Universal Studios Florida might be known for Harry Potter and Jurassic Park, but the Orlando-based theme park is so much more than that. Now, boasting multiple themed hotels, tons of restaurants and three different theme parks (with a fourth on the way), Universal has become a staple vacation spot for families, couples and even solo travelers.
If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Universal Studios, staying at a hotel on the resort property can provide some great perks. (Besides, after a long day of riding roller coasters and drinking Butterbeer, wouldn’t it be nice to not have to worry about making a long drive back to your room?) And in my opinion, Universal has one of the best hotels in Orlando: Loews Royal Pacific Resort. This Bali- and Polynesian-inspired resort is an oasis of paradise, and best of all, it’s just a five minute boat ride from the parks. It’s truly the perfect vacation getaway. Here are just a few of the things I love about it.
The Vibe
As soon as you enter the lobby of Loews Royal Pacific, you’re transported into an island paradise. From the gorgeous waterfalls to the palm trees, it truly feels like a tropical oasis here. Just outside of the lobby, you’ll find an outdoor area with elephant statues, rocks and water, perfect for photo ops. I’ll note that this hotel can get busy with weddings and events at times, but overall, I loved the calm vibe and personalized touches that this resort offers.
Amenities
Close proximity to the Universal parks is always a nice perk, but there are plenty of other amenities you’ll find at Royal Pacific. For those who enjoy skipping ahead of the long lines for rides, you’ll absolutely love being a guest at this resort, because they offer express passes for every single guest. I had the opportunity to enjoy Universal Express Unlimited on some of our favorite rides, including the iconic Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
There are also plenty of opportunities for souvenir shopping, particularly for fans of Harry Potter, Marvel, the Simpsons and other iconic characters, movies, comics and TV shows. And as someone who collects mugs, pins and keychains, Universal is like heaven for me. I bought so many souvenirs here, and I didn’t even have to worry about carrying them around because they sent everything directly to my hotel room.
The parks can get very crowded during the day, so having the perk of early admission to the parks was a huge benefit of staying here. My family was admitted into the park at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter an hour before opening. Transportation to the parks was also free, and it was super quick — I was there in five minutes after taking the boat from our hotel to the parks. The views of the palm trees, flowers, bright blue water with sea turtles swimming around, and Universal City Walk kept us entertained on the boat rides there and back.
Food and Drinks
From sushi to French toast to burgers, Loews Royal Pacific has something for everyone’s palate. For an incredible selection of sushi and Japanese-inspired dishes, Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar is just a few short steps away from the lobby. I ordered the crab rangoon sushi roll and the chef’s special roll (which had shrimp tempura, cream cheese and salmon), and both were delicious.
For a tasty tropical-inspired breakfast, head downstairs to the Islands Dining Room and order the Hawaiian Pancakes. These hot, buttery pancakes topped with pineapple, toasted coconut and macadamia nuts make for the best breakfast before hitting the parks. If you’re not a pineapple fan, try the Tahitian French Toast L’Orange, which features caramelized bananas instead of pineapple. For dinner, you can enjoy signature Pan-Asian dishes like island fried rice and Mongolian beef at the Islands Dining Room.
Classic American dishes like mac and cheese and hot wings can be found downstairs at Jake’s American Bar. (I highly recommend the pumpkin cookie skillet or the Oreo chocolate chip cookie skillet for dessert!)
When it comes to beverages, there are a few places to get drinks and cocktails at this resort. For breakfast, I paired the signature pineapple, orange and guava juice from the Islands Dining Hall with the Hawaiian pancakes I ordered.
If you’d like something a little stronger, Japanese whisky, beer and signature cocktails are served at different restaurants around the resort. I sipped on the Strawberry & Mint Cooler from Bula Bar & Grille while relaxing by the pool, and I also loved the Purple Samurai at Orchid Court Lounge and Sushi Bar.
Activities
After dining and spending a day riding roller coasters, it’s nice to just be able to relax and have fun. (You are on vacation, after all.) I loved relaxing by the lagoon-style swimming pool, which has a small white sand beach to sink your toes into. The Wantilan Luau at the resort was another fun activity. Getting to eat Polynesian dishes while enjoying the music and the fire dances was an experience like no other, and it’s something that’s never been offered at any Orlando resort I’ve been to.
I’m an adventurer at heart, so I had a lot of fun exploring the hotel grounds, snapping photos in front of the elephant statue fountain, checking out all of the shops at the hotel and walking along the gorgeous pathway full of palm trees, flowers and views of the water.
Booking Your Stay
The easiest way to book your stay at Loews Royal Pacific is directly through the Universal Studios website. If you’re traveling by car, there’s a parking fee of $33 per night for each vehicle. For those flying into Orlando, Loews Royal Pacific Resort offers transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport — you’ll just need to call ahead to book the service.
With this being a luxury resort, prices can vary depending on the time of year you decide to book your stay. Rates at this resort start at $337 per night depending on the type of room and time of year during your stay. You can choose from standard rooms, club level rooms and suites, some of which have a Jurassic World theme or a tropical theme and views of the garden and water. I chose a standard room, but honestly any room you decide to stay in will give you a great experience. Universal sometimes runs special offers on booking here (or at any of their other hotels), and Florida residents can save up to 40% when booking their stay.
Loews Royal Pacific is a pet-friendly resort, but it does come with a $100 fee and you are required to book a pet-friendly room. They also provide an on-site vet, grooming service, pet shop and a dog-walking route. Wi-Fi is complimentary for every room, and accommodations are also made for guests with disabilities.
Why Trust Us?
I’ve been to Orlando many times, and this resort is by far one of my favorites. I discovered this place while on a trip with my family in 2013, and it’s been a solid choice ever since. During every stay, I’m still blown away at how amazing everything is; Loews Royal Pacific Resort truly feels like paradise. It’s the perfect spot for those traveling with kids, as a couple, with friends, or even solo, because there’s something for every age group and demographic here.
In determining why this is the best hotel in Orlando, I compared it to other similar resorts, looking at my own personal experiences, as well as the dining options, what activities were available and the quality of customer service. I also considered factors such as the amenities, the price point in comparison to other hotels in the Orlando area, cleanliness and convenience. Trust me when I say that Loews Royal Pacific Resort checks every single box.
