Universal's Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel in Orlando, FL

Stayed here for one night. We had checked in online but despite that and being told the hotel wasn’t full to capacity we waited sometime on checking in. There are only 2 desks for check in. The hotel lobby is really small and feels cramped. I would hate to see how it will cope with check in and check out during busy periods. Can’t say lobby which is first entrance to hotel is impressive and was a bit of a let down on first impressions. Rooms are small and average. Very little hanging space or drawers. You couldn’t really stay here for long in my view. There isn’t really anywhere to hang clothes etc. early park entry was nice but stood outside in intense heat no shade that needs resolving. We did epic universe in one day. I wasn’t wowed by the park given the hype and was surprised at how small it was. We got round it by 5 pm. You only need one day there. Our room cards initially didn’t work and had to queue again at reception. The deposit I paid for 2 rooms I am still waiting to be refunded to my bank 2 weeks later and have had to contact customer services twice who are yet to resolve it for me. That hasn’t helped with what really should be a nice and positive experience. It is pricey we stayed one night and spent first day around the pool and second day in park. Bar Helios is overrated. We spent $600 in one day on breakfast lunch at pool bar and pizza in evening. Breakfast food by time got to table (buffet) food was not warm. Fruit not replenished. There is only one restaurant in hotel with limited options. Bar Helios is a limited menu. The shop inside is overpriced. We paid $50 for a pastry a coffee and 2 yoghurts! I have stayed at royal pacific/harc rock on many occasions and apart from park view this hotel is a disappointment and doesn’t live up to the hype. It’s simply too small and over priced. There are way better options out there. You would be better staying at the other hotels for perks you get and space at other hotels - early parks and express passes and travelling to epic universe which you can do in one day as the park itself is small. On a positive staff are lovely and hotel is clean. Staff can’t do enough for you. Pool was nice staff again attentive and welcoming. Park view lovely to see but once seen it that’s it and doesn’t justify the cost. This is not a hotel really for families in terms of space and eating options or for a stay of more than one night. As said there are better options and cheaper better value than staying here and travelling in. You will do epic in one day maybe 2 in busy months

Location is not convenient for other parks besides Epic. Rooms are not worth the exorbitant price. Worst of all, service is terrible. From not allowing you to unload in front to concierge mistakenly printing our tickets incorrectly, requiring us to get new tickets at every park we went to. Loews would do nothing to rectify our lost day at the parks. Definitely will not be coming back to this hotel and maybe not at all to Universal Parks. My wife dropped a lot of money on this trip for my birthday because I was really looking forward to Epic Universe. This hotel has really diminished that good motive.

We stayed here as a family for one night to experience the new epic universe park. The hotel is beautiful from the entrance to the room everything is luxurious. The staff are very friendly especially at reception and the pool bar. We ate at the pool bar and the food was very good, the cocktails are also nice. The pool area was quiet and relaxing and very clean. The room was spacious and modern, with a view of theme park which was amazing. I would definitely recommend.

We stayed at the Helios Grand for 2 nights, in order to benefit from early entry to the park. The hotel itself is beautiful! Attention to detail is evident throughout the lobby, restaurants and rooms. Check in by Austin was seamless and quick. We were given tips to get onto our 1st choice ride of Harry Potter, using the early entry. Only a few rides open at 9am, but you are allowed to get in the queue, cutting your overall wait time. As UK citizens, we only had a q day ticket, so on the first day we had a swim. The pool area is lovely, with plenty of loungers and umbrellas for shade. We had a drink in the bar at the top of the hotel and saw the nighttime show frontiers, which was magical! We ate at the Flora restaurant. The meal came quickly and was very tasty! My husband said she Wagi burger was the best he'd ever had! Early entry was very efficient. Austin advised we went down at 8:45 and we went straight through the security with no wait. We had a great day in the park and being able to wander back to the at the end of a busy day wax glorious. The room we had was spacious and had a view of the back of the hotel and Orlando. We all loved our stay. Allah staff we met were helpful and friendly too.