Complete Gaylord Hotels Guide [2026]: All 6 Resorts

Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Daniel Globe

Gaylord Hotels operates six large convention resorts across the United States. Each property combines guest rooms, restaurants, meeting facilities, a full-service spa, entertainment, and a glass atrium in one destination. The locations serve different types of travelers, from families visiting Orlando to convention groups meeting near Washington, D.C., or San Diego.

Who Owns Gaylord Hotels?

Marriott International acquired the Gaylord Hotels brand and hotel-management rights in 2012. Gaylord Hotels is now part of Marriott’s premium-brand portfolio, and all six resorts participate in Marriott Bonvoy.

Ryman Hospitality Properties owns Gaylord Opryland, Gaylord Palms, Gaylord Texan, Gaylord National, and Gaylord Rockies. Marriott manages those properties under long-term management agreements.

Gaylord Pacific is different. It was developed through a partnership involving RIDA Development Corporation, the Port of San Diego, and the City of Chula Vista. Marriott operates it under the Gaylord Hotels brand.

All Six Gaylord Hotels at a Glance

The figures below use each property’s current official description. “Total event space” may include meeting rooms, exhibit halls, pre-function areas, lawns, terraces, and other outdoor venues. Opryland is shown differently because its expansion is still in progress.

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee

Indoor Gardens and Natural Beauty

Gaylord Opryland is the brand’s flagship resort and one of the most recognizable hotels in Nashville. Its nine acres of climate-controlled glass atriums contain indoor gardens, winding paths, streams, waterfalls, restaurants, and gathering areas.

The Delta Atrium includes the Delta Riverboat, which takes guests on a short guided ride through the indoor waterways. The attraction helps make Opryland feel more like a self-contained destination than a standard city hotel.

Nashville Entertainment and Meeting Space

The resort reflects Nashville’s music culture through its design, entertainment, restaurants, and proximity to the Grand Ole Opry. Its current convention operation contains about 640,000 square feet of meeting, exhibit, and pre-function space.

Ryman’s expansion plan adds approximately 108,000 square feet, including a ballroom, breakout rooms, and pre-function areas. The project is expected to bring the resort to approximately 756,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space.

Dining, Entertainment, and SoundWaves

Opryland has restaurants, bars, markets, live entertainment, a spa, pools, and a golf course. SoundWaves is its indoor and outdoor water attraction, with separate spaces for adults, children, and families.

Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida

Gaylord Palms sits in Kissimmee near Walt Disney World and other Central Florida attractions. Its 4.5-acre glass atrium draws inspiration from three Florida regions and includes waterways, gardens, wildlife areas, restaurants, and places to relax in a climate-controlled setting.

The property has 1,718 guest rooms and approximately 519,000 square feet of total event space when Marriott’s indoor, pre-function, and outdoor event areas are combined. This makes it suitable for large conventions as well as family vacations.

Cypress Springs Water Park has pools, slides, water-play areas, and a rapid-river attraction. The resort also offers multiple restaurants, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and seasonal family programming.

During the holiday season, Gaylord Palms often hosts ICE! and other ticketed Christmas activities. Themes, dates, operating hours, and admission prices change each year.

Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas

Gaylord Texan stands beside Lake Grapevine, between Dallas and Fort Worth. Its 4.5-acre glass atrium uses Texas-inspired landscaping, waterways, stonework, and gathering spaces to create a strong regional theme.

The resort has approximately 490,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. Its event facilities include ballrooms, exhibit areas, breakout rooms, outdoor venues, and the lakeside Glass Cactus venue.

Gaylord Texan combines a 4.5-acre atrium, 1,814 rooms, approximately 490,000 square feet of event space, and a seasonal 10-acre water-park complex in one Dallas-area resort.

Dining choices include Tex-Mex, Italian food, steaks, American dishes, cafés, and casual poolside options. Paradise Springs Water Park normally operates seasonally, so confirm its dates before planning a trip around it.

The resort’s holiday program is known as Lone Star Christmas. Activities vary by year and may include ICE!, snow tubing, light displays, shows, and other separately ticketed experiences.

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland

Gaylord National sits on the Potomac River in National Harbor, just outside Washington, D.C. Its 19-story glass atrium contains approximately 1.5 acres of indoor gardens and offers views toward the river and waterfront.

The resort has 1,996 rooms and suites and approximately 546,889 square feet of total event space. Its location works well for national associations, government-related meetings, corporate events, and travelers who want to combine a resort stay with Washington-area sightseeing.

The property includes restaurants, bars, an indoor pool, a spa, a fitness center, and access to National Harbor’s shops, restaurants, waterfront paths, and attractions.

Gaylord National does not have a full water park like Opryland, Palms, Texan, Rockies, or Pacific. Families choosing between the properties should consider whether a large water attraction is an important part of the trip.

Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado

Gaylord Rockies is in Aurora near Denver International Airport and the Front Range. Its design uses stone, timber, fireplaces, water features, and mountain-inspired details rather than copying a traditional ski lodge.

The property has 1,387 guest rooms and 114 suites, for a combined total of 1,501 accommodations. Marriott lists approximately 526,457 square feet of total event space across its meeting rooms, exhibition areas, ballrooms, pre-function spaces, lawns, and other venues.

Arapahoe Springs Water Park includes indoor and outdoor water features, pools, slides, and family areas. Operating schedules and access rules can vary by season and reservation type.

Guests can also use the Relâche Spa, fitness center, restaurants, bars, outdoor lawns, and resort activities. The location is convenient for travelers who want mountain views without staying deep in a ski-resort community.

Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista, California

Gaylord Pacific opened on May 15, 2025, as the sixth Gaylord resort and the brand’s first West Coast property. The approximately $1.3 billion development sits on the Chula Vista Bayfront, about seven miles from downtown San Diego.

The property has 1,600 rooms, including 89 suites. Marriott’s opening announcement reported more than 477,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, four ballrooms, 67 breakout rooms, and large waterfront event areas.

The California Ballroom and Exhibit Hall is a combined 140,049-square-foot space that can hold thousands of attendees. Because Marriott’s property pages separate indoor, outdoor, ballroom, exhibit, and pre-function measurements in different ways, planners should use the resort’s current capacity chart when comparing a specific room or setup.

The 4.25-acre water park includes a lazy river, wave pool, slides, and multiple swimming areas. The resort also offers an airy glass atrium, on-site restaurants, bars, a market, a fitness center, coastal paths, and Relâche Spa.

Which Gaylord Hotels Have Water Parks?

Five of the six Gaylord resorts advertise a full water park or major water attraction. Gaylord National has an indoor pool but does not have the same type of large water-park complex.

• Opryland: SoundWaves, an indoor and outdoor water attraction with package-based access rules.
• Palms: Cypress Springs Water Park, with slides, pools, water-play areas, and a rapid river.
• Texan: Paradise Springs Water Park, which normally runs seasonally.
• National: Indoor pool and water features, but no full Gaylord water park.
• Rockies: Arapahoe Springs Water Park with indoor and outdoor areas.
• Pacific: A 4.25-acre water park with a lazy river, wave pool, slides, and pools.

Unique Features and Amenities at Each Gaylord Hotel

Every property follows the same all-under-one-roof concept, but each resort has a different regional identity.

• Gaylord Opryland: Nine acres of indoor gardens, the Delta Riverboat, Nashville entertainment, and SoundWaves.
• Gaylord Palms: Florida-themed atrium areas, Cypress Springs Water Park, and easy access to Orlando-area theme parks.
• Gaylord Texan: Lake Grapevine setting, Texas-themed atrium, Paradise Springs, and Lone Star Christmas.
• Gaylord National: A 19-story atrium, Potomac River views, and the closest Gaylord location to Washington, D.C.
• Gaylord Rockies: Front Range views, mountain-inspired design, Arapahoe Springs, and convenient airport access.
• Gaylord Pacific: Chula Vista Bayfront setting, 4.25-acre water park, coastal atrium, and extensive West Coast convention facilities.

All six resorts have Relâche spa facilities. Restaurant choices, seasonal activities, ticketed attractions, and operating schedules vary by property.

Marriott Bonvoy and Loyalty Benefits

All six Gaylord Hotels participate in Marriott Bonvoy. Members can earn points on qualifying room rates and eligible hotel charges. Dining, beverages, spa treatments, golf, and other resort-operated services may earn points when they meet Marriott’s qualifying-charge rules.

Members generally earn 10 base points per eligible U.S. dollar at Gaylord Hotels. Taxes, resort fees, parking, retail purchases, third-party services, award redemptions, and certain group or third-party rates may not qualify.

Eligible elite members may receive benefits such as bonus points, room upgrades, or late checkout. The exact benefit depends on the member’s tier, the rate booked, program terms, and availability at the hotel.

Costs and Tips for Planning Your Visit

Compare the Full Price, Not Only the Room Rate

The lowest advertised rate may not include taxes, parking, mandatory resort or destination fees, water-park access, holiday-event tickets, or premium activities. Review the final booking page and package terms before completing payment.

Book Early for Holidays and Large Conventions

Rooms can sell out during major conferences, school breaks, Christmas programs, and popular summer weekends. Booking early usually gives you a wider choice of room types and package options.

Check Attraction Access Before You Arrive

Do not assume every pool, water park, show, or holiday attraction is included. Some experiences require a separate ticket, an eligible overnight package, a registered-guest wristband, or an advance reservation.

Plan for a Large Resort

Gaylord properties are much larger than standard hotels. Review the resort map, download the Gaylord Hotels app, and allow extra walking time between your room, restaurants, parking areas, convention halls, and attractions.

Pack for the Property and Season

Bring comfortable walking shoes and clothing suited to both indoor and outdoor activities. Pack swimwear when visiting a property with a water park. For winter ICE! events, Gaylord normally supplies parkas, but warm clothing, closed shoes, and gloves can make the experience more comfortable.

How to Choose the Right Gaylord Hotel

Choose Gaylord Opryland when Nashville music, indoor gardens, SoundWaves, or maximum convention capacity matters most.

Choose Gaylord Palms for a Central Florida family trip that combines a resort water park with access to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and other theme parks.

Choose Gaylord Texan for Dallas-Fort Worth access, a lakefront setting, a seasonal water park, and a strong Christmas program.

Choose Gaylord National for Washington-area sightseeing, Potomac River views, National Harbor dining, or a large national convention. Choose another property when a full water park is essential.

Choose Gaylord Rockies for mountain views, access to Denver International Airport, a family water park, and one of the brand’s largest event operations.

Choose Gaylord Pacific for a coastal Southern California stay, a new resort environment, a 4.25-acre water park, or a large West Coast convention near San Diego.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Gaylord Hotels are there?

There are six Gaylord Hotels. They are Gaylord Opryland, Gaylord Palms, Gaylord Texan, Gaylord National, Gaylord Rockies, and Gaylord Pacific.

Where are the Gaylord Hotels located?

The resorts are in Nashville, Tennessee; Kissimmee, Florida; Grapevine, Texas; National Harbor, Maryland; Aurora, Colorado; and Chula Vista, California.

Who owns Gaylord Hotels?

Marriott International owns the Gaylord Hotels brand and manages all six resorts. Ryman Hospitality Properties owns five resort properties. Gaylord Pacific was developed under a separate partnership involving RIDA Development, the Port of San Diego, and the City of Chula Vista.

Are there any international Gaylord Hotels?

No. Gaylord’s official brand page currently lists six resorts, all in the United States.

Are any new Gaylord Hotels planned?

Gaylord Pacific opened on May 15, 2025, as the sixth property. As of July 25, 2026, Gaylord’s official brand and press pages do not announce a seventh resort. Opryland does have a major meeting-space expansion expected to finish around mid-2027.

Which Gaylord Hotel has the most meeting space?

Gaylord Opryland is expected to have the largest meeting operation after its expansion, with approximately 756,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space. Before completion, official figures and measurement methods vary by property.

Are Gaylord Hotels part of Marriott Bonvoy?

Yes. All six participate in Marriott Bonvoy. Members can earn points on qualifying stays and eligible charges and redeem points for eligible award stays. Benefits depend on the booking channel, rate, membership tier, and program terms.

What is the ICE! event at Gaylord Hotels?

ICE! is a seasonal, ticketed holiday attraction offered at select Gaylord resorts. Artisans create themed scenes from millions of pounds of carved ice. Participating resorts, themes, schedules, and ticket prices can change each year.

Can you visit a Gaylord Hotel without staying overnight?

Some restaurants, atriums, shops, and ticketed seasonal events may be available to day visitors. Water parks, pools, parking, and resort activities have property-specific restrictions. Check the resort’s official visitor and ticket rules before traveling.

Choosing a Gaylord Hotel means choosing a resort designed to keep dining, entertainment, meetings, spa services, and family activities close together. Compare the location, water attractions, total booking cost, and seasonal schedule before deciding. The best property is the one that matches the main purpose of your trip.

Sources

1. Gaylord Hotels: Our Brand — six-resort portfolio, locations, rooms, water parks, spas, and brand features
2. Ryman Hospitality Properties: Sale of the Gaylord Hotels Brand — Marriott’s acquisition of the brand and management rights
3. Ryman Hospitality Properties: First Quarter 2026 Results — current Opryland expansion schedule
4. Port of San Diego: Gaylord Pacific Opening — opening date and development partnership
5. Marriott Bonvoy Qualifying Charges — eligible hotel charges and point-earning requirements
6. Marriott Bonvoy Terms and Conditions — qualifying rates, excluded charges, and elite-benefit conditions