Helios Grand Hotel

[Parkscope Joe]

Ok, I am a little bit confused as to the decisions made here. They build a "Grand Hotel" and yet give it "Value Resort" rooms? Single vanities and Shower/Tub Combos are out of line with the price point this hotel will command.

Maybe everyone is wrong on the pricing.

 

[MrBlonde]

The rooms really remind me of Cabana Bay but I like that. The public areas and dining are where the deluxe feel really comes in and since it’s so close to Epic, I could see the rooftop and bar areas getting popular after a visit.

Not having Express is a bummer but I also heard is a contractual exclusive. I was hoping they’d expand it but no dice from all signs so far.

For those who like SF or other hotels, I believe travel agents can add unlimited express to packages. It’s pricey but available and better than buying it on a day by day basis.

 

[Disneyhead]

Maybe everyone is wrong on the pricing.

Maybe, it's just perplexing to me that they just didn't go for it with walk-in showers and soaking tubs like at Portofino. And also no spa.

 

[Suchomimus]

The hotel itself is giving deluxe vibes. Luxury. Expensive.

The rooms are giving… value? If you showed me this rendering, without any context, I would not have thought it was in the Helios.

View attachment 23069

There are different suites, so they won't all look the same.

 

[devinp267]

Well the grand definitely isn’t in that double room, will hold off judgement. Everything else oh my goodness… GRAND

 

[Brian G.]

It's probably worth pointing out there are a few different room types (outside of views) - Standard, Deluxe, and Suite; and the only photo we're seeing is Standard Room. Without a price point and more info, specifically how many of each type of room there is, I also can't grasp the "Looks Value" argument AT ALL.

Again, if you don't like the design, that's on you as everybody has a preference - but the rooms are the status quo of other Universal's signature hotels.

 

[Mad Dog]

Most Portofino rooms have combined shower/tubs. Only the more expensive, expanded (490 sq. ft vs,, 450 sq ft) rooms have separate shower and tubs.

 

[Alicia]

I had previously described the rooms as comparable to the original Contemporary Resort rooms. Certainly not very large, but one side of the building is going to offer incredible views, and all will have extremely convenient access to the park, so up to $1000 per night wouldn’t be out of the question, or whatever WDW charges for theirs minus a little.

And while standard may not be too impressive, those select suites sure look sweet. Anyone wanna go halvsies on a Presidential??

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Universal isn’t going to charge $1000 a night. They don’t for Hard Rock.

 

[Brian G.]

From my understanding - the price point is going to be closer to the Portofino/Hard Rock range.

 

[Mad Dog]

With only 500 rooms, it's a good bit smaller than any of the other top tier hotels. That should help it to maintain high percentage filled capacity and support whatever price level they establish.

 

[Skipper Justin]

Then explain away.

Just adding to what others had already said. They just seem aggressively unthemed and could be any Marriot or Hilton in Orlando built in the last 5 years. All of the other Universal hotels have touches that relate to the property and additions that help sell luxury. Plush bedding at Portofino, nice showers, interesting room furniture…etc. I think Alicia is right, they are going the Contemporary route. No one thinks the room at the Contemporary say signature, luxury, or special. It’s all about that view.

 

[Jake S]

I suppose this isn’t a tremendous surprise, but this certainly adds value (to me, anyway) to staying on property.

 

[Alicia]

After looking at Contemporary pricing vs other Universal pricing, ~$700 theme park view/$500 garden view is my guess for standard room.

Does anyone know how much more club level rooms are at Universal? This hotel has 41 standard rooms on club level.

 

[BigRed98]

It has the look of a luxury Vegas resort and I don’t mean that in a bad way.

 

[kristenabelle]

After looking at Contemporary pricing vs other Universal pricing, ~$700 theme park view/$500 garden view is my guess for standard room.

Does anyone know how much more club level rooms are at Universal? This hotel has 41 standard rooms on club level.

Maybe $100-200/night extra, depending on the category or season? I wanna say club at RPR was $700 for a Saturday in Sept. when I got my non-club/good view room for less.

Also, I think Tom Bricker does a good job of summing up how I feel here (hope it's ok to share, his commentary starts later down the page). I think the exterior of Helios is leaps and bounds and worlds better than Riviera, but the Riviera rooms are pretty amazing. Modern and sleek, with luxury finishes & cool Disney touches. That said i'll def withhold judgment until i get the chance to see Helios rooms in person

Helios Grand Hotel at Universal’s Epic Universe Luxury Resort: Rooms, Restaurants & Perks - Disney Tourist Blog

Universal Orlando Resort has shared a first look at Loews Helios Grand Hotel, a 500-room luxury in-park resort overlooking Epic Universe, their third theme park in Florida that opens in 2025. This sneak peek shares concept art & info about guest rooms, restaurants, retail and everything else in...

www.disneytouristblog.com

 

[Brian G.]

Maybe $100-200/night extra, depending on the category or season? I wanna say club at RPR was $700 for a Saturday in Sept. when I got my non-club/good view room for less.

Also, I think Tom Bricker does a good job of summing up how I feel here (hope it's ok to share, his commentary starts later down the page). I think the exterior of Helios is leaps and bounds and worlds better than Riviera, but the Riviera rooms are pretty amazing. Modern and sleek, with luxury finishes & cool Disney touches. That said i'll def withhold judgment until i get the chance to see Helios rooms in person

Helios Grand Hotel at Universal’s Epic Universe Luxury Resort: Rooms, Restaurants & Perks - Disney Tourist Blog

Universal Orlando Resort has shared a first look at Loews Helios Grand Hotel, a 500-room luxury in-park resort overlooking Epic Universe, their third theme park in Florida that opens in 2025. This sneak peek shares concept art & info about guest rooms, restaurants, retail and everything else in...

www.disneytouristblog.com

Very well-written (not surprising) and I understand his view point about the rooms.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

After looking at Contemporary pricing vs other Universal pricing, ~$700 theme park view/$500 garden view is my guess for standard room.

Does anyone know how much more club level rooms are at Universal? This hotel has 41 standard rooms on club level.

Did a quick search in early sept during the week, right after labor day (9/3), rack rate for Contemporary is $524 w/ 30% offer (garden room, tower rooms start $742 as you know), Hard Rock rack rate is $453. Don't forget Universal offers the Stay More Save More deal. My prediction is value season Rack Rate will be around $375-390 but Universal will advertise a 4-night stay rate "starting at" $300 a night, 4-night stay rate starting at $420 for theme park review. Obviously just my educated guess (waves at UC legal). This slides nicely between the three Express OG hotels and Sapphire.

Very well-written (not surprising) and I understand his view point about the rooms.

Bricker is the best in the game IMHO.

 

[Scott W.]

Here's where the suites are and how big they can go with an adjoining room plus a size comparison of all the rooms.

 

[Casper Gutman]

If the price points are comparable, I really don’t see any reason to stay at Helios rather than Portofino. Heck, I don’t see much at all tempting me away from Sapphire, even though I used to try and stay at every Uni or Disney hotel at least once. That’s good for my wallet, I suppose.

There’s a real sameness to the public spaces in Aventura and all three EU hotels that’s becoming monotonous.

The Riviera seems an apt comparison… that’s not great.