This is your complete guide to the Best Universal Orlando hotel! As you will see Universal has a different hotel for every family size and budget, and our favorite value resort is Universal’s Aventura Resort, our favorite preferred is Sapphire Falls Resort, and our favorite premier resort is Loews Portofino Bay Resort.
We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation! If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando, be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals, which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to book a Universal Orlando vacation, check out our crowd calendar below!
Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar
There are eight, soon to be 11, official Universal Orlando Resort hotels at this point and something for every family size and budget. With the opening of Epic Universe, we will see the opening of Terra Luna, Stella Nova, and Universal Helios Grand Hotels, which will bring a whole new way to stay on your Universal vacation. Each of these resorts have complimentary transportation and exclusive benefits for guests staying on property.
In our opinion, our favorite value resort is Universal’s Aventura Resort, our favorite preferred is Sapphire Falls Resort, and our favorite premier resort is Loews Portofino Bay Resort, which would also include the free Universal Express Pass. As you will see below, though, we would also recommend the Universal Endless Summer Resorts for families of 5-6 who are traveling on a budget or Loews Royal Pacific as the cheapest premier resort.
NEW! – Opening with Epic Universe
Stella Nova and Terra Luna will be taking reservations early 2025 for guests to stay in before the opening of Epic Universe.
Related Post: Discount Universal Orlando Vacation Packages
Rates start at $388.00 per night
Transportation: Boat, shuttle, walkway
Rates start at $372.00 per night
Transportation: Boat, shuttle, walkway
Rates start at $325.00 per night
Transportation: Boat, Shuttle, walkway
Rates start at $210.00 per night
Transportation: Boat, shuttle, walkway
Rates start at $140.00 per night
Transportation: Shuttle
Rates start at $140.00 per night
Transportation: Shuttle
Rates start at $96.00 per night
Transportation: Shuttle
There are also two hotels to choose from here, either Surside or Dockside, both with different themes but overall the same type of hotel.
These hotels have not officially opened yet, so we can’t quite give the pros and cons, but we will update this section as the opening of Epic Universe comes near!
Rates start at: $147 per night
Transportation: Shuttle
Pros: Opening on January 21, 2025, Stella Nova brings the wonder and mystery of the cosmos to life with its space-themed design. Ideal for guests who love the idea of blending space exploration on a Universal budget.
Cons:
What’s the vibe?: Cosmic-inspired luxury with an awe-inspiring ambiance that captures the vastness and beauty of the universe.
Rates start at: $147 per night
Transportation: Shuttle
Pros: Terra Luna offers a unique, adventure-inspired experience, perfect for those who love the excitement of exploration. Opening on February 25, 2025, this resort is designed to be both your base for theme park fun and your peaceful retreat, featuring relaxing pools and quiet spaces to recharge between adventures.
Cons:
What’s the vibe?: An adventurous, discovery-themed resort with serene, laid-back areas for unwinding after a day of exploring Universal’s Epic Universe.
Rates start at:
Transportation: Shuttle, or walking into Epic Universe (its attached!)
Pros: Helios Grand, opening soon at Universal Epic Universe, is a luxurious Mediterranean-inspired retreat set above the waters of Celestial Park. This sunlit sanctuary offers an elegant yet casual atmosphere with celestial details throughout, making it the perfect spot for those who seek both relaxation and sophistication.
Cons: With its premium amenities and prime location, the price point is higher compared to other Universal resorts, which might not suit all budgets.
What’s the vibe?: A bright, sun-soaked escape with Mediterranean elegance, celestial themes, and a serene, uplifting energy.
Related Post: 14 Hotels Within Walking Distance Of Universal Studios Orlando (30 Mins Or Less!)
Dockside Inn and Suites is the best hotel for families trying to get the best deal possible. There are many different room options for whatever your party needs are. Prices range from $91 for a standard double queen room to $147 for a double queen suite with a pool view.
In our opinion, Aventura Resort is the best Universal Orlando value resort as it has a stylish and modern feel and is affordable. Its rooms provide amazing sweeping views of all three parks and provide plenty of room to move around. Starting at just $140 a night, it fits into most budgets.
It is also much smaller than some of the other value resorts at Universal and has a fun kids’ suite with bunk beds starting at $232 a night. What kid wouldn’t love sleeping in a bunk bed while on vacation?
We believe Loews Portofino Bay is the best Universal Orlando premier resort as it has the most pools, restaurants, and shopping venues. This expansive resort, designed to make you feel like you’ve traveled abroad to Portofino, Italy, with its outdoor cafes, cobblestone streets, and shops along the harbor, will charm its way into your heart. Rooms begin at $388 a night, with the ability to upgrade to Club Level or Suites. And these rooms are like no other. Standard rooms have 450 square feet, making them some of the largest rooms on the property and with pillow-top beds. This resort is great for families seeking an upscale, luxury place to stay while on their Universal Studios Vacation.
We do find that the best hotels for large families at Universal Orlando are the Endless Summer Resorts and Cabana Bay Beach Resort, which both have very affordable 2-bedroom suites. We would also lean towards Loews Sapphire Falls resort for families who might want nicer accommodations, however the only downside is all of these options would not come with the free Universal express passes.
Loews Hard Rock hotel and Loews Portofino Bay resort are the closest Universal hotels within walking distance to the two main theme parks. However we would also suggest Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach resort for families are are trying to be close to the water park Volcano Bay.
If you’re staying at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, you are the closest to Universal’s Islands of Adventure from the CityWalk side.
We would always suggest families consider Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort as it has two pools, including a Lazy River, a Bowling Alley, and a huge dining hall. And for families who would like a more premium experience, we always recommend Loews Portofino Bay Resort. Cabana Bay is also the closest hotel to Universal’s Volcano Bay, being only a 5 minute walk from the hotel.
From our experience helping our clients book discount Universal vacation packages Loews Royal Pacific Resort stands out as the best Universal Orlando hotel offering free Express Passes. The main reason is that it is typically the cheapest of the three Universal Orlando premiere hotels. In addition to the price value that it provides, Loews Royal Pacific Resort provides a range of exceptional amenities, such as a lagoon-style pool, various dining options, and convenient water taxi transportation to the theme parks.
Related Post: Guide to the Best Luxury Hotel Near Universal Studios Orlando
A: Another popular question we receive when trying to help families pick the best Universal hotel is, what is the most luxurious hotel at Universal Studios Orlando? We do find the Loews Portofino Bay resort to be the most luxurious hotel at Universal Orlando. One of the main reasons is the high-end rooms, which are very modern and sleek. We also find as a general rule of thumb we would suggest that any hotel that offers the free Universal Express Passes will be considered the most luxurious.
You can also check out our complete guide to the best luxury hotels near Universal.
A: The best hotel for Universal Orlando is Portofino Bay, which is their signature hotel. Of course, any hotel at Universal offers free transportation and Early Park Admission, but Portofino Bay has the nicest accommodations, amenities, and recreation and offers a free express pass!
Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.
The best part is right now The Park Prodigy is running a promotion for anyone who books a 2-night or more Universal Orlando vacation package! Simply check out all available hotels on our Universal Studios Resort Hotel package page and use promo code Magic50 at checkout for an additional $50.00 off our discounted packages!