Universal Helios Grand Hotel
The Universal Helios Grand Hotel is the de facto flagship hotel for the Epic Universe area, and indeed, it's distinguished by being the only theme park hotel in Orlando that actually overlooks a theme park. That, and the expansive 10th-floor Bar Helios that also overlooks the park, are the biggest reasons people choose this hotel, but there are a few other touches that elevate it above the Stella Nova and Terra Luna nearby, including a quality Mediterranean restaurant
Despite the high price, though, there aren't enough high-end touches and luxury amenities to qualify this as a true resort (not by Orlando standards). Standard rooms (there are 398 of these) are 325–340 square feet (30–31.6 square meters), which is on the small side for high-level digs in Orlando. Rooms may lack true luxury touches, but they do include coffee/tea maker, a mini-fridge, a safe, and a tablet for controlling the TV and room atmosphere. It seems crazy that a newly built hotel that charges this much would have, in many categories, bathrooms that are no different in design to a Holiday Inn's. For luxury prices, we expect more than a traditional shower/tub with a curtain, with none of the quality fixtures or materials that expensive hotels usually provide—but that's the theme park markup for you. The highest-quality and most romantic hotels at Universal remain Portofino Bay and Royal Pacific Resort.
Standard Kings are 340 sq. ft. and accommodate a max of 3 people while Standard queen rooms accommodate a maximum of 5 people. Deluxe Queens bump up the floor space to 415 square feet (38.5 square meters; 5 people), but there are only 26 of those, and not all of them have park views.
Because then there's that view into Epic Universe, which allows you to sit comfortably in your room to enjoy a panorama of roller coasters and evening lights alike. For that, you must choose a Park View room, which oddly, isn't much more expensive than Skyline View and Pool View rooms, which have views that are much less special and, in fact, may even be of the back side of ride buildings.
Guests of the Helios Grand are also granted early entry to that theme park, too. That, and the dedicated entrance into the park, is why you're paying $500 more a night here than at the other two hotels nearby, Terra Luna and Stella Nova.
Although the zero-entry pool area is the most lushly planted of the three hotels by Epic Universe and is outfitted with underwater speakers, a hot tub, and 18 private cabanas for rent ($200–$300), it doesn't make a ripple compared to the party atmosphere at the pool at Universal's Hard Rock or at its cheaper Cabana Bay.
In addition to Club Level premium rooms (access to continental breakfast, evening hors d'oeuvres, and personal concierge service), the hotel also has a few suites (545 square feet) that takes the standard room and adds a second room themed to How I Met Your Dragon, plus a living room with a microwave.
Even if you're not a guest, you can still have a drink at the top-floor Bar Helios as long as you make a reservation using Resy.com.
The Universal Helios Grand Hotel is the de facto flagship hotel for the Epic Universe area, and indeed, it's distinguished by being the only theme park hotel in Orlando that actually overlooks a theme park. That, and the expansive 10th-floor Bar Helios that also overlooks the park, are the biggest reasons people choose this hotel, but there are a few other touches that elevate it above the Stella Nova and Terra Luna nearby, including a quality Mediterranean restaurant
Despite the high price, though, there aren't enough high-end touches and luxury amenities to qualify this as a true resort (not by Orlando standards). Standard rooms (there are 398 of these) are 325–340 square feet (30–31.6 square meters), which is on the small side for high-level digs in Orlando. Rooms may lack true luxury touches, but they do include coffee/tea maker, a mini-fridge, a safe, and a tablet for controlling the TV and room atmosphere. It seems crazy that a newly built hotel that charges this much would have, in many categories, bathrooms that are no different in design to a Holiday Inn's. For luxury prices, we expect more than a traditional shower/tub with a curtain, with none of the quality fixtures or materials that expensive hotels usually provide—but that's the theme park markup for you. The highest-quality and most romantic hotels at Universal remain Portofino Bay and Royal Pacific Resort.
Standard Kings are 340 sq. ft. and accommodate a max of 3 people while Standard queen rooms accommodate a maximum of 5 people. Deluxe Queens bump up the floor space to 415 square feet (38.5 square meters; 5 people), but there are only 26 of those, and not all of them have park views.
Because then there's that view into Epic Universe, which allows you to sit comfortably in your room to enjoy a panorama of roller coasters and evening lights alike. For that, you must choose a Park View room, which oddly, isn't much more expensive than Skyline View and Pool View rooms, which have views that are much less special and, in fact, may even be of the back side of ride buildings.
Guests of the Helios Grand are also granted early entry to that theme park, too. That, and the dedicated entrance into the park, is why you're paying $500 more a night here than at the other two hotels nearby, Terra Luna and Stella Nova.
Although the zero-entry pool area is the most lushly planted of the three hotels by Epic Universe and is outfitted with underwater speakers, a hot tub, and 18 private cabanas for rent ($200–$300), it doesn't make a ripple compared to the party atmosphere at the pool at Universal's Hard Rock or at its cheaper Cabana Bay.
In addition to Club Level premium rooms (access to continental breakfast, evening hors d'oeuvres, and personal concierge service), the hotel also has a few suites (545 square feet) that takes the standard room and adds a second room themed to How I Met Your Dragon, plus a living room with a microwave.
Even if you're not a guest, you can still have a drink at the top-floor Bar Helios as long as you make a reservation using Resy.com.
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