Simply one of the best options to stay at Universal Orlando
I really, really love the Aventura Hotel in Orlando, Florida. In fact, this might be my favorite Universal hotel, as I’ve been staying there for the last five years or so. The last time I went was from February 10 to February 13, 2025, and, once again, the hotel didn’t disappoint.
It’s the perfect blend of great rooms with affordable pricing, it's within walking distance to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and features an amazing and cozy rooftop bar that offers great food and drinks.
If you want to save some money and enjoy the best Universal perks, the Aventura Hotel is a great option. It gives you one-hour early entry access to Islands of Adventure, and there is also free boat transportation that you can use just by walking to the nearby Loews Sapphire Falls Resort hotel. There is also an on-site restaurant with good pizza, a Starbucks, a Universal Studios store, and a cozy swimming pool and arcade for kids. Yes, the Aventura has it all, which explains the rave reviews it gets online and its 8.8 score on Booking.com.
What we like about Universal’s Aventura Hotel
This might be the best bang for your buck hotel at Universal Orlando. Prices are pretty good, and if you are lucky, you can get a room for as low as $180 if you book in advance. Nowadays, a room for September 2025 is $210, which isn’t bad, and one for February 2026 is costing $300. That’s a pretty good price considering you get good rooms, great on-site amenities, and you're within walking distance of some of the best theme parks in the world.
The Aventura Hotel is cozy. The lobby is definitely smaller than the one found at the nearby Sapphire Falls Resort, but it has everything to make your stay enjoyable, including a Starbucks for that early morning latte, a medium-sized swimming pool, and quick service restaurants. Are the restaurants amazing? Nah, but they get the job done. I’ve had the pizza at the Urban Pantry food hall, and it was quite good, honestly.
Rooms are also good and similar to what you find at Sapphire. The bathrooms are nice, and the water pressure is okay for what I’ve experienced. I also like that the bathrooms have glass doors instead of the curtains that can make a mess in some cases. Every room also comes with a coffee machine and gives you access to free Wi-Fi. Keep in mind that, as of 2025, room service appears to be every other day instead of every day.
One of the best things about the Aventura Hotel is its rooftop bar, called Bar 17 Bistro. This rooftop bar offers awesome views of the theme parks and an excellent atmosphere if you want to enjoy a drink or grab a bite after a day at the parks. It’s never too crowded from what I’ve seen, and you can sit at the bar to watch TV while sipping a beer or get a table a little farther away. The rooftop bar is excellent, and even some hotels like Sapphire Falls don’t offer an experience like this one.
Another great perk? It’s within walking distance of Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Universal’s CityWalk. You do need to go through the Sapphire Falls Hotel to get to the theme parks, but it still beats hopping on a bus or driving there.
What we don’t like about Universal’s Aventura Hotel
The only minor complaint about the Aventura Hotel is that it doesn’t offer a direct pathway to the theme parks. You need to walk to the Sapphire Falls Hotel, use the elevator, exit the Sapphire, and then use the pathway to the theme parks, or board a boat there.
The pathway to Sapphire is really close, since both hotels are literally next to each other, and it shouldn’t take you more than a minute or two to walk between them. Still, it would be nice to have a direct connection to the pathway leading to the theme parks, or a dedicated boat ride service that takes you to Universal CityWalk. There is, however, a bus that stops right in front of Aventura.
The Aventura Hotel also isn’t about huge swimming pools full of slides or blockbuster restaurants. There is an on-site food court, but I’d recommend visiting Sapphire or other hotels if you are looking for a fancy restaurant. The swimming pool is good, and there are splash zones, but, once again, it’s nothing I’d call majestic.
Still, this is a hotel that I easily recommend to friends. It’s the perfect combination of good prices and accessibility, with clean rooms and a rooftop bar you can’t beat. If you are wondering where to stay next for your Universal vacation, the answer might be right here.
Universal’s Aventura Hotel FAQ
How much is a room at Universal’s Aventura Hotel?
Prices vary by date and room type, but typically start at $210.
What perks do I get if I stay at Universal’s Aventura Hotel?
You get free transportation to Universal’s theme parks, one hour of early entry to Islands of Adventure, and you will be within walking distance of Universal’s CityWalk, Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure.
Is Universal’s Aventura Hotel within walking distance of the theme parks?
Yes! Universal’s Aventura Hotel is within walking distance to Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, but you need to walk to the Sapphire Hotel first.
Is Universal’s Aventura Hotel pet-friendly?
No, Universal’s Aventura Hotel is not pet-friendly.
Can I board a boat to Universal if I’m staying at Universal’s Aventura Hotel?
Yes! However, you do need to walk to Universal’s Sapphire Hotel and board the boat there.
Is there a swimming pool at Universal’s Aventura Hotel?
Yes, there is a swimming pool and splash zone at Universal’s Aventura Hotel, but it doesn’t have a waterslide or water park.
Is there a Starbucks at Universal’s Aventura Hotel?
Yes, there is a Starbucks right next to the main lobby at Universal’s Aventura Hotel.
Is parking free at Universal’s Aventura Hotel?
No, parking is not free, and costs $26 (plus taxes) per night.
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