Loews runs both, and each gives Early Park Admission. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, from about $795, if you want Express Unlimited on every guest's room key for most rides at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, though not Epic Universe; Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, from about $580, if you would rather walk into Epic Universe with a park ticket, through a gate off the lobby.
A replica Ligurian harbour at Universal, where the room key doubles as Express Unlimited and a boat runs to CityWalk.
$$$$From about $795 a night
Choose Loews Portofino Bay Hotel if
Two or three days at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
Families of four or five
Ride-heavy short trips
Harbour evenings after the parks
The catch
It is dear, and parking comes on top: the entry room costs about $795 a night before 12.5% tax on a February weeknight and about $1,330 between Christmas and New Year, and self-parking is $36 a night plus tax ($45 for valet).
Epic Universe's own hotel, at the end of Celestial Park, with a gate into the park off the lobby.
$$$From about $580 a night
Choose Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel if
Epic Universe trips with children
Early starts and midday breaks
Families of four in one room
Rooftop drinks over the park
The catch
The rooms are small for the money. The entry Standard 2 Queen Beds room is 325 sq ft (30 m²), a fifth guest needs a $35-a-night rollaway, and on a February weeknight the Park View room costs about $200 a night more.
Loews Portofino Bay HotelUniversal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel
Smart spendSplurge
Central & walkableRemote escape
CouplesFamilies
Beach & pool optionalBeach & pool central
IntimateLarge resort
Wellness minimalWellness focus
Explore outsideStay at the hotel
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Area
Universal Orlando, United States
From the centre
14.6 km
Airport
28 min from MCO
Price band
$$$$
Typical rate
From about $795 a night
Rooms
750
Last renovated
2020 (opened 1999)
Pool
Outdoor
Beach
None
Spa
No
Adults only
No
Restaurants
4
Parking
Yes
Selected by
Independent research
Last checked
October 2026
Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel
Area
Epic Universe, United States
From the centre
12.3 km
Airport
22 min from MCO
Price band
$$$
Typical rate
From about $580 a night
Rooms
500
Opened
2025
Pool
Outdoor
Beach
None
Spa
No
Adults only
No
Restaurants
1
Parking
Yes
Selected by
Independent research
Last checked
October 2026
The verdict
Loews runs both, and each gives Early Park Admission. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, from about $795, if you want Express Unlimited on every guest's room key for most rides at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, though not Epic Universe; Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, from about $580, if you would rather walk into Epic Universe with a park ticket, through a gate off the lobby.
Good questions about Loews Portofino Bay Hotel vs Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel or Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel?
Loews runs both, and each gives Early Park Admission. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, from about $795, if you want Express Unlimited on every guest's room key for most rides at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, though not Epic Universe; Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, from about $580, if you would rather walk into Epic Universe with a park ticket, through a gate off the lobby.
Is Loews Portofino Bay Hotel worth it?
Book it for a short, ride-heavy Universal trip, take a Bay View room and let the room key do the queuing at most rides in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Budget for $36 a night in parking, and for standby queues at Epic Universe. A big, themed Italian harbour resort that works as a base for Universal's two original parks: Express Unlimited comes with the room and a boat runs to CityWalk. It is expensive, and there is no spa.
Does Loews Portofino Bay Hotel have a pool or a beach?
It has an outdoor pool. There is no beach; the nearest is a drive away.
Is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel worth it?
Book Helios Grand for a trip built around Epic Universe: in through the lobby gate at opening, back to the room at midday and the fountains from the window at night. Pay for a Park View 2 Queen Beds room, and accept a small room and a bus to the other parks. A new 500-room hotel built into Epic Universe, where the park is the point: you walk in from the lobby and the park-view rooms look straight into it. Expect a family crowd, small rooms for the money and a bus or a car for everything beyond Epic Universe.
Does Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel have a pool or a beach?
It has an outdoor pool. There is no beach; the nearest is a drive away.
The insider one