The Ritz Orlando is probably the best option for 'luxury' accomodations in Orlando. It is not perfect, but is far better than any Disney property and gives you the peace and quiet of being off-site.

The good:

-Location.....close to Disney, Downtown, and Discovery Cove/Sea World.
-Peace and quiet and away from the crazy Disney properties
-Awesome service from start to finish......they make you feel like royalty
-Very good food and much cheaper than I expected (much cheaper than Four Seasons)
-Very nice and quiet pool with great service and a nice bar
-Very clean, nicely decorated, nice landscaping
-Connected to the JW Marriott (sister hotel) with a really nice and long lazy river
-Club floor....well worth the extra cash.....food all day, all you can drink of anything, etc
-Discovery Cove....the twilight evening is a MUST DO!

The OK:

-Rooms are clean, nicely appointed, but much smaller than I am used to
-No complimentary transportation.....for these prices they should offer a shuttle service like One and Only and Four Seasons does
-Golf course is dry and just 'ok'
-The view.....blah.....looks over a dried up, brown, muddy pond
Hope this helps

Not surprisingly, we had a great experience on our recent stay at this Ritz Carlton. The hotel came with all the amenities one would expect from the Ritz, but it had a somewhat more laid back feel than the others we've stayed at, which was actually very nice. The staff was very attentive and pleasant, the rooms were impeccable, and the grounds were gorgeous. The one complaint I have is the parking fee. It felt a little ridiculous paying $20/night for parking given the expansive land that surrounded us. However, I will say, we got a great rate (almost half the Disney resort rates) for our stay and the valet parking was nice.

I have to say I was a little disappointed with my stay because when I think Ritz, I think service, and it was lacking here. A wake up call never occured. Lunch was extremely slow at the place on the bottom level (the name escapes me now), so much so that it was comped on one occasion. The rooms and facilities were all great, although the grounds were not quite as palatial as I would have expected (looked sort of dried out and dead in some places). There is a nice path that wraps around to the sister JW Marriott if you are looking to get out and get some fresh air. On check out they were giving out vouchers to come back and stay again at a room rate of $179 (vs. my $300). Make whatever assumptions you want about that, but it tells me things aren't quite up to snuff here.

We chose the Ritz Carlton after extensive research into locating a hotel that could provide everything my wife and myself wanted for 8 days over our 18th anniversary, something we regrettably missed when we married.
From the moment we arrived and prior through e-mail communication we were given a level of service that was absolutely second to none, I have stayed in many hotels around the world and would recommend this hotel above most others placing it well within my top 5.
We had an club level suite on the 14th floor, great views with a fantastic view nightly of the fireworks from epcot and Magic Kingdom even though they are 10 miles away. We had peace and quiet, total relaxation with the knowledge that the team within the hotel would do their utmost to provide you with everything you find necessary for your perfect stay.
If you can, go with club level, food and drink is included and although this balances on cost it is a lot more convenient, remembering that drinks, cocktails, breakfast, lunch, and evening selections are available to the club level guest. The staff are magnificent, again my thanks to Katie, Jason, Trish and our room maid Violette.
Valet parking excellent and prompt but at $20 a day is really unnecessary at this level of hotel. No other negatives.
It was great to leave the hustle and bustle of disney for a 15 minute car ride to an idyllic haven recommended at families as well as executives.
You won't be disappointed, if you are then stick with the disney choices but be aware that you will not receive the same attention to details throughout the day as you will do by staying at the Ritz Carlton. Remember, disney want you out of their hotels and in their parks.
We will be returning to the Ritz Carlton by the end of the year.