Everything about Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando is large, starting with the sprawling lobby.

The island-themed resort has three towers and more than 1,000 guest rooms, including 51 suites. During our one-night visit, we allotted plenty of time to walk from our room -- in Tower 3 -- to the pool, the lobby, the restaurants and the parking lot.

The Royal Pacific is one of three Universal Studios resort hotels (the Hard Rock and the Portofino are the others). It is beautifully designed, with a theme that bears a fair resemblance to Disney's better-known Polynesian Resort.

The hotel, which attempts a natural and authentic take on Pacific culture and architecture, is partially surrounded by a lagoon. Guests must cross a long wooden bridge suspended over a portion of the lagoon in order to enter the hotel. The walk along the lagoon offers some of the best views of the hotel.

The resort's interior is superbly designed, beginning with the main guest areas surrounding the lobby. The attention to detail is impressive. Even if the kids are eager to get to the pool - as ours were - it's worth a moment to view the orchid court and Pacific-themed architecture.

That theme continues in the guest rooms, which are spacious and comfortable. The rooms are filled with nice touches, from embossed towels and an LCD TV to an iPod clock radio. Having stayed in our share of motels, we particularly enjoyed the nearly soundless air conditioning and plush linens and pillows.

Beyond the design, the Royal Pacific is a full-service resort. Like most resort hotels, it features a large lagoon-style pool. It certainly is big enough to service a resort as large as the Royal Pacific, though it lacks some of the ''wow'' factors that younger children might enjoy, such as a slide. However, there is an adjacent water play area where children can shoot water from cannon.

Loews Royal Pacific offers a bevy of activities for adults and children, including pool games and movies. There also is a huge fitness center and an on-site child-care facility for parents who seek alone time.

Dining options are expensive but diverse. The choices range from American casual at Jake's American Bar to the Pacific-themed Emeril's Tchoup Chop. The restaurant is the creation of celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse and features Asian cuisine.

If it isn't hotel dining you crave, however, there are plenty of choices available at Universal City Walk. The bustling entertainment area is just a short walk or boat ride away. City Walk features plenty of shopping and restaurants, including the Hard Rock Cafe and the racecar-themed NASCAR Sports Grill.

We went for low-key, choosing to dine at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. We enjoyed a couple of cheeseburgers in paradise on the patio while listening to live music.

The Royal Pacific shares one great benefit with its fellow Universal Resorts. Guests can use their room keys to enter the express pass lines at the two Universal Studios theme parks, thereby bypassing long lines.

With this benefit, we managed to ride every attraction we wanted in both parks and still made it out in plenty of time for dinner. If you are headed to Universal, this benefit alone makes a stay worthwhile, though keep in mind that theme park admission is additional.

IF YOU GO

Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando

6300 Hollywood Way, Orlando

407- 503-5000; www.universalorlando.com/hotels/loews-royal-pacific-resort.html

Amenities: 1,000 guest rooms and suites. Lagoon-style swimming pool with interactive water play area, supervised children's activity center, gymnasium, croquet lawn and volleyball court, Orchid Court Sushi Bar and restaurants.

Rates: Off-season room rates start at $269; ticket packages are available for guests who plan to visit Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park.

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