Universal Orlando Resort has nearly a dozen on-site hotels that offer great perks for guests. Over the years of covering theme parks professionally and spending time with my family and friends at Universal Orlando, I’ve been lucky enough to stay at nearly all of them. Still, one really outshines the rest: Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel.
While the spacious rooms and impeccable dining are huge highlights, the real benefit is staying inside Universal’s newest theme park, Universal Epic Universe. Yes, you read that right. The hotel is literally inside the park, with some rooms offering incredible views of it, plus a rooftop bar overlooking the five worlds of Epic Universe. If you’re planning your next trip to Universal Orlando Resort and are still thinking about where to stay, let’s say you’ll want to really consider staying at Helios, even if it’s just for one night.
Rooms at Universal Helios Grand Hotel
The rooms at Universal Helios Grand Hotel are spacious and comfortable. Universal Orlando Resort
Helios has 500 rooms, broken down into three main categories: standard rooms, concierge rooms, and suites. Standard rooms start at 325 square feet and sleep four people. The standard rooms feature a unique floral design, most prominent on the headboard over the two queen beds and on the carpet. The actual living space is cozy, and besides the bed, has a desk with a chair and a comfortable second chair or lounger. The bathrooms are well-designed with a separate shower and toilet from the sink, so more than one person can be getting ready at once. Larger deluxe queen rooms also have a pull-out couch to accommodate one more person.
Most standard rooms are nearly identical, but prices increase depending on the view you book—during peak season, you’ll find rates around $500. Standard view rooms have a view of the city or hotel grounds, while skyline view rooms offer a view of Orlando from the massive floor-to-ceiling window. There are also pool view rooms overlooking the sprawling resort pool.
Kids will love sleeping in the How to Train Your Dragon suites at Universal Helios Grand Hotel.Universal Orlando Resort
Concierge rooms are the same style as the standard rooms, but they do have access to a small concierge lounge where snacks and drinks are served throughout the day. Additionally, suites are ideal for families who want a character-themed room and more space. Kids will love the How to Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suite, which has a separate kids’ bedroom. There are also larger suites with the same theme as the standard rooms at the resort.
But if you really want the ultimate Helios experience, you’ll do what I did and book a park view room. These are some of the most expensive accommodations, clocking in at nearly $900 some nights during high season. While this may be sticker shock for some, especially since the amenities in the park view rooms are the same as the amenities in the standard rooms, the view is truly breathtaking.
During my stay, I was given a room on the third floor, which offered excellent views of the theme park, including the sweeping gardens of Celestial Park, the spooky spires of Dark Universe, and the kinetic skyline of rollercoasters like my favorite ride, Stardust Racers. In the morning, I woke up and opened the curtains to see the park come to life as team members (what Universal calls employees) put the finishing touches on gardens and overnight work. It felt like getting a backstage pass to see how theme parks really start the day before guests arrive. Then at the end of the night, I watched the fountain show right from the comfort of my room, which was a truly magical way to end an incredible day.
Dining at Universal Helios Grand Hotel
Grab a bite to eat at Flora Taverna at Helios Grand Hotel. Universal Orlando Resort
There are four dining options at Helios. The first is a grab-and-go market, Aurora Market, which serves Starbucks coffee and easy snacks. I always stopped here before heading to the park for some quick fuel.
In the middle of the day, the Lotus Lagoon pool bar and restaurant was a hot spot for families. I loved that I could order food and drinks right from my pool chair, but the actual restaurant near the pool is also beautiful if you’re looking for a quick meal without hopping in the pool. Currently, service starts at 11:00 a.m., which is ideal for those who want to get in a few rides at Epic Universe before taking a break back at the pool. A few highlights on the Mediterranean-inspired menu include the chicken avocado wrap and beef kebab.
During my stay, I dined twice at Flora Taverna (once for breakfast and once for dinner), a beautiful restaurant right off the resort’s lobby with indoor and outdoor seating. When the weather is nice, you should always opt for the outdoor seating, which overlooks Celestial Park inside Epic Universe. Breakfast at the restaurant starts at 7:00 a.m. and runs until 11:00 a.m.. During breakfast, you have two options. The first is the breakfast buffet, which includes all of the breakfast staples, plus a drink, for $38 for adults and $16 for kids. Alternatively, you can order à la carte. I particularly love the baklava French toast, a fun mashup of the classic Greek dessert with a sort of griddled bread pudding topped with crushed pistachios, dried roses and honey. Flora Taverna’s dinner service takes place from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. The menu really leans into Mediterranean specialties like falafel, lamb lion kebabs, grilled prawns, and watermelon and feta salad.
Bar Helios is a must-visit at Universal Helios Grand HotelUniversal Orlando Resort
The crown jewel of Helios’s restaurants is Bar Helios, a rooftop bar with indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks the city of Orlando on one side and Epic Universe on the other. Inside the bar, there’s a jaw-dropping mural overhead showcasing different constellations. Bar Helios is open daily for food and drink service starting at 4:00 p.m.. Just know that food service ends at 11:00 p.m., and bar service ends at midnight. The food menu is mostly shareable tapas, which is always fun if you’re traveling with a bigger group, so you can have a taste of everything. A few of my favorites are the fig carpaccio served with truffles and preserved lemon, and the hot butter crispy calamari with pickled Turkish peppers.
Clash of the Titans from Bar HeliosUniversal Orlando Resort
You also can’t leave without trying some of the cocktails, which are all handcrafted. My favorite drink is the Medusa, which is a fun concoction of The Botanist Gin, za’atar-infused agave, Luxardo Maraschino, lemon and Fever-Tree Sparkling Grapefruit. Additionally, the Clash of the Titans, a close second favorite of mine, is part of the Alchemy by Loews beverage program. The program features a curated menu of drinks layered with subtle sensory elements to elevate the cocktails. The unique concoction is a Tanqueray-forward cocktail featuring lemon, St. German, egg whites, feta-infused honey, and a feta garnish. It’s a fantastic cocktail for those who love experimenting with new flavors without being too over-the-top.
Amenities at Universal Helios Grand Hotel
The pool is a great spot to rest and reset at Universal Helios Grand Hotel. Universal Orlando Resort
Helios offers an abundance of amenities for guests. The pool offers a large zero-entry pool and a hot tub. Even better, once you find your lounge chair for the day, you never have to get up for drinks or food because servers come right to you. There’s also a game room and gym.
Be sure to browse the souvenir shop too. Here, you’ll find some pieces to complete your ensemble for Epic Universe, including branded backpacks, cute headbands, and t-shirts. There’s also fun tschotchkes to bring home. I ended up finding a great t-shirt to wear into Epic Universe, and now I have it for return trips too.
Access to Universal Epic Universe
The Gate is Open: Universal Epic Universe is officially part of the resort’s new weeklong ticket bundle, making the “Theme Park Capital of the World” easier (and cheaper) to visit in 2026.Universal Studios
The biggest perk of staying at Helios is the access to Epic Universe. The hotel is literally situated inside the park with a direct access point and security for those staying at the hotel. Even better, those staying at the hotel (and all of the other Universal hotels) get one hour of early park admission, which is a game changer for getting on some of the most popular attractions like Hiccup’s Wing Gliders in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
Pro-tip: From the hotel, you’re very close to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so consider going there first to ride Battle at the Ministry before exploring other parts of the park. This will ensure the lowest wait times for the marquee attraction. Just be sure to check the digital info boards near security to ensure the ride you want to do first is open during early entry, since it can change.
You’ll want to get in line to go through security and get into the park about 30 minutes before the posted opening time. So if the park has early park entry starting at 8:00 am, then you’ll want to be in line around 7:30 am. This will give you plenty of time to get through security and into the park’s “holding zone” before it officially opens for the day.
Related: The Epic Universe Ride Order That Saves 74% More Time This Spring Break
Universal Parks
During my stay, I also found it really nice to go back to my room for about an hour after lunch to rest and cool off before heading back out into the park for more fun. Since the hotel is right at the back of the park, it was super easy. From the very back of Dark Universe near The Burning Blade Tavern to get to my third-floor room, it took about seven minutes.
At the end of the night, your hotel room’s proximity to the park is also a major perk. It was so nice to walk right to my cool room rather than trudge through the front of the park, then to the complimentary shuttle buses, drive to another resort, then walk to my room, which can take upwards of 30 minutes.
Related: All the Rides at Epic Universe—Including the Secret Attraction—Ranked
Access to the Other Universal Orlando Theme Parks
Universal Studios globe sign at the entrance of Universal Studios Florida.cveltri for getty
If you want to visit any of the other three Universal Orlando Resort theme parks, it’s pretty easy. Helios offers complimentary shuttle buses to Universal CityWalk, and from there you can go to either Universal Studios Florida or Universal Islands of Adventure. There’s also a dedicated bus line (also complimentary) to Universal Volcano Bay. You’ll use these buses to get back to Helios Grand Hotel at the end of the night, too.
Just know that the buses to the other theme parks can take a while. During my visit, it took nearly an hour to get from my room at Helios to the ticket scanner at Universal Studios Florida. You’ll want to leave earlier than you think if you have timed plans at one of the other three parks.
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More Universal Hotel Perks
Universal Helios Grand HotelUniversal Orlando Resort
Besides the perks at Epic Universe by staying at Helios, there are some general theme park benefits of staying at any of the Universal Orlando Resort Hotels. Every morning, there is a park with early entry only for resort guests. Additionally, your room key works for charging, and any merchandise you pick up can be shipped back to your resort for free.
How to Get a Deal at Helios Grand Hotel
If you’re looking for a deal, the best way to see all of the offers at once is to check out Universal’s special offers tab on its website. Right now, there are discounted rates at Universal Helios Grand Hotel for Florida residents.
Is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, Worth the Cost?
The view of Helios Grand Hotel from Celestial Park. Universal Orlando Resort
If you’re really trying to get the most out of your Epic Universe day, then yes, Helios is worth the cost. The dedicated entry to Epic Universe is worth the expense by itself. Then add on how close you are to some of the most popular attractions at the park, like Stardust Racers, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, and it seems like a no-brainer to stay here for at least one night of your vacation at Universal Orlando Resort.
If you don’t want to spend a small fortune to stay at the resort for your entire stay, I suggest booking two Universal Orlando hotels as a split stay. First, check in at one of the cheaper Universal hotels that offer the same hotel perks as Helios. Stay here for the days you plan on visiting Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, and Volcano Bay. Then change to Helios for two nights, the first being your check-in day, and enjoy the pool and resort amenities. Then on the second day, enjoy early entry and proximity at Epic Universe. Then on your third day, your check-out day, you can continue your Orlando vacation elsewhere or head home. This route can also be done in reverse, starting at Helios, then moving to another cheaper Universal Orlando Resort hotel.
Related: Universal Orlando Just Unveiled a Huge Twist for Fall 2026
This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.