The palm-lined driveway, taupe walls and towering exterior of the Florida Mall Hotel may shout “Orlando” loud and clear, but the interior holds surprises that whisper subtly of European influences. While this centrally located hotel does connect directly to one of the largest indoor malls in Orlando, guests can leave the hurry-up-and-wait atmosphere behind in the peaceful quiet of luxuriously appointed rooms. Again, the gentle European influence becomes apparent in the decor of the rooms. Featuring rich cherry wood or whitewashed pine, guest rooms are colored in elegant whites, muted olives and soft, buttery yellows. Although minimalist by no means – each room has a 27-inch flat-screen LCD TV and a Sony PlayStation – the clean lines and lack of frills are designed to soothe. For French fare with an international flair, dine at Le Jardin Restaurant, run by chef Zumm Escudier. Trained at the Culinary Institute of Vincennes, Escudier combines a range of cuisines to come up with a menu that’s full of “you’ve gotta try this” items. From avocado fries with tequila sauce and Slavic charm pasta to scampi Bora Bora and salmon Saigon, Chef Escudier brings the best of world cuisine under one roof at Le Jardin.