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Hotel overview
The all-new Universal Stella Nova Resort was inspired by the infinite vastness of the unknown universe, and the wonder of what lies beyond our world. Opening January 21, 2025, it’s where you’ll take off into amazing adventures and exclusive theme park benefits at the parks; it’s also where they’ll touch down for relaxation and recharging between the fun.
Property information
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Hotel details
Hotel advisories
General policies & fine print
Check-in Policy - Hotel requires a credit/debit card authorization or cash deposit upon check-in for incidentals; this will place a hold on your funds.
Convention Policy - Individuals attending a convention cannot book this property for their stay. If found attending a convention, guests may be subject to higher room rates upon arrival.
Hotel Spring Break Policy - This hotel cannot guarantee a spring-break-free environment.
Transfer Policy - A price may display when children stay free, if your vacation includes transfer to your hotel.
General Information - Room taxes and service fees are included in vacation price. Minimum night stay restrictions may apply. Reservation changes may not be permitted unless authorized by the hotel.
Ratings & reviews
TripAdvisor traveler rating
31 reviews
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May 06, 2025Don’t judge a book by its cover because this one ain’t great!
The hotel is brand new and if you were going to epic universe, it is a prime location because you can walk there. But it reminds me of walking through an IKEA store where everything looks really nice, but it is cheaply made, and put together. I will say I like the modernness of the rooms and appreciate that they do not have carpet. The pool area was also very large and not busy on the days we were there which was nice. On the downside, it was probably one of the noisiest hotels I’ve ever stayed at room wise. You could hear everything that went on in the hallway, including people talking in the hallway, hearing doors opening and slamming, the dinging from the elevators, people using the ice machine all throughout the evening, and the housekeeping Closet was also incredibly noisy during the day as I was working from my room one day. It was so loud that I would prefer the noise from a downtown inner city than hearing all of that right outside my door. In theory, the check-in process should work well with being able to do the check-in prior to getting to the hotel but it was not clear what you do once you get inside and the lines were incredibly long at the front desk and luggage. There’s also only one way out of the parking lot, which can get very backed up in the morning. I would also like to point out that I called down to complain and asked for a manager. I got Lexx who I found to be very unhelpful and said I was unable to switch rooms. Even if you are sold out, you could still put me in a different room and give someone else mine. I was at an event at the convention center and thought this would be a prime location to be able to walk to, but the entire resort has a fence around it and it is a mile walk just to get back to the main road. In the Florida sun this is not always fun.
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May 05, 2025Potential but Parking Kinks Need to Be Worked Out
We stayed here when visiting for volleyball and tennis (not Universal). The facilities were nice and I wish we would have had time to visit the pool area. Whoever designed the parking did a poor job. Upon arrival, you are directed to park in a short-term lot where the signs say you have 5 minutes before being charged. You couldn't even unload your car and get into the lobby in 5 minutes because there is no direct sidewalk to the lobby. You can climb through the bushes or loop around to the end where there is a sidewalk. The parking cards didn't work work all week-end - "invalid credentials" so you had to call and request help from the lobby. They were prompt in opening the gate to their credit. The rooms were fine with nothing really standing out. I did appreciate the ice / water machines conveniently placed on each floor and the gym on the first floor looked good.
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May 04, 2025
Holy off-gasing, noses beware!
While the outside of the hotel looked beautiful, the interior left a lot to be desired. The main front door glass was broken, and there were several out of order signs throughout the property. The rooms were a decent size, but the layout was out dated and basic. The use of a cloth curtain for privacy between the beds and the bathroom sink was odd. There was a safety issue with the automatic lighting in the shower/toilet room. The switch operates on a timer and will turn off during your shower. This happened to us several times during our stay. The off gasing of all the new materials was terrible! As soon as you exit the elavators the smell of the carpeting hits you hard. You can hear everything happening in the hallway and in the neighboring rooms. There is no soundproofing! Ear plugs are necessary if you want a quiet evening. The hotel is also very far away from the old Universal parks with about a 20 minute bus drive. You then get dropped off and have to join the same lines as the people that are coming from the parking garages to go through security before taking a long walk to arrive at the City Walk. Overall we expected a lot more for a brand new hotel.
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Apr 26, 2025Experiences 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.
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Apr 25, 2025Modern 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.