Staying at one of Universal Orlando Resort’s onsite hotels comes with special theme park perks like complimentary transportation, early admission, and special discounts on room and ticket packages. Each of the Universal Orlando hotels also has its own unique set of amenities and themes that may appeal to your family’s interests, ages, and budget, too. Whether your number one concern is a wallet-friendly price tag, spacious suites, or cool hotel pools, Universal Orlando hotels have it all.
After staying at most of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels myself, I can say that no matter where you choose to stay, it’s sure to be awesome. If you’re looking for budget-friendly options, try one of the Endless Summer Resorts, and if you want close proximity to the theme parks try the Hard Rock Hotel. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about choosing the best Universal Studios Florida hotel for your budget and vacation plans.
What are the different types of Universal Orlando hotels?
At Universal Orlando Resort, there are three different tiers of hotels (Signature Collection, Prime Value, and Value Inns and Suites) which start at varying price points and come with varying degrees of theme park perks.
Universal’s Value Inns and Suites
The resort’s least expensive hotels are its two Endless Summer properties, Dockside Inn and Suites and Surfside Inn and Suites. The two Value Inns and Suites hotel options are the furthest away from the parks but still come with select benefits such as complimentary shuttles and early park admission. Both have two-bedroom suites that sleep up to six. Additionally, Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort is part of the Value Inns and Suites bracket and has similar amenities to Endless Summer with resort shuttles, early park admission, and family suites that can sleep six people.
Universal’s Prime Value hotels
Universal has three Prime Value hotels. The first is Universal Aventura Hotel, which has the same benefits as the Value hotels and offers a cool additional perk: a special guests-only walking path to Universal’s only Orlando water park, Volcano Bay. The hotel also has a great rooftop bar and grill that boasts incredible views of Universal Orlando and the rest of the city. The other two Prime Value hotels are the upcoming Universal Stella Nova Resort and the Universal Terra Luna Resort, which open on January 21, 2025, and February 25, 2025, respectively. Both Stella Nova and Terra Luna will offer resort shuttles to the theme parks, early park admission, and are close to the upcoming Epic Universe theme park Universal opening in 2025.
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Universal’s Signature Collection hotels
The most expensive of the Universal Studios Florida hotels are the five Signature Collection properties, which come with all of the above-mentioned perks as well as priority seating at restaurants and complimentary Express Passes for the parks. With this, you can skip the regular lines at participating rides and attractions at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Note that you must still buy your own theme park admission, and Express Passes are not valid at Universal’s Volcano Bay. The five Universal hotels that fall into this tier are the Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, and the new Universal Helios Grand Hotel, the latter of which will open in 2025 with Epic Universe.
1. Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites
Best of the Universal Orlando hotels for families on a budget
This Universal Orlando hotel is one of the best onsite properties for families looking to save money without sacrificing space or quality. The seaside-style Universal’s Endless Summer – Dockside Inn and Suites has two pools, a kids’ splash pad, a game room, and a large food court serving up everything from chicken and waffles to Asian-style burgers.
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There’s a Starbucks in the lobby to perk you up before a long day in the parks, and also a lounge to help you wind down at the end of the day. Treat yourself to pizza delivery to your room, eat any of the day’s meals at the Pier 8 Market, and enjoy two bars, including a poolside bar with smoothies, in addition to the lounge. Standard rooms start at less than $100 per night, but the biggest benefit of this Universal Orlando hotel is its two-bedroom suites, which start at less than $149 per night.
2. Universal’s Endless Summer – Surfside Inn and Suites
Best of the Universal Orlando hotels for families who need a little extra space
The sister property of Dockside Inn and Suites, Universal’s Endless Summer – Surfside Inn and Suites boasts the same budget-friendly value as Dockside and many of the same amenities and room types (including those spacious two-bedroom suites). But Surfside also gives off major “hang ten” vibes with its surfboard-shaped pool, beach-inspired cocktails, and gorgeous ocean photos in the guest rooms. While rooms might be slightly larger, the property is actually smaller than Dockside, so if you like your hotel guest room slightly more intimate, Surfside is the better option.
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With one restaurant, bar, Starbucks, and pizza delivery, there’s enough at the property to keep your family hydrated and nourished without the bother of too many choices. It’s important to note that the budget-friendly pricing of both of Universal’s Endless Summer hotels does come at the cost of proximity to the parks, however. While most Universal Orlando hotels are only a short walk or boat ride to the theme parks, the only way to get to the Universal parks from Surfside and Dockside is by complimentary bus, ride share, or driving a personal vehicle. Prices at the resort start at $100 for standard rooms and $149 for two-bedroom suites.
3. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Best of the Universal Orlando hotels or families who love pool time
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort will make you nostalgic for the beach resorts of the 1950s and 60s, even if you weren’t alive yet. From the V05 and Zest in guest bathrooms to the bowling alley and old-school TV commercials playing in the food court, staying at this Universal Orlando Resort hotel is like traveling back in time. If you’ve had enough time in the sun at the parks, the Jack Lalanne Fitness Studio and Game-O-Rama Arcade will keep your family engaged indoors.
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And while it doesn’t have an actual time machine, Cabana Bay does have something you won’t find at any of the other Universal Orlando hotels: a lazy river. In fact, the hotel actually has two pools, one with a water slide and the other with a meandering lazy river. There are cabanas to rent and free shaded picnic sites.
Organized activities such as hula hoop and splash contests are ongoing and welcome guests of all ages. To get the full enjoyment of the lazy river, tubes can be purchased at a small stand in the pool area. For more opportunities to swim, slide, and splash, you can take the walking path or a bus next door to Universal’s Volcano Bay water park. Bookings here start at $145 for standard rooms and $186 for family suites that can sleep up to six people.
4. Universal’s Aventura Hotel
Best for families who want to see it all
Universal’s Aventura Hotel is centrally located to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay water park. In fact, you can see the water park’s 200-foot-tall Krakatau volcano from certain “skyline view” guest rooms on the hotel’s higher floors. If that’s not enough, you’ll find even better views from Aventura’s rooftop lounge, Bar 17 Bistro.
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In a departure from the typical Universal Studios Orlando hotels, Aventura has a sleek, minimalistic style reminiscent of a chic beachfront high-rise. Your little ones won’t feel left out of the fun however, as the hotel boasts a Splash Zone and Kids’ Suites lodging with room for five people including two twin beds for the littles who don’t like to share. Transportation from Aventura includes shuttle buses and walking paths, including one that will lead you directly to Universal’s Volcano Bay. Rates are still fairly budget-friendly with standard rooms starting at $145 and Kids’ Suites starting at $290.
5. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando
Best of the hotels near Universal Orlando for families who love the beach
Staying at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is as close as you can get to staying in a tropical island resort without leaving Central Florida. You’ll find white sand beaches in the pool area, serenity-inducing touches of sapphire blue all around you, Caribbean-inspired food (and cocktails!) at the bars and restaurants, and cascading waterfalls surrounding the waterway that takes you straight to Universal’s theme parks.
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Kids will be thrilled with tons of poolside activities such as ping pong tournaments, water balloon tosses, and outdoor pool tables, and the fun continues indoors at the Calypso Game Room. The whole family can take an evening stroll around the property with dog-friendly walking and jogging pathways. The kids’ suites at this Universal Orlando hotel have nautical-themed bedrooms where the young ones can play out their own island adventure while parents relax in the room next door. One night at the resort starts at $222 for standard rooms and $322 for suites.
6. Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando
Best of the Universal Studios Orlando hotels for families who want to be close to the parks
Kids of all ages can party like a rock star at Universal Orlando’s Hard Rock Hotel. There’s rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia in every nook and cranny of the hotel, a large pool with an underwater sound system, and stylish guest rooms. Your family can really live it up in the Hard Rock Hotel’s Future Rock Star Suites that have a separate bedroom for kids, complete with velvet bedding, a starlit ceiling, and a performance area where they can belt their little hearts out. For the truly musical family, splurge on a Graceland Suite and enjoy your own in-room baby grand piano. The hotel also boasts standard rooms and Club Level rooms. Rates at the Hard Rock Hotel start at $386 for standard rooms, $516 for Club Level rooms, and $772 for suites.
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With a game room, fitness center, and concert venue, there’s plenty to do on-site at The Hard Rock Hotel. That said, you’ve likely come for the theme parks, so it’s important to know that The Hard Rock Hotel is also the closest of the Universal Studios Orlando hotels to the theme parks. You can choose to walk to the parks or hop on a water taxi, both of which are about a 10-minute journey. When you stay there it’s easier to get to the fun faster. And as with all of Universal’s Premier hotels, your family will receive free Universal Express Unlimited access for the entirety of your stay, allowing you to skip the line on most theme park attractions.
7. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando
Best for families who want early theme park access
The Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando is modeled after the charming seaside village of Portofino, Italy. During your downtime, you can sit by the water with a cup of gelato, zip down a Roman aqueduct-themed water slide, and dine on Italian cuisine. By night there’s classical opera and “popera” at the Harbor Piazza.
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This Universal Orlando hotel also has a handful of Despicable Me-themed Kids’ Suites with custom-made missile beds and wall-to-wall Minions in the kids’ room, but they book up fast. Book early if you want to say “Bello!” to Bob, Kevin, Stuart, and the other Minions. In addition to Universal Express Unlimited and Early Park Admission, you get Priority Seating at select Universal restaurants and delivery of any of your on-site purchased goods directly to your hotel. Bookings here are more expensive, but worth it for the added perks. Rates start at $393 for standard rooms, $532 for Club Level rooms, and $786 for suites.
8. Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Best Universal Orlando hotel for families who want maximum park time
The Loews Royal Pacific Resort may make you feel as if you’ve been transported to a serene South Seas paradise, but you’re actually just minutes from the action at Universal’s theme parks. Depending on your room location, you can even see some of the rides peeking out from the tops of the tropical palm trees. And if your kids love dinosaurs, they can actually sleep with their favorite prehistoric friends in the Royal Pacific’s Jurassic World Kids’ Suites.
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Loews Royal Pacific Resort is one of the five Universal Orlando hotels in the Signature Collection, so you’ll get skip-the-line and early admission benefits along with a less-than-ten-minute walk, boat ride, or bus ride to the parks when you stay. You’ll also get access to a fun pool, and while it doesn’t have a slide, the splash pad is sure to entertain kids for hours. And if you want a taste of the islands, book an evening at the Wantilan Luau, which is a fun-filled evening with Polynesian entertainment and food.
9. Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel
Best Universal Orlando hotel for easy access to Epic Universe
One of the newest hotels at Universal Orlando is Helios Grand Hotel, A Loews Hotel opening alongside Epic Universe in 2025. The hotel will have its own dedicated entrance into the new theme park and shuttle buses to the other Universal parks. Other perks include early entry at the parks and merchandise delivery to the hotel.
Bar Helios will be the spot to hang out during the day for a break from the parks or after an exciting evening. The bar will boast 360-degree views of Epic Universe and the surrounding area. And if you’re looking for some splashing fun, the resort will have a zero-entry pool and a nearby cocktail bar for frozen beverages.
There are three levels of rooms: standard, Club Level, and suites. Standard rooms start at 325 square feet and feature floral design touches. And families traveling with kids will love the How to Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suites, which has separate sleeping areas for adults and kids.
Reservations and pricing for the resort are currently not available.
10. Universal Stella Nova Resort
Best Universal Orlando hotel for space junkies
If you or anyone in your theme park squad is obsessed with space, make a reservation for Universal Stella Nova Resort. The new property officially opens on January 21, 2025, and is currently taking reservations. Perks of staying here include complimentary shuttle bus transportation to the parks and early park admission.
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The resort will have three restaurants and bars, a casual market-style restaurant, a poolside eatery, and a bar where drinks are infused with smoke. Outside at the 10,000 square-foot pool, you can swim and kids can enjoy the splash pad.
Room styles are limited to standard rooms with two queen beds that can accommodate four people. Rates start at $134.
11. Universal Terra Luna Resort
Best Universal Orlando hotel for families with curious kids
Stella Nova’s sister resort is Universal Terra Luna Resort, which opens February 25, 2025, and reservations are available to book now. Universal says the resort is all about exploring the unknown, which is evident from the cool space-themed rooms. The resort’s standard rooms sleep four people in a double queen bed.
Around the resort, you’ll find three different dining options: a marketplace, a poolside bar and grill, and an indoor bar. And outside, the zero-entry pool is a great spot to cool off after enjoying the parks in the morning and afternoon.
Rates start at $134.
