From Jurassic Park to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Marvel Superhero Island, there’s something for everyone at Universal Orlando. If you’re going on an Orlando vacation, spending time in Universal Studios Orlando is a must-do, particularly if your group is filled with movie buffs and thrill seekers. 

The theme park has two parks inside. Spend some time with Spidey and his super-powered friends in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Or escape from Gringotts over in Universal Studios Florida. You can also cool off from the hot Florida sun in Universal’s water park, Volcano Bay, or experience the nightlife at Universal CityWalk.

Planning a Universal Orlando vacation and wondering about the best places to stay near the parks? We’ve compiled a helpful list of the best hotels near Universal Orlando, from Universal’s own partner hotels to other nearby resorts with their own awesome attractions. Pick a hotel from this list, and you’re bound to have an amazing time on your trip to Universal Orlando!

Where to Stay Near Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando has several partner hotels, which offer transportation to the two main parks, Universal CityWalk, and its water park. Staying at these locations makes it easy to get to Universal Orlando. In some cases, you even may be within walking distance.

If you have your own car, you may not need to worry so much about transportation, as Universal Orlando does have parking available. However, if you’re traveling without a car, having transportation figured out through the hotel can make things less stressful. Otherwise, you may be reliant on taxis or ridesharing apps, which can get costly. 

12 Best Hotels Near Universal Studios Orlando

1. Universal’s Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Universal’s Loews Royal Pacific Resort is one of several Universal hotels and one of the best hotels near Universal Orlando. As one of Universal’s Premier Resorts, the highest tier of the theme park’s hotels, you get tons of added amenities and comforts that make your vacation even better.

One of the biggest perks is that you get Universal Express Unlimited, which allows you to skip the lines at both Universal Orlando’s main parks, Universal Studios Florida, and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. You also get one-hour early admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is often one of the busiest areas of the park during regular admission hours.

You can easily walk to either of the two parks, as well as the Universal CityWalk, or take a complimentary water taxi or shuttle. You can also take a complimentary shuttle to Universal’s Volcano Bay water park. Plus, you’ll get priority seating at many of Universal’s restaurants.

This hotel offers three types of rooms: the Standard Room, the Club Level Room, and the Suites. The Standard Rooms, which are decorated with tropical decor, offer either water or garden views. Amenities include 300-thread-count linens, complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV with HD channels, a Keurig coffee maker with gourmet coffee, a mini-fridge, heating, and air-conditioning.

Staying in a Club Level room gets you these amenities, as well as a personalized concierge service and access to the Royal Club Lounge, which features a complimentary continental breakfast, evening beer and wine, and more. Several suites are also available, all with unique amenities, including the Jurassic Park Kids Suite offering Jurassic Park-themed decor.

When you’re not at the parks, there’s plenty to do at this resort. Enjoy the white-sand beaches of the lagoon-style swimming pool, relax in one of two hot tubs, or take the kids to play in the Royal Bali Sea interactive water play area. There are also poolside activities, like water balloon tosses, happening throughout the day. 

For a workout, you can head to the fitness center or enjoy jogging on the picturesque paths around the resort. At night, play in the hotel’s game room or enjoy an authentic luau. For food and drinks, you can head to one of five on-site restaurants or order in from the 24-hour room service menu.

2. Universal’s Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Universal’s Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is currently Universal’s only Preferred Resort, which comes with slightly fewer amenities than a Premier Resort. However, it’s still one of the coolest hotels near Universal Orlando. When you stay here, you’re just steps from Universal’s Volcano Bay water park.

You can hop on a complimentary water taxi or shuttle bus to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, or Universal CityWalk. You’ll also get one-hour early park admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

This Universal Orlando hotel offers two types of rooms: Standard Rooms and Luxury Suites. The Caribbean-themed rooms here provide complimentary Wi-Fi, Cuisinart single-cup coffee makers, USB outlets, flat-screen TVs with HD channels, heating, and air-conditioning. Some rooms also feature pool or lagoon views. 

Each Luxury Suite is unique, from the Kids Suite offering a separate bedroom with twin beds for little ones to the Sapphire Suite, perfect for an all-adult vacation. All suites also include the amenities of a Standard Room.

When you’re not at the parks, spend the day in the hotel’s 16,000-square-foot pool with a sandy beach. Soar down the waterslide, dip into the hot tub, take little ones to play in the children’s water play area, or check out what poolside activities are happening for the day. 

You can also get a workout in at the Kalina Health and Fitness Center or jog on the walking paths around the resort. For even more fun, head to the Calypso Game Room for both classic and new arcade games.

This hotel also offers four dining options, from a rum-forward watering hole to a chic restaurant serving up Caribbean-style cooking. You can also order room service 24 hours a day!

3. Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel

Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel is another Premier Resort and one of the best hotels near Universal Orlando. As a Premier Resort, you get free Universal Express Unlimited passes to skip the lines at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. 

You also get one-hour early admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and priority seating at Universal restaurants. To get around, you can hop on a free water taxi or complimentary shuttle to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal’s Volcano Bay, and Universal CityWalk.

All with rock n’ roll theming, this hotel offers Standard Rooms, Club Level Rooms, and Suites. In the Standard Rooms, which boast either garden or pool views, you’ll find 300-thread-count linens, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV with HD channels, a Keurig coffee maker with gourmet coffee, a mini-fridge, heating, and air-conditioning. Deluxe Standard Rooms also come with a sofa bed for additional guests.

With a Club Level Room, you get a personal concierge and access to the Rock Royalty Lounge, which comes with a free continental breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres, and nighttime sweets. You’ll also get reduced prices at the cabanas.

Suites come with all the amenities of a Standard Room, as well as additional comforts of home, depending on which suite you stay in. The Future Rock Star Suites, for instance, give you an extra kids’ room with twin beds, while the Graceland Suites provide access to the Rock Royalty Lounge, a baby grand piano, a glass-encased fireplace, and a Whirlpool tub.

Hang out by the 12,000-square-foot pool, which features an underwater sound system. Head down the 260-foot slide, chill in one of two hot tubs, or stick around for some poolside games. 

Music lovers will also enjoy the Sound of Your Stay program, where you can listen to celebrity-curated playlists, rent a Fender guitar, or pick up a turntable and up to 10 records to create your own playlist. You’ll also find a unique collection of rock memorabilia, like Elvis’ pajamas, on-site. Each month, you can also check out the Velvet Sessions, where you can watch your own personal rock concert.

Work out in the fitness center, pick up a free yoga kit, or jog on the scenic walking paths. For a one-of-a-kind dining experience, try Wine Riffs, a six-course meal featuring perfectly-paired wine, food, and music. There are also five other restaurants and bars on-site, as well as 24-hour room service.

4. Universal’s Aventura Hotel

Universal’s Aventura Hotel is one of the Prime Value Resorts and one of the best Universal Orlando hotels if you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly. With this hotel, you’re steps away from Universal’s Volcano Bay, but you also have complimentary shuttle buses to take you to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk. You’ll also get one-hour early park admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Choose between a Standard Room or a Kids Suite. Unlike Universal’s other resorts, this hotel offers more simplistically chic rooms with little theming, although you can choose to upgrade to a Skyline View room for a little more excitement. 

Amenities include free Wi-Fi, a coffee maker, heating and air-conditioning, a mini-fridge, and a flat-screen TV with HD channels. Kids Suites come with all the same amenities, as well as a separate room with twin beds for kids and a convertible couch. 

Chill out in the pool, or take your little ones to play in the splash zone. You can also start the day with a workout in the fitness center. Also on-site are two bars, a Starbucks, a food hall, and a rooftop bistro with views of all three Universal Orlando parks.

5. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Like the Adventura, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is another Prime Value Resort and another one of the best hotels near Universal Orlando for more budget-friendly traveling. This retro resort is designed with classic Florida beach resorts in mind. 

When you stay here, you’re right next to Universal’s Volcano Bay water park, but you’ll also have complimentary shuttles to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk. Kids will also love that characters, like the Minions, frequently pop up around the hotel, while the whole family will enjoy one-hour early admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

This hotel offers Standard Rooms and Family Suites. In every Standard Room, you’ll find complimentary Wi-Fi, a Cuisinart single-cup coffee maker, a mini-fridge, and a flat-screen TV with HD channels. Some rooms also offer views of the pool or Universal’s Volcano Bay.

Family Suites have all the amenities of a Standard Room, as well as a compartmentalized bathroom that allows three people to get ready at once, a kitchenette with a mini-fridge and microwave, and a living room with a full-size pullout sofa.

Chill out in the Cabana Courtyard pool, featuring a dive tower-themed water slide, or relax in the lazy river of the Lazy River Courtyard pool, which also features a sandy beach. Reserve a chic cabana or enjoy some poolside activities. 

For even more fun, play a round at the Galaxy Bowl bowling alley or some classic arcade games at Game-O-Rama. For a workout, you can head to the Jack LaLanne Physical Fitness Studio, decorated in honor of fitness pioneer Jack LaLanne.

Also on-site are three bars, a food court, and a restaurant at the bowling alley. And it wouldn’t be a ‘50s-themed resort if it didn’t have a classic malt shop. For even more dining options, you can order room service from Delizioso Pizza, available during limited hours. For your morning coffee, you can also pick up a cup from the on-site Starbucks.

6. Universal’s Endless Summer Resort — Dockside Inn & Suites

Universal has two Endless Summer Resorts. Their newest offering is the Dockside Inn & Suites. Both hotels in this category are Universal Orlando’s most budget-friendly resorts, falling into the Value Resort group. 

Although it’s one of Universal’s least expensive hotels, you still get a number of perks, like one-hour early park admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and complimentary shuttles to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal’s Volcano Bay, and Universal CityWalk. 

This hotel features Standard Rooms and Two-Bedroom Suites. Standard Rooms’ amenities include a flat-screen TV with HD channels, a mini-fridge, a two-compartment bathroom allowing two people to get ready at once, free Wi-Fi, USB outlets, heating, and air-conditioning. Two-Bedroom Suites come with an additional TV, a coffee maker, a microwave, and a dining area.

Hang out by one of two pools, lay back on the sandy beach, take the little ones to the kids’ splash zone, or play poolside activities like Connect Four. For some indoor fun, head to the game room for arcade and video games. And for a workout, the fitness center is available. If you need help planning your day in Universal Orlando, the Universal Vacation Planning Center is on-site for you.

Also on-site are three bars and a food court. You’ll also be able to get your caffeine pick-me-up from the on-site Starbucks or get your pizza cravings filled by pizza delivery to the room, available during limited hours.

7. Universal’s Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Themed after the seaside village of Portofino, Italy, Universal’s Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is one of the most unique hotels near Universal Orlando. As a Premier Resort, you get the top level of perks for staying at a Universal hotel. You’ll get Universal Express Unlimited, giving you the ability to skip the lines at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. 

You also get early park access for one hour to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and priority seating at many Universal restaurants. You can walk to Universal CityWalk and all the parks but Universal’s Volcano Bay. However, you can also hop on a complimentary water taxi or shuttle, which can take you to all the parks. 

This hotel offers Standard Rooms, Club Level Rooms, and Suites. Choose between garden or bay views when you pick your room. Amenities include 300-thread-count sheets, free Wi-Fi, bathrobes, flat-screen TVs with HD channels, Keurig coffee makers with gourmet coffee, a mini-fridge, heating, and air-conditioning. You can also upgrade a Standard Room to a Deluxe Room for added space and beds.

Club Level Rooms also get you access to personal concierge services, complimentary coffee throughout the day, a free continental breakfast, an afternoon snack, a nightly happy hour with free hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and a nightly dessert. Suite amenities vary, but kids will especially love the Despicable Me Kids Suites, which are themed to look like Gru’s laboratory in the additional children’s bedroom!

This massive resort boasts three pools, a Roman aqueduct-themed waterslide, a sandy beach, a children’s pool, two hot tubs, beach cabanas, and poolside games throughout the day. For more excitement, hang out in the game room. Meanwhile, for more relaxation, you can visit the Mandara Spa. Or, if it’s a workout you’re after, work up a sweat in the fitness center or go jogging on the scenic paths. 

For an enchanted evening, hang out in the Harbor Piazza to listen to a complimentary showcase of opera songs, as well as a selection of some pop favorites sung in a new way. Also on-site are four Italian restaurants, two bars, a Starbucks, a gelateria, and 24-hour room service.

8. Universal’s Endless Summer Resort — Surfside Inn & Suites

As the other Endless Summer Resort, Surfside Inn & Suites, the older Endless Summer offering, is right across the street from Dockside Inn & Suites. As another Value Resort, it’s one of the best hotels near Universal Orlando if you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodations. 

When you stay here, you get complimentary shuttles to all of the Universal Orlando parks, as well as Universal CityWalk. You also get one-hour early access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Like Dockside Inn & Suites, this hotel has Standard Rooms and Two-Bedroom Suites. Amenities include a TV, a mini-fridge, USB outlets, free Wi-Fi, a two-compartment bathroom allowing two people to get ready for the day at once, heating, and air-conditioning. Two-Bedroom Suites come with all these amenities, as well as an additional TV, a microwave, a coffee maker, and a dining area.

Chill out by the surfboard-shaped pool, play some poolside games, get a workout in at the fitness center, or enjoy playing in the game room. For help planning your park days, the Universal Vacation Planning Center is waiting to assist you in the lobby. Also on-site are a food court with Southern California-inspired offerings, a poolside bar, a Starbucks, and pizza delivery with limited hours.

9. CoCo Key Hotel & Water Park Resort

How about staying in a hotel that’s an attraction all its own? The CoCo Key Hotel & Water Park is one of the coolest hotels near Universal Orlando because it’s a hotel that has its own fun attractions and activities. On the days when you decide to take a break from Universal Orlando, which is just two miles from the hotel, you won’t even have to leave CoCo Key to have tons of fun!

Guest rooms feature coffee makers, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs. Some rooms and suites come with additional features, like a pool view and a pullout sofa for more guests.

This hotel charges a mandatory, non-refundable, small daily fee which gets you access to the Wi-Fi around the hotel, resort pool, hot tub, fitness center, and children’s activities that happen throughout the hotel. The fee also provides you with rides aboard the shuttles to Universal Orlando and SeaWorld, though reservations are required and must be made at the Universal Partner Hotel Vacation Planning Center located in the lobby.

Also on-site is the CoCo Key Water Park, which requires an additional admission fee. However, with the daily resort fee, you get up to four tickets to the water park. 

What’s inside the water park? Inside Orlando’s only outdoor and canopy-covered water park, you’ll race down 14 slides, take your toddlers to the Minnows Lagoon, let your older kids get their own space at the Coral Reef Teen Pool, and play around the Parrot’s Perch interactive play area. 

For some non-water-based fun, play games at the 6,500-square-foot Key Quest Arcade or grab a drink at the Wet Rooster. For more dining and drinking options, you can head to the Tradewinds Restaurant or the Callaloo Grill Food Court, both located on-site at the hotel.

10. Element Orlando Universal Blvd.

Nestled among the fun and nightlife of ICON Park is the Element Orlando Universal Blvd., one of the best hotels to stay near Universal Orlando, which is just two miles away. This hotel is particularly good for those hoping for a longer stay as it features all the comforts of home. 

The pet-friendly rooms boast full kitchens or kitchenettes, Netflix-enabled flat-screen TVs, ergonomic workstations, free Wi-Fi, pillow-top mattresses, and eco-friendly bath amenities. Some of the rooms also feature views of the beloved Wheel at ICON Park.

Wake up to a complimentary breakfast and then work out in Motion, the 24-hour fitness center featuring Peloton bikes. After a day of exploring Universal Orlando, head back to the hotel to take a dip in the outdoor saline pool and sip some complimentary wine at the evening reception next to the fire pits. Or venture out to ICON Park to enjoy either the family-friendly entertainment or the more adult-centered nightlife.

11. Bluegreen Vacations Orlando’s Sunshine Resort

Waking up to the bright sunshine of Orlando is a wonderful way to start your Universal Orlando vacation, and Bluegreen Vacations Orlando’s Sunshine Resort ensures that you’ll have restful nights in their all-apartment hotel, making you even more ready to greet the day and enjoy your time in the parks, which are just over three miles away.

This hotel is one of the best places to stay near Universal Orlando because it’s only minutes away from all the major Orlando theme parks, including Walt Disney World and SeaWorld. If you’re looking for a central location that lets you spend time at all the parks, this hotel is a great option. You can even go right down the street to Wet n’ Wild, one of Orlando’s best water parks.

The villas in this hotel are designed for families, with space for up to eight in the two-bedroom suites. The suites all include full kitchens, bathrooms, master bedrooms, living areas, dining areas, and screened balconies or porches. 

In the kitchens, you’ll find a blender, coffee maker, dishwasher, ice maker, microwave, oven, fridge, and stove. And in the bathroom, you’ll be able to relax after a day of adventuring in your jetted tub. For even more comforts of home, you’ll have a washer, dryer, cable TV, and DVD player.

Although you’re nearby tons of attractions, there’s also plenty to do on-site. Little ones will love the children’s pool and daily kids’ activities, while adults will enjoy the hot tub, outdoor heated pool, sauna, and tennis courts. And if you need help with your days at Universal Orlando, the on-site vacation planning team is there to assist you.

12. The Point Hotels & Suites Universal

The Point Hotels & Suites is a luxury boutique hotel and one of the best hotels near Universal Orlando, located just two miles away. The hotel offers studios, as well as one- or two-bedroom suites, all with upscale amenities.

This hotel charges a small, mandatory, non-refundable fee that gives you access to all the amenities on-site, including Wi-Fi, in-room coffee service, and the fitness center. With this fee, you also get access to the outdoor pool, hot tub, and towel service.

This all-suite hotel features plush bedding, flat-screen TVs, kitchenettes with wet bars, workstations, Keurig coffee machines, microwaves, and fridges. Each suite is unique and comes with additional bedrooms, as well as other features like pullout sofa beds. 

For dining options, you can start the day with Starbucks from Barista or end the day with a cocktail and casual fare from the poolside Cabana Bar & Grill. Room service is also available.

There you have it! The 12 best hotels near Universal Orlando. What’s your favorite place to stay near Universal Orlando? Let us know in the comments!

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