Universal Helios Grand Hotel offers unmatched Epic Universe access, but its premium price and missing perk may give travelers pause.
Step inside Epic Universe’s new hotels before checking in
USA TODAY’s Eve Chen toured Universal Orlando Resort’s three new hotels, right by Epic Universe.
- Universal Helios Grand Hotel is located inside the new Epic Universe theme park, offering an exclusive entrance.
- While convenient, the hotel is a premium option and does not include free Universal Express passes like some other Universal resorts.
- Guests can watch the park’s nightly show from their rooms and enjoy amenities like an expansive pool and multiple dining options.
ORLANDO, FL – I almost always recommend staying on property when visiting theme parks because of the proximity and built-in perks.
For guests visiting Universal Epic Universe, it doesn’t get any closer to Universal Helios Grand Hotel.
The towering hotel is so integrated with the sprawling park, it’s part of the scenery, but the best view is from inside Helios.
My family loved watch Epic’s new nightly spectacular show, Universal Celestial Goodnight, from the comfort of our room during a recent stay, and essentially rolling out of bed and into the park the next morning through the hotel’s exclusive park entrance.
But perks like these come at a premium, which may or may not be worth it to you.
A grand time
Our stay was far too short, due to flight disruptions that ate up an entire day of our two-day trip. We arrived at Helios Grand at about 8:30 p.m. with just enough time check in and head to our room for Celestial Goodnight, which we watched from floor-to-ceiling windows with music piped through our TV.
We didn’t stay in long because we wanted to enjoy Helios’ expansive pool and grab a late dinner. I’d previously dined at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and bar, Bar Helios, but after a long day of travel, my kids weren’t up for a slow, sit-down meal. That also eliminated Helios’ other restaurant, Flora Taverna. The hotel does have a take-away cafe and room service, but we chose the Lotus Lagoon pool bar for convenience. Though pricey, my $25 Goddess Burger – featuring Black Angus beef, bacon, cheddar, caramelized onion, tomato, Bibb lettuce and herb mayo – was one of the best burgers I’ve had at any resort and getting to swim until the food was delivered to our lounge chairs felt like the best splurge.
By the time we were done with dinner and quick dip in the hot tub, it was time to get ready for bed. The beds were very comfortable, with fluffy pillows and padded headboards that looked like impressionist paintings. The room overall was understated but elegant. I wished we were staying another night, so I could make full use of the room with a midday park break, but i enjoyed the time we had.
I especially appreciated the hotel’s dedicated park entrance the next morning. Guests start lining up before early entry begins, but by coincidence my kids and I arrived downstairs just as guests were being allowed into the park, so there wasn’t any wait.
Is staying at Helios Grand Hotel worth it?
To me yes, but it depends on the time of year, your budget and what you want out of your vacation.
I don’t like to pay more than $400 for a hotel room anywhere, so I would personally not stay at Helios Grand when rates are higher or if I weren’t visiting Epic Universe.
You have to decide what makes the most sense for you. If you want to stay close to Epic, but don’t want to spend as much on your hotel, you could stay at either Universal Stella Nova and Terra Luna, across the street from the park. Stella Nova is the closer of the twin hotels. Or you could stay at any of the other Loews resorts on Universal property and take a free shuttle to Epic.
You might even consider a split stay, when you spend one or two nights at Helios Grand, then switch hotels for the rest of your vacation. All of Universal’s resort hotels offer the same baseline benefits, but some have even more perks.
Do you get Express staying at Helios?
No, and this is significant, especially if you’re planning to visit Universal Orlando’s other theme parks.
Guests staying at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel all get free Universal Express Unlimited passes for Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure for the duration of their stay, including check in and check out dates. Universal Express Unlimited dramatically reduce waits for attractions and normally start at about $165 per person, per day, so this is a big perk.
Helios Grand Hotel stays are in the same price range as those other three properties, but Helios guests do not get free Express passes.
It’s worth noting none of the hotels offer free Express passes for Epic Universe.
What are the benefits of staying at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel?
The biggest perk for Helios Grand guests is proximity to Epic Universe and the hotel’s exclusive entrance to it.
Other benefits, shared by Universal Orlando’s other resort hotels, include early park entry, free resort transportation, free merchandise delivery to the hotel, and the ability to charge purchases to your room.
Does Helios hotel have shuttle service?
Yes. Helios Grand offers free shuttles to Universal Citywalk, which is adjacent to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure.
Free shuttles are also available to Universal Volcano Bay water park.
How much does the Helios Grand Hotel cost?
Prices vary by date and room type, just like at any hotel.
As of Aug. 5, the nightly rate for a Standard 2 Queen room for two adults and two children was listed at $268 on Sept. 1. That’s a relatively random weekday after the height of summer but before the rush of the resort’s Halloween Horror Nights and holiday seasons. A Park View 2 Queen view for the same night was listed at $509.
Those same rooms would cost $802 for Standard and $1,025 for Park View on Nov. 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, a popular time for park visits.
I paid a discounted media rate during my stay, closer to early September pricing.
Eve Chen is a travel reporter focusing on parks at USA TODAY.