We are one step closer to the official opening of Universal’s newest theme park, Epic Universe!
Welcome to the Universal Helios Grand Hotel
This project is almost complete, as the park is set to open on May 22nd, 2025. So far, two of the three hotels that are part of this expansion have already opened. Sister hotels Stella Nova and Terra Luna are available for stays NOW. The last of these three hotels, Universal Helios Grand Hotel, opens on the same day as Epic Universe, but today we got an exclusive early look at this stunning resort! Come along with us as we check out the hotel!
Universal describes Helios Grand Hotel as “your place in the sun.” When you step into the lobby, you will “step into a sunlit sanctuary, where light, life and laughter abound. Rising above the waters of Celestial Park at Universal Epic Universe, Universal Helios Grand Hotel is a majestic escape where relaxation comes naturally. Beautiful details of celestial patterns and constellations adorn the hotel with a casual, elegant, Mediterranean-inspired feel throughout.”
©Universal
Universal Helios Grand Hotel will provide a seamless hotel-to-park experience for visitors, as there is a special park entrance into Epic Universe for hotel guests. Universal’s creative team has worked alongside Loews Hotels to create a hotel with 500 rooms and 35 suites, family-friendly entertainment, dining options, and a rooftop bar with 360° views.
We can’t wait to go inside!
Atmosphere
As previously mentioned, this hotel has a Mediterranean-inspired feel throughout the resort. The goal is to transport you to a fantastical world within the palace of Helios, the Greek god of the sun. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning views of Celestial Park.
Look at that VIEW!
The first thing we have to say about this space is “WOW.”
Talk about a SHOWSTOPPER!
The seating throughout the lobby is bright and modern, and even the dramatic lighting provides a “wow” moment. It’s hard to look away from the view out those giant windows, but we must continue the tour!
Guest Rooms
STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS
There are a variety of rooms that you can choose from. There are Standard Rooms with Double Queen beds that can accommodate up to five guests (with a rollaway bed). Additional Standard Room options include rooms with Skyline Views, Pool Views, and Epic Universe Park Views. Deluxe Rooms with Double Queen Beds offer more space. Club Level Rooms with Double Queen Beds offer access to the Club Lounge.
Standard Room
We got a sneak peek at a Standard Room, and as you can see, the rooms are fresh, clean, bright, and cozy!
Bathroom
We’ve got even MORE to show you! Want to see the rest of the room? Check out our full tour below!
FULL ROOM TOUR at Universal Helios Grand Hotel Featuring MIND-BLOWING Epic Universe Views!
Epic Universe will be home to How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk and inspired by this new land, this hotel has How to Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suites.
©Universal
Options also include King, Celestial, and Presidential Suites.
Dining
There is no shortage of a place to grab a bite to eat or something to drink at Grand Helios.
Bar Helios
This bar is described as a “sparkling and stylish rooftop lounge” with a menu of “creative tapas and familiar favorites” and handcrafted specialty cocktails. It offers 360° of Epic Universe.
Bar Helios
This is another SHOWSTOPPING location. From the incredibly detailed constellations on the ceiling to the HUGE windows (with more THEME PARK VIEWS), there is so much to look at in this lounge. Universal stated that this location is open Sunday through Thursday from 4 PM to 12 AM (hello, late-night drink!), and on Friday and Saturday, the hours are 4PM to 1 AM. Make sure to check the hours during your visit!
We could get real comfortable here!
Remember how we said this bar has theme park views? Well, we weren’t kidding. The views keep going…
SO. EXCITED.
…and going…
We could people-watch all day!
…and going!
Take a seat!
We’re VERY excited to sit back, relax, and grab a drink from this location. But, for now, we have more to see and do!
We’ll be back!
Flora Taverna
STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS
Flora Taverna is the resort’s full-service restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During breakfast, there will be a full buffet, while the lunch and dinner menus will feature “Mediterranean comfort foods” (fitting to the resort’s theme!). This restaurant includes an open kitchen, live cooking, pizza oven, open grills, and a gyros station. Plus, you can enjoy views of Celestial Park!
Flora Taverna ©Universal
Aurora Market
STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS
Start your morning off with some caffeine at Aurora Market. This coffee shop and market serves up freshly roasted coffees along with grab-and-go food items. It is also the go-to spot for snacks and desserts both day and night.
Aurora Market ©Universal
Lotus Lagoon
STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS
Here, you can grab a poolside cocktail or even a mocktail along with food from the grill. The menu here includes burgers, salads, sandwiches, and more. Relax as you place your order in the open-air eatery or from your poolside chair.
Lotus Lagoon ©Universal
Amenities and Activities
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You are on vacation and deserve to relax after a long day in the parks!
Drink by the pool, anyone?
This resort features a zero-entry pool with underwater speakers, poolside cabanas for rent, a hot tub, poolside movies, and more!
What a lovely view!
Psst. Do you see what we see? Yep — this hotel has a SWEET view of Dark Universe!
That’s Dark Universe!
There is also a free state-of-the-art fitness center, a game room, and a Universal Orlando Resort Store!
We will continue to update this post as we learn more!
In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Epic Universe news, so stay tuned for more.
Universal Reveals NEW Epic Universe Secrets, Including “A Very Ridiculously Pink Place Full of Cats”
Looking to book a stay at Universal Helios Grand Hotel or a Universal Orlando vacation? Our friends at Small World Vacations would be more than happy to help you! You can fill out a Universal Orlando interest form here!
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Do you have a trip planned to visit Universal Orlando in 2025? Let us know in the comments!
Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Universal to attend their media preview of Universal Helios Grand Hotel. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ
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Really don’t want to be under water long enough to listen to speakers
Half of the rooms do not overlook the park… so how about we sneak a peak of that scenery? Is it a massive parking lot ? They say it’s pool and garden but really what are you looking at because all those cars are somewhere…trying to stay positive on this …