as garden yoga, live music and Wine Down at Wave (Wednesdays, 5 to 8 pm, at the Living Room Bar). Lake Nona has more than 40 miles of trails.
Dining, bars and breakfast
Dining is the Wave’s strongest suit: BACÁN and Nami both appear in the MICHELIN Guide’s Orlando selection. Hours are from each venue’s site in October 2026.
| Venue | Style | Hours at last check |
|---|---|---|
| Garni Café | Botanical café, 2nd floor | Breakfast daily 6:30–10:30 am; lunch, weekend brunch, dinner |
| BACÁN | Latin American, open kitchen | Dinner nightly from 5:30 pm |
| Nami | Japanese, chef’s counter | Tue–Sat from 5 pm |
| The Nectar Room | Cocktail lounge, 21+ | Thu–Sat 7 pm–1 am |
Breakfast is not included in standard rates. Garni Café serves everything from grab-and-go coffee and pastries to a full chef-prepared breakfast, and in-room dining is available. At the time of writing, a Bed & Breakfast rate added a $50 daily credit at Garni or for in-room dining.
BACÁN serves Central and South American and Caribbean flavors around an open kitchen; reservations are required and the dress code is smart casual. Nami, a Tavistock restaurant with its own entrance on the hotel’s west side (6004 Artist Avenue), has a dining room, a bar and an 18-course Chef’s Counter. The Nectar Room adds a 20% gratuity to every check. The hotel, BACÁN, Garni and The Nectar Room are all cashless, and Town Center’s casual restaurants are a short walk away.
Parking and fees
- Resort fee: None on direct bookings. The hotel’s booking engine shows an “anti-resort fee” list of what is always included when you book direct: self-parking, Wi-Fi 6, ROX Climbing Gym and the Chopra Mind-Body Zone, 25+ weekly fitness classes, the autonomous local shuttle, EV charging, bicycle rental, two bottles of water per stay and a weekly mixology class.
- Self-parking: On floors two and up of the Wave public garage next door, an 800-space structure according to Lake Nona’s developer.
- Valet: Available for an additional charge; the rate is not published, so ask.
- Pets: Under 40 lb, with a non-refundable cleaning fee of $150 for rooms or $250 for suites.
- Taxes: Added in the cart. In two price checks on the hotel’s booking site for November 2026 dates, “taxes and fees” came to 13.5% of the room rate, a point above Orange County’s standard 12.5% hotel tax; ask the hotel what the extra covers.
Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book. If you book through Booking.com or another site, check that listing’s fees and confirm with the hotel that parking and the other inclusions apply.
Getting to the parks and the airport
The hotel lists no theme park shuttle, and its FAQ says a car is the easiest way to reach it from the airport. Disney’s standard theme park parking was $35 a day at our last check, and Universal’s garages charged $35 including tax, plus SR 417 tolls.
- Universal and Epic Universe: About 16 to 19 miles, roughly 25 to 30 minutes without traffic.
- Walt Disney World: About 18 to 24 miles, roughly 27 to 37 minutes.
- Airport and cruises: Airport pickup costs extra. The hotel also sells a Go Port cruise package with MCO meet-and-greet and Port Canaveral transfers.
- Around Lake Nona: The FAQ points guests to Beep’s local shuttle, tracked live at lakenona.ridefreebee.com. Lake Nona says its shuttles currently run free on fixed routes within the community.
Wellness, fitness and other amenities
Guests get complimentary entry to the Lake Nona Performance Club, a 130,000-square-foot fitness and wellness center a short walk away. The club lists 150+ machines, three pools and an indoor track and turf, and was open 5 am to 11 pm on weekdays and 7 am to 7 pm on weekends at our last check. Spa treatments and the wellness clinics the hotel promotes are booked separately, so ask what your stay includes.
- On site: A Technogym fitness studio and a private yoga terrace on the third floor.
- Tennis: A bookable one-hour USTA lesson experience that includes transportation to the campus.
- Day use: Rooms from 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday to Thursday only, at the time of writing.
- Policies: Check-in 3 pm, check-out 11 am; smoke-free and fully cashless.
Who the Lake Nona Wave Hotel suits
The Wave is at its best for couples and adult friends who want good food, nightlife and a pool without crowds, which is why it appears on our list of romantic hotels in Orlando for couples. It also works for Medical City business trips, USTA tennis trips, early flights and cruise stopovers.
It is a weak fit for families planning several park days: there is no park shuttle, the pool has no slides or splash area, and the Disney parks are roughly half an hour or more away.
Pros
- A One MICHELIN Key hotel in the MICHELIN Guide’s 2026 US selection, with two MICHELIN-listed restaurants.
- Distinctive design, hundreds of artworks and unusually advanced in-room technology.
- No resort fee on direct bookings, with self-parking, Wi-Fi and fitness access included.
- Complimentary Lake Nona Performance Club access, plus an on-site gym and yoga terrace.
- About 7 to 8 miles from MCO, with Town Center’s restaurants on the doorstep.
Limitations to know
- The check-in age is 21, and the wording on younger guests is unclear.
- No theme park shuttle, and the parks are 16 to 24 miles away by road, mostly via toll roads.
- The pool is a stylish rooftop lounge without slides, and it closes at dusk.
- Breakfast is not included in standard rates, and valet parking costs extra.
- Pets must be under 40 lb, with a $150 or $250 cleaning fee.
What to check before you book
- The age rule: The FAQ says all guests must be 21 or older to check in, yet the hotel’s booking engine lets you add children and Booking.com’s listing says children of all ages are welcome. If anyone in your party is under 21, confirm the policy with the hotel.
- Balcony: Pick a room type with “balcony” in its name, or a one-bedroom suite.
- Where you book: The “anti-resort fee” inclusions apply to direct bookings; confirm them if you book elsewhere.
- Restaurant nights: BACÁN needs a reservation, Nami opens Tuesday to Saturday and The Nectar Room Thursday to Saturday.
- Offers: At the time of writing, the hotel listed 20% off stays of three nights or more and up to 10% off for Florida and Georgia residents and for veterans with valid ID.
Nearby alternatives
Lake Nona’s Aloft, Courtyard and Residence Inn are more conventional choices; our guide to the best hotels in Lake Nona compares them. To sleep right at the airport, see our Orlando airport hotels guide.
For a full-service resort with a spa and golf on this side of town, read our Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes review, and our ranking of the best luxury resorts in Orlando covers high-end options closer to the parks.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lake Nona Wave Hotel adults only?
It does not appear to be. The FAQ says all guests must be 21 or older to check in, and The Nectar Room lounge is 21+. But the hotel’s booking engine accepts children, and Booking.com’s listing says children of all ages are welcome, which suggests the rule covers whoever checks in. If anyone in your party is under 21, confirm with the hotel before you book.
Does the Lake Nona Wave Hotel charge a resort fee?
Not on direct bookings, according to the hotel’s own booking engine. It calls its inclusions an “anti-resort fee”: self-parking, Wi-Fi 6, fitness classes, ROX Climbing Gym, the local shuttle, bicycle rental and more. Taxes are extra. If you book through a third-party site, check that listing’s fees and confirm the inclusions with the hotel.
Is parking free at the Lake Nona Wave Hotel?
Self-parking is on floors two and up of the Wave public garage next to the hotel, and the booking engine lists it as complimentary when you book direct. Valet parking is available for an additional charge, but the hotel does not publish the rate online. Ask for the current price, and confirm parking if you booked elsewhere.
How far is the Lake Nona Wave Hotel from Disney World?
By road, it is about 18 miles to Disney Springs, 20 miles to EPCOT’s parking lot and 22 miles to the Magic Kingdom parking area. That is roughly 27 to 31 minutes without traffic, mostly on the SR 417 toll road. There is no Disney shuttle, so plan on a car or rideshare.
Does the Lake Nona Wave Hotel have an airport shuttle?
Not a free one. The hotel can arrange an airport pickup for an additional charge, and it sells a cruise package with Go Port that includes MCO and Port Canaveral transfers. By road, it is about 7 to 8 miles to the terminals, roughly 17 to 25 minutes without traffic.
Is the Lake Nona Wave Hotel pet friendly?
Yes. The hotel welcomes pets under 40 lb, with a non-refundable cleaning fee of $150 for guest rooms and $250 for suites. The FAQ also says many Lake Nona Town Center restaurants welcome pets on their patios, and the guest relations team can suggest dog-friendly spots nearby.
Bottom line
The Lake Nona Wave Hotel is one of Orlando’s most distinctive stays: a One MICHELIN Key hotel with two MICHELIN-listed restaurants, a rooftop pool and no resort fee on direct bookings, minutes from MCO. Choose it for an adults’ getaway, a Lake Nona work trip or an airport or cruise stopover, and skip it if you want short drives and shuttles to the theme parks.
Check your dates for Lake Nona Wave Hotel on Booking.com
Sources checked in October 2026: Lake Nona Wave Hotel FAQ, Lake Nona Wave Hotel guestrooms, Wave Pool, MICHELIN Guide: Lake Nona Wave Hotel, Lake Nona Wave Garage