“Which knife would you like sir?” A simple question perhaps, but faced with a box full when I was least expecting it, I was rather lost for words. It’s late morning in the Waldorf Astoria’s Bull and Bear restaurant and I’m experiencing their legendary Steak and Eggs breakfast.
It’s legendary because back in 2010 the chef cooked up a one-off breakfast for a group of food journalists and they’ve never stopped raving about it since. The Bull and Bear is an institution in the New York Waldorf, a fine dining establishment where money men discuss deals over cooked livestock, cigars and Bloody Mary’s. The Florida version is a little less intense but nevertheless just as fine as far as the dining is concerned. The restaurant is not usually open for breakfast, but just for this month guests had the opportunity to experience that very same steak and eggs experience for themselves. For $49 I got to eat practically a side of beef, two eggs, the most delicious monkey bread I have ever tasted and my choice of Bloody Mary (with celery or shrimp) once you’ve selected your own particular knife of course.
It was a memorable experience and a fitting finale to a splendid stay in one of Orlando’s newest and hottest properties. The Hilton and Waldorf Astoria hotels Orlando whilst clearly catering for very different audiences still manage to successfully share adjacent properties over a 482 acre slice of prime Orlando land.
The Hilton Hotel
The Hilton Hotel is a perfect base for a family theme park break, with regular free transport to the parks, a huge pool area and plenty of organised activities for the kids from a fully functional entertainment team. If you’re a Virgin Holidays customer your kids can also enjoy exclusive use of the Virgin Lounge where they can indulge in pool, free internet, PlayStation and Wii’s and get to eat at the hotel free with a paying adult! The rooms are spacious and lavishly designed with Serenity beds, flat screen televisions, wifi, free coffee makers and large comfy bathrooms with Crabtree & Evelyn bath products
The Waldorf Astoria Hotel
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The Waldorf Astoria is a sophisticated and stylish property clearly aimed at the high end market and pays homage to its New York sister with many trappings of the legendary original mixed with a contemporary Floridian twist. From the private pool cabanas and the leather luxury of Sir Harry’s bar to the Guerlain Spa and 18 hole golf course, there is an air of seductive luxury about the place that wholly embraces the Waldorf Astoria brand.
Getting there:
Seven nights in Orlando with Virgin Holidays including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick direct to Orlando, accommodation at the Hilton Bonnet Creek on a room only basis with transfers included starts from £969. Prices are per person based on 2 adults travelling and sharing a standard room.
V Rooms at Gatwick and Manchester
The Orlando Hilton and Waldorf Hotels are part of Virgin Holidays Platinum Collection and that qualifies you for free entry to Virgin Holidays exclusive airport lounges. Free soft drinks and food, wi fi and games rooms for kids. For non Platinum class holidays entry to the V Rooms are £20 for adults and £12 for kids.
