Want to plan your Universal Orlando trip like an expert? These are the hotels Universal fans are skipping in 2026!

There are 11 official Universal Orlando hotels for guests to choose from when booking their vacation. Much like the assortment of Disney World hotels, there are definite pros and cons to each option, and some of those differences might be dealbreakers for you when deciding which spot to book. Here are the three Universal Orlando hotels fans aren’t booking in 2026!

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Universal Orlando sorts its hotels into three categories — the Signature Collection hotels (generally priced the highest), Prime Value Hotels (mid-tier prices), and Value Inns and Suites (lowest prices). Lowes Sapphire Falls Resort is a Signature Collection hotel, meaning it’s one of the more expensive hotel options, but it’s missing a MAJOR perk that most of the other Signature Collection hotels offer.

Guests who stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Hard Rock Hotel all receive Free Universal Express Unlimited passes for Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, valid for the duration of their stay. Universal Express Unlimited allows guests to skip the regular lines as many times as they want at participating rides and attractions all day. Essentially, it’s Universal’s version of Disney’s Lightning Lanes. But unlike Lightning Lanes, you don’t need to make a reservation time, and you can use it multiple times per ride with the Unlimited pass.

Pricing for a Universal Express Unlimited Pass varies by date, but it generally starts around $124-$139 per day for each person. Which means getting it for free at those three hotels is a HUGE perk…and not getting it at Sapphire Falls despite the Signature Collection hotel pricing is a big bummer. The only other Signature Collection hotel that doesn’t come with the free Express Unlimited pass perk right now is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, which is the new hotel at Epic Universe.

Despite the big downside of missing the Express Unlimited perk, Sapphire Falls does offer a super relaxing, lush atmosphere thanks to its island theming. Plus, you also get easy walking or water taxi access to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. So, if you’re looking for a vacation in relaxation mode and aren’t concerned about doing a bunch of rides, Sapphire Falls might actually be up your alley.

As is often the case, it all comes down to your priorities! If you’re willing to splurge on a Signature Collection hotel for your Universal vacation, you may want to opt for one of the three hotels that offer free Express Unlimited Passes to cash in on the major perk, or go for Helios Grand Hotel if you want to try the newest signature option, plus get easy access to Epic Universe. Unfortunately for Sapphire Falls, that means it’s often the odd one out when guests are looking at Signature Collection hotels.

Universal Aventura Hotel

Universal Aventura Hotel falls in the Prime Value category with mid-tier pricing. The other Prime Value hotels are Stella Nova Resort and Terra Luna Resort, which were both newly opened near Epic Universe. Aventura Hotel was opened back in 2018, so it lacks the novelty of the other two Prime Value hotels, and there may not be enough “pros” at Aventura to push the needle back in its direction.

For one, it’s not as close to the parks as many of the other Universal hotels, at about a 15-20 minute walk to Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure. Which isn’t too bad for some guests, but if you have mobility issues to consider or young children in your party, it might be more of a struggle. There is also a shuttle bus available, if needed, but of course, that also means potentially waiting around for a bit for it to arrive.

Also, Aventura Hotel has a modern aesthetic, so its theming isn’t as unique as most of the other options around Universal. If you aren’t as invested in the hotel aesthetic, that might not be a dealbreaker for you; it all depends on your preferences!

Between the higher pricing compared to Value Inns and Suites, lack of unique theming or “newness” factor, and fairly long walk to the parks, guests may choose to bypass Aventura to either save money with a cheaper option, or splurge on a signature hotel that comes with additional perks.

Universal Terra Luna Resort

Now, back to Universal Terra Luna Resort, which we name-dropped in the last section. Again, Terra Luna is a Prime Value hotel that recently opened near Epic Universe, along with its sister hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort.

Stella Nova and Terra Luna are fairly similar in terms of amenities and accommodations, but there’s one major reason you may want to skip Terra Luna and opt for Stella Nova instead. Stella Nova has a direct walking path for access to Epic Universe, but Terra Luna is located across the street, meaning it’s a farther walk to the park, and you have to cross a busy intersection to get there.

There is also a complimentary shuttle bus offered to Epic Universe, so if you’re planning to take the shuttle anyway, that might be a moot point. But, if you’re counting on walking to Epic Universe each day, the easier access could make Stella Nova the better choice.

The hotel themes are also slightly different, with Stella Nova focused on the infinite universe and Terra Luna inspired by terrestrial exploration. But, if you aren’t strongly pulled in either direction by the themes, ease of access to Epic Universe might be the biggest factor to consider when choosing between the two!

When it comes to choosing the right hotel, it all comes down to your priorities. But some common trends are causing Universal fans to skip booking these hotels in 2026. We’re constantly checking out the newest updates around the Universal parks and hotels, and we’ll keep you updated with the latest info you need to plan your next vacation!

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