Don't let money hold you back on your Universal Orlando vacation thanks to Universal Orlando's cheapest hotels.
With 2 theme parks, 1 water park, and a 3rd massive theme park underway, Universal Orlando has a ton of fun to offer guests. However, when adding up airfare and transportation, theme park tickets, Universal Orlando hotel accommodations, and food, your Universal Orlando budget might just balloon beyond belief.
Before you even think about staying at a hotel off-property to save you money, we have some fantastic news for you. Universal Orlando has a number of cheap and affordable hotels for you to stay at and continue experiencing the Universal fun even after leaving the theme parks for the night.
Read on for our list of top 7 Universal Orlando Resort hotels.
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1. Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites
Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites is 1 of 2 of the cheapest resort hotels offered by Universal Orlando.
Inspired by sand, sea, and breathtaking sunsets, Dockside Inn and Suites combines a coastal vibe with the fun and convenience of staying with Universal Orlando. Dockside Inn and Suites is a great hotel for families, with standard rooms and plenty of 2-bedroom suites that sleep up to 6 guests.
Along with being near the fun, staying at Dockside Inn and Suites also gives you the benefit of Early Park Admission to popular areas like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter up to 1 hour before the theme parks open, free access to Universal Orlando's transportation to get around the resort, and free merchandise delivery to your hotel.
With prices starting under $140 per night, Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites gives you all the fun and plenty of the benefits of staying in the Universal Orlando Resort area but with a modest price.
Pros: Getting to stay near the Universal Orlando fun, Early Park Admission, free access to Universal Orlando's transportation, and free merchandise delivery to your hotel
Cons: Considering its location, Universal Endless Summer Resort is the farthest away from the Universal Orlando theme parks compared to the other resorts on property. You also don't have access to the water transportation to get from your resort to Universal CityWalk and the theme parks. You also don't receive unlimited Express Pass to the Universal Orlando theme parks
2. Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites
With a relaxed and easy cool surf vibe woven throughout the resort, Surfside Inn and Suites is perfect for those who crave more of a beachy, surf-themed hotel. Just like Dockside Inn and Suites, Surfside Inn and Suites features standard rooms and spacious, 2-bedroom suites that sleep up to 6 guests – perfect for families of any size to experience the Universal Orlando fun.
With prices starting under $140 per night, Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites gives you even more options for an affordable Universal Orlando Resort hotel with a easy cool surf vibe.
Pros: Getting to stay near the Universal Orlando fun, Early Park Admission, free access to Universal Orlando's transportation, and free merchandise delivery to your hotel
Cons: Just like Dockside Inn and Suites, Universal Endless Summer Resort is the farthest away from the Universal Orlando theme parks and doesn't offer complimentary unlimited Express Pass to the Universal Theme Parks. Additionally, the swimming pools at either Dockside Inn and Suites or Surfside Inn and Suites are fairly standard pools – if you're looking to spend a lot of time poolside, we recommend upgrading to a different Universal Orlando hotel
3. Universal Aventura Hotel
Universal Aventura Hotel offers great views of all 3 Universal Orlando theme parks (Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure, and Universal's Volcano Bay) with a chill, vibrant, and free-flowing vibe. With the makings of a more ‘convention-style' hotel, Universal Aventura Hotel offers bars, a rooftop viewing deck, and in-room televisions. Universal Aventura Hotel offers standard rooms, deluxe rooms with more space, and rooms with a connecting “kids' suite” to let the kiddos have their own fun.
This moderately priced hotel puts you within walking distance from Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure as well as Universal CityWalk. It's safe to say that Universal Aventura Hotel is comparable to Gran Destino Tower at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve at Walt Disney World.
However, starting under $200 per night, Universal Aventura Hotel gives you great value for what you get at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel.
Pros: In addition to Early Park Admission, free access to Universal Orlando's transportation, and free merchandise delivery to your hotel, Universal Aventura Hotel is also walking distance from any of the Universal Orlando theme parks
Cons: While Universal Orlando markets Universal Aventura Hotel as a modern, stylish, and simple hotel, the designing is much smaller and more humble than Gran Destino Tower or Swan Reserve
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4. Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Inspired by classic Florida beach resorts of the 1950s and 1960s, Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort is next on our list of cheap Universal Orlando Resort hotels.
Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort is very much for those who love the Mid-Century Modern theming, with its geometric patterns and splashes of color. While appearing understated, Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort shows off its beauty all around.
Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort also offers more variety in accommodations compared to the previous resorts we mentioned, offering standard rooms, family suites, and 2-bedrooms suites for bigger parties.
With prices starting well under $150 per night, Universal Cabana Beach Resort is truly a step-up in value.
Pros: With identical benefits to staying at Universal Aventura Hotel, you get to be closer to the Universal Orlando action, as Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort is an even closer walk to the Universal Orlando theme parks than Universal Aventura Resort. Here, you also get an exclusive walkway and exclusive entrance to Universal's Volcano Bay
Cons: The Mid-Century Modern theming doesn't necessarily appeal to everyone due to its vibrant colors, geometric patterns, and loud decor
5. Universal Terra Luna Resort
Part of the newest resorts at Universal Orlando, Universal Terra Luna Resort gives you even more budget-friendly options to consider on your next vacation.
Inspired by the thrill of exploring the unknown and pushing the limits of discovery, Universal Terra Luna Resort is located adjacent to the new Universal's Epic Universe theme park. Offering double queen rooms, this is your launchpad and landing zone for relaxation and recharging between the fun at the Universal Orlando theme parks.
With otherworldly theming, you'll find contemporary surroundings with gold and green highlights. It will also feature The Luna Bar, a lobby bar with craft cocktails, beer, and wine, and a variety of food options including a 3-meal quick service restaurant, a grab and go market, and more.
Starting at around $200 per night, Universal Terra Luna Resort adds a whole new dimension to Universal Orlando Resort hotel theming.
Pros: You'll receive Early Park Admission, free access to Universal Orlando's transportation, and free merchandise delivery to your hotel. You'll also be near the action of Universal Orlando's latest theme park, Universal Epic Universe
Cons: Universal Express Unlimited is not included with this resort hotel. You will also need to use the complimentary shuttle to access Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure, Universal's Volcano Bay, and Universal CityWalk
6. Universal Stella Nova Resort
Opening alongside Universal Terra Luna Resort, Universal Stella Nova Resort adds another cheap option to an already impressive list of value hotels at Universal Orlando.
Inspired by the infinite vastness of the unknown universe, Universal Stella Nova Resort is also located adjacent to the new Universal's Epic Universe theme park. With double queen rooms and theming that demonstrates galaxies spiraling outward and unknown worlds revolving around unnamed stars, this resort is where you'll touch down for relaxation and recharge between the fun of the theme parks.
With an entirely different feel from Universal Terra Luna Resort, Universal Stella Nova Resort boasts the shifting colors of the universe. It will also feature Nova Bar, a lobby bar with craft cocktails infused with smoky elements, a poolside bar and grill, and a variety of food options including a 3-meal quick service restaurant, a grab and go market, and more.
Starting at around $200 per night, Universal Terra Luna Resort adds yet another dimension to Universal Orlando Resort hotel theming.
Pros: You'll receive Early Park Admission, free access to Universal Orlando's transportation, and free merchandise delivery to your hotel. You'll also be near the action of Universal Orlando's latest theme park, Universal Epic Universe
Cons: Universal Express Unlimited is not included with this resort hotel. You will also need to use the complimentary shuttle to access Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure, Universal's Volcano Bay, and Universal CityWalk
7. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
At Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, you'll be treated to both obvious and subtle island theming, with with a palm-lined beach, Caribbean-themed dining options, access to vintage rums, and steel drum music in the background. From the stone turret in the lobby to the inviting charm of each room and suite, you'll be surrounded by landmarks of the islands.
While not a luxury or lavishly-themed resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort will satisfy most guests with its amenities and conveniences. With the largest pool on property and standard rooms, suites, and rooms with attached kids' suites available, you'll find just what you need out of the Universal Orlando accommodations.
With prices starting at around $200 per night, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort isn't your cheapest hotel option at Universal Orlando, but for the price, you get a lot of added value.
Pros: This is your cheapest Universal Orlando hotel option that offers water taxi transportation to Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk
Cons: While the starting price is comparable to those of the previous 6 hotels we mentioned, prices can jump up significantly depending on when you want to stay here
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Frequently Asked Questions
The cheapest hotel in Universal Studios Orlando with an express pass isn't quite as cheap as you think! The only hotels at Universal Orlando that include Universal Express Unlimited are the Premier Hotels: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort.
To stay at a Universal Orlando hotel, it can cost as little as $140 per night and as high as $700+ per night depending on which hotel you choose to stay. Universal Orlando's Prime Value Hotels offer the cheapest accommodations while Universal Orlando's Premier Hotels offer the most luxury and the highest prices.
The cheapest months to go to Universal Studios Orlando are late August and September (after kids go back to school) as well as January and February (right after the Holiday season). However, unlike the crowd levels at Walt Disney World, the crowd levels at Universal Orlando can be unpredictable at times!
There are 10 great hotel choices to stay to go to Universal Studios Orlando that puts you close to the theme park action. These include higher-end, higher-priced hotels such as Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, mid-end, mid-priced hotels such as Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, and cheaper priced hotels such as Universal's Aventura Hotel.
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