The 10 Best Hotels Near Universal Orlando For Families (2023)
If you are visiting Universal Studios in Orlando with kids and looking for hotels near Universal Orlando for families, we have helped narrow down the choice for you. We know how mind boggling it can be!
We had so many questions but when it came down to it, the most important question when looking for the best Universal hotels for families is:
Do you need early park admission to Universal Studios Orlando? See more about Early Park Admission (EPA) here.
If you want early access to the parks to be able to beat the queues on some of the best rides in Universal Orlando, then it’s fairly easy.
You need to choose a Universal hotel. BUT. There are eight Universal hotels to choose from and even their ‘Value’ hotels can be more expensive than ‘non-Universal’ hotels.
If you don’t need early park access, then this opens up a range of more affordable hotels near Universal Orlando for families. There are even some partner hotels offering discounts on merchandise and food in some of the parks.
So where do people stay when they go to Universal Studios?
We’ve broken it into two categories. Best family-friendly Universal Orlando resort hotels and best hotels near Universal Orlando for families (that aren’t Universal hotels).
Tip: You can sometimes get better deals booking a package. Attraction Tickets is the #1 authorised retailer for Universal Orlando Resort. Take a look at their packages here.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and book something, we may earn a small commission but this is at no extra cost to you.
Things to do in Florida with kids besides Universal Studios
Before I list the best hotels near Universal Orlando for families, I just want to put a quick section in here linking to some of our family-friendly Florida posts. This is assuming you have any time left after visiting Universal Orlando Resort!
If you want to go exploring Florida, we have a guide to the best things to do in Florida with kids.
You probably want to check out some of Florida’s best beaches – these ones are the nearest beaches to Orlando.
If you’re visiting at Halloween, here are some great pumpkin patches in Florida.
And if you want some proper beach vacation time, here are the best family beach resorts in Florida.
And just a little note for Harry Potter fans. If you’re visiting the UK, read all about the best Harry Potter days out in the UK, Harry Potter things to do in London and our review of the Harry Potter Studios. See also family-friendly hotels near Warner Bros Studios.
Best family-friendly Universal Orlando resort hotels
Just to be clear, staying in Universal hotels comes with certain perks. To summarize, these are the main benefits of staying at one of the Universal hotels:
- All Universal Hotels have Early Park Admission included in the cost of your stay. This means access to either Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios Florida up to 1 hour before the park opens and 30 minutes early to Volcano Bay. Times can change so make sure to check the EPA page before you go. Remember, you still need to buy your park entry tickets!
- All Universal hotels include free merchandise delivery to your hotel. If you plan on buying some souvenirs, this means you don’t have to carry it around with you all day.
- If you choose to stay at a Premier Resort (Loews Royal Pacific, Loews Portofino Bay or the Hard Rock Hotel), Universal Express Unlimited is included in your stay. Each member of your family will receive the express pass. This is valued at around $129 per person per day.
- Premier resort guests also get preferred seating at select Universal CityWalk restaurants. You will just need to mention it to your hostess.
What are the Universal hotel categories? Good question. Here’s a quick explanation for you.
There are 8 Universal Studios hotels and they’re broken into 4 categories:
- Premier Category (Loews Portofino Bay, Loews Royal Pacific and Hard Rock) – EPA and Universal Express Unlimited included.
- Preferred Category (Loews Saphire Falls) – EPA included.
- Prime Value (Cabana Bay and Aventura) – EPA included.
- Value (Endless Summer Surfside Inn and Suites and Dockside Inn and Suites) – EPA included.
And so – here are the best Universal Orlando hotels for families.
Loews Portofino Bay at Universal Studios – Orlando
Loews Portofino Bay has the most pools, restaurants, and shops than any other resort making it one of the best Universal Studios hotels for families. The Beach Pool is a pool specifically designed for families.
It has slides, a splash pad for little ones and is within arm’s reach of a restaurant which is super convenient. Loews Portofino Bay’s Kids Club (Campo Portofino) is definitely a plus for families with kids aged 4-14.
Portofino offers a number of room options like standard, suites and villas. Family suites at Portofino are super cool with the Minions theme separate bedroom for kids.
Adults have their own room with a super comfy king-size mattress. This makes them some of the best family suites near Universal Studios Orlando.
As a Premier Universal Resort, Loews Portofino Bay has perks like early park admission, merchandise delivery, a boat ride to the park and Unlimited Express Pass including the days you check in and out.
There is also a lovely paved walking path through lush greenery from Loews Portofino Bay to CityWalk, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.
The walk from Loews Portofino to Universal Studios will take you around 15 minutes depending on your walking speed.
The walking path is a good option for when you want to use your early park admission perk and don’t want to wait for transport which can be crowded and difficult to get on.
Loews Portofino Bay is one of the best luxury hotels near Universal Studios Orlando if you’re looking to push the boat out.
Also in the Premier Category with the same perks and not to be overlooked is Loews Royal Pacific.
- Early park admission?: YES
- Possible to walk to Universal Studios from here?: YES
Check rates on Booking.com
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Check Loews Portofino Bay holiday packages on TUI.
Or book a package through Attraction Tickets – authorised retailer for Universal Orlando Resort.
Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando
The Hard Rock Hotel is super close to the park and Citywalk clearly making it one of the best hotels next to Universal Studios Orlando for families.
A major perk to staying at Hard Rock is that everyone gets an unlimited Express Pass, early park admission, water taxi to the park, and merchandise delivery.
The pool with waterslide and splash pad help make Hard Rock one of the best kid-friendly hotels at Universal Orlando resort. They will also love the live poolside games, video arcade, and butterfly garden.
The music theme is awesome and felt throughout the resort. There are even live music performances.
Restaurant and food options are top-notch with the elegant The Palm and the kid-friendly The Kitchen.
- Early park admission?: YES
- Possible to walk to Universal Studios from here?: YES
Check rates on Booking.com
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Check Hard Rock holiday packages on TUI.
Or book a package through Attraction Tickets – authorised retailer for Universal Orlando Resort.
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Cabana Bay is hands down the best Universal hotel for families with young kids. It is also is one of the more affordable hotels near Universal Studios with early admission.
As a Universal Prime Value Resort, you’ll be staying on-site, receive early admission to the parks, transportation to the park and merchandise delivery.
What really sets Cabana Bay apart from other resorts are the two awesome pools, lazy river, bowling alley, games room, and the fun 1950s theme.
It is also the closest hotel to Volcano Bay and the best Universal Studios hotel for families with views of the magnificent volcano itself.
Cabana Bay also has family suites that sleep up to six people and two-bedroom suites that sleep up to eight. These are the best family suites at Universal Orlando hotels for families with kids of any age.
You can walk from Cabana Bay to Universal Studios along the walking path in around 25 minutes.
Other options for getting to the parks include taking the free shuttle bus or walking over to Sapphire Falls and taking the water taxi.
- Early park admission?: YES
- Possible to walk to Universal Studios from here?: YES
Check rates on Booking.com
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Check Cabana Bay holiday packages on TUI.
or book a package through Attraction Tickets – authorised retailer for Universal Orlando Resort.
Universal’s Aventura Hotel
Aventura is another Universal Prime Value resort meaning your stay comes with early park admission and merchandise delivery.
Aventura is a stylish, modern resort on Universal property and one of the best luxury hotels near Universal Studios Orlando.
A resort of the 21st century, you’ll see a robot in the lobby and tablets in each room that control everything from the TV to the lights.
Rooms are a bit snug but have two queen beds which would be good for families with older kids.
The pool, bar, lounge, and quick service food will keep everyone in the family satisfied. Don’t miss Bar 17 Bistro, the stunning rooftop bar and grill with one of the best views in Orlando.
The walk from Aventura Hotel to Universal Studios takes around 25 to 30 minutes or you have the same options mentioned above for Cabana Bay.
- Early park admission?: YES
- Possible to walk to Universal Studios from here?: YES
Check rates on Booking.com
Check rates on Expedia.com
Check rates on Hotels.com
Check Aventura holiday packages on TUI.
or book a package through Attraction Tickets – authorised retailer for Universal Orlando Resort.
Just a quick note here. If you want Early Park Admission and a budget-friendly hotel, you should take a look at Endless Summer Surfside Inn and Suites and Dockside Inn and Suites in the value range.
They are fairly basic (but offer the same perks as the Prime Value hotels). The only issue is that you cannot walk from these hotels to Universal Studios.
We say cannot but really mean that we wouldn’t recommend it with kids. The walk is over a mile and includes a stretch right next to a very large and busy road . There is, however, great transportation to and from these resorts with buses running every 15 minutes.
- Early park admission?: YES
- Possible to walk to Universal Studios from here?: NO/MAYBE
Surfside Inn & Suites
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Check Surfside holiday packages on TUI.
Dockside Inn & Suites
Check rates on Booking.com
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Check Dockside holiday packages on TUI.
or book a package through Attraction Tickets – authorised retailer for Universal Orlando Resort.
Best hotels near Universal Orlando for families (that aren’t Universal hotels)
And these are the best of the rest. The best kid-friendly hotels near Universal Studios Orlando that aren’t Universal hotels.
Hyatt Place across from Universal Orlando Resort
A major selling point is that Hyatt Place is super close to the entrance to Universal Studios. Located literally across the street, it’s the closest hotel to Universal Studios Orlando without staying on property.
You can walk from Hyatt Place Hotel to Universal Studios but it will take around 15 minutes and you need to cross the very busy Kirkman Road. Alternatively, there are shuttle buses running from Hyatt Place to Universal Studios.
Room options are a major plus for families. Choose from one with a king bed, two queens, or a queen and bunk beds.
All options are quite spacious and have a pullout couch upping the number of people that can sleep in each room – a solid option for Universal Orlando hotels for large families.
Other perks are that Hyatt Place is pet-friendly, there is a pool, and breakfast is included in the stay.
This is a pet-friendly hotel.
- Early park admission?: NO
- Possible to walk to Universal Studios from here?: YES
- Universal Partner hotel?: YES
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Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
The Fairfield Inn & Suites is the closest Marriott hotel to Universal Studios Orlando.
We have always saved so much on hotel stays by being part of the Marriott Bonvoy programme. You can book a stay for as little as 27,000 points.
Being a Universal Partner Hotel, guests can benefit from discounts on merchandise and food at select Universal Orlando theme park locations. There is also free scheduled morning and evening transportation to nearby Universal Orlando Resort.
Breakfast, parking and WiFi are all included in your stay.
- Early park admission?: NO
- Possible to walk to Universal Studios from here?: YES
- Universal Partner hotel?: YES
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Clarion Inn and Suites
Clarion Inn and Suites rounds out this list of the best Universal Studios Orlando hotels for families.
Spacious rooms offer a king bed or two queens. Larger families can book a suite with two queen beds and a pull out sofa making it the best Universal hotel for a family of five.
Everyone in the family will enjoy the big pool. Clarion Inn is pet-friendly too.
Clarion Inn and Suites has both free shuttle service to Universal and free parking, which isn’t always a given at resorts in Orlando.
You can always grab a bite to eat or a drink at the on-site restaurant or bar.
- Early park admission?: NO
- Possible to walk to Universal Studios from here?: YES
- Universal Partner hotel?: YES
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DoubleTree by Hilton (at the entrance to Universal Orlando)
The Double Tree by Hilton is super close to Universal Studios Park. Literally across the street, all you have to do is cross the pedestrian bridge to get there.
One of the best hotels for families near Universal Studios Orlando, guests of the DoubleTree get free transportation to the park, as well as discounts on merchandise, food and drink.
The large pool, splash pad, and poolside bar makes it easy to take an off day from the park. Kids will like the arcade too.
There are a number of food options on-site at the DoubleTree which is nice. But just know parking is an added fee.
- Early park admission?: NO
- Possible to walk to Universal Studios from here?: YES
- Universal Partner hotel?: YES
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Holiday Inn & Suites Across from Universal Orlando
The Holiday Inn & Suites (part of IHG Hotels & Resorts) is located literally just across from the entrance to Universal Studios.
Kids under 18 stay for free when sharing their parents room and 2 kids under 11 years old eat for free with a paying adult. This is great news when this particular onsite restaurant is TGI Fridays.
The Holiday Inn & Suites is also a great Universal Orlando hotel for families with dogs as they have a dog friendly fenced in area.
They have some of the best family suites near Universal Studios Orlando. Family rooms are spacious and include kitchenettes. They even have 2-bedroom suites that sleep up to 10.
Kids will love the splash pool and on-site arcade.
- Early park admission?: NO
- Possible to walk to Universal Studios from here?: YES
- Universal Partner hotel?: YES
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Check Holiday Inn holiday package with TUI.
Rosen Inn International (7600 International Drive)
Rosen Inn International has super competitive rates and is one to check out if you’re looking for the best cheap hotels near Universal Studios Orlando for families.
Rosen Inn International is located around 2.3 miles from Universal Studios and if you’re not driving, they offer a free scheduled shuttle bus.
A key to Rosen’s low prices is that there are no add-ons like parking or resort fees. There’s free Wi-Fi and kids eat for free (under 5s with a paying adult) which is a perk.
Rooms at Rosen have a traditional hotel/motel feel with double queen beds. There are two pools including a splash pad for little ones. Kids will enjoy the arcade room and outdoor playground.
Located on International Drive, Rosen is surrounded by lots of places to eat and have fun, even if you’re not staying on or directly next to Universal Studios.
For the price, Rosen is one of the best budget hotels near Universal Studios for families. They also accept pets, making them a great option if you’re looking for pet friendly hotels near Universal Studios Orlando.
- Early park admission?: NO
- Possible to walk to Universal Studios from here?: NO
- Universal Partner hotel?: YES
Check rates on Booking.com
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Check rates on Hotels.com
We hope you found our list of best hotels near Universal Orlando for families helpful. Do you have any you would like to recommend? Let us know!