So, you’re looking to plan an unforgettable family holiday. One that if you were watching the movie of your life, you’d keep rewinding to. A trip where even the ‘bad’ moments later become cherished. Dad embarrassing himself at karaoke. Getting pushed in the pool. Scary rollercoaster rides. And at Universal Orlando Resort, we can provide those epic memories, with on-site hotels at the heart of the action with blockbuster amenities.
Better yet, you’ll receive exclusive theme park benefits when you stay at a Universal Orlando hotel. Enjoy free transportation to and from theme parks and breeze into them before everyone else with Early Park Admission - including to attractions like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that further blur the lines between film fantasy and reality. The only thing left to decide is which Universal Orlando hotel to visit first...
From self-catering suites to luxury retreats, here’s our pick of the best Universal Orlando hotels by budget for 2022 and beyond.
VALUE HOTELS
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites
Universal’s first super-affordable option is the lakeside Endless Summer Resort. With a surfing theme, this place is as laid-back as they come. There’s a surfboard-shaped pool and bar outside, while a grab-and-go food court, pizza delivery place and Starbucks® deliver dining.
The modern and minimalist bedrooms are decked out in true beach style, too. They range from standard rooms to family-sized two-bedroom suites which sleep up to six. Plus, the whole place only opened in 2019, so everything’s still looking as fresh as a daisy.
This place is the newest to join the Universal scene. Just like its sister hotel above, it’s a cool, coastal-themed property with an affordable price tag. The main difference is the two-bedroom suites here come with a handy kitchenette, complete with a sink, mini-fridge, picnic table and coffee maker.
You can also grab some grub from the food court, pizza place or Starbucks®, plus there are bars by the pool and lobby. When you’re not out exploring the parks, you can kick back by the two lagoon-like pools, which are paired up with kids’ splash pads.
Like the Surfside Inn, this hotel is just 6 minutes drive from the water park Volcano Bay, and free Universal shuttle buses are ready to take you there and beyond every 15 minutes.
PRIME VALUE HOTELS
This hotel is tucked behind Universal’s Volcano Bay, so it’ll only take you a five-minute walk to reach the splash-packed rides and slides. Lots of the rooms come with views of the waterpark’s towering volcano centrepiece, too. Speaking of the rooms, you can opt for family and two-bedroom suites here, which line up kitchenettes with mini-fridges and microwaves.
You also won’t be disappointed by the resort facilities. You can expect two pools, along with a waterslide and a lazy river. And inside, there’s a bowling alley. The retro theme runs throughout the resort, which is inspired by 1950s and 1960s Floridian architecture. Splashes of colour are everywhere, from the panelled exterior to the poolside parasols and bedspreads. As for dining, there’s a poolside grill, food court, Starbucks® and a restaurant in the bowling alley.
The pickup point for transport to Universal parks is near the lobby, next to Bayliner Diner, and operates from one hour before Early Park Admission until 2am every single day.
Across the way from Cabana Bay, this modern hotel also puts on a walking path to Volcano Bay, so you can get there in just over five minutes. The 17th-floor rooftop bar is a standout feature. You can see across Orlando and all of Universal’s sprawling theme parks, while scoffing sliders and slurping cocktails.
The food hall’s another dining option, with an around-the-world array of eateries, from Asian to American. There’s also a Starbucks® and a couple of bars – one of which sits beside the pool. Kids have their own splash pool, too.
PREFERRED HOTEL
This resort whisks you away to the Caribbean, where palm trees move to calypso rhythms, and where nestled amongst the waterfalls you’ll find a 16,000-square-foot pool with a slide and a sandy beach.
The theme continues into the dining scene. There’s a Caribbean cookhouse with an open kitchen, as well as a seafood place by the pool and a grab-and-go marketplace. Plus, grown-ups can retreat to the tavern bar, where there’s an impressive wall of vintage rums, along with a rum specialist and daily tastings.
And yet, you’re still in the heart of Orlando, where as a preferred hotel guest, access to other Universal resorts becomes even easier. You can enjoy complimentary water taxis, shuttle buses and walking paths around the resort. So it's just a quick hop, skip and jump to Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure, Universal's Volcano Bay and Universal CityWalk.
PREMIER HOTELS
When you stay at a Premier Universal hotel, you get
Free Universal Express Unlimited, which means you can skip the regular queues at the most popular attractions. It’s available at all of Universal’s parks, apart from Volcano Bay.
This place gives you a slice of Italy in the middle of the Sunshine State. With cobbled streets, pastel-painted exteriors and fountains, the whole property was inspired by the Italian seaside village of Portofino.
The waterfront piazza is typically European with a trattoria, a grill and a gelateria serving homemade gelato and biscotti. Plus, you can pick up Italian meats and cheese from the deli, along with Italian wine and beer. Even the pool’s waterslide is styled to look like a Roman aqueduct. It’s accompanied by a sandy beach with colourful beach cabanas. But there’s also a hillside pool for quieter sunbathing. And the luxe Mandara Spa® makes for the ultimate relaxing retreat.
When you get your Free Universal Express Unlimited pass, the participating rides within Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure include: The Bourne Stuntactular, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, E.T. Adventure, Fast & Furious - Supercharged, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, and Hogwarts Express (Park to Park ticket required).
Plus, just for being a guest here, you’ll get priority seating at select Universal Orlando restaurants.
This hotel is another themed number – except this time, you’ll be treated to a weekly luaus party, exotic food and a white-sand beach that’s Polynesian-inspired.
The poolside eatery serves fish tacos and Kona burgers, while the Islands Dining Room deals in Pacific fare. There’s also a sushi bar, serving Japanese whiskeys and sake, as well as a marketplace for sushi and wok bowls.
The beach scene is just as tropical, with a weaving lagoon pool, private cabanas and a pair of hot tubs. Beside the water, you’ll find a water play area for kids and a beach with a volleyball court.
And remember, as guests of a Premier Hotel - just like at Loews Portofino Bay above and the Hard Rock Hotel below - you'll get priority access to Universal park rides and restaurants throughout their resorts.
Stay here and get Universal and Hard Rock perks, all rolled into one. You’ll live like rock ‘n’ roll royalty with Fender® guitars for hire, underwater music in the pool, and memorabilia everywhere you turn,
Not only does the 12,000-square-foot pool boast an underwater sound system, but it’s also got a 260-foot waterslide. The dining’s just as extravagant, with a beach club, a buffet restaurant and a steakhouse serving up prime cuts of steak and Nova Scotia lobster. You can work out in your room with on-demand yoga videos and a free Rock Om yoga kit. Or, rock out, thanks to room service for guitars.
Plus, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for rockstar memorabilia dotted about the place – Elvis’ PJs, John Lennon’s suit and Lady Gaga’s famous leather outfit all decorate the walls.
Ready to book your family escape? Browse our full range of Universal Orlando hotels. 
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