Universal Studios Orlando Best on Site Hotel Reviews

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It is fourth dimension to decide which of Universal Orlando Resort'south soon-to-be 8 on-site hotels is best for you lot and your party: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Difficult Rock Hotel, Loews Purple Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal'south Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal'southward Aventura Hotel, and the upcoming multi-belongings Universal'southward Countless Summertime Resort (which will begin its multi-phase opening in summer 2019).

Let's start with what is the same about all 8 venues.

What do all of Universal's on-site hotels have in common?

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando — Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: Universal Orlando's flagship resort

Universal divides its eight on-site resorts into iv dissimilar categories:

Premier:
Portofino Bay Hotel
Hard Rock Hotel
Royal Pacific Resort

Preferred:
Sapphire Falls Resort

Prime:
Cabana Bay Embankment Resort
Aventura Hotel

Value – Endless Summer Resort'southward two constituent hotels:
Surfside Inn and Suites
Dockside Inn and Suites

This is of import to keep in heed because the two more prestigious tiers, premier and preferred, feature perks that the two more inexpensive levels, prime value and value, don't. We'll get to those differences in only a second – first, however, let's go over what all four categories practice have in common:

Early Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Volcano Bay
Transportation to all three parks and CityWalk (you can as well walk from almost all of the hotels to CityWalk)
Resort-wide charging privileges
Commitment of trade purchased
Character appearances
Non-smoking rooms with:
- flat-screen TVs
- hairdryer
- safe
- iron and ironing board
- coffee maker
Free basic wifi, with premium available for a fee
Heated, themed pools with lifeguards on duty
Game room
Costless fitness heart
Laundry services
Supervised children's activities
- All hotels offer supervised children'south activities, such as arts and crafts, story time, computer play, movies, and more, then parents tin explore all that the resort has to offering
- Supervised children's areas are open Sunday through Thursday, 5:00 pm to 11:thirty pm, and Fri through Saturday, five:00 pm to midnight. Times are subject to change
- There is a supervised children'southward area at almost of the on-site hotels, but availability may merely exist offered at one resort per night on a rotating footing. On-site guests are welcome to bring their kids to the venue in question, fifty-fifty if it's not the one they're staying at
- Kids must be age 4 to 14, and they must exist potty-trained.The fee is $fifteen per child, per hour, plus meals
- For reservations and more information, contact the concierge or star service at your hotel
- Important: this is not a one-on-one babysitting service. The concierge can arrange a 3rd-party sitting service, if desired
Access to Mandara Spa at Portofino Bay

What exercise the premiere and preferred on-site hotels have in common (and not)?

Okay – now it's time to go down to contumely tacks.

Each of the four elevation venues at Universal Orlando (which, once once more, are Portofino Bay Hotel, Difficult Rock Hotel, Imperial Pacific Resort, and Sapphire Falls Resort) is an AAA Four-Diamond resort property, meaning – regardless of which you choose – y'all'll be staying at a higher-end hotel with detailed theming and upscale civilities, such as large pool areas, fine-dining restaurants, supervised kids' activities, and business centers.

These 4 hotels all characteristic:

Water taxi transportation to the Universal theme parks and CityWalk
- Each hotel offers water-taxi service that begins 30 minutes before Early Park Admission and runs about every fifteen minutes until 2:30 am
- H2o taxis are assigned to a particular on-site hotel and become straight from that hotel to the CityWalk drop-off area and dorsum. They do not pick upwards at multiple hotels before going to CityWalk
- H2o taxis can exist used past general park guests, too, with the twin exceptions of during peak seasons and late at night; at these times, water-taxi access is restricted to on-site guests, and the boats' captains may ask to see room primal cards
- Both water taxis and all other transportation options are ADA accessible
Individual suites
Pets allowed
Valet parking
Concierge desk
Business center
24-60 minutes room service

Despite all these commonalities, yet, there are still some differences to be constitute among them, and information technology's very important to keep these in heed, as well. The premier resorts offer two extra benefits that their five on-site brethren don't: priority seating at Universal Orlando's diverse restaurants and, more notably, gratis Unlimited Express Passes for each hotel guest.

Yes, this means that Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, and Regal Pacific are considerably more expensive than the others, merely it also means that, depending upon your grouping size and dates of your stay, you tin salvage money equally compared to buying Express for each member of your party separately.

What do the prime value and value on-site hotels have in mutual (and non)?

Universal Orlando'south ii lower tiers were designed for family unit accessibility. While their (comparative) affordability is an obvious example of this, arguably the bigger one is their brandishing of family suites – Cabana Bay Embankment Resort and Countless Summer Resort feature units that can sleep upward to 6 and that contain a kitchenette/dining area and multi-compartment bathrooms, which allow multiple members of the family to get set simultaneously. (You'll observe Aventura Hotel is the only one to not come equipped with family suites; Universal wanted to have at least one offer that was a traditional hotel at the reduced cost point.)

So what, and so, differentiates aprime value property from simply a value one? To put it in a word, distance – non merely from the theme parks, merely too from Volcano Bay. Let us explain.

Starting time and foremost, Countless Summertime is located on a dissever chunk of land from the balance of Universal Orlando. While it'due south still technically an on-site resort (meaning you go Universal's trademark theming and assortment of benefits, such equally Early on Park Admission), and while the bus ride to CityWalk lasts just every bit long every bit Cabana Bay's, this new value hotel complex won't allow you to (hands) stroll to the parks on foot.

And that leads the states directly to the side by side point: in order to recoup for Cabana and Aventura's lack of water-taxi admission to the theme parks, they feature a private walkway directly to Volcano Bay (everyone else, including all the other guests at all the other on-site hotels, accept to hop on a shuttle, which is a more involved process). This is, of course, something that Endless Summer tin can't offer, so its classification – and pricing – reflects that.

A rundown of Universal'south on-site hotels

In that location are 4 primary characteristics that differentiate the viii hotels from each other: theming, number of rooms, size of the rooms, and price. Ultimately, these 4 elements combine to make each resort a good match for particular groups. Allow's take a closer look.

(To larn more than nearly the specific amenities and room types at each of Universal Orlando's on-site hotels, click on each individual holding's name beneath to view all of our info and sub-pages.)

ENDLESS SUMMER RESORT

Theming: a fun, coastal, laid-back beach vibe – which the adjacent-door lake will only accentuate.
Number of rooms: 2,800 combined (750 at Surfside Inn and Suites, 2,050 at Dockside Inn and Suites) – the largest overall of the eight on-site hotels.
Room size: standard rooms are 314 square feet.
Price: standard rooms will kickoff at $73 per nighttime (using certain promos during sure times of the year)
Best match: Countless Summer is a best match for any party traveling on a tight budget.
Continue in listen: Endless Summer doesnot offering either complimentary Express Pass access or water-taxi service.

AVENTURA HOTEL

Theming: a sleek, modern hotel that is light on theming only notwithstanding heavy with way.
Number of rooms: 600 – the smallest of the eight on-site hotels.
Room size: standard rooms are 314 square feet.
Cost: standard rooms range between $144 and $244 per night.
Best lucifer: Aventura is a best match for those who are less concerned with theming and more than concerned with a 17-story rooftop bar or the iPads that come equipped with each room.
Keep in mind: Aventura doesnot offering either complimentary Express Pass access or water-taxi service.

CABANA BAY BEACH RESORT

Theming: splash back to the 1950s and '60s, a vintage expect pulled right from the blockbuster TV evidence Mad Men (with a dash of Old Florida).
Number of rooms: two,200 – the largest of the individual on-site hotels.
Room size: standard rooms are 300 foursquare feet.
Price: standard rooms range betwixt $144 and $244 per dark.
Best lucifer: Cabana Bay is a best friction match for any political party traveling on a tight budget but that still wants to be shut to the activeness (specially Volcano Bay).
Continue in mind: Cabana does not offering either free Limited Pass access or water-taxi service.

SAPPHIRE FALLS RESORT

Theming: a paradise where shoes are optional, blueish waterfalls pour across lush grounds, and the invitation to cool relaxation is everywhere.
Number of rooms: 1,000 – tied for the 3rd-largest of the 8 on-site hotels.
Room size: standard rooms are 321 square feet.
Price: standard rooms range between $199 and $314 per night.
Best friction match: Sapphire Falls is great for coming together and convention attendees. In addition, it may be the perfect fit for a family looking for additional accommodations over the (prime) value hotels but isn't interested in having Express Passes.
Keep in listen: Sapphire does non offering complimentary Express Pass access.

ROYAL PACIFIC RESORT

Theming: the South Seas. Information technology has a tropical, festive feel to it, with a mix of relaxation and excitement. If you are someone who really enjoys immersive theming, y'all should be pleased with Majestic Pacific.
Number of rooms: 1,000 – tied for the third-largest of the 8 on-site hotels.
Room size: standard rooms are 335 square feet.
Price: standard rooms range between $274 and $479 per night.
Best friction match: Majestic Pacific is a best friction match for families with young children. And, every bit Universal Orlando's almost economical hotel that still offers complimentary Limited, it is the all-time bet for travelers during a summit season on a budget.
Keep in mind: Majestic Pacific is the closest of the three hotels to Islands of Take a chance – it unremarkably takes less time to walk from this resort to the park's turnstiles than it does to take the h2o taxi. In general, Purple Pacific is the third of the eight on-site hotels to sell out. While all Universal on-site backdrop receive positive reviews, we run across the nearly virtually this one. It is too the venue that has treated u.s.a. the best in our hundreds of stays.
OI tip: Majestic Pacific has a number of rooms that look out directly toward Islands of Adventure, giving y'all a clear view of Hulk, Hogwarts Castle, and more than. If you'd like one of these rooms, exist sure to request a "park view" room on the 7th floor of Tower ii, the sixth floor of Tower 3, or the seventh floor of Tower 3 (club level).

HARD ROCK HOTEL

Theming: California mansion, like the 1 featured on the front of the Eagles album Hotel California. Information technology is true that this resort is fairly striking from the outside, and the puddle area is a pleasure. When you motion within, even so, the story changes: the make clean white walls and modern styling come off as rather boring. If you are not looking at a piece of Hard Stone's collector memorabilia, y'all volition probably feel like y'all are just in another hotel.
Number of rooms: 650 – the second-smallest of the viii on-site hotels.
Room size: standard rooms are 375 square feet, or 10 percentage larger than Regal Pacific.
Price: standard rooms range between $314 and $549 per night.
All-time match: Hard Stone is about image and attitude, and who in the family unit does that remind yous of? Yes, Hard Stone is a big hitting for families with teens. Younger couples besides find their fashion hither, searching for the free spirit of the rock 'n roller. Despite what we noted in the theming section almost the interior spaces, Hard Rock does take an energetic atmosphere – but it comes from the guests hanging out and looking for a skillful time.
Keep in heed: in example you are at all concerned that Hard Rock may exist a picayune too "hard" for your impressionable kids, you demand non worry – it is a very family-friendly property. Because of its smaller size and popularity with teens (which, coincidentally, is a huge demographic for the Universal Orlando theme parks), Hard Stone is almost always the first hotel to sell out. If yous desire to stay here, book your room now!

PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL

Theming: modeled after its namesake, the famous fishing village in the Italian Riviera. As Universal Orlando'southward flagship hotel holding, Portofino Bay features the most impressive theming of the eight on-site hotels (although Royal Pacific is not too far behind). The holding is likewise somewhat beginning from CityWalk and the iii parks, further adding to its immersive qualities.
Number of rooms: 750. Information technology is worth noting that while Portofino Bay has fewer rooms than Royal Pacific, the physical layout of the hotel is more expansive; it is not unusual for guests to feel a chip lost the showtime time they walk around. However, this is not a frustrating sensation – in the case of Portofino Bay, it only helps to elevate the theming and the sense of having been swept away to an exotic Italian retreat.
Room size: standard rooms are 450 square feet. That is 25 pct larger than Imperial Pacific and near xv percent larger than Hard Rock.
Price: Standard rooms range between $329 and $544 per night.
Best match: Portofino Bay, as already mentioned, is the flagship resort at Universal Orlando. Not only is it the nearly impressive in terms of theming, information technology also features the widest selection of amenities. For example, it has 3 pool areas – Hard Rock, Regal Pacific, and Sapphire Falls just have one. It also has more restaurants and shops than the other 7 hotels. Perchance more importantly, Portofino is tied (with Sapphire) for the largest option of room types, including five separate suite categories. All that we have described makes Portofino Bay the obvious choice for older couples or parties in the mood for romance.
Keep in mind: Portofino Bay may be designed for guests who are looking for a more than upscale experience than any of the other properties, merely it'southward worth mentioning that this venue is besides a very good friction match for families who want a interruption from the craziness of the parks. Royal Pacific and Sapphire Falls have a lot more rooms and only i pool each, so they can be hectic. Hard Rock is, well, Hard Rock. And Cabana Bay, with its staggering room count, is ever crawling with people. But Portofino, with its expansive property layout, larger number of amenities, and secluded location away from the theme parks, offers plenty of peace and tranquility. Also, Universal Orlando's full-service spa is at Portofino Bay!

Staying at a 28-star resort

Many guests are delighted to discover out that past staying at one of the on-site hotels, they have complimentary admission to the amenities at all the others. This is particularly useful to know if your hotel of choice is sold out. Nigh common scenario: a family with teens wants to stay at Hard Stone, only there are no more rooms available. Well, they will well-nigh likely be able to stay at Royal Pacific and relieve a little chip of money, and they can yet hang out at Difficult Rock'due south pool (be sure to bring your room keys!).

Even if you are non staying on-site at Universal Orlando, you can visit the hotels, too!

Theme park veterans know this already, simply just in case you lot are a first-timer, we will let you in on a little cloak-and-dagger: anyone can visit the Universal Orlando on-site hotels. (The same goes for all of Walt Disney World Resort'due south on-site hotels, too, just for the record.) Now, you practise not necessarily have access to all the civilities – don't plan on bringing your swimming trunks – just yous can still visit, check out the theming, and catch a meal. We highly recommend that anyone visiting Universal for more than two days spring on the h2o taxis (or shuttle) and tour the resorts.

That brings us to one of import reminder: all on-site backdrop charge for parking. And they charge more to day-guests than Universal's chief parking garage, so don't think you lot can skip the parking fee by grabbing a spot at a hotel like you lot tin at Disney World.

Speaking of pricing…

Get set for actress fees

If you are going to stay on-site at Universal Orlando Resort, please be aware that the hotels charge for many things guests commonly assume are included with the room, such as parking. We should also mention that none of Universal's backdrop operate their own shuttles, whether paid or complimentary, to Orlando International Airport (unless you're a vacation package holder, that is).

What about the hotels' cancellation policy?

Since all eight on-site hotels are operated by Loews, they all characteristic the aforementioned cancellation policy: if yous cancel your reservation six or more days in accelerate, you volition receive a total refund. If it's anything fewer than v days beforehand, however, you lot will exist charged one night'due south room rate, plus revenue enhancement.

It's important to note that this cancellation policy is only for when y'allbook the hotel by itself; if you have bundled accommodations through a Universal Orlando vacation package or through a third party, there will potentially be various fees with various timetables involved.

Do y'all have a question about staying at Universal's on-site hotels? Please let us know by posting in our Universal Customs Facebook group.

Breakfast Options at Universal Orlando Resort'due south Hotels
Comparing Universal Orlando'south On-Site Hotels: Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, Majestic Pacific, Sapphire Falls, Cabana Bay, Aventura, & Endless Summertime
Hard Rock Hotel Orlando: Complete Guide
- Acoustic Sunday Brunch at Hard Rock Hotel
- Hard Rock Hotel Orlando: Dining & Lounges
- Hard Stone Hotel Orlando: Distance From the Parks
- Hard Rock Hotel Orlando: Pool Area
- Hard Rock Hotel Orlando: Public Spaces
- Difficult Rock Hotel Orlando: Rooms
- Velvet Bar at Difficult Rock Hotel Orlando – photos, menus, & reviews
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: Overview
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: Dining & Lounges
  - Bar American (full-service bar) at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
  - Bice Ristorante (full-service) at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
  - Mama Della'due south Ristorante (full-service) at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
  - Sal'south Marketplace Cafeteria (quick-service) at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
  - The Thirsty Fish (full-service bar) at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
  - Trattoria del Porto (full-service) at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: Distance From the Parks
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: Pool Areas
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: Public spaces & Harbor Piazza
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: Rooms
- Mandara Spa at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Loews Royal Pacific Resort: Overview
- Loews Purple Pacific Resort: Dining & Lounges
  - Bula Bar & Grille (quick-service) at Purple Pacific Resort
  - Despicable Me Character Breakfast at Loews Majestic Pacific Resort
  - Islands Dining Room (full-service) at Loews Majestic Pacific Resort
  - Jake's American Bar (full-service) at Regal Pacific Resort
  - Jake's Beer Dinner at Loews Royal Pacific Resort
  - Orchid Courtroom Lounge and Sushi Bar (full-service) at Loews Royal Pacific Resort
  - Wantilan Luau at Loews Imperial Pacific Resort
- Loews Purple Pacific Resort: Distance From the Parks
- Loews Regal Pacific Resort: Puddle Area
- Loews Royal Pacific Resort: Public Spaces
- Loews Royal Pacific Resort: Rooms
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort: Overview
- Loews Sapphire Falls Resort: Dining & Lounges
  - Amatista Cookhouse (total-service) at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort – Photos, Menus, & Reviews
  - Caribbean area Carnaval at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
  - Drhum Club Kantine (limited-service bar) at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
  - New Dutch Trading Co. (quick-service) at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort – photos, menus, & reviews
  - Stiff Water Tavern (full-service bar) at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
- Loews Sapphire Falls Resort: Puddle Area
- Loews Sapphire Falls Resort: Public spaces
- Loews Sapphire Falls Resort: Rooms
- Sapphire Falls Resort: Distance From the Parks
Universal Orlando Resort Hotel Discounts for Annual Passholders – Complete Guide
Universal'southward Aventura Hotel: Complete Guide
- Universal's Aventura Hotel: Dining & Lounges – photos, details, & more
  - Bar 17 Bistro (full-service bar) at Aventura Hotel
  - Bar Sol (limited-service bar) at Aventura Hotel – Photos, Menus, & Reviews
  - barVentura (limited-service bar) at Aventura Hotel – Photos, Menus, & Reviews
  - Urban Pantry (quick-service) at Aventura Hotel – Photos, Menus, & Reviews
- Universal'southward Aventura Hotel: Distance From the Parks
- Universal's Aventura Hotel: Pool Surface area
- Universal's Aventura Hotel: Public Spaces
- Universal'due south Aventura Hotel: Rooms
Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Overview
- Cabana Bay Embankment Resort: Dining & Lounges
  - Atomic Tonic (quick-service) at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
  - Bayliner Diner (quick-service) at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
  - Galaxy Bowl (full-service) at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
  - Swizzle Lounge (quick-service) at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
  - The Hideaway Bar & Grill (quick-service) at Cabana Bay Embankment Resort
- Cabana Bay Embankment Resort: Distance from the Parks
- Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Pool areas
- Cabana Bay Embankment Resort: Public spaces
- Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Rooms
Universal'southward Countless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites: Consummate Guide
- Universal'due south Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites: Dining & Lounges
  - Sunset Lounge (limited-service bar) at Universal's Countless Summertime Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites
  - The Oasis Beach Bar (express-service bar) at Universal's Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites
- Universal'due south Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites: Altitude From the Parks
- Universal'south Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites: Pool Areas
- Universal'south Countless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites: Rooms
- Universal'south Countless Summertime Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites: Public Spaces
Universal's Countless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites: Overview
- Universal'southward Countless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites: Dining & Lounges
  - Beach Break Buffet (quick-service) at Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites
  - Pier 8 Marketplace (quick-service) at Universal's Countless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites
  - Sand Bar (limited-service bar) at Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites
- Universal's Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites: Distance from the parks
- Universal's Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites: Pool Expanse
- Universal's Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites: Rooms
- Universal's Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites: Public Spaces

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Source: https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/comparing-on-site-hotels/