Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel

“Amazing experience.”

Last year, while staying at Terra Luna for All Star World's Cheer competition, I said to myself, I'd love to stay at the Helios next year. As a middle class family, we normally have a price point of $200-$250 a night for a hotel. We decided, let's try a once in a lifetime trip, and while at Terra … more

Last year, while staying at Terra Luna for All Star World's Cheer competition, I said to myself, I'd love to stay at the Helios next year. As a middle class family, we normally have a price point of $200-$250 a night for a hotel. We decided, let's try a once in a lifetime trip, and while at Terra Luna, booked (a year ahead) a week at Helios. Here's the bonus tips. Book way ahead for better pricing. Also, book 7 nights to get a price drop. If we booked now, we'd pay $461.86 a night. I got it for $305 a night booking a year out. We choose to pay extra for the club level as opposed to the theme park facing room. So, for $305 a night, in club, we're also getting breakfast, dinner, and mid day snacks. At this price, it is a no brainer. This truly is a dream trip. We've never stayed at a signature hotel, not a 4 star hotel. So, book early and at least a week long if possible for the best prices. Check back too as prices dropped twice after booking and I called and they adjusted the price. Now, for the hotel. The rooms are spotless. Clean and cozy. We are looking out the back towards Icon Park, but that's fine as we aren't in the room much. Orange county convention center is about 15 minutes away with traffic. Club level food has been really great so far. They even work around my daughter's gluten and dairy allergies, and make sure she has something she can eat. Laundry is on levels 3, 5, and 7. $9 to wash and dry at this time. That helps us to pack lighter, so worth it. Pool has been great. Kids love it Arcade was decent, but small. Beds are comfy. Shower is great with a lot of hot water. Staff has been top notch. Everyone we've interacted with from check in to club to housekeeping to staff in the halls has treated us like we're important. It's a nice feeling. We're on day 3 of 7, but so far, it's a dream come true. Do this if you can. Not sure we'd be able to pay, or justify $400+ a night, but $305 a night is definitely worth it! At $305, I'm also not upset there are no express passes. For $400+, I'd probably expect them. YMMV.

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“If you can stay here, do it!”

Perfectly positioned to Epic Universe. With the Mediterranean and Celestial theming it is both calming and luxurious. Creating an atmosphere for either families or couples it ticket all the boxes. The coffee shop is perfectly positioned and the pastries are delicious. The Front desk staff are secon… more

Perfectly positioned to Epic Universe. With the Mediterranean and Celestial theming it is both calming and luxurious. Creating an atmosphere for either families or couples it ticket all the boxes. The coffee shop is perfectly positioned and the pastries are delicious. The Front desk staff are second to none the rooms are immaculate, comfortable and a pleasure to stay at. I would love to go back and stay longer!

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“Grand Hotel at Epic”

Three of us stayed here for one night in a queen room while we visited Epic. The hotel acts as a “grand” backdrop to the park and feels like it is something right out of the movie version of Wicked. It offers extremely easy access to Epic via an entry right off the lobby. We didn’t spend much time … more

Three of us stayed here for one night in a queen room while we visited Epic. The hotel acts as a “grand” backdrop to the park and feels like it is something right out of the movie version of Wicked. It offers extremely easy access to Epic via an entry right off the lobby. We didn’t spend much time in the room, but we found the hotel to be clean, comfortable and convenient.

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“Plastic but not Fan-static!”

So the saving grace of this hotel is its location at the very back of the park and a private entrance directly in to the park. I watched the pre opening video of this hotel which made it look better than it actually is. The lobby is very bare, no flowers and barely any staff at the desk. The rooms … more

So the saving grace of this hotel is its location at the very back of the park and a private entrance directly in to the park. I watched the pre opening video of this hotel which made it look better than it actually is. The lobby is very bare, no flowers and barely any staff at the desk. The rooms are small, our closet was a joke you could not get clothes in it for two let alone the four people who it could sleep. Bathroom is also very small and has a shower curtain and tub combo, do not recall the last time I saw that in a new hotel. The hallways are vast and marked up paint work, dirty elevator floor. You can also hear noise of the doors opening and closing in your room. Resturant is sub par with rude staff. When we went the fountain had an issue so was drained so that did not add to the impression. it all just seems a bit cheap, for sure not the same as a Disney lux hotel.

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