Guide to Choosing the Best Hotel for Your Family at Universal Orlando Resort

0

You’ve told your kid(s) they’re finally going on a Universal Orlando Resort vacation and they are psyched. There’s real palpable excitement! Certainly, this is no small feat. Pride rushes through your veins because this is what a parenting win feels like.

Now, the task of picking the right hotel begins. Here’s everything you’ll ever need to know about our hotels to help you decide which spectacular hotel is right for your whole family. And rest assured that there’s a hotel for every budget and family style, so you’ll have hotel benefits to fit your every need.

PREMIER HOTELS – $$$$

• LOEWS PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL
• HARD ROCK HOTEL
• LOEWS ROYAL PACIFIC RESORT

PREFERRED HOTELS – $$$

• LOEWS SAPPHIRE FALLS RESORT

PRIME VALUE HOTELS – $$

• UNIVERSAL’S CABANA BAY BEACH RESORT
• UNIVERSAL’S AVENTURA HOTEL

VALUE HOTELS -$ 

• UNIVERSAL’S ENDLESS SUMMER RESORT – SURFSIDE INN AND SUITES
• UNIVERSAL’S ENDLESS SUMMER RESORT –  DOCKSIDE INN AND SUITES – opening Spring 2020

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Photo: Universal

No passport needed to enjoy this Mediterranean themed hotel! As soon as you arrive, you’ll be transported to the picturesque seaside village of Portofino, Italy. Kids and parents can enjoy the charming piazza surrounded by a colorful harbor where water taxis ferry guests back and forth to the theme parks. Here at Portofino Bay Hotel, you’ll find three enticing pools and incredible restaurants, from a casual pizzeria to a family-style restaurant with delicious Italian favorites and strolling musicians that serenade you tableside. You can even book a Despicable Me Kids’ Suite that sleeps up to five guests. The kids’ rooms capture the excitement of Gru’s Laboratory as you’ll sleep like Margo, Edith and Agnes in custom missile beds with Minion-inspired bedding. See the full breakdown below:

• Premier Hotel

• Easy Transportation

  • Complimentary shuttle bus and water taxi transportation to the hub at Universal CityWalk for access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. An additional dedicated bus route connects the Premier hotels to Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park
  • Walking paths to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk

• Family-Friendly Benefits and Amenities:

  • Free Universal Express Unlimited
    • Valid with theme park admission tickets, this pass allows you to skip regular lines at some of the most popular rides and attractions.
  • Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay
    • Breeze into select Universal theme parks an hour earlier than other guests.
  • Delivery of resort purchases straight to your hotel room
  • Convenient park purchases with your room key
  • Three pools and Poolside Movies
    • The Beach Pool, the ideal place for the family to spend the day together as it features a Roman aqueduct-themed water slide, sandy beach, adjacent children’s pool, poolside activities, two Jacuzzis and three colorful beach cabanas.
    • The Villa Pool is a bit more relaxing with additional amenities, including private cabana rentals and upgraded lounge chairs.
    • The Hillside Pool is located by the east wing and offers a quiet place to relax by the water.
  • Game Room
  • Children’s Activity Centers: Campo Portofino
    • You can drop off your children to enjoy a night full of games, movies,  arts and crafts, snacks and other activities. Open during select evening hours and available for children 4-14 years old.  $15/hour per child. 

• What’s the Biggest Difference?

  • A stunning and charming re-creation of Portofino, Italy
  • Nine unique dining locations
  • Despicable Me Kids’ Suites
    • This suite lets parents have privacy in a beautiful master bedroom while the kids have fun in this connected and themed room that opens only from the parents’ room.

Hard Rock Hotel

Photo: Universal

Have you ever wanted to live like a rockstar? You can experience it first-hand when you stay at this laid-back hotel with show-stopping service. Your kids will also thank you for having their very own stage in a Future Rock Star Kids’ Suite. See the full breakdown below:

• Premier Hotel

• Easy Transportation:

  • Complimentary shuttle bus and water taxi transportation to the hub at Universal CityWalk for access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. An additional dedicated bus route connects the Premier hotels to Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park
  • Walking paths to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk

• Family-Friendly Benefits:

  • Free Universal Express Unlimited
    • Valid with theme park admission tickets, this pass allows you to skip regular lines at some of the most popular rides and attractions
  • Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay
    • Breeze into select Universal parks an hour earlier than other guests
  • Delivery of resort purchases straight to your hotel room
  • Convenient park purchases with your room key
  • Enjoy a large zero entry pool featuring an underwater sound system, water slide, two hot tubs,  sand beach and volleyball court along with poolside activities and Poolside Movies
  • Game Room
  • Children’s Activity Centers: Camp Lil’ Rock
    • You can drop off your children for a night full of games, movies, arts and crafts, snacks and other activities. Open during select evening hours and available for children 4-14 years old.* $15/hour per child. 

• What’s the Biggest Difference?

  • It’s as if you’re staying in a rock star’s mansion
  • Enjoy the Sound of Your Stay program where you can choose from a menu of 20 different Fender guitars that can be delivered to your room or a Crosley turntable with 10 iconic vinyl records.
  • Velvet Sessions and Velvet Unplugged – live concerts in the hotel lobby
  • Future Rock Star Suites
    • Parents can treat their kids to a Future Rock Star Suite, featuring a King bedroom plus an attached themed bedroom where kids can step on stage to perform under the lights.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Photo: Universal

This is a South Seas paradise. As you enter this resort, you’ll find tropical wonders and carefree fun. Similarly, your kids will be transported to another jaw-dropping world when they walk into the Jurassic World Kids’ Suites. See the full breakdown below:

• Premier Hotel

• Easy Transportation

  • Complimentary shuttle bus and water taxi transportation to the hub at Universal CityWalk for access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. An additional dedicated bus route connects the Premier hotels to Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park
  • Walking paths to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk

• Family-Friendly Benefits:

  • Free Universal Express Unlimited
    • Valid with theme park admission tickets, this pass allows you to skip regular lines at some of the most popular rides and attractions.
  • Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay
    • Breeze into select Universal parks an hour earlier than other guests.
  • Lagoon style swimming pool, poolside activities and kids’ splash zone and Poolside Movies
  • Delivery of resort purchases straight to your hotel room
  • Convenient park purchases with your room key
  • Game Room
  • Children’s Activity Centers: The Mariner’s Club
    • You can drop off your children for a night full of games, movies, arts and crafts, snacks and other activities. Open during select evening hours and available for children 4-14 years old.* $15/hour per child. 

• What’s the Biggest Difference?

  • The spirit of ‘aloha’ is everywhere
  • Weekly Wantilan Luau
    • Join us on Saturday nights for this weekly dinner show that features a Polynesian-inspired buffet. You’ll get to enjoy a scrumptious dinner,  live music, hula and fire dances to make you feel like you’re at an island celebration
  • Torch lighting ceremony on select nights with a welcome dance, fire dancers and more
  • Jurassic World Kids’ Suites
  • Despicable Me Character Breakfast
    • Every Saturday morning, guests can fill up on breakfast favorites including pancakes, bacon,  scrambled eggs and more. Here, you’ll enjoy communal seating and get to meet some of your favorite Despicable Me characters including Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes, and the Minions.

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Photo: Universal

Are you ready for an escape to a Caribbean paradise? Get inspired by cascading waterfalls over lush tropical grounds. This hotel will have you easing into island time with the calming sounds of steel drums. See the full breakdown below:

• Preferred Hotel

• Easy Transportation

  • Complimentary shuttle bus and water taxi transportation to the hub at Universal CityWalk for access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. An additional dedicated bus route connects the Preferred hotels to Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park
  • Walking paths to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal’s Volcano Bay and Universal CityWalk

• Family-friendly Benefits:

  • Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay
    • Breeze into select Universal parks an hour earlier than other guests.
  • Delivery of resort purchases straight to your hotel room
  • Convenient park purchases with your room key
  • The pool is the largest of all of our hotel pools, with a water slide and sandy beach area,  This spells fun and relaxation, as does the hot tub, children’s play area, fire pit, poolside activities, Poolside Movies and more
  • Game Room
  • Kids’ Suites

• What’s the Biggest Difference?

  • A Caribbean-inspired island retreat
  • Largest pool across all hotels

Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Photo: Universal

Little ones will love this vibrant and retro-themed resort. Did you know there are two massive pools, a lazy river and a bowling alley? This resort also offers family suites that sleep up to six, featuring a separate living area with privacy partition and kitchenette, plus a compartmentalized bathroom.  The kitchenettes offer a mini refrigerator, microwave and sink. See the full breakdown below:

• Prime Value Hotel

• Easy Transportation

  • Complimentary shuttle bus and water taxi transportation to the hub at Universal CityWalk for access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure
  • Walking paths to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal’s Volcano Bay and Universal CityWalk

• Family-friendly Benefits:

  • Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay
    • Breeze into select Universal parks an hour earlier than other guests
  • Delivery of resort purchases straight to your hotel room
  • Convenient park purchases with your room key
  • Game Room
  • Poolside Movies
  • Resort Kids Camp – Guests have access to this at Universal Orlando Resort hotels. Please call for information and reservations. Open during select evening hours and available for children 4-14 years old.* $15/hour per child

• What’s the Biggest Difference?

  • Family suites that sleep up to six and some offer Volcano Bay view rooms
  • Two huge pools, a lazy river, and poolside activities
  • Galaxy Bowl –the hotel’s very own 10-lane bowling alley and full-service restaurant

Universal’s Aventura Hotel

Photo: Universal

This modern and sleek hotel offers a cool escape for a great price. Aventura’s rooftop offers views of all three Universal Orlando Resort theme parks.  It’s perfect for kids who love technology as many of the room features are controlled by a tablet. It even has a virtual reality game room. If you’re looking for more space, this hotel offers kids’ suites that sleep up to five guests, allowing your little ones to go to sleep while others can relax in a separate area.  See the full breakdown below:

• Prime Value Hotel

• Easy Transportation

  • Complimentary shuttle bus and water taxi transportation to the hub at Universal CityWalk for access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure
  • Walking paths to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal’s Volcano Bay and Universal CityWalk

• Family-friendly Benefits:

  • Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay
    • Breeze into select Universal parks an hour earlier than other guests
  • Convenient park purchases with your room key
  • Pool, poolside activities and Poolside Movies

• What’s the Biggest Difference?

  • A tech-savvy hotel
  • Virtual reality game room
  • Bar 17 Bistro
    • This rooftop bar and grille not only has delicious international flavors but also showcases a beautiful 360 view of our three amazing theme parks and Orlando

Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites

Photo: Universal

Starting this summer, Universal Orlando is adding extra-affordable options for your vacation. The vibe at these two new value hotels is relaxed and easy, with a fun surf and beach theme woven throughout. These hotels offer standard rooms and  2-Bedroom suites that sleep up to six, making it a perfect spot for families of any size. Surfside Inn and Suites is the first hotel of Universal’s Endless Summer Resort, NOW OPEN. Dockside Inn and Suites will open in March 2020. See the full breakdown below:

• Two Value Hotels

• Easy Transportation

  • Free shuttle bus transportation to Universal CityWalk and Volcano Bay

• Family-Friendly Benefits:

  • Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay
    • Breeze into select Universal parks an hour earlier than other guests.
  • Convenient park purchases with your room key
  • Three pools across both hotels
  • Game Room
  • Pizza delivery to the room

• What’s the biggest difference?

  • Our newest and most affordable Universal Orlando Resort Hotel
  • 2-bedroom-suites that sleep up to six
  • This hotel was designed and created by the same people who bring our world-class theme parks to life

Which resort looks like the best fit for your family? Let us know in the comments!

Thinking about your next adventure? There are fantastic 2020 Universal Studios bargains to be had and 2021 packages will be available in just a few short months! Fill out our form below to get your FREE, no-obligation quote from Let’s Adventure Travel!

Are you ready to start planning your next adventure? Contact me today for your FREE, no obligation quote for a Universal Studios vacation! My planning services are included at no extra cost. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE! Get in touch at 843-288-1130, via email at whitney@letsadventuretravel.com or follow along on Facebook.

Source: Universal Orlando Resort Blog