A hotel inside a theme park: First look at Universal Helios Grand Hotel coming to new Epic Universe
Universal Orlando currently boasts eight on-site hotels, offering guests easy access to the fun of Universal's theme parks. Next year, they'll add three more to that lineup to accommodate the influx of guests likely to flock to Orlando when Universal Epic Universe, the resort's newest theme park, opens on May 22, 2025.
Epic Universe is being built on a 750-acre site a few miles away from Universal's existing parks and hotels and will nearly double the size of Universal Orlando Resort, further exacerbating the need for additional hotels.
The opening date, pricing and themes for two of those properties, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort, were announced earlier this year. On Thursday, Universal revealed details for Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a palatial hotel located inside Epic Universe.
Yes, Universal Helios Grand Hotel is a hotel inside a theme park, the first of its kind at Universal Orlando.
In a press release, Universal called the hotel "the crown jewel of Epic Universe and the pinnacle of Universal Orlando’s hotel experiences."
Because of its proximity, the hotel will have a dedicated entrance to Epic Universe exclusively for Universal Grand Helios guests. That's among the other perks all Universal hotel guests enjoy, like one-hour-early theme park entry, complimentary shuttle transportation, resort-wide charging privileges, complimentary merchandise delivery and more.
The new theme park will have lands dedicated to popular film and video game properties, including Super Nintendo, "How to Train Your Dragon," Universal Classic Monsters, Harry Potter and more. There will also be an entirely original concept called Celestial Park.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel will be located along the back edge of Celestial Park, overlooking the land's fountains, gardens and cosmos-themed attractions. In the press release, Universal described the hotel, which is co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co., as a "majestic Mediterranean-inspired escape" that "draws inspiration from the astronomical and mythological themes of Celestial Park."
Even the hotel's moniker is derived from Greek mythology; Helios is the Greek god of the sun. The hotel is designed to be his palace, with architecture and design elements embellished with celestial patterns and constellations.
The hotel's lobby and rooftop bar will provide some of the best views of Epic Universe. You'll only be able to top the views if you are atop a speeding coaster. During the day, you'll see the immersive, colorful lands in all their glory. And at night, you can view the park in a whole new light. The lighting on Stardust Racers is designed to make the dueling coaster cars look like comets soaring through the night sky. Universal also shared previously that the park will "transform" from day to night with lights and music each evening at dusk.
Guests of Universal Helios Grand Hotel will have a front-row seat for these one-of-a-kind "stargazing" events.
Guest rooms at this "elegant meets easygoing" hotel evoke the feeling of stepping into a watercolor painting with soft hues and floral accents. All rooms and suites will also have tablets that guests can use to digitally control the drapes, lights and thermostat and order room service.
Several of the rooms will look out over Epic Universe, offering breathtaking views even when you return to your room for a break from the park. The hotel will also have club-level rooms with access to a private lounge, continental breakfast, hors d'oeuvres in the evening and personal concierge services.
Several Universal Orlando hotels have family suites themed to properties like "Despicable Me" and "Jurassic World," and Universal Helios Grand Hotel is no exception. The hotel will have 14 "How to Train Your Dragon" Kids Suites, featuring a dragon mural behind the beds and furnishings inspired by the Viking village of Berk seen in the films.
Hotel guests will have several dining outlets to choose from, and Bar Helios is likely to become an instant favorite. This rooftop bar will serve a menu of tapas, familiar favorites and handcrafted cocktails, which guests can enjoy while they take in stunning 360-degree views of Epic Universe.
Lotus Lagoon will be the resort's poolside bar and grill, serving cocktails, nonalcoholic beverages and casual meals like burgers, salads and sandwiches.
Flora Taverna, a full-service bar and restaurant just off the lobby, will feature an open-style kitchen cooking up Mediterranean fare and oven-fired pizzas. In addition to indoor seating, guests can dine alfresco for yet another vantage point of Celestial Park.
Also in the lobby, guests will want to start their day at Aurora Market. This quick-service eatery and coffee shop will serve grab-and-go food items, as well as snacks and desserts. Though not expressly stated in the press release, it is expected the hotel will offer a menu of Starbucks coffee drinks, similar to other Universal hotels.
Guests can cool off from Orlando's hot summer (and spring, fall and winter) days in the zero-entry, resort-style pool. The pool area will feature underwater speakers, poolside cabana rentals, a hot tub, poolside movies, daily games and activities and more.
Like other Universal hotels, Universal Helios Grand Hotel will also house a fitness center, a game room and a Universal Orlando gift shop.
Rates for Universal Helios Grand Hotel start at $293 per night for a standard room. Additional rates are available for pool and theme park view rooms or larger deluxe rooms and suites.
The 500-room resort is scheduled to open along with Epic Universe on May 22, 2025. Reservations are available now by clicking here.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.