Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel

Universal Helios Grand Hotel opened on 22 May 2025, the same day as Epic Universe, and it is the first Universal Orlando hotel with its own theme park entrance. It was designed as the palace of Helios, the Greek sun god: Mediterranean façades, constellations, a gilded cartouche aligned with the Chronos gate. It holds 500 guest rooms and 35 suites across eight floors, on the edge of Celestial Park.

The dedicated entrance into Epic Universe

This is the whole point of the hotel. A door just off the lobby opens directly onto Celestial Park, the central garden of Epic Universe. Loews describes it as exclusive to hotel guests. Valid Epic Universe admission is of course still required, and there is a security checkpoint as at any other entrance.

What it changes in a day: you go back for a nap at two without taking a bus, and you walk out again at six. No other hotel at the resort allows that. Be aware that the queue at this entrance stretches out at morning opening, when the whole hotel heads down at once.

Early entry, and the benefit that is missing

Your room key gives you Early Park Admission, up to one hour before official opening. At Epic Universe that benefit is reserved for on-site hotel guests: even Premier annual passholders are excluded. It is the strongest argument for staying on property, and it applies to all eleven Universal Orlando hotels. Every member of your party needs their own key card in their own name.

Free Universal Express Unlimited, on the other hand, does not come with this hotel. It stays reserved for Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock and Loews Royal Pacific. Helios Grand belongs to the same Signature Collection, and this is exactly the kind of detail that surprises a traveller on arrival. Add that Universal Express, even when purchased, is valid neither at Epic Universe nor at Volcano Bay: Epic Universe sells its own product.

Rooms and suites

A standard room runs about 30 m² with two queen beds and sleeps up to five; the king version is 32 m² and sleeps three. The Deluxe category climbs to 39 m² with a sofa bed. Views split between standard, pool, skyline and park, the last looking out over Epic Universe.

The kids' suites, at roughly 51 m², draw on How to Train Your Dragon: a separate bedroom behind a rustic wooden door, the village of Berk on the walls, Toothless overhead. Paired with a two-queen room, that suite reaches 81 m² and ten guests, the largest family unit at the resort. Above them come the Celestial, Helios Grand, Hospitality and Presidential suites, each available in a two-bedroom version.

Every room has a small refrigerator, a pod coffee maker and a tablet controlling curtains, lighting, thermostat and room service. There is no kitchenette.

Eating and drinking on site

Flora Taverna serves all three meals in Mediterranean style, fish, lamb, roast chicken and flatbreads, with an open-kitchen breakfast buffet. Bar Helios occupies the roof and offers a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view over Epic Universe, with Mediterranean small plates and tableside experiences. The lobby bar extends Flora Taverna, Lotus Lagoon feeds the pool deck, and Aurora Market covers coffee, pastry and quick counter service. Room service runs around the clock.

The pool and the facilities

The pool covers about 805 m², slopes gently in and plays music underwater. Add a hot tub, a tiered deck, a fire pit, eighteen private cabanas for rent and poolside movie nights. There is no water slide.

The fitness centre is complimentary, the arcade runs on a game card, and the hotel has a self-service laundry alongside valet service. There is no spa; the resort's only one is at Loews Portofino Bay. Pets are not accepted and parking is charged. Around 430 m² of meeting space serves groups.

Getting to the other parks

Buses leave every ten minutes for Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay and CityWalk. No shuttle serves Epic Universe, for the obvious reason that you are already there. The hotel is not on the water taxi network, which links only the four hotels of the original cluster to CityWalk.

Who this hotel suits

It suits travellers coming first for Epic Universe who plan to spend several days there, large families thanks to the paired ten-guest suite, and anyone who enjoys ending the evening on a rooftop with the lit park below.

It suits you less if you want included express access, if you travel with a pet, or if your trip is mostly about the two original parks, which are more convenient from the original cluster. Your Voyages AquaTerra advisor can compare all eleven resort hotels with you at 1-866-628-6241.