The Ultimate Guide to Universal Orlando Hotels

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A vacation to Universal Orlando is such a great getaway! I highly recommend staying with Universal at one of the eight Universal hotels – but with all these great options, choosing the perfect one can be hard! I sell a lot of Universal Vacation packages and have been to almost all of these resorts, so to help you plan, I put together the ultimate guide to all the Universal Orlando hotels.

Universal Orlando Hotels
photos courtesy of Universal Orlando

The Ultimate Guide to Universal Orlando Hotels

As a Universal Specialist, I was recently invited to visit Universal Orlando. As always, all opinions are my own.

Universal has eight signature hotels, all with different price points, locations, theming and sizes! There is truly a perfect hotel for every travel style and whether you are looking for a luxury Universal Orlando trip or on a tighter budget.

All of the hotels at Universal Orlando Resort
photo courtesy of Universal Orlando

Planning a Universal Orlando Vacation is not easy! Choosing the perfect resort (and ticket type and other vacation add-ons) is tough so always trust your Universal Travel Planning to a professional. I can help plan the PERFECT Universal itinerary for you and your family – click the banner below to get started. And the best thing? My VIP planning service is completely FREE! That’s right, I get paid by the vendors we book through at no added cost to you-

Long Island Travel Agent

Universal Studios Specialist

 

Here is a quick overview of all eight Universal Orlando Hotels, broken down by category, price and a little bit about their special amenities:

 

Loews Portofino Bay

Category: Premier

Cost: $$$$$

Theme: Italian City of Portofino

Transportation to the Parks:  Water Taxi or walk to City Walk,  bus to Volcano Bay

Signature Amenities: Three pools including one with waterslides, Despicable Me Kids Suite, Multiple suite options for larger families, amazing on-site Italian restaurants, great Italian theming, Mandara Spa on site, nightly musica della notte

Universal Orlando Hotels: Loews Portofino Bay
Ready for dinner at Mamma Della’s at Loews Portofino Bay

 

Universal’s Hard Rock

Category: Premier

Cost: $$$$$

Theme: Rock n Roll

Transportation to the Parks:  Walk to City walk,  bus to Volcano Bay

Signature Amenities: 12,000 square foot pool with music underwater, a waterslide and private cabana rentals, Future Rock Star Kids Suite, Live Music on site, Very short walk to City Walk

 

photo courtesy of Universal

Lowes Royal Pacific

Category: Premier

Cost: $$$$$

Theme: South Pacific

Transportation to the Parks:  Water Taxi or Walk to City walk,  bus to Volcano Bay

Signature Amenities: Pool with splash area, Jurassic World Kids Suite, On site Hawaiian Luau, Location of Despicable Me Character breakfast, 24 hour room service, tends to be most affordable of the premier properties

Universal Orlando Hotels: Loews Royal Pacific
Pics from my February 2021 stay at Loews Royal Pacific

Check out my room and resort tour from my February 2021 stay at Royal Pacific!

 

Loews Sapphire Falls

Category: Preferred

Cost: $$$$

Theme: Caribbean Theme

Transportation to the Parks:  Water Taxi or long Walk to City walk,  bus to Volcano Bay

Signature Amenities: 16,000 square foot pool, Kids Suite

Universal Orlando Hotels: Loews Sapphire Falls
Waiting for the water taxi at Loews Sapphire Falls

 

Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Category: Prime Value

Cost: $$$

Theme: Florida Beach Resorts of the 1950’s and 60’s

Transportation to the Parks:  Bus to City walk,  walk to Volcano Bay, you can also walk across the street to Sapphire Falls and grab a water taxi to City Walk

Signature Amenities: Cabana Bay has two pools – one with a lazy river and one with a waterslide, there are Larger family suites, bowling alley on site, Very short walk to Volcano bay

Universal Orlando hotels: Cabana Bay
Volcano View room at Cabana Bay. photo courtesy of Universal

Universal’s Aventura Hotel

Category: Prime Value

Cost: $$$

Theme: High Rise, Boutique Hotel

Transportation to the Parks:  Bus to City walk,  walk to Volcano Bay, you can also walk across the street to Sapphire and grab a water taxi to City Walk

Signature Amenities: Pool with splash pad for kids, amazing views from upper floors, rooftop bar on floor 17 called Bar 17 Bistro (open to public so come over and check it out)

Universal Orlando Hotels: Universal's Aventura Hotel
Pictures from our September 2021 stay at Universal’s Aventura Hotel.

 

Endless Summer Dockside Inn and Suites

Category: Value

Cost: $$

Theme: Endless Summer Coastal Vibe

Transportation to the Parks:  Bus to City walk and volcano Bay

Signature Amenities: affordable dining, larger suites at a great price point, resort style pool

Universal Orlando: Dockside Inn
Dockside Inn Photo courtesy of Universal

 

Endless Summer Surfside Inn and Suites

Category: Value

Cost: $$

Theme: Endless Summer Surf Vibe

Transportation to the Parks:  Bus to City walk and volcano Bay

Signature Amenities: affordable dining, larger suites at a great price point, resort style pool

 

Universal Orlando Hotels
photos courtesy of Universal Orlando

Which Universal Hotels come with Express Pass?

This is always the first question I get when planning a Universal vacation and important consideration when choosing a hotel.

ALL PREMIER HOTEL GUESTS receive Unlimited Express Pass for each day of their stay.

This adds a HUGE value to your premier hotel stay, as Unlimited Express pass can cost upwards of $150 per person, per day!

And the reality is if ALL premiere hotel guests have Unlimited Express pass you are waiting in the stand by lines behind A TON of people.

More than 75% of the time, it’s less expensive to stay at a premier hotel than a prime value hotel and adding Express Pass to your ticket. Of course I can help you explore all options.

 

What Perks do Universal Orlando Hotel Guests have?

I love staying at a Universal Orlando Hotel for the extra fun of being in the Universal bubble – plus with hotel options in every price point, there really is no good reason to stay off site. Additionally, Universal Orlando Hotel guests can take advantage of the following perks:

  • Early park admission – get into the theme parks and Volcano Bay an hour earlier than the general public. This is a huge advantage!
  • Complimentary transportation to and from the theme parks to your hotel
  • Resort wide charging privileges with your room key
  • Complimentary delivery of merchandise purchased throughout the resort to your hotel (must make purchases at least two hours prior to park closing so its actually better to shop EARLIER in the day)

Universal Orlando Hotels

Are Universal Orlando Hotels Worth It?

Absolutely!

Personally, for my family, and what I advise my clients, staying at an on-site hotel is so worth it. With early morning hours, quick access to the parks, and incredible theming, staying onsite will really enhance your vacation experience.

Again, with hotels that fit every family’s budget – there is really no advantage to staying off-site when taking a Universal Orlando vacation.

Universal Orlando Hotels: Aventura and Sapphire Falls
These hotels are adjacent to each other

Here are some of the Frequently Asked Questions about Universal Orlando Hotels –

As a Universal Specialist (which means I have ALL the training on Universal Orlando) these are the resort questions I most often get –

Can you resort hop at Universal Orlando hotels?

Yes! Restaurants are open to the public – so go ahead and make that Mamma Della’s restaurant reservation or head to Bar 17 on the Aventura Rooftop.

But a great perk is you can pool hop at Universal Orlando resorts. With one exception – Endless Summer guests cannot use the pools at other Universal resorts.

Also as the only spa at Universal is at Portofino Bay, so feel free to make an appointment there!

Universal Orlando Hotels
Time to hit the parks! Waiting for the water taxi at Sapphire Falls

Which Universal hotels can you Walk to Universal From?

I love being able to walk back and forth from the theme park to your hotel! At Universal Orlando – all three premier hotels are in quick walking distance to the parks. Royal Pacific is closest to Islands of Adventure and Hard Rock and Portofino are on the Universal Studios side.

Guests staying at Cabana Bay or Aventura have the convenience of walking to Volcano Bay.

 

What is the Best Pool at the Universal Orlando Hotels?

All the Universal Orlando hotels have great pools – but historically the two fan favorites are the pools at Loews Portofino Bay and Universal’s Cabana Bay.

Universal Orlando Resort Lazy River at Cabana Bay
Lazy River at Cabana Bay, photo courtesy of Universal

What is the best Universal Orlando Hotel for Adults?

The Aventura, although totally family friendly, has a few elements that make it the best choice for an adults only Universal Orlando trip. With a rooftop bar, an urban style, and a boutique hotel feel, this is my favorite Universal Orlando Hotel for an adults only getaway!

 

What is the best Universal Orlando Hotel for a Family of Five?

Loews Portofino Bay has some great large suite options for a family of five. For a budget friendly option, consider the two bedroom suites at Cabana Bay or Endless Summer Dockside (there are over 1000 two-bedroom suite available at Dockside).

 

 

How to Book Your Universal Orlando Resort Vacation

The best way to book a theme park vacation is always through a Universal Orlando specialist. You will get the best pricing as we have access to a ton of Universal Orlando promotions, and amazing, VIP service. With low deposits, now is a great time to book your Universal Orlando trip and secure you spot!

Have you stayed on property at Universal Orlando?  What is your favorite Universal Orlando Resort?

Universal Orlando Hotels
photos courtesy of Universal Orlando

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10 Comments to “The Ultimate Guide to Universal Orlando Hotels”

  1. Melanie

    I’ve stayed at a lot of Disney resorts but only Cabana Bay at Universal. Would love to stay at the Portofino. And those minions beds look so fun. My nephew would love that!!

    Reply
  2. This is such a great guide! I am a total rookie with Disney and Universal so this is perfect. I really don’t even know where to start, so I will keep this handy for when we do finally make the trek over to Universal in Orlando. Such a great guide; thank you for putting this together! – Linzey @thefamilyfuntour

    Reply

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