New Details Revealed about Universal Helios Grand Hotel

Universal Orlando Resorts has unveiled new details about Universal Helios Grand Hotel, which will serve as a gateway to Epic Universe, the highly anticipated new theme park coming in 2025. 

The 500-room hotel, co-owned and co-operated by Loews Hotels, has a dedicated entrance to Epic Universe, a first for Universal Orlando. It aims to strike a balance between keeping guests immersed in the theme parks and offering a relaxing escape from them.  

“We were basically told: Just unleash. Do what you’ve wanted to do forever and have fun with this property, and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” said Russ Dagon, senior vice president of Universal Creative. “We worked hand-in-hand with our Creative Studio from the onset to create that synchronous experience between park and hotel. This is truly something very special.” 

The hotel experience

Universal executives are calling Universal Helios Grand Hotel “an attraction in and of itself.” The lobby and guestrooms are heavily Mediterranean-styled and astrologically inspired, resulting in a look that is both tranquil and ties in with Celestial Park, one of the five parks comprising the new Epic Universe. 

The hotel features a resort-style pool, fitness center, game room, and Universal Orlando Resort store. The pool has underwater speakers, poolside cabanas available for rent, and a hot tub. There will also be poolside movies and recreational activities held there. 

Bar Helios, an elegant rooftop bar, is a highlight of the property, offering panoramic views of the Epic Universe theme park and beyond. Other dining options include Flora Taverna, the main restaurant; Aurora Market, a coffee and grab-and-go spot; and Lotus Lagoon for poolside bites.  

Many of the hotel’s spacious guest rooms and suites offer views of the theme park. The How to Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suite offers a fun, immersive accommodation option for families.  

A gateway to the parks

Not only does the brand-new hotel situate guests right at the doors of Epic Universe, but it also gives them exclusive perks. Guests staying at any of Universal’s soon-to-be 11 resort hotels get Early Park Admission, complimentary shuttle service to each of the parks, and other benefits like device charging privileges, merchandise delivery, and more.  

Universal Helios Grand Hotel is not the only new hotel opening at the resort in 2025. Sister properties Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort will open on Jan. 21, 2025 and Feb. 25, 2025, respectively. 

The addition of these three hotels will bring the on-site room county to 11,000, so there will be plenty of accommodations options for those who want to stay on property while visiting the soon-to-be four different Universal Orlando theme parks. 

It also means there will now be three hotel categories at Universal Orlando: Signature Collection, Prime Value Hotels, and Value Inns and Suites. Here’s a breakdown of those groupings: 

Signature Collection  
– Universal Helios Grand Hotel 
– Loews Portofino Bay Hotel 
– Hard Rock Hotel 
– Loews Royal Pacific Resort 
– Loews Sapphire Falls Resort 

Prime Value Hotels  
– Universal Aventura Hotel 
– Universal Stella Nova Resort  
– Universal Terra Luna Resort  

Value Inns and Suites  
– Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort  
– Universal Endless Summer Resort 
– Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites 

Epic Universe and the Universal Helios Grand Hotel are both slated to open sometime in 2025. Epic Universe will have five distinct parks: Dark Universe, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, and Celestial Park.