After a recent travel agent training week in Universal Orlando I have a plethora of information and tips for our clients looking to visit this awesome destination.
I will tell every person heading to Universal that I highly recommend staying at an onsite property. The Orlando area has become so congested and busy. It can really take away from your experience to get in and out of the car, sit in traffic and pay for parking just to save a few dollars on your hotel. I think it is so nice to park your car and stay in the Universal bubble for the length of your stay. And let’s not forget that off-site guests miss out on a lot of onsite hotel park perks that include, early park entry, transportation throughout the parks, resort wide charging privileges, and complimentary package delivery to the hotel of your souvenirs you purchase in parks.
About the Resort:
During my training, I stayed at the newest onsite property, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. This property that opened in July of 2017 has relaxing tropical theme with décor inspired by landmarks from around the Caribbean islands. There are three towers of rooms with views of either the lagoon, pool or gardens. Five guests can sleep in a standard room without being charged a fee. If you do request a rollaway bed there is an additional charge. There are a few different suite options available. One suite option has a kids room in which there is a king in one room that connects with 2 double beds in another. The kids room does not have its own door to the hallway for safety reasons. All rooms have a small refrigerator to store drinks or snacks. There are onsite laundry rooms or laundry service available for an additional fee.
The lobby is light, spacious and inviting to relax and hang out any time of day. In the lobby there is a very nice Universal store to grab the souvenirs or any supplies you forgot to pack for your vacation. The Attraction Desk will provide you with your park tickets when you show them your ID and booking voucher. When you head down to the pool, fitness center or game room make sure to go down the beautiful Loews signature staircase.
Make sure to leave time during your stay to relax by the pool. There is a zero-entry area, waterslide and lots of space for everyone. Order drinks or snacks from your seats or head over to the Drhum Club Kantine for table service. You might want to opt for a cabana if there is a big game you want to watch. For $150 you can reserve the cabana for the day that includes a TV, mini fridge and 6 bottles of water.
The dining options throughout the property are Caribbean influenced, but have something for everyone. The New Dutch Trading Co is open from 6am to 11pm and offers grab and go food. Don’t forget to purchase some smore kits to use at the outdoor fire pits. Amasista Cookhouse has indoor and outdoor seating and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a variety of options to please every palate. The Drhum Club Kantine is the poolside oasis that offers fresh seafood, burgers, sandwiches, appetizers and drinks. Food is served from 11am to 9pm and beverage service is available until 10pm. If you like rum, you cannot miss the Strongwater Tavern. With tapas-style dining options, delicious rum tastings, indoor seating at a modern nautical bar and outdoor areas where you can relax by the large fire pit with serene waterfall and lagoon views this is the perfect place to end your evening.
Guests heading to the parks can either walk, take the water taxi or shuttle buses over to CityWalk. The easiest and most relaxing mode of transportation is the water taxi. An added benefit of staying at one of the onsite hotels is that you get to use the amenities of the other properties. There are shuttles from the valet area outside main lobby that can take you to the other properties throughout the day if you would like to use the pools, restaurants or spa at Portofino Bay.
Contact Us:
Universal Orlando is a full resort destination that is walkable and easy to get around. I enjoyed my time at Sapphire Falls and am excited to offer this island themed resort to our clients. Contact Wanderlust Travel Boutique to start planning your Universal Orlando vacation.
Jamie Jackson: (336) 263-1977 or [email protected]
Travel Concierge at Wanderlust Travel Boutique
At Wanderlust Travel Boutique, we will create a truly personalized, hassle-free vacation with a comprehensive itinerary so you can enjoy an unforgettable experience.
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