Imagine walking directly out of your hotel and into Universal Orlando’s newest park, Universal Epic Universe. Or what if you could surprise your kids with a space themed room that makes them feel like an astronaut?
You can make those dreams (and more) come true when you stay in one of the three new hotels that opened alongside Universal Orlando’s newest hotel, Universal Epic Universe.
Hotel stays were hosted. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Universal Stella Nova Resort, Universal Terra Luna Resort and Universal Helios Grand Hotel each have unique theming, amenities and pricing that may affect which one fits your family’s travel style.
I’ve checked them all out to help you choose the right hotel for your next family vacation to Epic Universe.
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Epic Universe Hotel Perks
Universal Orlando offers most of the same perks at its new hotels as it does at its existing properties. All Universal hotel guests can enjoy the following:
- One-hour early admission to one or more of Universal’s parks, including Epic Universe. (based on a rotating calendar)
- Complimentary shuttle bus or water taxi transportation between your hotel and Universal’s parks. Some hotels also offer a walking path.
- Resortwide charging privileges.
- Complimentary merchandise delivery to your hotel.
Aside from that new hotel smell, the biggest perk of staying at one of these properties is that they are much closer to Epic Universe than Universal’s existing hotels. In fact, you can see at least some of the park from each property, while Universal’s other hotels are a 15-to-20-minute shuttle ride away.
Are you ready to explore more Epic Universe? Let us inspire you!
Universal Stella Nova Resort
- Starting price: Less than $150 per night for stays of four nights or longer and around $200 per night for one-night stays
- Distance to Epic Universe: 10-minute walk or a five-minute shuttle ride
- Best for: Budget-conscious families with younger kids
Walking into Universal Stella Nova Resort feels like entering a spaceport in a far-off galaxy. The curved walls, modern furniture and starry-sky artwork add to the futuristic feel.
All 750 guest rooms have two queen beds and sleep up to four guests. Stella Nova’s space theme continues into the guest rooms, with galactic murals behind the beds, and modern furniture and fixtures with sleek curves.
The hotel has a 10,000-square-foot resort-style pool, hot tub, poolside lounge, kids’ splash pad and a fire pit. There’s also a sandy beach area, plentiful loungers and umbrellas and outdoor games.
Other amenities include a quick-service eatery and coffee shop serving Starbucks coffee, lobby bar, 24-hour fitness center, arcade, gift shop and a coin-operated laundry area.
Universal Terra Luna Resort
- Starting price: Less than $150 per night for stays of four nights or longer and around $200 per night for one-night stays
- Distance to Epic Universe: 20-minute walk, but there is no dedicated walking path and you will cross busy streets. The shuttle ride is a quick five minutes.
- Best for: Budget-conscious families with older kids
Universal Terra Luna Resort design and color scheme are more subtle than Stella Nova’s. The lobby has a modern feel with natural, earthy tones, and guest rooms are mostly blue and white, with planetary murals behind the bed.
Terra Luna’s pool area is similar to Stella Nova’s, but it differs in two ways that may matter to families. Terra Luna has no splash pad for younger kids to play in, but it does have a zero-entry area where younger kids can splash around and a larger hot tub than Stella Nova.
Terra Luna’s other amenities are essentially the same as Stella Nova’s. You’ll find dining, a fitness center, an arcade, a gift shop and a coin-operated laundry. The menus at the poolside lounge, lobby bar and quick-service eatery differ, but otherwise the offerings are the same.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel
- Starting price: Around $400 for stays of four nights or more and closer to $550 per night for a one-night stay (though during busy times, the rate can climb to nearly $800 per night).
- Distance to Epic Universe: There is a dedicated security entrance in the lobby that leads directly into the back of Epic Universe.
- Best for: Families who want to splurge on the ultimate Epic Universe experience
Universal Helios Grand Hotel is a 500-room hotel that combines Mediterranean design with thematic elements derived from astronomy and mythology.
The hotel’s dedicated entrance means you can skip the long security line at the front of the park, and you are closer to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic and Dark Universe than guests who come through the main entrance.
Several of the guest rooms at Helios Grand have theme park views, though they come at a premium. It’s not the most financially prudent decision I’ve ever made, but I booked one of these rooms for my kids’ first visit later this year. Opening the drapes to reveal panoramic views of Epic Universe is a once-in-a-lifetime experience I want them to have.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Use the in-room tablet to program a morning wake-up routine that combines lights, music and the drapes opening automatically.
In addition to a grab-and-go eatery, coffee shop and poolside lounge, Helios Grand offers a full-service Mediterranean restaurant (with theme park views if you dine al fresco), a rooftop bar with views of Epic Universe and 24-hour room service.
The pool area features a sandy beach, zero-entry area, underwater speakers, poolside cabana rentals, a hot tub, poolside movies, and daily games and activities. Indoor amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, a gift shop and an arcade.
Choosing the Best Epic Universe Hotel for Your Family
Who should stay at Helios Grand Hotel?
- If money is no object, staying at Universal Helios Grand Hotel is without a doubt worth it.
- The views and convenience of being so close to Epic Universe cannot be beat.
- In addition to convenience, Helios Grand is the only full service hotel of the three properties near Epic Universe.
Who should stay at Stella Nova?
- Stella Nova is walkable and has a splash pad. These make it more appealing for families with younger kids and those who prefer to walk versus taking the shuttle.
- If you have kids (or theme park nerds) in your travel party, I would also recommend Stella Nova for the more conspicuous space theme.
Who should stay at Terra Luna?
- Families with tweens and teens may feel more at home at Terra Luna.
- If you value a larger hot tub, subdued aesthetic and a short shuttle ride to the parks, you might prefer Terra Luna.
Regardless of which you choose, all three hotels are great choices for your Epic Universe vacation.
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