Choosing Your Hotel for Universal Orlando Resort
Staying at one of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels is one of the best ways to enjoy Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe. The hotels are conveniently situated for visiting the theme parks, as well as Volcano Bay Water Theme Park. Better still, they’re linked by a free transport system which makes getting around easy peasy.
We know that where you stay is one of the most important aspects of your trip, and with over 10 hotels to choose from, finding the right Universal Orlando Resort hotel for you can seem like a tricky decision.
Which is why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to choosing a Universal Orlando Resort hotel for first-time visitors to Florida, giving you everything you need to pick the best accommodation for you and your family.
More about Universal Orlando Resort hotels
Universal Orlando Resort hotels, (also referred to as Universal hotels or on-site hotels) are hotels which are run in partnership with Universal Orlando Resort. They are excellent places to stay near to the Universal theme parks and Volcano Bay water park.
Benefits of staying in a Universal Orlando Resort hotel
There are many benefits to staying in a Universal Orlando Resort hotel during your epic holiday:
Summary - Benefits of staying in a Universal Orlando Resort hotel
- Early Park Admission
- Free transport
- Shopping delivery
- Use your key card to pay
Early Park Admission
Guests staying at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel can enter the park up to one hour earlier than regular guests on every day of their stay1. This means you can tick off some of the more popular attractions before the queues start to build or just enjoy more time in the parks.
Free transport
Guests of Universal Orlando Resort hotels can get to the parks and back quickly and easily by using the complimentary shuttle buses or even water taxis from some of the hotels.
Shopping delivery
If you’re going to shop ‘til you drop in the Universal theme parks, then you should definitely choose a Universal Resort Orlando hotel. Purchases made in select stores in the theme parks and at Universal CityWalk can be delivered to your hotel free of charge, so there’s no need to lug them around with you all day2.
Use your key card to pay
Leave your wallet at home and forget about carrying cash. In the theme parks, Universal CityWalk, and at Universal’s hotels, you can pay for purchases with your hotel room key card.
Universal Orlando Resort hotel categories
Universal Orlando Resort hotels are split into three categories to help you narrow down your search:
- Value Inns and Suites
- Prime Value Hotels
- Signature Collection Hotels
Each has slightly different facilities, amenities, and benefits, and they increase in price as you go up the categories from Value through to Signature.
Hotel Category | Description | Features | Hotels |
Value Inns and Suites | Fun, affordable option with rooms and suites |
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Prime Value Hotels | Mix of comfort and affordability |
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Signature Collection Hotels | Full-service amenities and immersive theming |
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Things to consider when choosing a Universal Orlando Resort hotel
Summary – things to consider when choosing a Universal Orlando Resort hotel
- Budget
- Distance from theme parks
- How much time you’ll spend at the hotel
- Food at the resort
- Facilities and amenities
- Who is travelling
- Theming
- Free Express Passes
Budget
When it comes to choosing a Universal Orlando Resort hotel, one of the first things to consider is your budget. Have a think about what you can afford and what you would like to spend on accommodation, and keep this in mind when you start looking. This will help you narrow down the hotels to one of the three categories.
How much does it cost to stay in a Universal Orlando Resort hotel?
The cost of staying in a Universal Orlando Resort hotel varies depending on the time of year and type of accommodation you choose. The cheapest options are the Value Hotels, so if you’re travelling on a tight budget, check out these hotels first.
Top tip: If you can, try to book outside of high season, avoiding times including the summer holidays and Christmas.
Distance from the theme parks
Location, location, location – there’s a reason they say it three times! Another top consideration when booking your Orlando accommodation is how far the hotel is from the theme parks plus how you’ll get there.
Luckily, all of the hotels offer excellent locations for visiting the theme parks and water parks as well as including free transport throughout Universal Orlando Resort, so getting around is a breeze.
Transport options include:
- Shuttle bus
- Water taxi
Hotel | Location | How to get to Universal theme parks |
Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites |
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Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort |
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Universal Aventura Hotel |
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Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites |
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Loews Sapphire Falls Resort |
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Hard Rock Hotel® |
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Loews Royal Pacific Resort |
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Loews Portofino Bay |
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Universal Stella Nova Resort |
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Universal Terra Luna Resort |
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Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel |
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How much time you’ll spend at the hotel
If you and your family are looking forward to spending some time at the hotel during your holiday, then you may want to choose one of the Prime or Signature resorts so you can enjoy more facilities and amenities.
If you just want a comfortable room that you can sleep soundly in, then a Value Hotel will work well, and there’s no need to spend more.
Food at the resort
Food is available at all of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels, but dining options vary depending on the hotel.
Food and beverage outlets at the Universal Orlando Resort hotels include:
- Starbucks – coffee, cakes, and snacks
- Pool bar – drinks including cocktails, frozen drinks, wine, beer, and smoothies
- Food court – casual eatery with different food stations serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus sandwiches, snacks, and beverages to take away
- Lobby bar – drinks including cocktails, beer, and wine
- Fine dining – elegant menus inspired by worldwide cuisine
Hotel category | Restaurant type |
Value Hotels |
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Prime Hotels |
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Signature Hotels | Multiple food and beverage outlets, including fine dining options |
Theming
Once you’ve narrowed your choice down to one of the categories, it’s time to whittle the hotels down to your final decision, and this is where theming becomes important. Have a good look at the photographs of each hotel to see which one will appeal the most to you and your family.
All of the hotels have really cool themes and decor, regardless of their category, so it’s just down to what appeals to you the most. Whether you’re a music-lover, you have a favourite movie character, or you want to stay at a relaxed tropical beach resort, there’s a Universal hotel for you.
If you're visiting with young children, you might want to consider one of the themed kids’ suites at some of the hotels, like the Despicable Me suites at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, or the Jurassic World suites at Loews Royal Pacific Resort.
Free Express Passes
Did you know there’s an additional benefit to staying in some of the Signature Hotels? When you stay at Hard Rock Hotel®, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, or Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, you’ll get free Universal Express Unlimited Passes for the duration of your stay, including the days you check in and check out3. This benefit is exclusive to these three hotels.
If you were thinking about buying the passes anyway, then this might help you to make a decision about where to stay, as it can really save you money on your trip to Florida.
Priority seating
Guests at the same three hotels – Hard Rock Hotel®, Loews Royal Pacific Hotel, and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – can also enjoy priority seating at many restaurants throughout Universal Orlando Resort.
Priority seating means that you’ll get seated ahead of other diners who haven’t booked. However, those who have made reservations will still be prioritised ahead of you, so it’s still worth booking ahead.
Now you have all the information you need, it’s time to start planning. Book your Universal Orlando Resort hotel now, and let the adventures begin!
1Universal Orlando hotel guests must present hotel key card and valid theme park admission; all other guests must show theme park ticket stating Early Park Admission benefit. Early Park Admission begins up to one (1) hour prior to regular scheduled park opening to: (a) Universal Studios Florida and/or Universal Islands of Adventure as determined by Universal Orlando; (b) Universal Volcano Bay (weather permitting); and/or (c) Universal Epic Universe (Early Park Admission at Epic Universe to begin 5/23/25). Valid at select attractions at each park. Park-to-Park admission required to board the Hogwarts™ Express. Benefit is non-transferable. Parks, attractions, operational times, and offerings for the Early Park Admission benefit may vary and are subject to substitutions, change, availability, capacity and/or cancellation without notice, and not guaranteed. Additional restrictions may apply.
2Only merchandise purchased from select Universal Orlando owned and operated theme park stores are eligible for Hotel Delivery. Hotel Delivery concludes daily at 5pm and the service cannot be used the day of guest check out. Additional restrictions apply and are subject to change without notice.
3Requires theme park admission. Valid only at participating rides and attractions in Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, during normal theme park operating hours. Not valid at Universal Volcano Bay or at Universal Epic Universe. Excludes separately ticketed events. Benefit is non-transferable and valid only for guests of Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel® and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, for the number of guests staying in the room for the length of hotel stay. Express ride access is a separate line with a shorter wait time at participating rides and attractions. Present valid room key card to the attendant upon entering the queue for a participating ride and attraction. Parks, attractions, operational times, and benefits are subject to substitutions, change, availability, capacity and/or cancellation without notice, and not guaranteed. Additional restrictions may apply. †Based on the weighted average price of a 2-Park Universal Express Unlimited pass ranging between $124.99 and $389.99 per person.