Universal Helios Grand Hotel marks a major milestone for Universal Orlando Resort. It’s the resort’s first hotel attached to a park, in this case Epic Universe. The hotel opened with the start of Passholder previews on Wednesday, April 16. Epic Universe will officially open on May 22.
Parking & Entrance
Hotel guests can park in a parking garage next to the hotel.
There is shuttle bus service to the other Universal Orlando Resort theme parks: Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Volcano Bay, plus Universal CityWalk. The bus stops have A-frame signs indicating where their buses go.
The hotel is off-white with gold and green accents. It’s named after the Greek personification of the sun, Helios (not to be confused with the god of the sun, Apollo).
The port-cochere has lines on its ceiling reminiscent of the sun’s rays. There are matching black lines across the pavement.
A black Universal Helios Grand Hotel rug leads to the automatic glass doors.
The hotel’s logo has blue text with gold shading. Gold rays create a sun-like circle in the center.
Before entering, there is a valet window.
Here are the parking rates:
- Valet Parking Overnight: $45 plus tax
- Self Parking Overnight: $36 plus tax
- Valet Parking Daily: $128 plus tax
- Self Parking Daily: $125 plus tax
Lobby
Guests enter into a grand lobby with white columns, a starry floor, and a ceiling with illuminated strips of light. The light strips fan out from a sun-inspired chandelier at the back of the lobby in front of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Epic Universe.
To the left upon entering are the vacation planning desks and Flora Taverna. The desks resemble unfinished white stone.
The check-in desks to the right are the same. Behind both sets of desks are tall window-like elements with golden sun motifs against red and yellow flowers and a spacey background. The frames of these and the doorways are all golden.
There are curved couches with dark blue upholstery and floral-patterned edges. The tables are all circular with rounded supports. The walls of the lobby are stone.
Below the chandelier is a rotunda, a few steps down from the main lobby. There are more tables, chairs, and sofas. A harpist was performing here during the opening.
Flora Taverna
Flora Taverna is the hotel’s full-service restaurant. Reservations are available for Flora Taverna and Bar Helios. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving a full breakfast buffet and Mediterranean comfort foods.
The sign resembles stained glass with blue tulips next to the restaurant’s name. A menu screen is mounted below the sign.
The restaurant is designed to be light and airy. A variety of chair styles are gathered between white columns and archways. The aisle flooring features large brown tiles while the rest of the floor has white and gray tiles.
The restaurant’s archways have blue accents. Wainscoting on the walls is white and blue tile with a starry pattern. Some of the chairs are yellow, others are blue-gray.
There are booths with beige padded backs and dark seats.
Succulents sit on the tables in blue ceramic pots.
There is outdoor dining with a view of Epic Universe through a themed black grate.
In the center of the dining space, between some of the benches, are fake trees and flowerbeds. Wicker lamps hang from the ceiling.
There are also small white lights hidden among the rafters. Guests sitting inside can also enjoy views through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Red flowers hang from the ceiling across part of the dining room, with lights shining through the vines.
An open kitchen is along one side of the restaurant, opposite the windows, where guests can watch live cooking. There’s a pizza oven, open grills, and a gyros station.
Plateware is on display on built-in shelves along the counters separating the kitchen from guests. Above the counters are golden hanging shelves with decorative pots, plants, and books.
Dark blue tiles runs along the back wall of the kitchen.
The plateware features Italian-inspired designs in red, green, and blue. There are also wood-style plates.
Blue tile also runs along the back of the Flora Taverna bar. There are two mounted TVs between shelves of liquor. Tall bar chairs are at the counter.
Universal Studios Store
The Universal Studios Store is on the other side of the lobby. The gift shop’s blue illuminated sign is in a golden frame.
The gold continues on the edges of light wood displays. Circular lights hang from the ceiling.
Just outside the store is an informational screen display things like the date, weather, and mobile ordering information.
Aurora Market
Next to the store is Aurora Market, a grab-and-go location. During the hotel’s opening, an Epic Universe backdrop was set up for photos.
Aurora Market features white marble counters and confectionery cases of treats. Decorative spacey tulle runs along the top of one wall.
Behind the counter is a blue wall featuring a white diamond pattern. Plants and props sit on gold shelves. There are four screens displaying the menu of coffee, tea, sandwiches, desserts, and more.
Offerings on display include ice cream and pastries.
There are bottled beverages, pre-made sandwiches, chips, cereal, and more snacks available.
Coffee amenities like cream, milk, and sugar are on a counter with napkins.
Aurora Market is where guests can get the refillable Universal Helios Grand Hotel souvenir cup.
There’s a second Aurora Market entrance on the other side of the store.
Park Entrance
Next to this Aurora Market entrance is the hotel’s entrance to Epic Universe. When not open, the archway is blocked by a grate. Through the grate, we could see security stations.
A sign notes guests should have their park tickets ready.
Elevators
A golden archway leads guests to the elevator bank.
On the back wall is a moving mural that shifts from night to day. Look close and you’ll see differences between our two photos. At the time, it was displaying a crescent moon, but it also switches to show a sun.
Game Room
The game room is an arcade, with game cards available for purchase.
Games include the SpongeBob SquarePants VR Bubble Coaster and a Raw Thrills Jurassic Park game.
There are a couple of basketball games and a claw machine full of Super Mario toys.
Speaking of Super Mario, there are two Mario Kart Arcade GP DX stations.
There’s one wall of six claw machines, each offering different plush. These include Pokémon and Smurf toys.
Guests with a sweet tooth may want to play Candy Crane House II.
Super Star 2 offers a variety of prizes.
Business Center
the business center is near the game room. There’s one built-in desk with one chair.
A computer, telephone, and printer are available.
Fitness Center
Next is the fitness center.
There are more floor-to-ceiling windows here so guests can enjoy a view while exercising.
Here are the Fitness Center Rules:
- Use the equipment at your own risk.
- Children 13-15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No children under 13 admitted.
- Please consult with a physician before beginning an exercise program.
- Proper workout attire and shoes required.
- Please follow equipment directions carefully.
- Do not use equipment if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Discontinue exercise at the first sign of stress, dizziness, or light headedness.
- As a courtesy to others, please limit use of machines to 30 minute sessions if there are other guests waiting.
- Please wipe down all equipment after use.
- No eating or horseplay allowed.
On the wall in front of the stationary bikes are two mirrors with ornate golden frames. Metal gold birds are attached to the walls and mirrors, appearing to fly in formation across them.
Facing the windows are five flat treadmills, one curved treadmill, and three ellipticals. In a corner is a shelf of exercise balls and weights.
Some construction is apparently ongoing. A tarp was draped over this weight machine and a ladder was next to it.
There are shelves of hand weights. This wall opposite the windows is a mirror.
Restrooms and locker rooms are through a door. There’s a water station.
A scale is next to a shelf of towels and cabinets.
On the marble counter is a telephone, bowl of apples, pre-packaged earbuds, and tissues.
Wipes and a trash can are near the door.
There’s also a defibrillator on the wall.
Pool
There’s a designated smoking area on a patio behind the hotel. From here, guests can see Frankenstein Manor in Dark Universe over the trees.
Signs point to the pool, Lotus Lagoon, and outdoor restrooms.
There’s an open green space with a set of croquet mallets, balls, and stakes available.
Lotus Lagoon is the poolside bar. There are dozens of lawn chairs and several cabanas.
The pool is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and reserved for registered guests. A room key unlocks the gate, which features a sun motif. Outside food and beverages are prohobited.
There are 18 cabanas total, with signs pointing to them. The maximum depth of the pool is 5 ft 6 in (1.37 meters). Diving is prohibited.
The cabanas are numbered. Each has two beach chairs in front.
Each also has a mounted TV, a table and four chairs, and a blue sofa. Curtains can be drawn across all four sides.
Dark Universe is also visible from the pool area.
There are umbrellas with bright edges shading the pool chairs. Flowerbeds surround the patios.
Palm trees running down the stairs also provide some shade.
A sign lets guests know they might see lifeguards training with mannequins.
The pool curves around Lotus Lagoon. There are a few stairs and ladders leading into the water. A machine for wheelchair-users to enter the pool is next to some stairs.
Fountains in white columns with gold domes pour water into the pool.
At a shallow end are bubbling fountains for kids to play. There are racks of life vests.
The pool is on the opposite side of the hotel from the theme park.
There are restrooms in a stone building next to Lotus Lagoon.
A DJ was spinning tunes outside the bar during the opening.
The bar is a large white gazebo with golden highlights and railings. There are some tables and chairs on the patio outside the bar.
The bar’s logo features a trio of pink lotus flowers on golden lily pads. The sign matches with “Lotus Lagoon” in gold and pink lettering. There are mounted fans and TVs inside the bar.
Bar Helios
Speaking of bars, head to the top of Universal Helios Grand Hotel to visit Bar Helios. This spot has three distinct areas: a dining room, a circle bar with 360-degree views, and an outdoor patio.
The bar’s menu includes comfort food like burgers and sliders, salads, seafood, lamb and chicken gyros, and creative tapas and anti-pasta. The menu and custom coasters are black with gold designs.
The circular bar is below a domed ceiling featuring glowing stars. Constellations are highlighted with gold lines.
The ceiling mural features Greek letters and symbols. The shelving unit in the center of the bar has a golden decoration with lights that seem to blend in with the dome.
The front of the bar is patterned with white triangles featuring gold and silver accents. It has a marble countertop. The bar stools have black seats and velour backs.
Above plush benches are rounded frames holding mosaics of silver squares reflecting gold light.
The dining room is the Helios Grand Hall, with windows all around and gold hightlights on the archways.
The outdoor seating area is surrounded by tall Plexiglass panels.
Helios Overlook
Back on the ground, guests can get another view of Epic Universe from the Helios Overlook. This is directly behind the lobby.
The pavement is painted with shades of blue and a giant sun with yellow rays. A series of celestial bodies appear to be passing in front of the sun.
The centerpiece of the overlook is a golden statue of Helios within a golden circle. He’s crouched with a bow and arrow pointing across Epic Universe to the park’s entrance.
Along the edge of the golden circle is an inscription:
At break of dawn the god of light
a bow he draws with all his might
His flaming arrow in its flight
will burn away the darkest night
He’s on large rocks atop a series of water features leading down to the park’s show fountain.
Gardens and lanterns are to the sides of Helios.
Check out our full video tour.
See our tour of a two queen bed room with a park view at Universal Helios Grand Hotel.
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