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Universal Orlando's three original on-site hotels were built in a little luxury enclave that has everything you need so you never have to leave Universal property. In minutes, you can walk from any hotel to CityWalk, or take a ferry to the parks. Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Lowes Sapphire Falls are farther afield but are adjacent to the new Volcano Bay. More hotels are being built on the former site of Wet ’n Wild, but they are even farther from the parks.
A burgeoning hotel district across Kirkman Road and down to Sand Lake Road offers convenient accommodations and some even less expensive rates. Although these off-property hotels don't have the perks of the on-site places, you'll probably be smiling when you see your hotel bill.
This reasonably priced, recently refurbished hotel is less than a mile from Universal and offers free Wi-Fi, free parking, free shuttle to Universal, free hot breakfast, free long-distance and local phone calls, and free hot food and cold beverages in the late afternoon.
The charm and romance of Portofino, Italy, are conjured up at this lovely luxury resort, where part of the fun is exploring the waterfront Italian "village" from end to end; the other part is relaxing in well-appointed rooms (with deluxe beds and flat-screen TVs) and by one of the three pools that offer aquatic fun or peaceful sunning. Waterfront restaurants, entertaining singers and performers, and other perks themed to the resort are part of the appeal. As a premium resort guest, your room key serves as a Universal Express Unlimited Pass for front-of-the-line access to the theme-park attractions.
The romantic and sophisticated Sapphire Falls is connected by walkway and water taxi to Universal and CityWalk and has a beach vibe that carries through from its blue waterfalls to the distant sound of steel drums. Inside are two Caribbean-themed restaurants, a coffee shop with sandwiches, and a rum-rich watering hole.
