Posted on Mon, Jul. 09, 2012

A retro-themed family-friendly hotel is planned for the Universal Orlando Resort complex, which already boasts theme parks, an entertainment and shopping area and three hotels.

The Cabana Bay Beach Resort was announced Monday. It will add a total of 1,800 new units, with 900 family suites and 900 standard rooms. The resort will be built on 37 acres adjacent to Universal’s Islands of Adventure; Loews Hotels & Resorts will operate the hotel.

While rates and a specific opening date were not announced, the hotel is expected to open in 2014. Cabana Bay will be the least expensive of all the hotels at Universal; it joins Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and the Hard Rock Hotel.

A spokesman for Universal Orlando Resort said the company does not disclose development costs, but said the hotel will be jointly owned by Universal Parks and Resorts and Loews.

The hotel’s design, meant to stir nostalgia about family road trips, is a nod to old-fashioned motor courts with bright colors, neon and a vintage feel. Cabana Bay Beach Resort will also include two themed pool areas.

Site work is expected to start soon.