I visited Evermore Orlando, the $1.5 billion mega-resort near Disney with its own private lagoon and beaches. It's a must-stay spot for any big group.

Evermore is an alternative to traditional vacation rentals because it offers rental homes and villas for big groups but operates like a hotel.

It's a great find, especially as short-term rentals are in demand, but many guests are turning away from Airbnbs that can come with strict rules and steep cleaning fees.

Evermore can house big groups — up to 32 people — while offering hotel perks, such as on-site housekeeping, security, and access to amenities.

The resort also has multiple pools, a championship golf course, a food hall, a spa, and a Peloton studio.

The resort comprises luxury vacation rentals ranging from two-bedroom villas to 11-bedroom homes that feature vacation-home amenities.

Prices vary, but the smallest option, a two-bedroom villa, starts at about $275 a night. The largest option, an 11-bedroom vacation home, starts at just under $3,000 a night.

The property is centered on Evermore Bay, an expansive eight-acre crystal lagoon.

It's open year-round for guests, who can swim in it or participate in activities such as paddleboarding and kayaking.

The bay is surrounded by white-sand beaches with fire pits, lounge chairs, and bars.

Though it's in central Florida, the resort really made me feel like I was visiting a tropical destination, such as the Caribbean.

Palm trees, sand, and lounge chairs were everywhere.

The lagoon has private cabanas and over-the-water bungalows similar to those in the Maldives and Bali, Indonesia.

Connected to a boardwalk that wraps around Evermore Bay, the flats are housed in what resembles an upscale apartment building.

Each four-bedroom, four-bathroom flat offers up to 1,950 square feet of space and can sleep up to 11 guests.

Situated along Evermore Bay, many of the flats offer views of the crystal lagoon.

Evermore's home rentals are lined along streets with lush landscaping and palm trees that mimic a beachside residential community.

Evermore has 69 homes with five to 11 bedrooms and can sleep 15 to 32 guests.

The largest accommodations at the Evermore are targeted toward large travel parties and multigenerational family vacations.

Each home has several living areas, a private outdoor space, and professional-looking kitchens. They also have oversized great rooms for entertaining and separate game rooms.

The homes have kitchens designed similarly to professional ones with state-of-the-art appliances suitable for cooking full meals.

A unique feature of these vacation homes is that each bedroom features an en-suite bathroom — therefore, nine-bedroom houses have 10 bathrooms.

Each accommodation style has large bathrooms with large mirrors, spacious rain showers, and modern tile work.

Each unit has furnishings typically found in a luxury hotel, such as Stearns and Fosters mattresses and hotel-quality linens.

Each home features themed spaces for kids. Some include arcade games, separate living rooms and entertainment centers for children, and bean-bag chairs.

Movie-theater rooms can be found in some of the rental homes, and they come with a range of seating and walls lined with movie posters.

Each home has a private backyard that includes a dining table, relaxation spaces, and games.

The private saltwater pools are heated, and the surrounding areas have lounge chairs and other seating.

The 11-bedroom homes feature an entire third floor designed for children. Guests can travel between floors via a twisting slide.

There are 12 dining options on the property, including full-service restaurants, bars, and quick-service spots in a food hall.

Guests can get pizzas, wraps, breakfast, and more without leaving Evermore.

Situated along Evermore Bay is the Conrad Orlando, a Hilton luxury hotel. The 433-room hotel houses a spa, a kids' club, a zero-entry pool exclusive to hotel guests, and five restaurants.

Guests of the Conrad can still access the crystal lagoon and visit Evermore's dining locations.