Universal Orlando Signature Resorts Ranked Worst to Best (price, amenities, Express Pass, location & more)

Not all Universal Orlando Signature Resorts are equal, just because they’re all on the more expensive side.

After staying at all the Universal Orlando Signature hotels (except Loews Sapphire Falls Resort), I can confirm that some are definitely better – or worse – than others in different areas – from transportation, amenities and more! (And I will point out which Universal Orlando Signature Collection hotels INCLUDE Express Pass Unlimited for all guests during your stay).

So, let’s talk all about the best and worst Universal Studios Florida Signature Hotels!

This post is all about Universal Orlando Signature Resorts ranked from worst to best.

Table of Contents

Universal Orlando Signature Resorts

What are the levels of resorts at Universal Orlando?

There are 3 categories of Universal Studios Orlando hotels:

Universal Signature Collection
Universal Prime Value
Universal Value Inns & Suites

Prime Value and Value Inn & Suites will be the cheapest options (as the names suggest), and Signature Resorts will be more of a splurge.

5) Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Despite not having stayed here myself, and not having personal anecdotes to share about Sapphire Falls, I will share some great pros and cons (and big reasons why I have never chosen to stay here).

Pros of Staying at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Quite consistently the Cheapest Universal Orlando Signature Hotel – Loews Royal Pacific, Loews Portofino Bay and Hard Rock Hotel are often somewhat similarly priced. However, the price to stay at Sapphire Falls is often drastically lower than all of these resorts. HOWEVER, there is a MAJOR reason for this (check the cons list to find out why!).
Water Taxi Transportation/Walking Path: Easy to walk or take the water taxi to City Walk or Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure.
Shuttle Buses to Universal Epic Universe & Universal Volcano Bay:Loews Sapphire Falls has free shuttle buses to both these parks, so you can skip the parking hassle and expense or Uber/Lyft cost.
Early Park Admission Get through the gates early and head for select attractions. Smaller crowds, cooler mornings, and usually shorter waits.
Several dining options

Cons of Staying at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

No included Universal Express Unlimited – This is the big one. Sapphire Falls is a “Preferred” hotel, not “Premier,” so you don’t get the included Express Unlimited perk that slashes wait times in the parks. If rides are your priority, the math sometimes favors Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, or Portofino Bay, especially on busy days (particularly if you’re planning to purchase an Express Pass anyway).
You might as well stay at a cheaper Universal hotel if you want some similar perks – If you’re eyeing Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, ask what you actually need. It doesn’t include free Express Pass, so a cheaper Universal hotel still gets you Early Park Admission and easy park transport for much less. Unless the water taxi and “deluxe” amenities are worth it to you, you might as well pay less and stay at a less expensive Universal hotel.

There are more pros and cons of this resort that I haven’t experienced firsthand. Check out this post for more details.

4) Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Royal Pacific is the “tropical” themed resort at Universal. Think Hawaiian Leis, palm trees and even “elephants” in the most recognizable fountain.

This resort opened in 2002 – 12 years after Universal Studios Florida park first opened.

Pros of Staying at Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Unlimited Express Pass included Staying here gives every guest Unlimited Express Pass for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, from check-in through check-out. That can chop hours off standby waits. On certain days, the pass alone can offset the room rate (if you would’ve purchased Unlimited Express Passes anyway).
Large lagoon-style pool – Zero-entry beach area, sand and plenty of loungers.
Easy access to Universal Studios Florida & Universal Islands of Adventure: Walk 10 to 15 minutes to Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios, take the scenic water taxi from the resort dock.
Shuttle Buses to Universal Epic Universe & Universal Volcano Bay: Want to visit the newest theme park and water park? There are free shuttle buses to these parks from Loews Royal Pacific.
Club Level worth a look Royal Club Lounge adds breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, beer and wine, and desserts. I have stayed in a Club Level room here in 2019 and 2024 and had two great experiences. Whilst the Club Level food offerings don’t match Disney World’s Club Level standards (at least at Coronado Springs and Animal Kingdom Lodge – the two I have experienced). Breakfast and lunch are pretty repetitive (with primarily packaged items – such as cereal, Uncrustables, potato chips, cookies etc.) but dinner and dessert changes throughout the week. If you have enough guests in your room, and the difference between standard and club level rooms isn’t too drastic, it can definitely save you money. Also, the Club Level lounge is beautiful here.
Early Park Admission Get in early to select attractions, often including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter rides. Fewer people, cooler temps and often better wait times!
Peaceful Resort – Whilst it’s quick and easy to walk or catch the water taxi to the two original Universal parks and CityWalk, it feels like a million miles away from the chaos!
Several dining locations

Cons of Staying at Loews Royal Pacific Resort

High nightly rates – Check out packages for potential discounts. If you are a Season or Annual Passholder, be sure to check the current AP discounts.
There’s only one pool – Whilst the pool is gorgeous, there’s no quieter pool for adults or guests seeking peace.
Feeling dated – Whilst the rooms feel lovely and modern, the rest of the resort is a little less shiny and new feeling. Whilst I don’t think it’s bad enough to not stay here, it’s worth noting.
Disney World has a better “tropical” themed resort – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is the most comparable to this resort. However, it is more iconic and luxurious. And most notably, has better-executed theming. (That said, it’s often more expensive to stay at the Polynesian – unless you’re staying on or renting DVC points).

Whilst this is almost at the bottom of the list it is NOT a bad hotel, and I will absolutely be staying here again.

If you’re just looking for a hotel with Unlimited Express Passes included, and this happens to be the cheapest at the time of booking, I would still recommend staying here.

3) Hard Rock Hotel

Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando nails the theme with memorabilia and of course, great music!

This Universal hotel opened in 2001.

Pros of Staying at Hard Rock Hotel

Unlimited Express Pass also included Like at Loews Royal Pacific, staying here gives all guests staying here receive complimentary Unlimited Express Passes for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, from check-in through check-out.
Live Music – Love music? This is the resort for you! You can often experience live music at this resort (be sure to check what’s on during your stay!). Or if you’re visiting you may be able to catch some live music at a bar.
Club Level Option – I recently stayed here in a Club Level room in August 2025, and had good food at every meal (though I didn’t try dessert so can’t speak to that). Food was very similar to the Club Lounge at Loews Royal Pacific Resort. And if you can get a good deal on a Club Level upgrade, it may be worth it – especially if you’re planning on spending a lot of time – and eating – at your resort anyways. HOWEVER, the Club Level is also a con (see further down in this post) …
The easiest walk to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure – This is the closest on-site resort to the 2 OG Universal parks. It takes about 5 minutes to Universal Studios Florida, around 10 to Islands of Adventure. This is so easy for mid-day breaks for naps, pool time, or even a quick outfit change! It also means you can skip the long queues for buses or water taxis during the nighttime rush.
Water Taxi to Original Parks – That said, you absolutely still can catch the water taxi to CityWalk and the OG parks instead of walking.
Shuttle Buses to Universal Epic Universe & Universal Volcano Bay: There are complimentary shuttle buses to these parks from the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal.
Early Park Admission – Enter select attractions up to one hour early. The shorter waits and cooler temps help you have a more productive park morning/day.
A few dining options

Cons of Staying at Hard Rock Hotel

Noise can be an issue – The entire property leans into music. Expect lively pool playlists, lobby energy, and occasional events.
Only one pool at Hard Rock Hotel – Similarly to Loews Royal Pacific Resort, there’s only one pool. So, you’re going to need some good luck if you want a peaceful pool afternoon in Spring or Summer, especially!
High nightly rates, even in slower seasons – Prices change drastically throughout the year, but it’s rarely going to be “cheap”. Once again, you can look for package discounts or AP discounts (if they apply to you), but it’s never going to be a SUPER affordable resort.
Basic Rooms – Whilst there is NOTHING wrong with the rooms here, there’s nothing overly special with them. They’re not highly themed or anything that you would only find at Universal. This is a shame when you’re paying a lot to stay here.

Soulless Club Level Lounge – As someone who LOVES the Club Lounge at Royal Pacific, I was surprised by how small and basic the Club Level lounge was. If you were visiting at a peak time (i.e. at a peak meal time), you may even struggle to get a table – particularly for families or larger groups. It feels like a cheaply thrown together afterthought. Which is a shame when you’re paying a premium to stay club level. That said, the food and staff were great, so Club Level isn’t necessarily “not worth it”. Just worth keeping in mind if you’re expecting a beautiful and spacious Club Level lounge more similar to Loews Royal Pacific’s, for example.

2) Universal Helios Grand Hotel, A Loews Hotel

Universal Helios Grand Hotel, A Loews Hotel is the newest Universal resort – located in the Epic Universe park.

Helios Grand opened on April 16th, 2025.

Pros of Staying at Universal Helios Grand Hotel, A Loews Hotel

Front-row location at Epic Universe – You stay inside the park, not just near it. That’s right: Helios sits in Epic Universe, steps from Celestial Park, so you can rope drop fast, dip back for a break, then stroll in for the evening, without the commute.

Dedicated park access – Helios Grand hotel guests get a private entrance to Epic Universe. That means quicker security and a smoother path back to your room whenever the heat or crowds spike. When I stayed here in August 2025, the best part was entering the parks in the morning, as a lot of the time, you were waiting for the park to open in a queue inside your hotel, or in a smaller crowd outside.
Early Park Admission – Universal hotel guests get in early to select parks and attractions. This saves time and may let you experience an attraction or two before many people get in the park.
Time savings add up – Short walks beat bus waits. You gain extra time across a day / trip for naps, pool time, or simply park time.
Prime views and nighttime atmosphere – Expect sightlines over Celestial Park and Epic Universe’s evening lights. Watching the park wake up and wind down from your room or a terrace or even Bar Helios never gets old.
One of the least expensive Signature Resorts – Helios Grand is almost always less expensive than Loews Royal Pacific, Loews Portofino Bay and Hard Rock Hotel. BUT there is a reason for this (see the cons list for this hotel below!).
You can book Club Level rooms – I haven’t experienced it firsthand, so can’t provide a review, but good to know there’s this option!
New & modern – This is the most “shiny” and new- feeling resort, which makes sense as it is the newest of these resorts by far!
Brand new dining locations

Cons of Staying at Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel

No Express Pass Unlimited Included in the Room Rate – Unlike most the Signature resorts, you won’t receive complimentary Express Passes at ANY of the Universal Orlando parks.

Shuttle Buses to Most Parks – Because this hotel is in the Epic Universe area, Shuttle Buses are the only free transportation options to CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay. Unless you’re spending all or most of your trip at Epic Universe, it may make more sense to stay at one of the older resorts closer to the original parks.

There are cheaper on-site hotels in the Epic Universe area – Want to stay close to Epic Universe? There are two Prime Value resorts you could choose instead: Universal Stella Nova Resort (with a walking path to the park) and Universal Terra Luna Resort (a short bus ride away). By staying here, it will often cost at least half the price of Helios Grand. And considering there’s no Express Passes for guests at Helios Grand, it might be worth just saving the money in this instance.
Only one pool – Want a quiet pool as well? Unfortunately, this isn’t an option at Helios Grand.

1) Loews Portofino Bay at Universal Studios

Want to go to Italy and have a premium theme park experience in the US?

Well, this is as close as you can get if you want to combine all these things. 😂 (This is a good Italian resort but it’s not replacing the actual Italian town! See the cons of this hotel for more info).

Loews Portofino Bay opened in 1999, so it is the oldest resort we’re discussing today. Yet it still manages to top this list, despite being on the older side for these theme park hotels.

Pros of Staying at Loews Portofino Bay at Universal Studios

Unlimited Express Pass is included – Every guest gets Universal Express Unlimited for both check-in and check-out days, to skip regular lines at most rides in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. The pass can offset the room rate fast, especially for families or when visiting on certain dates.
The Only 5-Star Resort at Universal – Loews Portofino Bay stands as Universal Orlando’s sole top-tier 5-star resort. Rooms are spacious, the bayside setting is calm, and the service hits the mark without putting on airs. Portofino Bay keeps things relaxed and warm, not arguably “stuffy” like Disney World’s Grand Floridian can feel, with its dressy vibe and tight formality. Here, staff smile, adults and families fit in, but luxury isn’t compromised. It’s refined, but it stays fun, which is exactly what a theme park vacation needs!

Gorgeous Italian Town Theming & A Peaceful Resort – The Harbor Piazza looks stunning, with muted but colorful buildings, cobblestones, and boats. It just makes you want to grab a gelato and enjoy the view.

Option of Bay View Rooms – If you pay for a Bay View room (or if you get upgraded – I was luckily enough to be!), you get a gorgeous view of the muted facades and water.

cheapest Universal Orlando signature hotel — View from the balcony of a Bay View room (balconies not guaranteed when staying in a Bay View room)

Three Pools at Portofino Bay – One “feature” pool, best for families and a couple more relaxing pools – best for adults or families with older kids.

compare Universal Orlando signature hotels — The Villa Pool at Loews Portofino Bay at Universal Studios

Club Level Option: Want to upgrade to Club Level? You absolutely can! I don’t have a firsthand experience of Club Level here, but it’s great to know that you can have a Club Level experience at Portofino Bay.
You can Walk to CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure – The walk is slightly further than Universal Hard Rock Hotel, but only adds about another 5 minutes to the walk.

Water Taxi Transportation Option – Or, you can take a water taxi to CityWalk or the two original theme parks.

Shuttle Buses to Universal Epic Universe & Volcano Bay

Early Park Admission – Hotel guests enter the parks early on select attractions.

Handful of dining options

Cons of Staying at Loews Portofino Bay at Universal Studios

Facades don’t look the most realistic in person – Up close, the Portofino facades feel more like a movie set than real seaside buildings, especially in bright daylight. Flat textures and paint tricks give it away, so the village vibe loses some “magic” once you step off the water taxi. It photographs well, but in person the illusion slips. That said, it still looks gorgeous. Just not as detailed as it could’ve been – especially for a 5-star resort.
Expensive – though it’s not always the most expensive premier resort (can change depending on the date(s) you visit).

Frequently Asked Questions about Universal Orlando Signature Resorts

What’s the best Universal Orlando Resort?

It depends on what you value, but here’s a rough guide:

Luxury & Theming – Loews Portofino Bay at Universal Studios
Proximity to Epic Universe – Universal Helios Grand Hotel, A Loews Hotel
Proximity to Universal Studios Florida & Universal Islands of Adventure – Universal Hard Rock Hotel
Cheapest On-Site Universal Resort – Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites

What is the most expensive Universal Resort?

The most expensive Universal Resort changes depending on when you’re visiting. But Loews Portofino Bay at Universal Studios is often perceived to be the most expensive, as it is the only 5-star hotel at Universal.

Final Thoughts & Ta Ta For Now

At the end of the day, Universal is home to 5 great Signature Resorts.

Wherever you choose to stay on your Universal vacation, any of the hotels on this list can be awesome!

Which is your favorite Universal Signature Resort, or which do you want to stay at in the future?

This post was all about Universal Orlando Signature Resorts ranked from worst to best.