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    Universal Stella Nova Resort

    4.1 (46 reviews)
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    Keri C.

    The exterior at Stella Nova is fun to pull up to on your journey arriving or getting back from a day at the parks. Multicolor bricks catch the sun and moonlight differently through the day and night, adding to the fantastical and dreamy feeling of frequenting Universal Orlando. Every single team member inside this hotel was lovely. From check-in, to bag check, to my double (sometimes triple) espreso guy, to the staff in the merchandise store. I arrive at 10am, check-in is at 4pm. By 1pm my room was ready. AND it had a park view of Epic Universe. If you are staying here, at Stella Nova, I am guessing it is because, like me, you are centering Epic. So this view excited me like a giddy kid. I did come in January, which is a slightly slower time. So keep that in mind when requesting rooms and waiting for check-in. You can check-in, then check your bags and go straight to the parks! But I wanted to rest up first, so I lounged by the pool. The pool is pretty large (smaller than the typical UO resort), with the hot tub right next to the bar. I liked staying on the loungers that were on a sand area, so I could pretend I was at the beach. The design is galactic, cosmos, space shuttle inspired, which you can totally tell by the architecture. I get what they were going for with all the white, but I felt it needed more pop of color, my artwork, or more interesting installations to avoid it looking a little bland. This is Universal after all! The lobby bar didn't appeal to me, though their drinks looked lovely. It was a little small and cramped. Sort of gave me an airport feel. The market and cafe were WAY better than I imagined, with fresh food available, but I will get into those details in a separate review of Cosmos Cafe. The biggest perk: 3-4 minute shuttle to Epic, or a very easy walking path that took about 8/10 minutes. The biggest con: Who made these room walls? My gosh, I could hear every single door open and close on my floor. If a kid was giggling three rooms over I heard it. If the shuttle bus (I was park facing and on the side of the shuttles) was parking, I heard the beeps. Luckily, I had ear plugs and played brown noise on my phone. Y'all, ear plugs are a must here. With only that one con to consider and steps to counteract the sounds, I would absolutely stay here again.

    Room 3026
    Warren D.

    Dates of stay: December 1 - 2, 2025 Stella Nova is the closest you can stay to the action at Universal Epic without sleeping in the parking lot. Choose between a 10-minute completely paved/pedestrian-friendly walk or frequent shuttle buses to get to the park (we actually beat the bus once because of the ridiculously long traffic signal at Epic Blvd), making it incredibly easy to start enjoying some rides. Want to go to another park or over to CityWalk? Take the shuttle to Epic and then catch another bus over to your intended destination. Being a Loews hotel, it is a very nice facility, if a bit sparse in some areas. The couch in the room was not very comfortable and the lack of hand lotion in the room was disappointing, but overall it's a great space. Our room was admittedly basic in many ways but it was very clean and the bed was comfortable. We didn't hear any outside noise, either, which is also important. Our check-in was efficient and incredibly friendly--I wish I had been more timely with this review so I could shout out the lovely young lady from Mexico that got us checked in and provided both facility and how to access the park so we could get started on the fun. The housekeeping and valet staff we encountered were less friendly. I wouldn't go as far as calling them rude, but they weren't giving the warm fuzzies. Much attention to detail really elevates the theme over the gimmicks you see in places such as Las Vegas; here the carpet, room numbers, and the lobby decor all tie together nicely to make you feel like you're somewhere other than Orlando, Florida circa 2025! If you're going to Universal, this is a great option for your vacation and is far more affordable than most other official Universal hotels.

    American breakfast plate.
    Madison K.

    Food at the cafe is alright. HUGE portions though. I got the all American breakfast plate with sausage. It mentioned a mushroom gravy on the menu which I did not see in my plate. Biscuits were on the dry side and a coffee was $4.50. Yikes! I could've gone to the Starbucks next to it and gotten something more substantial for only a little more. Breakfast was decent but left some to be desired. It was nice that we could visit here just for food before hitting up Universal Studios.

    Frank L.

    This was my first stay at Universal's new Epic Universe area hotel properties (they currently have 3), and this was a very nice value hotel. It's a brand new hotel property, everything inside looks very modern, fresh and clean and fits the space/universe theme of Epic perfectly. Our hotel room was very nice, the privacy shade covering the bathroom/sink area from the rest of the room was a nice touch. We got a cool view of SeaWorld and Icon Park from our room which was neat too. We loved the pool area, there is a big heated swimming pool and also a big hot tub and a sand area with volley ball, along with a pool bar/restaurant. The lobby also has a nice cafe restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. The best benefit of staying here is the free bus transportation to the parks/Citywalk on property, along with Epic Universe being a 10-15 minute walk from the hotel. I'd absolutely recommend a stay at Stella Nova if you want a cheaper hotel that's good quality and close to Epic Universe.

    Hallway
    Ashlee S.

    We stayed here for my birthday! The staff was super nice and accommodating. I loved the quick service restaurant that they had. It was convenient and a quick turnaround that helped keep us on track to go to EPIC. This hotel is within walking distance of the park but also included a bus transportation for those that needed it. I loved the hotel it was beautiful and there were plenty of elevators so you weren't waiting long to go downstairs. The food we had was so fresh and well seasoned. Would absolutely recommend the hotel. My only reason for not giving 5 stars would be because of the actual room. I wasn't wowed by the shower and would've loved thicker covers like a duvet or something. Its a good enough room to be in for the night but just nothing that was extra special.

    Pool bar cocktails
    Jamie P.

    We chose this hotel because we can walk to the front gate of Epic Universe. We got a low FL resident price and stayed two nights. Check in was pretty quick after doing some of it ahead of time online. All the staff we encountered were nice and seemed happy to be there. The food was great for breakfast and lunch. It was all under salted to my taste but that's normal for Universal. The cocktails at the pool bar were really good and the bartender was able to adjust the flavors for our preferences because what we ordered was not pre-batched. The pool itself was nice but a little boring. Not a lot of people were around when we were there on a Thursday afternoon. It was cool that the music playing could also be heard under the water. The pool loungers all had QR tags on them to help you mobile order for the pickup window at the side of the pool deck. It's a smaller menu than the cafe inside, though. Our room was a standard view of the parking lot but Epic Universe was easily seen just beyond the entrance of the hotel. It was pretty at night. The double queen room was very clean and the bed was firm but comfortable. I do wish hotels would stop using the a/c sensor only system and allow the unit to keep running. I kept walking up hot and having to trigger the wall sensor to kick the air back on. Especially after a long day in the park, that was annoying to come back to. Over all, this was a good staycation for us and we would come back to this hotel again.

    Lobby
    Chanel F.

    I want to say I had a very interesting stay here this past weekend. Upon arriving, I thought the place looked very nice on the outside. I arrived to the hotel early and they were very accommodating. We were off to a good start. And by accommodating, I just mean, they let us do an early check-in and a late checkout. This is supposed to be a so-called budget friendly hotel. But I've seen the price go well over $200 online which I do not think it's worth it and I'm gonna tell you why. This place charge you $30 for parking which is very steep. I will never get over the fact that you can rent a room somewhere and they charge you for parking. While checking in, the young lady told us that housekeeping cleans your room every other day so if you stay 2 nights, you do not get any housekeeping. For that alone, I won't stay here again. Having to make your bed or figure out where trash is going go because the trashcan is full, Is not something I want to do on vacation. The walls are thin I could always hear people talking outside my room or through the vents. The room itself was spacious, the beds were doable. They have a nice size pool and jacuzzi. There's lot of seating out there and games. Pool stays open late til like 11 pm. The lights in the room drove me insane. They have motion sensors, so if you're not moving around they go off. My family was going to epic we rented 4 rooms, I loved that the park was across the street and they had a shuttle. I stayed here because it was new, but that will not bring me back.

    Gina H.

    This is a basic moderate hotel but had all that we needed and I would definitely stay here again! The shuttle is right outside to the various parks and ran often enough that we didn't feel we were waiting too long. The walk to EPIC is also not long though if its hot outside feels longer with the humidity that we Californians are not used to :( The hotel front desk staff is SUPERB! The only thing i had an issue with was that we could not get a cleaning every day meaning we had to come get our own towels on day 2. And they don't have 24/7 service to bring towels up to us. The service at the cafe (grab and go) was also great. We had come from a long day at the park twice and wanted to grab a few things and everything was amazing. From the burger, pizza and ice cream we were pleased. I even got some hot tea on the house! I can't comment on the pool area as we did not get a chance to experience any of it but it stays open until 11 an looks AMAZING from our window. For the room itself, i liked the personal touch of our name on the tv screen, the ability to log into NETFLIX and the soft beds. The bathroom was split so we could use the toil.et and another could use hte sink if needed. Teh shower was also great! If you are going to EPIC on vacation try this place out!

    Ashley B.

    Hubby booked our stay at Stella Nova for our 5th wedding anniversary, and I have no critiques! This hotel was super clean, with amazing rooms and great service. This hotel is a quick 10 minute walk to Epic, so when we needed a break from the park, we could walk back and take a nap. I definitely plan to rebook a stay here when we come back to Epic and Universal!

    Lobby
    Christina V.

    What a fun hotel. my mother got this place for a Florida residence discount. we met up with her to enjoy the day at the resort and enjoy the pool. They have fast food grill that you can do a mobile order. I ordered fish tacos and they were so delicious with sweet potato fries. My mother got the pretzels and my husband got the hamburger with a salad. My mother said that at night the hotel lights up like stars everywhere and it was so nice. They have a movie by the pool and there's a free shuttle to take it to city walk. I hope one day to get a chance to stay here for like a Friday, Saturday, Sundays stay. my mother stayed from a Sunday till Monday, but I had to go home cause I worked on Monday, but the lobby looks so cool and futuristic and the rooms seem really nice, the room had a refrigerator in the room and a coffee maker as well. She thoroughly enjoyed her stay.

    James L.

    EPIC stay here. A 10 to 15 walk to Epic (crossing a long crosswalk) a d you are there. Staff friendly and the hotel clean and modern. The rooms were big and quiet (we had a corner room and no adjoining room). You can get your meals downstairs but you have to pay. Overall, a great place to stay.

    Kaitlin B.

    My husband and I absolutely loved staying here for our weekend getaway to visit Epic Universe. It's not only gorgeous and impeccably clean, but has an elegant, futuristic vibe. You can take a bus to Epic, or if you're up for it, there is a walking path that only takes about 10 minutes. The staff was amazingly helpful and friendly with anything we needed. They even stored my ice packs for me since the in-room fridge didn't have a small freezer section (I'm diabetic, so I carry ice packs when I travel with insulin). The bed was also extremely comfortable, which usually isn't the case at most hotels. I wish our visit had been longer, because that pool and game room looked very inviting and fun. Next time, for sure!

    Brian H.

    Had a great stay at this new and very nice Universal Stella Nova Resort! As far as location goes, it is fantastic and pretty much as good as it gets for a good price. Epic Universe is within walking distance and there are shuttles to and from the park which make it great for mid day breaks in case you want to go back to your hotel and rest. Check in was smooth and quick, and the rooms were clean and comfortable. I think Universal is really giving Disney a run for its money as their parks and offerings are superior in some ways. 5 stars for Universal Stella Nova Resort and two enthusiastic thumbs up! Thanks y'all!

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    The best food in the world, I can still taste it. Amazing service and unbelievable service and access to the parks through the shuttle.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Universal Stella Nova Resort

    Review Highlights - Universal Stella Nova Resort

    If your room is an odd number it will look at the pool, and if it is an even number it will look at EPIC Universe.

    Mentioned in 14 reviews

    Read more highlights

    JW Marriott

    JW Marriott

    (552 reviews)

    $$$

    South Orange Blossom Trail / OBT

    Well, this hotel was fabulous. I literally only have two small-ish negative things to say, and it…read moreprobably doesn't affect everyone. PRO's: -Nicely sized rooms - not huge, but not small either. I was assigned to a room with two queen beds, but it was just me, so I had an extra bed to put luggage, etc. on. -HUGE bathrooms, including a separate shower and separate bathtub, and nice amenties. -Excellent customer service - I had some ice packs I needed them to hold on to, in their freezer, and they were able to do that at the bell hop desk for me. -Ridiculously nice pool area - I was staying here for a conference and brought a swimsuit just in case, but as soon as I got to my room the first day - which they upgraded me, to a pool/lake room view, even though I don't have status with Marriott - I knew I had to try out the pool and waterslides. Luckily I had a spare hour before my conference started so I literally ate lunch and then jumped on a water slide, ha. ----There are three water slides: one you require an inner tube for, and the other two you just lay back while on it. CONs: -The area between the toilet and the toilet paper roll is super small. I am not a small person so this is probably why I had an issue, but I ended up just taking the toilet paper off the roll, because it kept hitting my thighs when I unrolled it. -The shower has a handheld area you can use or just the regular shower top (? I forget the name for that). The regular top doesn't have great water pressure, so I ended up using the handheld thing and just keeping it pointed towards me. They have a sign up in the lobby saying that Forbes chose them as one of the nicest properties in the world, I believe, and I can see why. They also have a few restaurants on site, as well as a Starbucks, but most of my meals were included at my conference; I did get Doordash the first day I was there, though. Be aware that for the Starbucks you cannot order ahead on the app, though, and the lines are often long (especially with conferences going on, and there were two while I was staying there, including ours!). I would definitely stay at this hotel again - I wasn't paying for the bill this time but I believe it is rather pricey normally, though.

    The JW Marriott definitely looks and feels like a high-end property. The hotel is polished,…read moreattractive, and has the upscale atmosphere you expect from the brand. That said, the price point is definitely on the high side, so expectations naturally go up with it. For me, the biggest disconnect was the service level, which felt more fair than exceptional. Nothing was terrible, but it did not really match the luxury pricing or the overall image of the property. When you are paying premium rates, you expect service that stands out, and this felt a little more average than memorable. Overall, it is a nice hotel, but at this price level I was hoping for a stronger service experience.

    Universal Orlando- Cabana Bay Beach Resort - Volcano Bay View

    Universal Orlando- Cabana Bay Beach Resort

    (1.2k reviews)

    $$

    Dr. Phillips, Horizons West / West Orlando

    Universal Orlando cabana bay resort was a great vacation destination,For me and my wife birthdays…read more The room was spacious and the beds were really comfortable. Nice and firm for a get night rest or a nap after being at the pool side for a few hours. Walk in closet big bathroom ,living room was cool as well. The rooms give you that old 1960 vibes with a modern touch. The resort also featured some old vintage 1960 cars similar to the TWA hotel at jfk airport. The resort had some nice places to go to. Me and my wife enjoyed the bowling alley. We had a lot of fun. Don't forget about the shops with all your favorite carton characters t shirts hats slippers you name it Star Wars, the minions the Simpsons fun for kids all ages. We also enjoyed the cabana cafeteria . I had a spicy chicken sandwich with fries my wife had chicken teriyaki lomein full of nice pieces of chicken ,Which she enjoyed .I also had some chicken tenders and fries from the cafeteria on our stay. We also ordered food from door dash while we were in the main lobby. We ordered shake shack which was cheaper ordering from door dash then buying food on the resort, smash burgers well done with cheese fries, for a little vacation cheat because I'm on a diet. By the way the order came really fast. Don The pool was great especially at night the view was amazing. With the lights shining on the pool and the really nice fire pit they had so you can even roast some marshmallows by it. Also the pool features a water slide for kids and adults. The blow up rafts were $9to17. You also could bring your own as well. You also had an ice machine with cold water free. Plus you had the soft drinks and soda all you can drink for $30 . That was the drink packed. Cabana bay resort also had a restaurant right next the pool outside. Where they had some really good chicken quesadillas with fries. My wife enjoyed that. . I went with the chicken wrap with lettuce and some veggies, It was great to eat pool side with the beach chairs equipped with the big umbrella for shade . Then you also had the lazy river at the resort. That featured a bigger water slide and pool . Bigger than the pool outside the main lobby. The staff was courteous and friendly the stay was fun. Just remember it's kinda pricey . But don't forget about all the theme parks you get to visit for $80 each way .

    Stayed here last weekend for a long Memorial Day weekend. The hotel and pools are pretty nice -…read morekind of a 50s/60s vibe, though, the pool area was quite loud and crowded - couldn't help but hear other people's expletive-ridden drunk conversations while I watched my kids swim. The food: the bowling alley is probably one of the best food options on site (other than the Starbucks) - the salad there was actually quite good and not crazy expensive (though, everything is expensive). We also enjoyed milkshakes from the malt shop. The room was fine - we had a suite with a little kitchenette and it was spacious enough for a few days. **My only real complaint (and the reason for my lower review) was the quality of the furniture. My daughter was leaning against one of the end tables to plug something in on the other side the night before we were hitting Epic Universe early, and it collapsed below her. She fell on top of it and some portion of it punctured her leg (we think a metal pin that was poking out from one of the broken legs). We contacted hotel management, and they came with hotel security who did some basic first aid and took away the broken tables (the other one also broke from her fall). We're grateful she wasn't injured more seriously (at least that we know of yet), but it could have been so much worse if that pin had punctured a more delicate area of her body. It also definitely made the next day at the park a lot harder for her with leg pain, etc. They really need to upgrade/inspect the furniture to make sure it's safe for guests.

    Disney's Wilderness Lodge

    Disney's Wilderness Lodge

    (291 reviews)

    $$$

    Disney World, Horizons West / West Orlando

    From the seamless check-in process to obtaining a high floor room with an amazing view, this…read morestaycation was definitely worth it. From the amazing staff in the roaring Fork quick service.; her name is Carolina, she displayed exceptional guest service to the highest level. She assisted my mom and I make coffee choices as well as she told me I had a cute hat. I mentioned she could find the hat in animal kingdom. We also dined at Roaring Fork last night and I had a great Mediterranean salad with chicken. After eating at roaring Fork, we went out to gyser point for some late refreshments and snacks, which I will be doing a separate review for those. The cast members to mention are Josh the chef, Anna the server from geyser point, and Josh the bartender from Geyser Point. The hotel grounds around the property are serene and have a calming quality. 10/10 Definitely recommend this stay cation

    Safety NOT First at Disney?…read more It's midnight on day 1 of our 13 person biennial vacation with extended family and the fire alarm for our hotel just went off. My family, as well as the large group of guests that we evacuated with, ended up with traumatic experiences for our kids, a crowded/dangerous escape route, and an impression that safety came second here at Disney World. Upon hearing the fire alarm, my wife and I grabbed our still sleeping kids and headed to the closest stairway for our 4th floor room. The stairway was backed up with the large number of other people attempting to use it and it was here, where in addition to the loud repetitive klaxon alarm, we first heard an automated message repeatedly announcing "An emergency has been identified in the building." This seemed to give what was happening a bit more urgency and pushing among the group. When we eventually managed to evacuate from the hotel, we were met with a large group of guests standing immediately outside the building in the 41 degree temperatures with their own crying kids and no hotel employees. The group started moving away from the building, and a few minutes later, started getting sprayed by landscaping sprinklers that were set on timers. ~10 minutes after the fire alarm started, the only employees we did see outside were a person hosing down the pool area and an employee leaving the closed for the night Geyser Point Bar and Grill carrying what looked like a bag of food for themselves. The "friends," standing outside of the loud flashing building in the cold with their crying kids, were now none of their concern and not as important as their food or pool washing duty. About 15 minutes after the alarm started, people started hunkering down at the Raging Forks Bar and Grill when the first employee showed up and very quietly informed us that the fire department was enroute and to hang out. A separate employee came to turn on the heat lamps but before those worked, we were allowed back into the hotel. My disappointment isn't that there was a midnight fire alarm, it's that as people's kids were having a scary experience at "the happiest place on earth," Disney rather than showcasing their contingency training and focus on their "friends," was quiet as a mouse.

    Universal Orlando- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

    Universal Orlando- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

    (610 reviews)

    $$$

    Dr. Phillips, Horizons West / West Orlando

    Pulling up to Portofino was a very exciting moment! It does look like a little town on a European…read morebay. The grand entrance for drop-off reminded me a bit of medieval times! It'd Italian, I know, but it's also constructed by Americans, right? So to me it was a mix of Italian, but also kitsch. Entering the lobby area, I had a similar feeling. Ornate, grand, but slightly gaudy. It kind of reminded me a Real Housewives circa 2011. Definitely unique to Universal properties, but also a tiny bit dark. There was a bit of a wait at check-in but the staff was on it! So many different needs and questions, and they handled it all. Kelly checked me in and she was awesome. I loved her authenticity, helpfulness, and honestly, she really reset my energy after a long trip in. I didn't get into my room until around 4:15pm. I did request a room in a the West wing, and would probably skip asking for that in the future if the wait will be so much longer. I didn't get to try the restaurants I wanted, I was just so tired. Sal's deli and service was really cute, though! But I wasn't crazy about the sandwich (for another review). The winner in Portofino for me? The pools. I really, really loved the quieter pool away from the big pool with the slide. Now that truly felt like I was not in Orlando. The slide in the other pool is fun! The energy is high, playing top 40 hits and such. Great for kids. But the other pool? Playing old school italian music, with mostly adults, and a true villa feel. I think I would go again with family just for the pool. Though finding your way around can lead you to many stairs and a bit of a "maze" feeling. That part did feel authentically Italian, though! Ha.

    What an absolutely gorgeous hotel! My friend and I stayed here for 2 nights and I was blown away…read morewith our experience. We spent the majority of our time at Universal, so unfortunately we didn't do full exploring of the hotel. I decided to just do a pros and cons list below of our stay. Pros Express passes are included in the stay! It was super nice to be able to not wait in the general population lines at Universal & Islands of Adventure. Express lines still had a wait, but it was a fraction of the regular line. The hotel was BEAUTIFUL. Everything was well kept and clean. The hotel room and bathroom are extremely spacious. Easy access to the parks! We took a boat ride in the morning and evening to and from the hotel. Cons Something to keep in mind is the hotel is GIANT. I think it's a good thing, but others may not like it if they are trying to get around quickly. I ordered an uber in the morning and it took almost 10 minutes for me to get from my room to the front. Don't order an uber from your room and wait for them to arrive. You should make your way down to the lobby before their arrival or you will miss your ride. The line for the boat at the end of the night from the park was very long. It took about 3 pick ups before it was our turn. I wish they had more boats running at night between the hotel and park. We left the park at around 7pm so I can only imagine the even bigger wait when the park is closing. Overall, absolutely lovely stay! If I am ever able to return, I would need to check out their pool because I hear it's amazing.

    Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate - Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate

    Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate

    (509 reviews)

    We absolutely love this resort! There is so much to do from an assortment of pools to different…read moretypes of golf during the day or playing pool in David's restaurant or table games at Eagles Edge. It's also an easy walk to local shopping centers. We can't say enough good things about the staff. We are Icon members and treated like royalty by the Loyalty Ambassadors, Laura and Thaddeus. Housekeeping is great as well; room is always clean and well stocked. We typically have dinner at David's and sit at the bar where Chris and Sara provide great service! The valet service is also great! We typically drive our Corvette and during the day when possible, they put it under the breezeway to keep the sun off of it and if it rains. We typically hear nothing but good things from other guests as well. We only go to Omni Hotels & Resorts because of the impeccable service.

    Beautiful hotel/resort, with an amazing staff. I was recently staying here for a work conference…read moreand had a very nice stay at the Omni, as I usually do when. I stay at Omnis. Check-in/out was very easy, my room was clean, nice and spacious, with a beautiful view. The bar and pool area is huge and so much fun! We all had a blast and really enjoyed each others company down at the pool bar. If I had one thing to note I wished were better, most of the nights there was only 1 bartender at the pool bar, and with our large conference and also probably other guests out there, it was hard to get service. But that guy was working amazingly so it wasn't him, he just couldn't be in multiple places at once! Was pleasantly surprised at how much of a hit the lay river was with us, but we had a blast! Lastly, the party that was put together by the staff was 10/10! Really do appreciate all the hardwork and how much fun we had! Wish I'd thought to take pictures, but I guess I was too busy enjoying myself!

    Margaritaville Resort Orlando - Upstairs Bedroom (Bedroom #2)

    Margaritaville Resort Orlando

    (372 reviews)

    Horizons West / West Orlando

    Came to Margaritaville for a fun weekend to get away ! Cute…read moreresort to spend away in the middle of Orlando , with enough pools and space to enjoy your time in the resort. Wished there was more options of restaurants and more activities within the resort .

    The family and I stayed two nights at this hotel, but unfortunately, it fell far short of 4-star…read morestandards. On our first morning, there was no hot water in the shower. After letting it run for over 30 minutes (as suggested by the front desk), we still had only cold water and ended up taking cold showers. When we returned later that day, the front desk claimed we just needed to "tweak" the faucet. Maintenance eventually confirmed a serious design flaw from the original construction: the hot and cold lines are reversed. Turning the handle to full hot delivers cold water, while hot water only appears when the handle is barely turned on -- completely counterintuitive compared to every other shower in the world. Suggestions to fix this: 1) Notify guests at check-in about affected rooms 2) Install clear, waterproof instructions in the shower 3) Ultimately, repair or replace the faulty system 4) Fire the hotel manager who allows this flawed system to be used by guest. Checkout was equally frustrating. Their new software caused multiple billing errors, including triple-charging state tax per night. Double-check your bill carefully. On the positive side, (and it pains me to say it) the hotel is very clean and the staff are genuinely friendly -- especially Jose at the outdoor bar. As an international pilot who stays in hotels worldwide, I won't be returning to this one.

    Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

    Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

    (485 reviews)

    $$$

    Disney World, Horizons West / West Orlando

    We recently stayed at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort and overall had a really enjoyable…read moreexperience--it ended up being a great choice for our trip. There's a lot to love about this resort. The jogging trail and overall scenery are genuinely beautiful and make it feel like a relaxing escape after long park days. The freestyle soda machines were a nice perk, and the food quality exceeded expectations--it felt thoughtfully prepared rather than typical cafeteria-style resort food. Our room was very clean, which always makes a big difference, and the variety of transportation options to the parks was convenient and flexible. For what we paid, the value felt fair, especially considering the amenities. The pool area was also a highlight, and throughout our stay, the employees were consistently professional and helpful. The on-site laundry room was another underrated bonus--it made it easy to head home without a pile of laundry waiting. That said, there were a few drawbacks. We did notice gnats occasionally making their way into the room, which was frustrating. Transportation to Magic Kingdom in particular was inconsistent--the bus took a long time and caused us to miss early entry one morning. One bus driver interaction also stood out, as we were repeatedly corrected about our stroller not being "fully folded" (even though it was), along with strict direction on where we could stand or sit. Additionally, depending on your room location, the walk to Centertown Market can be quite long and inconvenient. The resort is also a bit far from any off-property convenience stores if you need to grab last-minute items, and the lack of a fitness center may be a downside for some guests. Overall, despite a few inconveniences, this was a fun and enjoyable place to stay. The positives definitely outweighed the negatives, and I would recommend it--and would stay here again.

    This was the first Disney property we ever stayed in as a couple with kids. We chose it because the…read moretheme seemed interesting for our oldest son and it was promoted as a mid tier resort. When a vacation room has a door that faces the outside of the property I defined that as a motel and so that perception was immediately disappointing. We also experienced a lot of bugs coming in and out of the room and since you weren't in an interior space, traditional to a hotel, it contributed to having to walk through them. The resort is big in the pool area was nice. Getting from our room to the common area with food and gift shops seemed quite a distance, especially for us with a younger family. Travel to and from the park was convenient, although like any resort, very busy during peak times. Having visited other Disney resorts and resorts outside of the park, we would no longer choose to stay at the Caribbean beach resort.

    The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes

    The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes

    (418 reviews)

    $$$

    South Orange Blossom Trail / OBT

    I had an excellent experience at the Ritz-Carlton. The hotel was exceptional, and the staff was…read moreincredibly friendly, professional, and accommodating throughout my stay. I experienced a small issue with my Bonvoy account, and Robert Madison immediately stepped in to assist. He handled everything professionally and courteously, making the process smooth and stress-free. When my business in Orlando was unexpectedly extended, I needed to add an extra night to my stay. Once again, Robert Madison made the arrangement effortless and ensured I could remain in the same room without any inconvenience. Robert Madison truly exemplified the level of service and hospitality that the Ritz-Carlton is known for. His outstanding customer service is a major reason I will choose to stay here again in the future. Thank you for such a wonderful experience.

    What is not to love about the Ritz? Service is always above and beyond. We were here over the…read moreThanksgiving holiday and had no trouble finding a spot by the pool to relax every day. The servers were always really nice and attentive and made sure we had towels and the works. We also love that the pool here is heated as it does get windy and chilly in November in Orlando, believe it or not. The pool side menu was also great as they had a variety of stuff like chicken fingers, burgers, chips and salsa/queso. Overall, our stay was 10/10 no notes.

    Universal Stella Nova Resort - hotels - Updated May 2026

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