Universal Orlando Resort now has 11 hotels competing for your vacation dollars, and ranking them gets complicated very quickly
On paper, the expensive hotels should dominate. They have better amenities, easier transportation, and, in three cases, one of the most valuable perks Universal offers.
But then you start looking at how much money you can save farther down the list.
Suddenly, a hotel that doesn’t have a water taxi or Universal Express Unlimited starts looking much better when it costs hundreds less over an entire vacation.
So, after weighing the overall experience against what you’re actually paying, here’s how we’d rank Universal Orlando’s 11 hotels.
11-9: Terra Luna, Stella Nova, and Dockside
Universal Terra Luna Resort takes our No. 11 position, followed by Universal Stella Nova Resort at No. 10.
Both give guests newer, more affordable ways to stay inside the Universal Orlando bubble. Stella Nova also has a walking path to Epic Universe, which gives it an advantage for guests concentrating heavily on Universal’s newest park.
Neither, however, offers the complete resort experience you’ll find toward the top of this ranking.
At No. 9, Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites starts making the value argument much more interesting.
Dockside isn’t luxurious, but that’s not really the point. Families can book suites and get additional room without automatically paying premium hotel prices.
That’s something we’d seriously consider if traveling with kids.
8-6: Surfside, Aventura, and Cabana Bay
Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites takes No. 8.
Like Dockside, Surfside can deliver some impressive savings while also offering suites that give families more room to spread out.
Then there’s Universal Aventura Hotel at No. 7.
Aventura doesn’t have the elaborate theming of some other Universal properties, but its modern atmosphere and rooftop bar help it stand apart. It’s another strong option for guests who want something beyond the cheapest accommodations without jumping into premium pricing.
Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort lands at No. 6.
This might be one of our favorite options for families.
Between the retro theme, winding river, bowling alley, family suites, and walking access to Volcano Bay, Cabana Bay packs a surprising amount into a value-oriented hotel.
It’s also where our ranking starts becoming less straightforward.
Would we rather stay at Portofino Bay if someone else were paying? Absolutely.
Would we necessarily spend hundreds more ourselves? That’s a different question.
5-3: Helios Grand, Royal Pacific, and Sapphire Falls
Universal Helios Grand Hotel comes in at No. 5.
Its biggest advantage is obvious: Epic Universe.
Helios sits at Epic Universe and gives hotel guests a dedicated entrance to the park. If Epic Universe is the centerpiece of your vacation, that’s a huge convenience.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort takes No. 4, and this is where Universal Express Unlimited enters the conversation.
Guests at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel receive Universal Express Unlimited for participating attractions at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure with valid admission.
That’s a major perk, especially for a family that otherwise planned to purchase Express.
Then we have Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at No. 3.
Sapphire Falls does not include Express Unlimited, but it has another advantage: price.
We’ve seen periods when Sapphire Falls can be found for less than $180 per night. Rates vary dramatically by date, but when a deal like that appears, Sapphire becomes extremely difficult to ignore.
You still get a full-service resort atmosphere and water taxi transportation to CityWalk without necessarily paying the price associated with Universal’s Express-included hotels.
2-1: Hard Rock and Portofino Bay
Hard Rock Hotel comes in at No. 2.
Its location is a major selling point. You’re extremely close to Universal Studios Florida, and you also get that valuable Express Unlimited benefit.
For guests who want to spend as much time as possible inside Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, that’s tough to beat.
Still, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel takes our No. 1 spot.
Portofino offers three resort-style pools, fine dining, water taxi transportation, and Universal Express Unlimited at participating attractions in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
It’s the most complete resort experience on our list.
But it’s not necessarily where we’d tell everyone to stay.
Price Changes This Ranking Completely
Our final ranking is Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, Sapphire Falls, Royal Pacific, Helios Grand, Cabana Bay, Aventura, Surfside, Dockside, Stella Nova, and Terra Luna.
But your personal ranking could look completely different once you enter your vacation dates.
Universal’s hotel prices fluctuate significantly. During cheaper periods, some budget properties can hover just above $100 per night. Sapphire Falls can occasionally fall below $180. Those numbers can climb substantially around busy periods like Halloween Horror Nights and the holidays.
That’s why we’d never choose solely from a ranking.
If Portofino or Hard Rock fits your budget, the transportation, amenities, and Express Unlimited perk can make them difficult to beat.
But if Surfside, Dockside, Stella Nova, or Cabana Bay saves your family hundreds of dollars?
We’d think seriously about taking the cheaper room.
After all, you’re coming to Universal Orlando for the theme parks. Spending less on the place where you sleep could leave considerably more money for everything else.
