Universal Stella Nova Resort

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

28 reviews

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  Experiences and Observations

  Upon arrival, the entrance can be somewhat confusing, exacerbated by the poorly visible ticket machine, especially under the direct glare of the Florida sun. The absence of hotel valet or parking assistance adds to the uncertainty of where to park, compounded by the distance from the parking area to the main hotel lobby doors. This issue becomes particularly inconvenient when unloading bags, often necessitating multiple trips. Upon entering the lobby, the lack of a warm welcome and the absence of a 'WOW' factor can be disappointing. The hotel does not have a restaurant, offering only a café with limited dining options such as salad, burgers, and pizza. The pool area, while fairly large, lacks engaging activities for children, which is surprising given its proximity to Universal. The outside café is tucked away in a corner, making it difficult to find, whereas the outside bar is easily visible. The rooms are relatively small with a peculiar design featuring a clear partition between the bathroom and the beds, necessitating the closure of a small curtain for privacy in the toilet area. The lobby is often crowded with teenagers waiting for shuttle buses to the park, resulting in significant noise even at midnight, with sounds of walking, bouncing balls, and slamming doors continuing until 2am. This noise level is a substantial inconvenience for those seeking a restful stay. Considering its distance from Universal, this hotel may not be ideal for visitors planning trips to the theme park, as it requires a shuttle or bus ride, which will remain true even when Epic opens in May. Overall, the hotel fell short of expectations.

  Apr 26, 2025
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  Modern Value With Great Proximity to Universal Epic Universe

  I stayed here during Universal Epic Universe previews and was delighted by the experience for the approximately $150 per night I paid. The hotel's design is sleek, modern and clean. Think space-contemporary. The room was wonderfully presented, the beds were very comfortable, I loved the USB and USB-C ports on both sides of the room, and everything was clean and in working order. I got a breakfast sandwich at the Cosmos cafe, which was outstanding! As a value option, having quick and easy access to good American-classics was much appreciated. Especially the market which served a selection of Starbucks drinks (including my favourite Iced White Mocha). The best thing about the hotel is its proximity to Epic Universe. Whilst you'll need to wait a while at the crosswalk on the way, the walk only takes approximately 15-20 minutes. A welcome option when you don't want to wait for a bus or it's nice weather. Considering the price difference between the Helios Grand (located right at the park), Universal Stella Nova Resort is a great option for being close to Epic Universe but without breaking the bank. Whilst close to Epic Universe, it is a 15 minute bus ride from CityWalk and the other two parks of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. However, this really didn't bother me. I've spent longer on Disney buses going from my on-site hotel to Disney Springs. So, whilst the bus technically leaves Universal property, it certainly didn't feel like it. Overall, for a value on-site experience (with the added benefits of Universal transportation and Early Entry to the parks), Stella Nova is a great option! Especially if you're going to spend most of your stay at the Universal Orlando Resort specifically at Universal Epic Universe theme park.

  Apr 25, 2025
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  Location, location, location

  Directly across the street from Epic Universe bus terminals. Front desk staff fantastic. The food is PRICEY even for a theme park & not that good considering. The decor was a little understated IMO. They have a bar, café, Starbucks & gift shop. We had pool view which also provided a nice Orlando skyline view. Overall, you can't bet the location.

  Apr 25, 2025
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  Don't visit this hotel not worth it

  Apon arrival was never told check out time, on the day of leaving no one called ro let me know, and charged me 100 dollars. staff are not accommodating and some dont even know what you are requesting. aalso the manager is unhelpful and shouldn't be in thus role. Rooms are not cleaned everyday, and when they are cleaned it's a quick job. Hotel out of the way from everything. Please don't waste your money. Better hotels and cheaper hotels. Will never visit to this hotel again.

  Apr 24, 2025
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  Ridiculous puritan nonsense

  Stayed at the Universal Stella Nova on a recent family holiday to Orlando. The hotel looks great from the outside, and is clean and modern and well-staffed, as you might expect for such a new building. It will be super convenient for the new Epic Universe theme park when it opens. When we were there, the park was "soft launching" to influencers and VIPs, but still closed to regular punters like us. Note that the remaining 75% of Universal's parks (Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay) are a 20-30 minute bus ride away, on the far side of International Drive and I-4 which both take a long time to navigate. The pool is very large and the surrounding pool terrace is nice. The rooms look cool, but are small for a family of four, with limited wardrobe and drawer space. The lobby bar has a ridiculous policy of only serving one alcoholic drink per person per visit, which makes no sense to me. I think this is a Universal-wide policy across all of its hotels and resorts, but it doesn't make it any less weird and puritanical. The swimming pool "no balls" rule was also enforced in a heavy handed way, when there was no-one else in the pool but us.

  Apr 24, 2025