Universal opened its first hotel in 1999. There are now eleven Universal Orlando Resort Hotels, operated by Loews. All Universal hotel guests benefit from being close to the theme parks, free internal transportation, and Early Park Admission (up to 1 hour early at a designated park/attractions each morning with valid theme park admission). This guide to Universal Orlando Resort Hotels gives you a flavor of what to expect at each resort and how the categories work.
Universal Orlando Hotel Benefits
Universal Orlando Resorts are now split into three classes, but all resorts offer a core list of benefits:
- Early Park Admission to select attractions (including Epic Universe on applicable dates).
- Complimentary transportation to the parks, Volcano Bay, and CityWalk (buses, plus water taxis from some resorts).
- Resort-wide charging privileges with your room key.
- Merchandise delivery from the parks to your hotel.
- Priority access to the parks when capacity is reached,
This is the core list of benefits, and certain hotels offer additional benefits. Always check the latest details when you book
Hotels Categories at Universal Orlando
Universal now groups its on-site hotels into three tiers:
- Signature Collection
- Prime Value Hotels
- Value Inns & Suites.
The Value Inns & Suites are the most affordable category. In addition to the core resort benefits, highlighted above, all resorts have the following facilities:
- Dining facilities (Luxurious options in signature and food courts in lower-priced resorts).
- Pools
- Fitness Centers and Game Rooms
- Universal stores selling merchandise
The overall facilities are better in the higher-class resorts, and there is a club level at all Signature resorts apart from Sapphire Falls.
Some of the signature hotels (listed below) offer a complimentary Universal Express Unlimited. Express passes from those hotels are valid at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, and include your arrival and departure days; they are not valid at Volcano Bay or Epic Universe.
TIP: Guests should price up Express Pass carefully, as staying in a resort offering Complimentary Express Pass can work out cheaper, especially for larger families.
Signature Collection
The 5 Signature Resorts are the top resorts at Universal Orlando. Hotels include the best dining options and the most luxurious surroundings. They are also in the best locations. Three of the resorts include complimentary Universal Express Unlimited for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel was the first hotel to open at Universal Orlando in 1999. This luxury resort has an Italian Seaside Village theme and has 750 rooms. We now consider this our home resort and stay here regularly. Express Unlimited included. Rooms are the largest at Universal Orlando.
- Hard Rock Hotel opened in 2001 and has a rock theme. Music plays everywhere in the resort, including under the water at the fantastic resort pool. We review the Hard Rock Hotel here on Modern Life is Good. Express Unlimited included.
- Loews Royal Pacific opened in 2002 & has an Enchanted Isles theme. The resort has 1000 rooms. You can read our review of Loews Royal Pacific on this site. Express Unlimited included.
- Loews Sapphire Falls Resort has a Caribbean vibe and opened in 2016. Overall, this is a comfortable resort similar in standard to Royal Pacific, but it does not include an Express Pass. There is also no Club level, and the rooms are the smallest in the Signature Collection.
- Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, is inside the Epic Universe campus with a dedicated park entrance (separate admission required). Like Sapphire Falls, no Express is included. Choose it for the setting and proximity to the Epic Universe. The hotel is beautiful, but currently very expensive. Rooms are roughly the same size as Sapphire Falls. Hopefully, the price will come down, but you pay a lot for a back entrance to Epic Universe. Been there and done it, probably won’t stay again!
Prime Value Hotels at Universal Orlando
Prime Value Hotels offer basic, no-frill but comfortable accommodation. Forget concierge, luxurious furnishings, room service, and business centers. However, resorts do include several dining options.
- Universal’s Aventura Hotel is a modern tower hotel that opened in 2018. Highlights are a rooftop bar and quick Volcano Bay access.
- Universal Stella Nova Resort opened in 2025 near Epic Universe—stylish, space-inspired design.
- Universal Terra Luna Resort opened in 2025 beside Stella Nova. Inspired by exploring the unknown with modern family-minded amenities.
Value Inns & Suites
The most affordable options are designed with big family practicality in mind. No thrills, but you still get Early Park Admission and resort transportation.
- Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort — Mid-century fun with two pools, a lazy river, bowling, and family suites that sleep up to six. Recent reports suggest Cabana Bay is a bit tired and in need of refurbishment.
- Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites — Value rates with two-bedroom suites sleeping up to six. Simple and basic.
- Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites — Sister to Surfside with similar layouts and facilities; great for larger families.
Should you stay in a Universal Orlando Resort Hotel?
We always recommend you shop around before deciding where to stay. However, there are significant benefits to staying at Universal Orlando Hotels. However, you can usually find cheaper options remaining offsite.
For large families, the suites at Cabana Bay and Endless Summer (sleep up to six) can represent excellent value for money. However, don’t expect any luxuries if staying in these resorts.
If you plan to buy Express for the original two parks, running the numbers on Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, or Royal Pacific is essential.
We also love the Club Rooms at Universal, and these can work out as good value by including snacks throughout the day, your breakfast, and, in the evening, some alcohol. However, please note that the price can vary, and it may not always be the best value.
If Epic Universe is your primary focus, consider Helios (for the dedicated entrance) or Stella Nova/Terra Luna (for better value rooms near the new campus). At current pricing, other resorts are a better value than Helios.
Read More
To learn more about Universal Orlando, visit our Guide to Universal Orlando Resort. The guide contains the latest planning tips.
