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Deciding where to stay while on vacation can be tricky: you have to consider price, availability, size, location, and amenities to find the perfect accommodation. Luckily, central Florida is renowned for having an incredible range of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
There are numerous hotels not located on Universal property that are cheaper than the on-site options. However, for the full Universal Orlando experience, we recommend staying at one of the on-site hotels. You will be just minutes away from the action, and the benefits of staying on-site more than justify the extra cost.
There are four tiers of on-site hotels:
•Value – Endless Summer Resort (Surfside Inn and Suites, and Dockside Inn and Suites)
• Prime Value – Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and Aventura Hotel
• Preferred – Sapphire Falls Resort
• Premier – Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and Royal Pacific Resort
Benefits available to on-site hotel guests:
• Early entry to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the park opens to regular guests and to Volcano Bay.
• Complimentary water taxis, shuttle buses, and walking paths to both theme parks and Universal CityWalk.
• Complimentary delivery of merchandise purchased throughout the resort to your hotel.
• Resort-wide charging privileges. Swipe your credit card at check-in to use your room key to charge purchases to your room. At check-out, you will settle the balance as one amount.
• Complimentary Super Star Shuttle scheduled transportation to SeaWorld and Aquatica. Seats are reserved at the concierge.
• Optional wake-up call from a Universal character.
• Use of the Golf Universal Orlando program.
Guests at Royal Pacific Resort, Portofino Bay Hotel, and Hard Rock Hotel also enjoy these added benefits:
• FREE Universal Express Pass - Unlimited ride access to skip the regular lines in both theme parks all day.
• Priority seating at select restaurants throughout both theme parks and CityWalk.
All room prices in this section are nightly rates and include tax - they are based on a 3-night stay for 2 adults; food prices do not include tax.
In this section, we cover all the essentials of staying at any of the on-site Universal Orlando hotels. From parking to pet rooms, and transportation to toning up.
Self-parking is $28 per night ($37 for valet) at Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay, and Royal Pacific Resort. The price is $26 at Sapphire Falls, $18 at Cabana Bay and Aventura Hotel, and $15 at the Endless Summer resort. Hotel guests do not get a discount on this rate.
Day guests who park in the hotel lots also pay based on the length of their stay.
Standard in-room Wi-Fi access is complimentary. For higher speed access, there is a premium option for a daily charge.
The lobby and pool areas at all the hotels have free Wi-Fi, open to everyone including those not staying at the hotel.
Pet rooms are available at all Premier and Preferred hotels, A cleaning fee of $50 per night applies, up to a maximum of $150 per room.
All rooms include a complimentary mini-refrigerator.
Royal Pacific Resort, Portofino Bay Hotel, and Hard Rock Hotel offer character-dining experiences. Characters visit your table to meet, chat, and take photos as you dine.
Characters vary from Scooby-Doo to Shrek and even The Minions. Character dining is held once or twice a week in the evenings. You can visit any resort’s restaurant, even if you are not a hotel guest.
Kids camps are available at Royal Pacific Resort, Portofino Bay Hotel, and Hard Rock Hotel in the evenings. This keeps kids occupied with activities while parents spend quality time together.
Guests from any on-site hotel can use the Kids Camps at other hotels. Details can be obtained from the concierge desk. Prices are about $15 per child per hour.
All on-site hotels have complimentary fitness suites for their guests.
Guests staying at an on-site hotel (except Endless Summer Resort) can use any of the fitness suites.
This means that a guest from Cabana Bay Beach Resort could, for example, visit the gym at the Hard Rock Hotel with their room key.
The on-site hotels have impressive pools and staying at most on-site resort hotels, you can use the pool of any resort (and even settle the tab at another hotel with your hotel key). A fantastic benefit! The exception to this is guests staying at Endless Summer Resort who cannot pool hop.
Try the pools at Cabana Bay, then splash at the Hard Rock, and finish the day with a dip at the Sapphire Falls pool?
At the Preferred and Premier level hotels, your transportation options to reach the theme parks include shuttle buses, water taxis, rickshaws and walking paths. We do not recommend the shuttle buses as the drop-off point is a 10-minute walk from the theme parks.
Walking and water taxis are our preferred forms of transportation. Water taxis begin operating from the hotels 30 minutes before Early Park Admission. The last departure from CityWalk is at 2:30am year-round.
There are also rickshaws which are man-powered and have no set fee; tip what you think is appropriate ($2-$4 per person is customary).
At Cabana Bay and Aventura Hotel, you can use the walking path or shuttle buses. The buses drop you off a 10-minute walk from the parks; the walking path route takes 20 to 25 minutes.
Shuttle buses run every 10 to 15 minutes to all hotels and are even more frequent to the Value and Prime Value hotels.
This guide does not cover off-site accommodation. However, if you do decide to stay off-site, we would recommend an apartment rental through Airbnb. There are many places that are a short drive from the park but with all the facilities of a suite - such as a kitchen. Using our exclusive link, you can get a discount of at least $25 (and up to $50): www.airbnb.co.uk/c/gdacosta16
At the time of writing in December 2019, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites are open. Aventura Hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel remain closed. Character dining is not operating at any on-site hotel.
Face coverings are required for guests at all times at the resort hotels except inside guest rooms, when by the pool, swimming, or eating. Guests will be temperature screened - anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater after three checks will be asked to seek medical attention and obtain medical clearance prior to being permitted to enter.
With over 2000 rooms, this Value hotel is priced for budget-conscious guests. Unlike the other hotels at Universal, this resort is not located on the main Universal resort and requires a 25-minute walk or a 5-to-10-minute complimentary shuttle bus ride.
Room Size: Standard rooms are 313 ft2, and two-bedroom suites are 440 ft2.
Room Prices: From $117 to $240. 2-Bedroom suites are priced from $172 to $314 per night, plus tax.
Amenities: Arcade room; fitness center; pool; a store; poolside bar.
Endless Summer Resort is made up of two hotels - Surfside Inn & Suites which opened in 2019, and Dockside Inn & Suites which was due to open in Spring 2020 but has been delayed indefinitely. The two hotels will not be connected but guests can use facilities at both hotels - to get between them involves crossing a (major) road.
The biggest difference with this resort is that it is not connected to the main Universal area with the two theme parks, Volcano Bay and CityWalk. To travel between these hotels and the main Universal Orlando area means going through other public and private land via a main road - you can either walk this distance (approx. 1 mile) or catch the complimentary shuttle bus.
This resort is significantly larger than any other official Universal resort - Surfside will be the smaller of the two hotels.
Standard rooms are comparable with Aventura Hotel, but the suites at this hotel are smaller than other suites at the Universal on-site hotels but also priced accordingly.
There are several dining options but there is no Table Service restaurant at either of the hotels at this resort.
In addition to the dining option listed below, there is a Starbucks in each hotel lobby. Dockside Inn and Suites will also have a food hall similar to Beach Break Cafe but larger in size, a lobby bar, and a poolside bar. Both hotels have in-room pizza delivery.
Complimentary Express Pass access is not included.
Dining:
Beach Break Cafe (Surfside) – Serves breakfast options, pizzas, salads, rotisserie options, sandwiches, burgers and other ready to go meals and beverages. Entrees are $9 to $13.
Sand Bar (Surfside) – A drinks-only bar, no snacks. Drinks are $5-$10 each.
This 600-room Prime Value hotel is one step up from Endless Summer Resort. There are walking paths to the parks and CityWalk (20-25 minutes), or you can use the free shuttle.
COVID-19 CHANGES: This hotel is temporarily closed. Check www.UniversalOrlando.com for a reopening date.
Room Size: Standard rooms are 314 ft2 and kids suites are 591 ft2.
Room Prices: $161 to $302, for a standard room, $288 to $556 for a kids suite.
Amenities: Arcade room; fitness center; pool and splash zone; a store; rooftop and poolside bars.
In contrast to all the other resorts which have elaborate themes, this hotel aims to be the most technologically advanced place to stay at Universal.
Rooms include all the amenities you would expect and some have views over and into the theme parks.
The food hall features many different cuisines. There is no Table Service restaurant at this resort, however. There are also three bars including one on the roof offering amazing views, as well as a Starbucks location.
Complimentary Express Pass access, which is included in some of the more expensive on-site resorts, is not included here, neither is boat access to the theme parks or CityWalk.
This hotel is next door to Volcano Bay Water Park, so you can simply walk over to this park in minutes.
Dining:
Urban Pantry – Serves breakfast options, pizzas, stir fry and sushi, rotisserie options, burgers and other ready to go meals and beverages. Entrees are $12 to $16.
Bar 17 – Aventura’s rooftop bar on the 17th floor. Serves drinks (beers - $5 to $8, wines - $9-$12 per glass) and light bites such as cheese boards, salads and burgers at $7 to $15.
Bar Sol – A drinks-only poolside bar, no food. Drinks are $6-$14 each.
Bar Ventura – A drinks-only lobby bar, no food. Drinks are $6-$14 each.
This 2200-room, Retro-1950s and 1960s Prime Value hotel is one of the most affordable and fun on-site options. There are walking paths to the parks and CityWalk (20 to 25 minutes) or you can use the complimentary shuttle.
Room Size: Standard rooms are 300 ft2, family suites are 430 ft2 and 2-bedroom suites are 772 ft2
Room Prices: $161 to $301, plus tax for a standard room. Family suites: $212-$392, plus tax. 2-bedroom suites are $449-$702.
Amenities: A 10-lane bowling alley; arcade room; two resort pools – one with a water slide; s’mores fire pit; hot hub; poolside movies and activities; a store; and a fitness center.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort is a well-themed and fun resort in a 1950s and 1960s style. This resort is the perfect middle-ground for the location and amenities you get versus the price.
Food options include a large food court with a wide selection and food trucks outside. Plus, in-room pizza delivery. The resort‘s Table Service restaurant is part of the bowling alley. You are a short shuttle bus journey away from CityWalk, or you can walk to one of the other on-site hotels for a more upscale dinner.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the 10-lane bowling alley, which is unheard of at any other hotel ($16 per adult [$12 for kids under 11], shoe rental is $4 per pair, and food is available).
There are two pools at the resort. The main pool (10,000 ft2) has a water slide, and the 8,000 ft2 pool has a sandy beach. Both pools offer accessible zero-entry ramps. The smaller pool even has a 700-foot-long lazy river around it.
Free poolside activities take place throughout the day, and there are also s’mores pits to use.
Self-service laundry is $3 per wash and $3 per dryer.
Guests staying at Cabana Bay do NOT receive complimentary Express Passes like at other more premium on-site hotels.
However, the price difference between this hotel and those that include Express Pass access is huge, so this is understandable.
There is also no water taxi service at this hotel. However, Cabana Bay guests still have the option of walking paths to the two theme parks (up to 25 minutes’ walk), as well as continuous, complimentary shuttle bus transportation to CityWalk. The hotel has direct walking access to Volcano Bay Water Park in just minutes.
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Large families and groups who want to stay together even have the option of the large 2-bedroom suites.
Overall, for those on a budget, but wanting the benefits of staying on-site, Cabana Bay is a fantastic choice.
Dining:
Atomic Tonic – Poolside bar with drinks and light snacks. Cocktails are $10.50.
Bayliner Diner – Quick Service food court. Breakfast: $6-$10, lunch & dinner: $6-$14. Galaxy Bowl Restaurant – Table Service dining and Quick Service food. EntrÈes: $8 to $13.
Swizzle Lounge – Bar. Cocktails: $10 to $13.50. Other drinks from $6.50.
Starbucks – Quick Service location. Sells drinks and snacks. $4-$6 per item.
The Hideaway Bar & Grill – Poolside Bar & grilled fare. EntrÈes $5 to $15. Cocktails are $13.
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This 1000-room, 83-suite resort is part of the Preferred category of on-site hotels. It features a Caribbean-inspired design.
COVID-19 UPDATE: This hotel is temporarily closed. Check www.UniversalOrlando.com for a reopening date.
Transportation: Water taxis, pedicabs, walking paths (15 to 20 minutes) and shuttle buses.
Room Size: Standard rooms are 364 ft2, and suites start at 529 ft2.
Room Prices: $227 to $381 for a standard room. Kids suites range from $328 to $764 per night.
Amenities: A large pool, two white sand beaches, a hot tub, children’s water play area with pop jets, and a water slide; fire pit for s’mores; complimentary fitness center including a dry sauna; arcade game room; and a Universal Studios Store.
This resort is a beautiful, tropical destination. It provides a step up from Cabana Bay in terms of amenities and theming.
The centerpiece of the resort is the 16,000ft2 pool - the largest in Orlando - as well as the two sandy beaches, and a waterslide. Pool-side cabanas are available.
Standard rooms sleep up to five people – a roll-away bed is needed for the fifth person ($25 per night).
This hotel does not include Express Pass access, and guests do not receive priority seating at restaurants. Both perks are reserved for the more expensive hotels that follow.
The hotel does, however, offer complimentary water taxi services to CityWalk and the theme parks - usually a perk reserved for the more expensive on-site options.
On Fridays, there is a paid buffet show called Caribbean Carnival.
Dining:
Amatista Cookhouse – Caribbean cuisine prepared in an exhibition kitchen. Whether dining indoors or out or in one of the private dining areas, feel welcomed and relaxed in this inspiring restaurant. EntrÈes are $14 to $38.
Drhum Club Kantine – Pool bar serving a Tapas-style menu including burgers, salads and wings. Food is $11 to $16, alcoholic drinks start from $8. Signature cocktails from $15.
New Dutch Trading Co. – With ready to go meals, soups, beverages, fresh-baked breads and homemade jams, this is the stop for provisions and supplies. Sandwiches: $9 to $12.
Strong Water Tavern – A wall of vintage rums, a ceviche bar and a patio overlooking the lagoon make Strong Water Tavern a unique watering hole. There are also daily rum tastings, making this lounge a destination. Drinks & tapas-style dishes are $7 to $35 each.
This 1000-room, Preferred category hotel is themed to a tropical paradise. Water taxis, pedicabs, walking paths, and buses are available to the parks.
Transportation: Water taxis, pedicabs, walking paths (15 to 20 minutes), and shuttle buses.
Room Size: Standard rooms are 375 ft2, and suites start at 650 ft2.
Room Prices: $289 to $584 for a standard room, and $578 to $753 for a kids suite.
Amenities: One very large pool, volleyball court, kids’ water play area, fitness center, croquet, poolside activities, a torch lighting ceremony, and Wantilan Luau dinner show (temporarily suspended).
From the moment you step inside, you are a world away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando’s theme parks. Yet, they are conveniently located right next door.
There is one large pool at this hotel, a complimentary gym with a variety of cardio and free weight equipment, as well as steam and sauna facilities and a whirlpool.
An on-site coin-operated laundry is also available.
‘Dive-In movies’ are screened by the pool on select nights, and pool-side cabanas are available to rent from $100 per day.
On Friday and Saturday nights (and Tuesdays during the peak summer season), guests can enjoy the ‘Torch Lighting Ceremony’ with hula dancers and fire jugglers by the pool. There is no charge to watch this.
Plus, fans of The Minions will love the Despicable Me Character Breakfast every Saturday. This is $40 per adult and $25 per child.
The hotel’s laid-back Polynesian vibe and its location make it a solid choice - this hotel includes unlimited complimentary Express Pass access for guests.
Top Tip: Due to the location of the dock, it is usually quicker to walk from this resort to Islands of Adventure and CityWalk than to use the water taxi service. The water taxi is, however, more relaxing.
Dining:
Bula Bar and Grille – Poolside bar and dining. Entrees are $11 to $20.
Islands Dining Room – Table Service. Breakfast entrees are $5 to $19. Does not serve lunch. Dinner entrees are $12 to $38.
Jake’s American Bar – Bar, with light snacks and larger meals. Entrees are $14 to $38.
Orchid Court Lounge and Sushi Bar – Snacks are $4 to $14. Sushi and sashimi start at $4 and ranges to $125.
Wantilan Luau (suspended) – Hawaiian dinner show starting at 5:00pm or 6:00pm on Saturdays (and also Tuesdays during peak season). Reservations required. Buffet including non-alcoholic and select alcoholic drinks;$71 to $91 for adults & $36 to $51 for children.
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This rock ‘n’ roll, Premier tier hotel has a mere 650 rooms, including 33 suites. It is the second most expensive hotel on-site, and the closest to the parks.
Transportation: Water taxis, pedicabs, walking paths (5 mins to USF and 10 mins to IOA), and shuttle buses.
Room Size: 375 ft2 for a standard room
Room Prices: $332 to $651 per night for a standard room
Amenities: Pool, Jacuzzis, poolside movies, volleyball court, and a fitness center.
Feel like rock ‘n’ roll royalty at the Hard Rock Hotel - lively, yet laid back.
The highlight of the hotel is the huge 12,000ft2 zero-entry, white sand pool. It even has an underwater sound system and a slide!
The hotel also has a beach with a volleyball court and lounge chairs. There are two Jacuzzis, including one for adults only.
Most nights there is a poolside ‘dive-in movie,’ and sometimes even dive-in concerts.
Poolside bar orders are available. Cabanas cost $80 to $200 per day, with soft drinks, bottled water, a TV, fresh fruit, towels, and a refrigerator.
DJ lessons are held daily in the lobby in peak season, and you can even rent out a Fender by AXE guitar at no extra cost during your stay ($1000 refundable deposit).
This hotel is the closest to CityWalk and the theme parks, and is right next door to Universal Studios Florida; this makes a midday dip in the pool a real possibility.
Velvet Sessions – The Ultimate Cocktail Party:
From January to October, on the last Thursday of each month, you can enjoy Velvet Sessions at the hotel’s Velvet Bar. Each Session showcases a different type of beverage to taste, along with great live rock music.
Tickets are available in advance from velvetsessions.com or at the door.
Top Tip: The plaques next to musical memorabilia in the hotel each have a unique number on them. Call (407) 503-2233 and enter the number on the plaque to learn about the item.
Dining:
BeachClub – Bar and Quick Service snacks. Entrees are $9 to $20. Snacks are $10 to $25.
Emack & Bolio’s Marketplace – Ice cream, pizzas and small bites. Entrees are $9 to $23.
The Palm Restaurant – Table Service dining, steakhouse. Entrees are $13 to $59.
The Kitchen – Buffet breakfast. Table Service at lunch & dinner. Entrees are $15 to $39.
Velvet Bar – Bar with light snacks and bigger plates too. Entrees are $12 to $16.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Portofino Bay is the best example of what a Premier level luxury resort should be. This 750-room hotel is incredibly well-themed to a small Italian fishing village.
COVID-19 UPDATE: This hotel is temporarily closed. Check www.UniversalOrlando.com for a reopening date.
Transportation: Water taxis, pedicabs, walking paths, and shuttle buses.
Room Size: 450 ft2 for a standard room
Room Prices: $404 to $668 for a standard room, kids suites are $697 to $1158
Amenities: 3 pools, poolside movies, spa, live music.
This luxury hotel recreates the charm and romance of the seaside village of Portofino, Italy, right down to the streets and cafés.
The hotel has three pools - one with a waterslide, the other has a Jacuzzi area, and the quiet Hillside Pool overlooks the Bay. Saturdays in peak season, there is a ‘Dive-In Movie.’ Pool cabanas are available from $75 per day.
The Mandara Spa offers a variety of indulgent experiences. A 50-minute massage starts at $130, and you can expect to pay up to $595 for a 6-hour experience. Facials, nail services, waxing, and haircuts are also available.
On-site guests get free fitness club access. A fitness day pass is available at $25 for non-hotel guests.
The walking path is a lovely 20-minute stroll to the theme parks; take the water taxi for ultimate relaxation.
In the evenings, weather permitting, the hotel has a wonderful atmosphere with live music and classical singers.
At Family Art Photography you can get a family photo-shoot. Sessions last 15 to 30 minutes. Prints start at $30 each, plus tax.
Harbor Nights:
Four times per year, Portofino Bay Resort hosts ‘Harbor Nights’, a wine tasting and jazz event designed to capture the ambiance of the Mediterranean. Each event features select wines, gourmet food, live music, and other live entertainment.
Pricing is usually $65 per person. VIP seating is $95. All prices exclude tax. There is even a Holiday edition with a tree-lighting ceremony.
Dining:
Bar American – Upscale bar. Open from 5:00pm to midnight. Food is $10 to $16.
Bice Ristorante – Table Service gourmet dining. Entrees are $23 to $48.
Gelateria – Coffees, pastries and ice creams priced at $3 to $7.50.
Mama Della’s Ristorante – Family style Italian cuisine. Mains are $20 to $38.
Sal’s Market Deli – Quick Service. Sandwiches, paninis and pizzas. Pizzas are $17 to $19.
Splendido Bar & Grill – Pizza, salads & sandwiches. Entrees are $12 to $17. Cocktails - $14.
The Thirsty Fish Bar – Bar with light snacks. Open from 6:00pm. Drinks from $6.50.
Trattoria del Porto – Buffet and Table Service. Buffet breakfast is $25 per adult and $14 per child. Entrees are $15 to $37 for lunch and dinner. A ‘make your own pasta’ meal is $27 for adults and $13 for kids.
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Chapter 5
