6 Best Hotels in Universal Orlando, Florida

Universal's nostalgic, mid-century-theme beach resort transports you to a 1950s Florida beach town with a modern twist; it also offers families a less-expensive but still benefit-rich alternative to on-site Universal properties. Extras include a 10-lane bowling alley, a Jack LaLanne fitness studio, early park admission, two pools (one with a slide), a lazy river, poolside activities, and free shuttle buses to and from Universal parks and CityWalk, as well as to nearby SeaWorld and Aquatica.

This Pacific Rim–theme hotel—amid 53 serene acres of lush shrubs, soaring bamboo, orchids, and palms—features lots of amenities, including a weekly Polynesian-style luau, a 12,000-square-foot lagoon-style pool bordered by a white-sand beach, an interactive water-play area, and kid-friendly activities.

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.

A sweet deal for families, this resort is right across the street from the Surfside Inn and Suites and offers similar amenities, including value pricing, plenty of standard rooms, and family suites that sleep up to six.

Opened nearly in tandem with its larger sister property, the Dockside Inn and Suites, the family-friendly sun-and-surf-theme Surfside Inn and Suites is considered a value property. The extra room in the suites is a godsend to those with more than one child. There's a game room and food court, as well as a surfboard-shape pool that attracts kids who, even after a long day in the parks, somehow still have the energy for a pool party. As one of Universal's Loews hotels, another perk is early admission and complimentary transportation to the parks.

This beach-themed resort features standard rooms, two-bedroom family suites that sleep up to six, two pools, and a splash area. Classed as a value lodging by Universal, the resort is not on the main Universal campus, but southeast, across I-4, close to the area where Universal's Epic Universe theme park is slated to open in 2025.