Traveling to Universal Studios Orlando means your trip will be a blast, but it can get expensive in no time flat. If you stay at the park, your hotel rooms will be costly. But if you stay off-site, you might have additional expenses of a car rental or taxi rides to the park each day.
These hotels near Universal Studios Orlando will give you options without breaking the bank. You can find luxurious rooms next to the park or stay a little further away to save money. Some hotels offer transportation, shuttles, or even water taxis!
This list will help you find the best hotels near Universal Studios Orlando. Several are Universal Partner Hotels that offer perks to make your trip extra special.
- Loews Sapphire Falls Resort At Universal Orlando
- Hyatt House Across from Universal Orlando Resort
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando
- Hyatt Place Across From Universal Orlando Resort
- Universal’s Aventura Hotel
- Element Orlando Universal Blvd.
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Orlando Near Universal Orlando Resort
- Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- Hampton Inn Closest to Universal Orlando
- Best Western Plus Universal Inn
- Hilton Garden Inn Orlando International Drive North
- Residence Inn near Universal Orlando
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort At Universal Orlando
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal is a getaway within your vacation. This tropical resort makes you feel like you’re staying on an island instead of a hotel on International Drive.
The pool has white sand beaches and waterfalls, so you get an escape from everyday life while you soak up the sun. There’s also a waterslide for the kids to enjoy.
The rooms are bright and colorful, continuing the resort’s tropical theme. All rooms use smart technology temperature controls and include iHome clock radios so you can stream music on your iPhone or iPod.
If a standard room isn’t big enough for your family, rent a suite. They start at 500 square feet, but the largest is more than 1,300 square feet. These suites include a separate room with twin beds for the kids. If you’re planning an extended visit, get a suite that has kitchen facilities to enjoy a few meals in your room.
Though you’ll have to leave your room, eating at a fine restaurant without leaving the resort property is possible. Continuing the island theme, four seafood and Caribbean restaurants are on the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
In addition to the standard shuttles, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort has water taxis to take you to the park. The taxis run every 15 minutes and take you to your destination in less than 10 minutes. It’s a convenient way to travel, so you should take advantage of it.
Hyatt House Across from Universal Orlando Resort
The Hyatt House Across from Universal Orlando Resort is a Universal Partner Hotel. When you book your stay here, you’ll get benefits at the Universal parks. This includes discounts on merchandise, food, and drinks.
Universal Partner Hotels also offer complimentary transportation to the parks. You can leave your car at the hotel and get to and from the park every day with no hassle. If you fly into Orlando, you won’t even need to rent a car. Take a taxi to the hotel and depend on Hyatt House Across from Universal Orlando Resort for everything else.
This hotel provides a complimentary breakfast, so you can enjoy a meal before heading to the parks. If you want to eat something more than a continental breakfast, there’s a restaurant and bar on-site.
When you’re not at Universal, you can work out in the Hyatt House’s fitness center or swim in the pool. They have laundry and dry cleaning available in the lobby.
If you forgot your laptop, there are public computers available for use. The business center includes printers so you can print your park or plane tickets before you leave.
Each room has a fridge and microwave, and most have a sofa bed for an extra guest. You can choose between one king bed, two queen beds, or upgrade to a suite with a separate living room area and full kitchen.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando is exactly where you would think – at the entrance to the Universal Parks. You can walk to Universal Studios, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Universal’s Island of Adventure.
The location is also close to Universal’s Volcano Bay and shopping at the outlets of the Mall at Millenia. Those spots are less than two miles away from DoubleTree, so you can walk or take a short cab ride.
Though it’s close to everything, you can have fun at the hotel even when you don’t visit Universal. DoubleTree has on-site restaurants and cafes, a fitness center, and an outdoor pool. The Lakeside Pool Bar lets you enjoy cocktails and snacks while you’re soaking up the sun.
Because this hotel is right at the entrance to Universal, you won’t need a car. This will save you money on the daily parking fees. If you want to explore areas beyond Universal, consider using a taxi or shuttle so you won’t have to pay for more than your room at DoubleTree.
As with every DoubleTree property, you’ll love the warm cookies you get when at check-in. It’s a pet-friendly hotel, so you can bring your furry friend with you and enjoy their company during your stay.
Hyatt Place Across From Universal Orlando Resort
Hyatt Place Across From Universal Orlando Resort is close enough to walk to the parks, though the hotel also offers complimentary shuttle rides. The hotel is a Universal Partner Hotel that will give you great discounts on park merchandise. Other attractions, shops, and restaurants are as little as two miles away.
Like the other Hyatt hotel on this list, you can enjoy a free breakfast before leaving for the day. The Placery is a lobby bar that has drinks and delicious burgers and sandwiches. If you want to grab food on your way out the door, the Market is a 24-hour deli with snacks, salads, and bakery treats.
This hotel is pet-friendly, meaning you can bring your furry friend on your trip to the Sunshine State. The pet fee is one of the most affordable around, and you can bring two dogs as long as their combined weight is less than 75 pounds.
You can enjoy the heated outdoor pool and the 24-hour fitness center when you stay at the hotel. Every room has WiFi, and the Hyatt Place Across From Universal Orlando Resort also has convenient digital check-in.
Each room has a sleeper sofa, whether you choose one king bed or two queens. You can make coffee in the room and store drinks and snacks in the mini-fridge.
Universal’s Aventura Hotel
From Universal’s Aventura Hotel, you can see all three Universal Orlando parks from the location. There are walking paths connecting the hotel to the parks so you can easily access them.
Since the hotel is a Universal Partner Hotel, you can enter the parks an hour early each day. If you’re a Florida resident visiting the parks, you’ll save money on your hotel stay, too. Regardless of where you live, you can bundle your theme park admission with your Aventura Hotel stay and save up to $200!
Another perk of staying at Universal Partner Hotels is that you can charge everything from the parks to your room card, so you don’t have to carry around credit cards or cash. And once you buy merch, you can have it delivered to your hotel for free. This makes it easier for you to get around the park without keeping up with too many bags.
Choose between a standard room for couples or friends, or a kids suite for the entire family. There’s a separate room with twin beds for the kids, so you can stay up later in a room that includes a king bed and a sofa sleeper.
When you don’t want to eat at the parks or venture out to a restaurant, you can dine in the Aventura Hotel. There’s a rooftop bar with cocktails and food, a lobby bar, a poolside bar, a dining hall, and a coffee shop.
Element Orlando Universal Blvd.
Element Orlando Universal Blvd. is located in the hub of ICON Park, where over 40 restaurants and shops surround you. Even if you don’t leave the hotel itself, you’ll have access to the 24-hour fitness center, a saline pool, and an outdoor patio with a fire pit.
All rooms have a full kitchen so you can prepare a meal and stay in. It’s equipped with all the pots and pans you could need, plus a fridge, microwave, stove, and dishwasher. Beyond that, there’s even an outdoor area where you can have a picnic or barbeque on the grill.
The 55-inch TVs have Netflix loaded and ready to stream so you can relax after a long day at the parks. This hotel is pet-friendly, so you can bring your dog and ensure you both have a luxurious stay.
Every morning you’ll have access to the Rise breakfast in the lobby. Every evening the hotel hosts a Relax reception where guests can mingle and enjoy organic wine. If you want to grab something to eat, the Restore pantry in the lobby has snacks and drinks for purchase.
Element Orlando Universal Blvd. is one of the few upscale hotels that offer free parking. This means you won’t have an additional daily fee to park your car or rental but will have easy access to get around Orlando.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Orlando Near Universal Orlando Resort
If you love Marriott properties, you’ll want to stay at this one because it’s the closest to Universal Orlando. They offer many money-saving perks, like complimentary breakfast and free parking. This can save you money on a budget trip.
Even if you drive to Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Orlando Near Universal Orlando Resort, you don’t have to take your car to the parks each day. You can leave it at the hotel all day and take advantage of the morning and evening shuttles to Universal.
Choose from a room with one king or two queen beds. You can even get a room with a sofa bed if you need some extra space for your family.
While there isn’t a restaurant in Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Orlando Near Universal Orlando Resort, you can splurge on room service or have local restaurants deliver to the hotel. Each room has a coffee maker, microwave, and mini-fridge so you can keep some snacks and drinks on hand.
This isn’t a pet-friendly hotel, so you’ll have to leave your furry friends at home for this vacation. But the luxuries available on-site more than make up for it. There’s a beauty shop, barber, and laundry facility in the lobby, so you’ll always look your best.
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
If you like theme hotels, but the tropical Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal isn’t your jam, you might like the retro feel of Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. You’ll feel like you slipped back in time to visit Florida in the 1950s when you stay at this hotel.
Standard rooms have two queen beds and a poolside view. Family suites can sleep up to six people when you use the pull-out sofa. There’s even a partition you can put into place to give everyone a little privacy. Suites also have a mini-fridge and microwave so you can have snacks in your room.
You won’t want to eat more than snacks in your room because Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort has some amazing retro restaurants on-site. Choose from the Bayliner Diner, Hideaway Bar and Grill, and Galaxy Bowl Restaurant. The outdoor Atomic Tonic and indoor Swizzle Lounge give you different locales to enjoy a cocktail.
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is more than just a place to stay. They have two huge pools, a winding river to float down, and a bowling alley on-site. If you’re staying at the resort on a Friday night, make sure to find your way down to the lobby—Universal characters often stop by for a visit!
Besides everything Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort offers, it’s a Universal Partner Hotel, so you’ll get early admission and excellent discounts in the parks.
Hampton Inn Closest to Universal Orlando
It’s well-known that Hampton Inn provides quality rooms for the price, so you can’t go wrong staying at the location closest to Universal Orlando. It offers free parking so you can leave your car and take a shuttle to Universal. It’s also 15 minutes away from Walt Disney World and SeaWorld if you want to explore those parks as well.
In addition to the free parking, you’ll also get complimentary breakfasts when you stay at Hampton Inn. You can choose from a room with one king bed or two queen beds. Rooms include a fridge and microwave so you can enjoy snacks when you stay in. There’s a small pantry in the lobby where you can purchase food and drinks.
The outdoor pool has loungers available so you can soak up the sun on days you don’t go to Universal. There’s also a fitness center with ellipticals, treadmills, and exercise bikes.
If you need to do work while on vacation, you don’t need to worry about having your laptop. You can access the business center in the Hampton Inn closest to Universal Orlando, where you can use desktop computers and printers.
Best Western Plus Universal Inn
Best Western is a chain of value hotels that give you a good room for the cost. This hotel is right across the street from Universal Studios, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, so you can walk there without needing to drive or take a shuttle.Â
You can choose from a room with one king bed or two queen beds. Some have a sofa bed for an extra guest. All rooms include a coffee maker, microwave, and refrigerator so you can enjoy drinks and snacks in your room.
Each room has a large flat-screen TV so you can enjoy a show or movie after a day at the parks. The hotel also offers continental breakfast so you can get energy before you leave for the day.
There’s a lovely outdoor pool available to all guests. You can also exercise in the fitness center that includes a Stairmaster, stationary bike, and treadmill. A business center with computers and printers is available if you need to work while you’re on vacation. You can also print your plane tickets here before you leave.
Hilton Garden Inn Orlando International Drive North
Enjoy a night in with drinks from the Tiki bar enjoyed around the fire pit. An on-site restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, so you don’t have to eat while you’re at the parks.
Hilton Garden Inn Orlando International Drive North is a pet-friendly hotel, so you can bring your furry friends to enjoy your vacation with you. One or two dogs can stay in your room, as long as they weigh less than 75 pounds total. The pet fee is just $50, which is very affordable compared to other hotels.
You can choose from rooms with two double beds, one king bed, or a king bed with a pull-out sofa. You can splurge and get any of these rooms with drinks, and snacks added! In addition to a microwave and refrigerator, you’ll get a selection of sweet and salty snacks replenished every day.
Take a free shuttle to the Universal parks each day. If you want to shop at Orlando’s famous outlets, it’s just an eight-minute drive. Parking at Hilton Garden Inn Orlando International Drive North is free, so you won’t incur charges by keeping your car available.
Residence Inn near Universal Orlando
Residence Inn near Universal Orlando is a Universal Partner Hotel that offers shuttle service to the Universal parks every day. You’ll also get discounts on park food and merchandise. Besides Universal properties, this hotel is close to Disney World, SeaWorld, and outlet shopping.
Because the Residence Inn intends to keep guests comfortable for longer stays, you’ll have a full kitchen in your room. There’s also a free breakfast provided in the lobby every morning before you leave for your adventures. There isn’t a full-service restaurant on-site, though, so you’ll have to leave the hotel for a sit-down meal.
If you’re staying in for the day, you won’t get bored. The Residence Inn near Universal Orlando has an indoor fitness center, an outdoor pool, and a putting green. You’ll have a chance to work out, relax, and have some fun, all in one location. There are outdoor barbecues and picnic areas, too.
This is a pet-friendly hotel, but the fee is $75 total. You can bring two dogs, but they can’t weigh more than 40 pounds together, which limits your options. If you have small furry friends, you’ll love having them with you on vacation.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando
Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando, located on International Drive, is close to Universal, Disney World, and SeaWorld. International Drive itself has tons of restaurants, bars, entertainment, and shops, so you’ll have plenty to do.
The suites at Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando all feature two rooms and have full kitchens. You’ll love being able to prepare your meals in your room to save money on your vacation. The hotel offers a free hot breakfast every day and hosts fun evening socials on weeknights.
At Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando, you can choose from a variety of rooms. Get one king bed to pamper yourself, or get a two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite with four double beds.
Parking is free at Homewood Suites, so you don’t have to budget for that daily fee. You can bring a small pet with you, as long as they’re under 25 pounds. However, the pet fee is $75, which is steep considering other hotels allow two dogs for less.
Final Notes
The 13 hotels on this list are the best hotels near Universal Studios Orlando. You’ll have easy access to the park whether you walk, use a hotel shuttle, or take the I-RIDE trolley along International Drive. Staying at hotels near Universal Studios Orlando will make your trip enjoyable and affordable.
More about our TFVG Author
A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.
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