Over the years, Universal Orlando has transformed completely and has become a vacation destination where staying on-site is almost a necessity. Universal Orlando went through a massive expansion in the late 1990s and needed hotel rooms to keep guests staying on-site. A partnership with Loews Hotels was formed and in 1999 Loews Portofino Bay Hotel opened, followed by Hard Rock Hotel in 2000, Loews Royal Pacific Resort in 2001, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort in 2014, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort in 2016, and Universal’s Aventura Hotel in 2018. In 2019, Universal expanded across I-4 with Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites with Dockside Inn and Suites following in 2020.

Universal currently offers four different tiers of hotels to accommodate as many guests as possible – Value, Prime Value, Preferred and Premier.

Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites are in the Value category with rates starting as low as $85 per night based on a 4-night stay at Surfside Inn and Suites and $89 at Dockside Inn and Suites.

Universal’s Aventura Hotel and Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort are in the Prime Value category with rates starting as low as $120 per night based on a 4-night stay.

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is the only hotel in the Preferred category with rates starting as low as $168 per night based on a 4-night stay.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel are in the Premier category with rates starting as low as $228 per night based on a 4-night stay at Royal Pacific Resort, $252 at Hard Rock Hotel, and $272 at Portofino Bay Hotel.

Staying on-site at a Loews Hotel offers many amenities, but the best by far is Early Park Admission. Every morning, hotel guests are welcome to enter Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure an hour before the park opens and experience everything that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has to offer. Guests wishing to start their day at Volcano Bay can also take advantage of Early Park Admission where select attractions will be available.

Guests staying at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort will also receive FREE Unlimited Express Pass for the duration of their stay. This is a HUGE perk of staying onside at a Premier hotel and will help you relax throughout your location since you can get to the front of every line with little or no wait.

Another great perk to staying on-site is the proximity. The Premier and Preferred resorts offer boat transportation to Universal CityWalk, but all hotels offer bus transportation to Universal CityWalk. If you prefer walking, you’re in luck! The hotels are all within walking distance and you can reach Universal CityWalk in 5-20 minutes.

Loews Hotels are well-known for accommodating guests bringing their pets on vacations and that hasn’t stopped with Universal. Universal’s Premier and Preferred resorts are pet-friendly at an additional cost.

Stay at one of the Universal Orlando Loews Hotels and you will be sure to return and experience their world-class service again!