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Choosing the Perfect Universal Orlando Resort Hotel

Universal Orlando Resort is home to 11 Hotels that are sure to make your Universal vacation even more awesome! But with so many wonderful resort hotel options, how do you choose the best hotel for your family? We've got you covered!

Universal Orlando Resort hotels are categorized into three tiers:

  • Signature Collection
  • Prime Value Hotels
  • Value Inns and Suites

These tiers reflect the level of amenities, service, and dining options offered at each resort. There are several benefits that are included for ALL Universal Hotel categories. Those benefits are

💫  Early Park Admission to the parks and Universal's Volcano Bay up to one hour before the park opens

🎢You get Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Epic Universe’s SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.

🚌 complimentary transportation to the theme parks and Universal CityWalk

🌟 resort-wide charging privileges with room key and complimentary delivery of merchandise purchased throughout the resort to your hotel. 

Value Inns and Suites

Price Point: Extra affordable rooms and spacious suites with kitchenettes
Complimentary Transportation: Shuttle Buses and Walking Path to Universal Volcano Bay (Walking path only for Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort)

1. Universal's Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites

Theme: Surf lifestyle
Room Options: Standard Rooms (sleep up to 4) and 2-Bedroom Suites with kitchenette (sleep up to 6)

Hotel Highlights:

  • Smaller hotel
  • Enjoy water views of the lake
  • Surfboard-shaped pool
  • Stabdard rooms for 4 
  • Affordable 2 bedroom family suites that sleep up to 6
Surfside Inn and Suites 2-Bedroom Suite

2.Universal's Endless Summer Resort - Dockside Inn and Suites

Theme: Island life
Room Options: Standard Rooms sleep up to 4
and 2-Bedroom Suites with kitchenette (sleep up to 6)

Hotel Highlights:

  • Larger hotel with two towers
  • Lobby bar
  • Two large pools
  • Affordable family suites that sleep up to 6

3. Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Theme: Retro 1950s and 1960s
Room Options: Standard Rooms (sleep up to 4), Family Suites with kitchenette (sleep up to 6)

Hotel Highlights:
  • Walking path to Universal's Volcano Bay
  • Two pools, one with waterslide and one with a winding river
  • Galaxy Bowl - 10 lane bowling alley
  • Shakes Ice Cream Bar
  • Starbucks

Prime Value Hotels

Price Point: $$, Rooms designed for comfort and affordability
Complimentary Transportation: Shuttle Buses and Walking Path

1. Universal Aventura Hotel

Theme: Modern and sleek
Room Options: Standard and King Rooms (sleep up to 4), Deluxe Rooms (sleep up to 4) and Kids' Suites (sleep up to 5)

Hotel Highlights:

  • Short walk to Universal's Volcano Bay
  • Bar 17 Bistro rooftop bar
  • Tech-savvy hotel
  • Pool and Jacuzzi
  • Chinese Wok quick service restaurant in lobby and Starbucks
Tip: It's a quick walk from Aventura to Sapphire Falls if you want to use the water taxi to the theme parks. 

2. Universal Stella Nova Resort 

Theme: Unknown Universe
Room Options: Standard Rooms (sleep up to 4)

Hotel Highlights: 
  • Smart room technology
  • Cosmos Cafe and Market, quick service dining 
  • Walking path to Universal Epic Universe
Stella Nova

3. Universal Terra Luna Resort 

Theme: Exploring the planets in our galaxy
Room Options: Standard Rooms (sleep up to 4)

Hotel Highlights:
  • Smart room technology
  • Omega Cafe and Market, quick service dining
Terra Luna pool

Signature Collection

Price Point: $$$ - $$$$, Distinguished service and spacious accommodations
Complimentary Transportation: Water Taxis, Shuttle Buses, Walking Path 
Additional Benefit: Guests of select Signature Collection hotels get free Universal Express Unlimited ride access to skip the regular lines at most attractions in Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida (valid theme park admission required) and priority seating at select restaurants throughout the resort.

1. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Theme: Caribbean island paradise
Room Options: Standard Rooms (sleep up to 5*), King Suites (sleep up to 4), Kids' Suites (sleep up to 5*), as well as Sapphire, Hospitality and Presidential Suites

Hotel Highlights: 

  • Zero entry pool with water slide and interactive kids' play area, hot tub and cabana rentals
  • Walking path to Universal's Volcano Bay
  • Full service dining options
Sapphire Falls pool

2. Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Theme: Tropical  South Seas 
Room Options: Standard Rooms (sleep up to 5*), King Suites (sleep up to 4), Jurassic World themed kids' suites (sleep up to 5*), as well as Hospitality Parlor, Royal Parlor and Presidential Suites

Hotel Highlights:

  • FREE Universal Express Unlimited
  • Lagoon-style pool with sand beach, private cabana rentals and Royal Bali interactive water play area for children
  • Several full service dining options
  • Club Level Rooms with access to the private Royal Club Lounge, featuring complimentary continental breakfast, evening beer and wine, and more.
  • Wantilan Luau offered on select nights, for an additional fee, reservations suggested

3. Hard Rock Hotel

Theme: Rock stars and music lovers
Room Options: Standard Rooms (sleep up to 5*), Deluxe King Rooms (sleep up to 4), Deluxe Queen Rooms (sleep up to 5*), Future Rock Star themed kids' suites (sleep up to 5*), as well as King, Hospitality and Graceland Suites

Hotel Highlights:

  • FREE Universal Express Unlimited
  • Pool with underwater music, sand beach, water slide, and private cabana rentals
  • Velvet Sessions - live music performed by real rock stars (concerts on select nights)
  • Club Level Rooms with access to the private Rock Royalty Lounge
  • Unique amenity requests such as Rock Ohm yoga supplies or Sound of Your Stay guitar for your room

4. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Theme: Italian  seaside village
Room Options: Standard Rooms (sleep up to 5*), Deluxe Rooms (sleep up to 5*), Despicable Me themed kids' suites (sleep up to 5*), as well as Portofino Parlor, Villa Parlor, Hospitality, Governatore and Presidente Suites. 

Hotel Highlights:

  • FREE Universal Express Unlimited
  • Mandara Spa - full service spa offering messages, facials and more (fees applied)
  • Three themed swimming pools
  • Club Level Rooms with access to the Portofino Club Lounge

5. Universal Helios Grand Hotel 



Theme: Mediterranean-inspired 
Room Options: Standard Rooms (sleep up to 5*), Deluxe Queen Rooms (sleep up to 5), King Suites (sleep up to 4*), How to Train Your Dragon Kids' Suites (sleep up to 5), as well as Celestial, Hospitality and Presidential Suites. 


Hotel Highlights:
  • Dedicated entrance to Universal Epic Universe to skip the entrance line
  • Zero-entry pool with hot tub and cabanas for rent
  • How to Train Your Dragon Kids' Suites
  • Rooftop bar- Bar Helios
  • Sit down restaurant Flora Taverna
  • Market and Gelato
  • Amazing views of Epic Universe 
  • Club Level available
Ready to plan your vacation to the Universal Orlando Resort? We'd love to help you! Contact your Kingdom Konsultant travel professional or send an email to vacations@kingdomkonsultant.com for a free quote today!

We Want to Hear From You! Get a free price quote here

What's your favorite Universal Orlando Resort Hotel? Let us know in the comments.




Summer Squires loves helping other parents plan memorable and stress-free family vacations to Universal and beyond! You can email her at at summer@kingdomkonsultant.com.







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