Universal Studios now offer no less than eleven official accommodation options across its four theme parks in Orlando. But until 2013, only three were in operation. Loews Royal Pacific Resort was their third property, opening in June 2001, two years after the launch of their second gate, Islands of Adventure. It sits a brief walk – or a short ferry ride – away from that park, and the neighboring, original Universal Studios Orlando.
The hotel is an impressive one, designed to offer a Polynesian-inspired tropical island paradise in the Florida destination. I stayed there for the first time earlier this year when I went to check out their brilliant new park, Epic Universe, and loved every minute of my visit. Read on to find out what you might expect from a future stay.
Checking In & Hotel Benefits
After an Uber ride from the airport, I was greeted with an “Aloha!” and people to help take my bags in. The smell of flowers is deliberately present as you walk in, with a beautiful outdoor fountain at the centre of the lobby, and bamboo that surrounds the building.
Check-in was easy, with friendly and knowledgeable staff to fill you in on everything you need to know about your stay. A map shows you where to go to find your room, as well as what facilities are available on night. There’s also a lot to take in about what else your room key gets you.
The Royal Pacific is one of three “Premier Hotels” at the Universal Orlando Resort, alongside the other two OG park hotels, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – the very first resort hotel – and the Hard Rock Hotel. The biggest benefit of staying at one of these three hotels is that your room key acts as an Unlimited Express Pass for the two parks that sit walking distance from the hotels – Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure. That means you can skip the primary queue for almost every attraction, as many times as you want. This is otherwise an expensive add on to your park ticket.
Staying at the hotel also gives you early access into every Universal Orlando park. which is a benefit if you stay at any of the 11 resort hotels.
Exploring The Facilities
The hotel has undergone a number of renovations in the 25 years it opened. In 2016, all the guest rooms got an upgrade, and in 2019, so too did the lobby. That saw the Tuk Tuk Market open up, a grab-and-go market with plenty of quick dining options that are perfect to take back to your room, or into the parks. There are giant soft pretzels with different pizza-like toppings – like pepperoni or Hawaiian. Or you can just have it plain or with cinnamon. There are “hot woks” and hot sandwiches and pizza. There’s even a self serve coke machine like you find at many movie theatres these days.
Also in the lobby is Orchid Court, a bar open from 5pm to 1am, with sushi served from 5pm to 11pm. It’s also the best place to go if you need to fill up a water bottle later in the evening. Frustratingly, they take the water stations away at some point in the night – which is definitely something they should reconsider.
Reception is on level three, and you can walk down to level one (or take the elevator) to get down to the impressive lagoon pool, as well as the on site gym. The pool was open from 9am to 10pm on the days I was staying, and it has a massive footprint, with huge pool at its centre, complete with a water volleyball net. There’s also a large play area designed to look like an old ship, called “Royal Bali Sea”.
There really is a lot to occupy both kids and adults here, with inflatable balls available for water volleyball. There’s a kiddie pool, and I found a table tennis table with paddles and balls out and ready. They were also making announcements while I was there that there were activities being played for the little ones. There was a water balloon toss at 6pm, and earlier a game of red light green light.
The Bula Bar and Grill is available for poolside dining options. They have everything from Bahn Mi’s and burgers to salads, tacos and cocktails. I enjoyed a delicious Korean BBQ Pork Bahn Mi, and a 15oz margarita cocktail for $18 each. They took my order right at my seats next to the pool and it was delivered without any substantial delay.
The pool stays open an extra hour on Fridays and Saturday nights, and they screen poolside movies on select nights.
Elsewhere, you’ll find a hot tub with a shower next to it, and there’s are some other showers sprinkled around. There’s even cabanas you can rent – and one had a TV in it, for those families that really want to make the pool area their home for the afternoon.
The pool level is also where you’ll find an arcade game room, as well as the Islands Dining Room, where they offer a breakfast buffet and an a la carte dinner menu.
The breakfast buffet is extensive with everything from grits to delicious chicken sausages. There’s an omelet bar, a few options of breads and pastries (including some delicious choc croissants), and options like salmon and rice for those looking for a less egg-forward meal. Juices, yoghurts, scrambled eggs and bacon are all available. You name it, they’ve probably got it.
They also offer some great a la carte options, including an excellent “South Pacific Eggs Benedict” that was served with pineapple and thick ham and asparagus.
And for those looking for a more authentic Polynesian experience, look out for the Wantilan Luau, another dining and entertainment on site. It’s only available on Saturdays, but you can enjoy the full buffet and show experience, with a pit-roasted pig, as traditional requires. And the biggest conference space of all the Universal hotels in Orlando is going to be found here. So you might even end up here for a future conference.
The Hotel Room
So the hotel is packed with things to do, and eat. But how is the hotel room? I had a two queen room in Windward Tower (Tower 1) on level 5, with a view of the non-pool side of the building.
I immediately loved the warm colour scheme and lighting fixtures in the room, with orchids adorning the wallpaper design. There was a triptych of a pacific reef site above the desk, which was amongst the limited but tasteful art in the room. A massive smart TV with all the apps you could need to log into also sits in the space, on top of a beautiful cabinet. In here you’ll find the fridge and coffee machine, with capsules of tea and coffee. There was lots of sugar, and a couple of nice glasses with an ice bucket.
The beds were very comfortable, with long pillows and plenty of plugs (AC & USB) available right next to the bed, as well as on the desk. An alarm clock is also provided. The rooms are also well sound proofed – I had great sleep while I was here. Though a day of running around a theme park is certainly going to help exhaust the body and mind.
The internet was quick and easy to sign up to with your room, though its quality was inconsistent. Sometimes it’d stop working.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom, you’ll find moisturizer and a shower cap with the glasses next to the sink, as well as cotton buds and balls.
The water pressure in the shower was fantastic, with a sliding door separating it and the toilet from the single sink and mirror. Toiletries sat against the wall in the refillable containers that are now standard at most hotels.
Transportation & Getting There
The hotel is connected to the park’s water ferry service that takes you to City Walk and Islands of Adventure. Or you can walk there in about 10 minutes. There’s lots of great meals to be found over at City Walk.
If you want to get to the water park, Volcano Bay, or Epic Universe, their newest park, you can jump on a free shuttle bus. And as they upgraded the roads between this park and the new one, the buses have a dedicated central lane to ensure there’s no traffic delay in getting you to your destination.
Getting to the airport from the hotel takes 20-25 minutes in an Uber, and cost me about US$35.
Final Verdict
I loved my stay at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort. There are so many details to make you feel like you’re in another part of the world – from the smells of flowers to the classical Pan American sign on the front lawn that invites people to “Fly to the South Sea Isles”.
The rooms were comfortable and well catered, the food was fantastic and the pool was sensational. And the inclusion of the express passes in your stay makes it all the more worthwhile.
Whether you’re travelling solo, or with friends or your family, there’s going to be something here for everyone. Plus, with City Walk and two amazing theme parks just minutes away, you’ll be able to fill every minute of your holiday with some incredible activities. And maybe even a Luau!
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
To book your stay at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios Orlando, head to the official website.
Address: 6300 Hollywood Wy, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
The author stayed as a guest of Universal Studios for two nights. All photos by the author. Prices were correct at the time of the writer’s stay.
