If you're planning a Universal Orlando vacation, there are several great reasons to stay at one of Universal's official hotels. Not only will you be closer, but you'll also have the privilege of getting into the park earlier than non-resort guests, which can make a big difference to your day. With eight on-site hotels to choose from, Universal's Aventura Hotel is a solid choice for guests who want to enjoy these benefits without breaking the bank.
The average price at Universal's Aventura Hotel is less than $200 per night, but it feels more upscale than the price tag suggests. The hotel features a rooftop lounge, resort-style pool, large food hall, and walking trails with direct access to Universal's theme parks.
Here's everything you need to know before booking a room at Universal's Aventura Hotel.
What is Universal's Aventura Hotel?
Unlike most theme park hotels, Universal's Aventura Hotel feel Like a theme park hotel. The design is modern and stylish, and the only place you see the characters is on the merchandise in the gift shop. Of Universal's four hotel classes, Aventura falls into the second class, called the “Prime Value” category.
This hotel offers some of the best views of the Universal theme parks, especially if you stay on the higher floors. If not, you can still visit the rooftop Bar 17 Bistro for panoramic views of the park and the city of Orlando.
From the lobby to the guest rooms, Aventura is designed to be both chic and inviting. There are several places for friends and family to gather, both indoors and outdoors, and comfortable beds will make you feel like they're calling your name at the end of a long day.
How to make a reservation at Universal's Aventura Hotel
The easiest way to reserve Universal's Aventura Hotel is through Universal's website. You can also make reservations by calling 888-273-1311.
Cash prices for a standard room start at around $180 per night. When Universal offers hotel discounts you can expect to pay as little as $145 per night, but during peak season you can pay upwards of $300 per night. When you book directly through Universal, all hotel discounts are automatically applied.
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If you need to cancel your reservation, you must do so at least 6 days prior to your check-in date to receive a full refund. If you cancel after that, you will be charged one night's room rate and tax.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Universal Vacations
Like the resort's other hotels, Universal's Aventura Hotel is generally available through the Capital One Travel portal. If you have an eligible Capital One card that: Capital One VentureX Rewards Credit Card, you can use your Capital One miles to book this hotel through the travel portal. Or, if you use your Venture
Walking distance to Universal theme parks
The more you pay at Universal Orlando hotels, the closer you get to the parks. Luckily, all but two of Universal's hotels (Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn & Suites and Dockside Inn & Suites) are within walking distance of Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal's CityWalk shopping and dining district. The Aventura Hotel has a walking trail that can be reached in 10-15 minutes, depending on your walking pace. The Aventura is one of only three Universal Orlando properties (the other two are Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort) with a private walkway to Volcano Bay waterpark.
If you'd like to save some time getting into the park, all Universal Orlando hotels also offer complimentary bus transportation.
Stylish, technology-forward rooms
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TARAH CHIEFFI/POINT GUY
Standard rooms at Universal's Aventura Hotel feature one king-size bed or two queen-size beds. King rooms feature a seating area with a sofa bed, while queen rooms feature luxurious accent chairs. The color scheme is subtle and spa-like, with rich hardwood floors, light gray walls and bedding, and soft blue and deep purple accents all combining to create a calming atmosphere. The panel separating the bedroom and bathroom lets in some light, making the room feel more open and airy.
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The sink area, bathroom shower, and toilet are separated by a door. The bathroom here only has one sink, but there is storage space next to and below the sink, and there are hooks on the back of the bathroom door if you use a hanging toiletry kit. The shower room is spacious and has a shaving shelf.
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Rooms also include a small refrigerator and a coffee station with a single-serve Cuisinart coffee maker, coffee packets, sugar, cups and an ice bucket. There was an iron and ironing board in the closet, and a full-length mirror near the hotel room door. Skyline view rooms are available upon request, while larger deluxe rooms and children's suites are also available.
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But what sets Aventura's rooms apart from other Universal Orlando hotels is its technology-friendly room controls. Each room is equipped with a Bluetooth speaker and an iPad that can control the TV, temperature, and lighting. You can use your tablet to stream your Netflix account to your TV, order room service, and request toiletries. If you're requesting toiletries, you can chat with a team member via tablet and request that Relay the Robot bring the items to your room.
Don't be surprised if you see relays roaming the hallways during your stay. When you see a relay in the lobby, you can interact with the robot. Relay loves to tell jokes and take selfies.
Dining Options: From coffee to cocktails
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Tara Cheepi/Point Guy
It's not often that a budget theme park hotel has such a variety of dining options. Universal's Aventura Hotel features quick service and table service options, a poolside lounge, a lobby lounge and Starbucks. Urban Pantry is a food hall located in the hotel lobby. Each stall offers a variety of dishes, from sushi to stir-fries and burgers. I visited Urban Pantry for breakfast and had the vegetarian egg rolls ($13.50). The portion sizes were huge and the meal was fresh and delicious.
Related: Best Restaurants at Universal Orlando Resort
Urban Pantry also sells a variety of grab-and-go items like snacks, cereal, and oatmeal. If you buy or bring items that need to be warmed, there is a warming station with a microwave and toaster.
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TARAH CHIEFFI/POINT GUY
Bar 17 Bistro is one of my favorite late night spots at Universal and it's right here at the Aventura Hotel. This rooftop lounge is open until midnight daily, with food service available until 10:30 PM. During my visit, I tried the bao sampler, which came with three bao buns of your choice for $18. I've tried all kinds of food at this point and I especially love jackfruit and crispy pork belly. I had parmesan fries ($8) on the side, which didn't really impress me. The fries and dipping sauce were good, but the parmesan cheese didn't help the fries stick to each other, so most of them ended up piling up at the bottom of the bowl. Bar 17 Bistro also has a strong beer, wine and cocktail menu.
The view and ambience of Bar 17 Bistro are very inviting as you can almost see the entire resort from above.
A fitness center that gets the job done
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TARAH CHIEFFI/POINT GUY
Aventura Hotel's fitness center is located on the second floor and is open 24 hours a day. Like most hotel gyms, this one isn't very large, but it does have a good variety of equipment. There was a variety of free weights, weight training machines, and cardio equipment available. I liked a few foldable mats for floor exercises and a foam roller for post-workout recovery. When I went there, there were about 10 people exercising, so it definitely seemed like there were a lot of people.
Large swimming pool with family-friendly amenities
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The pool at Universal's Aventura Hotel curves around the hotel, creating a quiet, private feel. There is plenty of seating and palm trees around the pool provide shade.
The pool features a children's splash pad with a hot tub and fountain. Adjacent to the poolside lounge is an outdoor gaming area featuring a pool table, yard games and arcade games.
Why Universal's Aventura Hotel Isn't Right for You
I have stayed at Universal's Aventura Hotel several times and had a great time. The hotel is clean, comfortable and has a variety of amenities. That said, if you're looking for a hotel that feels like a true theme park hotel, you might want to look elsewhere. Aventura's theme wouldn't be out of place in a major metropolitan area. Not like that A hotel with many themes.
Suppose you like to combine your theme park experience with a hotel stay. In this case, you may prefer the higher priced Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort or Universal's Portofino Bay Hotel.
Accessibility of Universal's Aventura Hotel
All of Universal's on-site hotels are Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, including the Aventura. All entrances and pathways are wheelchair accessible. There is no entry point to the pool, and there is an elevator to access both the pool and hot tub. Accessible rooms are available with features including wheelchair access, Braille room numbers and hearing impaired kits (available for purchase at the front desk).
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Whether Universal's Aventura Hotel appeals to you depends on what you're looking for in a theme park hotel. The sleek, simple design may appeal to some, while others may prefer one of Universal's more theme-oriented hotels. Nonetheless, I continue to be impressed with the service and prices of this hotel and will continue to stay there on future visits.
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