Don’t settle for second best. Make the most of your visit to Universal Studios Orlando, by staying at the best onsite Universal Studios Orlando hotel. It doesn’t get any closer than staying at one of their seven onsite hotels.
Staying within reach of the entertainment and amusement is the best way to enjoy your vacation. Everything you need is right there for you and you don’t have to worry about extra travel expenses. Knowing which is Universal Studios Orlando best onsite hotel will help you plan your next vacation.
The best onsite Universal Studios Orlando hotel if you are on a budget is one of the Endless Summer Resorts (Surfside Inn and Suites or Dockside Inn and Suites). If money is no object and you want to get the best luxury accommodations at Universal Studios Orlando, than stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel.
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Best Onsite Hotel Universal Studios Orlando
There are seven hotels or resorts to choose from onsite at Universal Studios Orlando. When you choose to stay with Universal, there are exclusive theme park benefits included. The best part is that there is a hotel or resort for any budget and for every personal style.
Value Hotels
Endless Summer Resorts
Two sister hotels make up the Endless Summer Resort. Stay at either the Surfside Inn and Suites or Dockside Inn and Suites. The surf-themed rooms and beach vibe can be felt all around. As the value hotels onsite, you save money, but comfort is not abandoned. Both hotels boast spacious rooms, perfect for families.
There is an assortment of dining options at each, offering a variety of cuisine styles. When you are not at the Park, enjoy a swim, a workout at the gym, or some fun in the games room. A beach away from the beach, the Endless Summer Resort is a mini getaway of its own
Pricing averages from $79 per night for standard rooms and $120 per night for double rooms with 2 beds. The two-bedroom suite comes with a kitchenette and your option of a pool view. Wi-fi is available throughout the hotel and there are coin-operated laundry facilities.
Prime Value Hotels
Aventura Hotel
If style is what you are looking for, the Aventura is the place to stay. This hotel offers a more modern and trendy design for the modest budget. You get the same great perks mentioned below so the lower price is not a discouragement.
When you are just looking for a place to sleep and relax, but have a limited budget, the Aventura will accommodate you perfectly. Enjoy a pool, fitness center, and games room as well as a selection of dining and lounge options. Upgrade to a Skyline room and get a beautiful view from the highest floors of the sleek hotel tower.
Pricing for standard rooms is approximately $116 per night. To get a kid suite, the average price will be $210 per night. This suite accommodates 5 and has an interior area for the kids with twin beds. There may be additional charges for any extra people staying in the rooms.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Another affordable option, this time with a vibrant retro-style theme. The iconic and memorable architecture of this hotel comes straight from the 1950’s and 60’s beach resorts of Florida.
This hotel is designed for fun as much as it is relaxation. Enjoy one of two pools, a winding river, and a bowling alley. Upgrade to a Poolside room to get tropical views of the foliage and amazing crystal-clear pool.
Pricing is similar to that of the Aventura, but family suites are a little higher. On average a suite is $150 per night. Suites come with a sliding partition for privacy and can accommodate up to six persons. This is also a multi award-winning hotel.
What Do The Universal Studios Orlando Value And Prime Value Onsite Hotels Have In Common
When you stay at a prime or value hotel at Universal Studios Orlando, you can be assured of the best pricing. These hotels offer the best value on room rates. Lower prices doesn’t mean that comfort and hospitality are compromised.
Both Endless Summer Resorts, the Aventura, and the Cabana Bay resort offer spacious rooms, plenty of dining options, and all the amenities you need. Any of these options are great for families or large groups.
The main difference between a value and prime hotel is in the pricing. Prime hotels are a little more expensive and you get a slightly higher satisfaction rating. Value hotels at Universal Studios Orlando come highly recommended by previous travelers.
With the Prime locations, you get a little more style for the extra dollars. The Aventura also offers a kids camp for supervised fun, while the adults enjoy other attractions around the grounds. And at Cabana Bay, as the name would imply, you can rent a cabana by the pool. Something that is not offered at the value hotels.
Preferred Hotel
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
At Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, you will feel like you are on the islands. The beach area is decorated with palm trees, and Caribbean-themed dining options are all around. The decor and vibe of the rooms are colorful and vibrant, bringing island life right to you.
The grounds are lush and green and you can enjoy brilliantly blue waterfalls and the sounds of steel dreams. Relaxation is the theme of this hotel. Upgrade to a pool or lagoon room to get an extra special view each day.
Standard rooms at the Sapphire will be around $165 for a night, and luxury suites will be closer to $250 per night. You have your choice of suites. A kids suite for when you have little ones with you or a King or Sapphire suite for more room. The Grand Hospitality Suite and Presidential Suite are available for an extra charge for those who are really entertaining.
Premier Hotels
When you stay at a premier hotel, there are two additional perks you get to enjoy. In addition to the benefits offered by all Universal hotels, you also get:
- A free Universal Express Unlimited Pass. This allows you to skip the lines at most of the attractions in both Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure.
- Priority seating at select restaurants throughout the entire resort
To learn more about the Universal Express Passes, check out my article: Is The Universal Express Pass Worth It.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Your very own exotic south seas getaway awaits. This Polynesian-themed paradise is designed to relax you and sweep you away on tropical adventure.
The lagoon-style pool is lined with palm trees and surrounded by white sandy beaches. It is as close to the real thing as you can get. On select nights you can enjoy a traditional luau, and all rooms are tranquil and elegant.
You have your choice of three different levels of rooms. Standard rooms will cost approximately $225 per night. You can choose from a water or garden view.
A club level room with personalized concierge service is around $310 per night, and a suite will cost around $330 each night. There is also the option of reserving additional adjoining rooms to create more space for larger groups.
Hard Rock Hotel
If you want that legendary lifestyle, then stay at the Hard Rock. Rock-n-roll is everywhere at this posh but laid-back resort. Architecture inspired by California-missions and cuisine options including classic American dishes and a famed steakhouse.
Surround yourself with rock memorabilia. Or relax by the pool and enjoy the underwater music. Every now and then a rock and performs to really get you in the mood.
Standard rooms cost $258 per night on average. Choose between a garden view or pool view. Upgrades to deluxe rooms are available to provide a little more space and luxury.
Club level rooms cost $352 a night. Reserving a room on the seventh floor offers a unique and elite experience to your stay.
Suites will have a nightly rate close to $415 each night and come complete with kitchenette, living space, and baby grand piano.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is easily Universal Studio Orlando’s finest hotel and resort. Enjoy the sweet life and true beauty of this Italian-themed establishment. All the Romance and charm of Portofino, Italy is at your fingertips.
Enjoy outdoor cafes, fine Italian cuisine, and relax around the piazza and serene harbor. The prices here are high, but you get many perks and benefits. It is cheaper than going to Europe but gives you just the taste you were looking for.
Enjoy a standard room for $278 a night and your choice of a garden view or bay view. A club level room goes for $372 each night or you can opt for a nightly rate of $528 for a suite.
For family fun stay in the Despicable Me Kids Suite. Portofino, Villa, and Hospitality Suites are also offered along with the ultra-luxurious Presidential and Govern tore suites.
What Do The Universal Studios Orlando Preferred and Premier Onsite Hotels Have In Common
The preferred hotel and premier hotels are higher prices, but you get more luxurious accommodations. Each of these hotels offers several amenities that the lower-priced hotels do not.
Each of these offers a gym or fitness center like the other hotels, but these offer specialized classes. You can also enjoy weddings at each of the preferred or premier hotels.
The grounds of these hotels are larger and all offer pathways through the grounds for walking and jogging. You can also find kids camps at each place for supervision when the adults have activities to attend to.
Each of the premier hotels offers something unique and extra, specific to their hotel theme. These additions cannot be found at the preferred hotel or any other hotel on the property.
- Loews Royal Pacific offers lagoon-style pools, a torch lighting ceremony, and a traditional luau.
- Hard Rock hotel offers a special Hard yoga session at the fitness center designed for rejuvenation. They also have underwater music in their pools.
- Loews Portofino Bay offers multiple pools and a personalized spa treatment.
The main difference between the preferred hotel and the premier hotels, is that premier locations come with an Express Pass to beat the lines and priority seating for some restaurants.
What Do All Universal Studios Orlando Onsite Hotels Have In Common
As different as the onsite hotels at Universal Studios Orlando are, they have a few things in common. Staying with Universal comes with several benefits, no matter which resort you stay at. Every hotel package comes with:
- Early Admission to the Wizarding world of Harry Potter and Volcano Bay
- Complimentary transportation to the parks and City Walk
- Resort-Wide charging privileges
- Merchandise purchased at Parks delivered to your room
- “Club-to-club” access to certain City Walk attractions
Every hotel also has special events and shows that happen through the week. Watch for family dinner shows, live entertainment, and character appearances at any of the on-site hotels and surrounding areas. You can also check out my article Best Places To Eat At Universal Studios Orlando.
What Are The Benefits Of Staying At An Onsite Hotel At Universal Studios Orlando
You can save up to $200 when you stay and play at Universal. Park and ticket packages are a great way to save money. When you buy an annual or season pass at the time of booking, you can save additional money on your hotel.
- Save up to $50 at the Aventura
- Save up to $60 at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- Save up to $85 at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
There are different deals each month so be sure to check what is available before you buy. The longer you stay, the more you can save too. With three parks to explore, make sure you plan a visit for at least 3 to 5 days. You want to make sure you have time to take everything in. Especially if you are not a Florida native.
By staying at an onsite hotel, it is easier to get around the parks. Transportation is provided and everything is within reach. You do not have to worry about finding parking every day or renting a car to get around.
Make sure you purchase tickets with park-to-park access. The Hogwarts Express can take you between the two Harry Potter lands with ease and save you from walking.
Every hotel has everything you would need during your stay. Each has a selection of dining options, so you never have to worry about searching the city for food. With the City Walk at your doorstep, there is entertainment all around for after the park is closed.
You are also allowed to bring your pets with you. Unlike other theme parks, where pets are not allowed. At Universal Studios Orlando onsite hotels and resorts, your furry family members are welcome.
