In August 2018, the brand new Aventura Hotel by Loews opened at the Universal Orlando Resort. Located right next door to the Loews Sapphire Falls hotel and across the street from Volcano Bay and the Cabana Bay Beach Resort. This premium value, 600 room hotel is sleek and modern with rooms starting at $120 a night. Here is my review of the Aventura Hotel at Universal Orlando.
A standard double queen room at the Aventura Hotel
What are the rooms like at the Aventura Hotel at Universal Orlando?
The hotel is shaped somewhat like a fidget spinner. Not sure if this was intentional or not but because of it’s shape, the building has three main parts. The elevators are located in the center of the building with rooms going out from them in three different directions. When you check in and head to your room make note of the color of the carpet pointing towards your hallway as you get off of the elevators. This will make it a lot easier and less confusing each time you head to your room so you quickly know which hallway to take.
The hotel offers rooms in various sizes with different view points and amenities available. For my stay I had a 314 sq ft standard double queen room that sleeps four. My bathroom featured a tub however some rooms only feature stand up showers. If traveling with little kids you might want to make sure to request a room with a tub.
A map of the Aventura Hotel
A standard double queen room has lots of storage space, a coffee / tea area, mini fridge and a desk with drawers along one whole wall. It also features a large flat screen TV, funky modern lighting and the best part, each room comes with its own iPad. The iPad is a central command system for the whole room. It is connected to the internet for browsing but also does so much more. You can use it to order room service, find out the weather, change the room temperature, turn the lights and TV on and off, control Netflix on the TV, ask questions to hotel staff and more. Every hotel everywhere needs a device like this in each room.
The iPad room and service controls
Oddly one of the things that I loved most about the room though was the hair dryer. When I travel hotel hair dryers can be the bane of my existence, but the one in my room at the Aventura Hotel was great. It was very powerful and that is so appreciated.
Starbucks in the lobby of the hotel
The Lobby at the Aventura Hotel
The lobby of the hotel is a large open area with the check-in counter and concierge along the left wall. Past the front desk is a lounge area for guests, a lobby bar, gift shop, Starbucks and food court. The gift shop is your typical Universal store with items from every big attraction in the parks. Perfect for souvenirs and gifts to bring home. The Starbucks is your best bet for a quick, cheap and fast breakfast before hitting the parks for the day. If you are looking for more of a substantial meal then check out the many options available at the Urban Pantry food court. They offer made to order pastas and pizzas, breakfast sandwiches, burgers, gelato and more.
All of the gelato at the Urban Pantry in the lobby of the hotel
The Pool at the Aventura Hotel
There isn’t any food or drink service by the pool and actually food and drink are not allowed on the pool deck. There is however a pool bar pretty near by that you can sit at and order from. The pool is quite spacious and makes a U shape around part of the hotel. It is always attended by lifeguards and there are life jackets available if needed. There is a large seating area around the pool and a lower more quieter area set back a bit that features a hot tub. To the far left of the pool there is also a splash pad for kids as well as a pool table, foosball and other games. At the back of the pool deck there is also a garden entrance into Volcano Bay.
The rooftop Bar 17 Bistro restaurant
The Rooftop at the Aventura Hotel
One of the most unique features of Universal Orlando’s newest hotel is its rooftop. One of the only rooftop bars in the city with views of Orlando for miles around. It also offers great views of Volcano Bay and the rest of the parks. Open from 4pm to 2am every night the Bar 17 Bistro offers a great appetizer and drinks menu. It is definitely the perfect place to relax after a long day at the parks.
Melon and tomato skewers at the Bar 17 Bistro
The view of the Cabana Bay Hotel and Volcano Bay water park from the rooftop of the Aventura Hotel
Part of the gym, there are also treadmills and more workout machines
Extras
The hotel provides guests with a nice sized gym on the second floor. There are multiple treadmills, weights and work out machines for anyone to use. By the gym there is also a change room with showers and lockers, perfect for after you workout. The change rooms are also ideal if you need to check out of your room but your flight isn’t until later. You can check out, hang out by the pool until it’s time to leave and then you have a nice spot to get ready for your flight.
Another extra and unique feature of the Aventura Hotel is the Virtual Reality Game room. Hang out here and use one of the three VR game systems. It’s a pretty cool idea but will cost you about $5 for 10mins of play.
Virtual Reality Game room on the second floor
The hotel is also serviced by a dining shuttle from 6pm to 10pm leaving every 30minutes. The shuttle will drop you off at the various hotels on the Universal property so you can get a chance to experience it all. Italian at the Portofino Bay Hotel, sushi at the Royal Pacific, comfort food at the Hard Rock Kitchen restaurant and more.
The Universal Orlando Resorts complimentary water taxi arriving at City Walk
How to get to the parks from the Aventura Hotel
One of the best things about the Aventura Hotel is it’s location. Nestled nicely beside the Loews Sapphire Falls Hotel it’s location gives you quick access to all three parks. To get to Volcano Bay use the garden entrance near the back of the pool area. Or if you are going for early entry walk around the building to the left on the sidewalk and take the path under the roadway to the park.
If you are looking to go to Universal Studios or the Islands of Adventure there is a shuttle bus that leaves every 10mins to the right of the hotels entrance. The bus will drop you off at the entrance of City Walk where you can then head to either park. If you are looking for a more relaxing way to get to the parks then I recommend taking the water taxi. The Aventura Hotel isn’t connected to the water taxi system but the Loews Sapphire Falls next door is. Walk into the lobby and head down the stairs in the back right just before the restaurant and it will take you outside to the water taxi. The water taxi drops you off right in the middle of City Walk just a quick walk to each park.
Book a hotel at the Universal Orlando Resort
Looking for a hotel near Universal Orlando? Check out these great options:
Aventura Hotel: Affordable and brand new
Sapphire Falls Resort: Seaside vibes and great breakfast buffet
Portofino Bay Hotel: Your reservation includes unlimited express passes to all of the parks
Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Great for families and gives you early access to Volcano Bay
Looking for more? Search for a great deal on Booking.com.
To learn more, enjoy my video review of the Aventura Hotel here:
Special thanks to the Universal Orlando Resort for hosting me on this visit. As always all opinions and views expressed are my own.
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