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Loews Royal Pacific Resort is Universal Orlando’s South Seas-themed hotel. It comes with free Universal Express Unlimited at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, a free water taxi to CityWalk and a lagoon-style pool with a white-sand beach. It has 1,000 rooms, including 51 suites, and you can walk to both of Universal’s original parks.
It is one of only three Universal hotels that include Express, and planners who track rates usually find it the least expensive of the three. The trade-off is smaller standard rooms, at 335 sq ft. To compare every option around the parks, start with our guide to hotels near Universal Orlando.
Quick answer: Royal Pacific is usually the cheapest way to get free Express. It suits families who will spend two or more days at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, and its Jurassic World Kids’ Suites are a strong pick for young dinosaur fans. Look elsewhere if your trip is built around Epic Universe, where the Express perk does not work, or if five of you want a roomy standard room.
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Loews Royal Pacific Resort at a glance
- Area: On-site at Universal Orlando Resort, 6300 Hollywood Way, Orlando, FL 32819. It is part of Universal’s Signature Collection tier.
- Getting to the parks: A free water taxi to CityWalk (under 10 minutes on average), a walking path (about 9 minutes to Islands of Adventure) and free shuttle buses, including to Epic Universe.
- Park perks: Free Universal Express Unlimited for every registered guest (Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure only), plus Early Park Admission and Priority Seating. Park tickets are still required.
- Rooms: Standard rooms are 335 sq ft. Two-queen rooms sleep up to 5 and king rooms 3. Jurassic World Kids’ Suites (670 sq ft) sleep 5.
- Breakfast: Not included in standard rates. Tuk Tuk Market sells breakfast items, and Club Level includes continental breakfast.
- Pool: A lagoon-style pool with a white-sand beach, two hot tubs, a kids’ water play area and cabanas for rent.
- Resort fee and parking: No resort fee listed at the time of writing. Overnight self-parking is $36 plus tax and valet $45 plus tax (check current rates).
- Pets: Cats and dogs in pet-friendly rooms, $150 per stay, up to two.
- Best for: Families who want free Express at a lower rate than Hard Rock Hotel or Portofino Bay.
The theme runs through tropical gardens, Balinese umbrellas called tedung and the Orchid Court lobby lounge, with its reflection pool and carved elephant statues. Islands of Adventure is right next door, and its coasters rise just beyond the pool.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort photos
A closer look at the lobby, rooms, beach, cabanas and fitness center from the hotel’s own photo gallery. Tap any photo to enlarge it, or see the full gallery and current rates on Booking.com.
Universal Express Unlimited and other hotel perks
Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel are the only Universal hotels with free Universal Express Unlimited. Every registered guest in the room gets it for the whole stay. Loews says your room key is the pass from the moment it is issued until the parks close on check-out day. With mobile check-in, the passes also appear in your Universal account.
- Where it works: Participating rides at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure during normal park hours. That includes Jurassic Park River Adventure and Jurassic World VelociCoaster.
- Where it does not: Epic Universe, Volcano Bay, separately ticketed events such as Halloween Horror Nights, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Pteranodon Flyers.
- Tickets: Express is not admission. To ride the Hogwarts Express between the parks, you need a Park-to-Park ticket.
What the perk is worth
Loews values the perk at $199.99 per person, per day, based on 2-Park Express Unlimited prices of roughly $125 to $390 per person (at the time of writing). At those prices, the same access for a family of four would cost roughly $500 to $1,560 per park day. It only counts on days you spend at Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure. Our guide to Universal hotels with Express Pass walks through the math.
Early Park Admission and other perks
- Early Park Admission: All Universal hotel guests can enter select attractions up to one hour early, and Epic Universe is now part of the rotation. Universal picks the parks for each date, so check the park-hours calendar.
- Priority Seating: The concierge can book it at select restaurants in the two parks and CityWalk. Only the three Express hotels get this perk.
Getting to the parks from Royal Pacific
All Universal transportation is free, but none of it goes to Walt Disney World. In the table, USF is Universal Studios Florida and IOA is Islands of Adventure.
| Destination | How | Approx. time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IOA / USF | Walking path | About 9 / 12 min | Via CityWalk |
| USF and IOA | Water taxi | Under 10 min on average | Docks at CityWalk |
| USF and IOA | Shuttle bus | About 10-20 min | Bus about every 30 min |
| Epic Universe | Free shuttle bus | About 10-20 min | About 4 mi by road |
| Volcano Bay | Free shuttle bus | Short ride | Closed Oct 26, 2026 to on or before Apr 1, 2027 (planned) |
| Walt Disney World | Car or rideshare | About 20-35+ min | About 9-15 mi by road |
| Orlando airport (MCO) | Rideshare or private car | About 30 min+ | About 13 mi |
Walking: TouringPlans times the walk via CityWalk at about 9 minutes to Islands of Adventure and 12 minutes to Universal Studios Florida, which makes a midday pool break easy.
Water taxi and shuttle: Boats leave from the hotel’s dock for CityWalk, and Universal says the trip averages under 10 minutes. Universal lists Royal Pacific’s shuttle as arriving about every 30 minutes, with hotel shuttles starting about one hour before Early Park Admission begins. Check current schedules at the hotel.
Epic Universe: No boat or walking path goes there, so take the free shuttle, and remember that your Express does not work there. If Epic is your priority, compare the hotels near Epic Universe first.
Disney, SeaWorld and the airport: By road, Disney Springs is about 9 miles away, EPCOT about 11.5, Magic Kingdom’s Transportation and Ticket Center about 15 and SeaWorld about 6. Allow extra time in traffic. For the airport, Loews lists a private car service for arriving guests through Destination MCO (fees apply), so compare it with a rideshare.
Rooms and suites: sizes and how many they sleep
Every standard room is 335 sq ft, with one king (sleeps 3) or two queens (sleeps 5). Water View rooms add the view, not space. These are the smallest standard rooms of the three Express hotels; Hard Rock Hotel’s are about 375 sq ft and Portofino Bay’s about 450.
| Room type | Size | Beds | Max guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard or Water View | 335 sq ft | 1 king or 2 queens | 3 or 5 |
| Royal Club Level | 335 sq ft | 1 king or 2 queens | 3 or 5, plus lounge |
| King Suite | 670 sq ft | 1 king + sleeper sofa | 4 |
| Jurassic World Kids’ Suite | 670 sq ft | 1 king + 2 twins | 5 |
| Hospitality Suite | 1,005 or 1,340 sq ft (Loews’ pages differ) | King or 2 queens + sofa | 6 to 8 |
| 2-Bedroom Hospitality Suite | 1,340 or 1,675 sq ft (Loews’ pages differ) | 1 king + 2 queens + sofa | 10 or 11 |
Sleeping five: Loews notes that maximum occupancy may require a rollaway, at $35 plus tax per day (one per room, first come, first served). Pack ‘n Plays are free, and each adult beyond two costs $55 (at the time of writing). Five people in 335 sq ft is tight, so also see our guide to rooms that sleep 5 at Disney World and Universal.
Jurassic World Kids’ Suite: A king bedroom for the adults connects to a kids’ room themed on Isla Nublar through a door styled after a dinosaur enclosure. The kids’ room has two gyrosphere-styled twin beds, a desk, a chair, a TV and carpet designed like a valley map. It suits families with two younger children.
Club Level: Royal Club rooms are standard-size but include the private Royal Club Lounge, where Loews lists continental breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres and personal concierge service (check current inclusions).
In the room: An Intelliblend coffee maker, a mini cooler, a safe and free Wi-Fi. Ticket-seller refurbishment notices listed a section-by-section room refresh from October 2025 to September 2026 that official sites do not describe, so photos online, including ours, may show the older decor.
Pool, luau and things to do
The lagoon-style pool has a white-sand beach, two hot tubs and the Royal Bali Sea, an interactive water play area for children. Rentable cabanas have a ceiling fan, TV and a refrigerator with water, soda and fruit. Kids’ poolside activities include ping-pong tournaments, pool basketball, hula hoop contests and crafts. Official descriptions do not list a big waterslide; Hard Rock Hotel and Sapphire Falls both have one.
Wantilan Luau: A ticketed dinner show with hula and fire dancing and an all-you-can-eat Polynesian buffet, including pit-roasted suckling pig. Universal’s luau page lists Saturday nights, while its hotel page says “select nights,” so check dates and prices. Non-guests can attend too.
Fitness and shops: The Gymnasium is a free fitness center of more than 5,000 sq ft, with steam rooms and saunas in the locker rooms. Ask the concierge about the 0.45-, 1.3- and 3-mile jogging loops. Toko Gifts in the lobby sells sundries and snacks, and Treasures of Bali by the pool sells swimwear.
Restaurants, bars and breakfast
- Islands Dining Room: Pan-Asian, Polynesian-inspired cooking. Universal lists it for dinner, while Loews also mentions breakfast and lunch, so check current hours.
- Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar: The lobby lounge, with sushi, sashimi, cocktails and Japanese spirits.
- Jake’s American Bar: A bar with cocktails, appetizers and entrées.
- Tuk Tuk Market: A casual lobby market for coffee, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, snacks and wok bowls.
- Bula Bar & Grille: Poolside drinks and casual food; Loews says it will bring you a mai tai or a light lunch by the pool.
- Room service: Available 24 hours.
Breakfast is not included in standard rates, so plan on Tuk Tuk Market, room service or the Club Lounge. CityWalk’s restaurants are a short walk or boat ride away.
Resort fee, parking and hotel policies
- Resort fee: None listed by Loews at the time of writing. Check the final price breakdown before you pay.
- Parking: Overnight self-parking $36 plus tax per vehicle, valet $45 plus tax (subject to change).
- Check-in and check-out: 4 pm and 11 am. Late check-out costs extra.
- Age: You must be 21 or older to book.
- Mobile check-in: Only for reservations booked directly with Loews and linked to a Universal account. Booking.com guests check in at the front desk.
- Pets: Up to two cats or dogs, $150 per stay, in a pet-friendly room category (not Club Level). Dogs are not allowed at pools, lounges or restaurants.
- Cancellation: Loews’ standard direct-booking policy refunds in full 6 or more days before arrival; inside 5 days you pay one night plus tax. Loews also flags an updated policy, so read the terms when you book. Booking.com terms depend on your rate.
Who Royal Pacific is best for (and who should skip it)
Best for: Families spending two or more days at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure who want free Express without Hard Rock or Portofino Bay prices. It also works well for young dinosaur fans, travelers who like to walk to the parks, groups that need a two-bedroom suite and pet owners.
Not ideal for: Epic Universe-focused trips, families of five who want a spacious standard room, kids set on a big waterslide, Disney-focused trips and anyone who wants a spa, since Loews lists none at Royal Pacific.
Royal Pacific vs other Universal hotels
| Hotel | Express included | To USF/IOA | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loews Royal Pacific Resort | Yes (USF and IOA only) | Walk, water taxi, shuttle | Express at a usually lower rate |
| Hard Rock Hotel | Yes (USF and IOA only) | Closest walk; water taxi | Shortest walk to the gates |
| Loews Portofino Bay Hotel | Yes (USF and IOA only) | Water taxi, walkway, shuttle | Bigger rooms, quieter stay |
| Loews Sapphire Falls Resort | No | Walk, water taxi, shuttle | Upscale pool stay without Express |
| Universal Helios Grand Hotel | No | Shuttle | Epic Universe-focused trips |
Hard Rock Hotel is closest to Universal Studios Florida and CityWalk, with larger rooms and a pool with a big waterslide, usually at a higher rate; see our Hard Rock Hotel Orlando guide. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel has Universal’s largest standard rooms and a quieter Italian-village setting; read our Loews Portofino Bay guide.
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Royal Pacific’s Caribbean-themed neighbor, has a water taxi and a pool with a waterslide but no Express; see our Loews Sapphire Falls Resort guide. If you can skip Express, Universal’s lower tiers cost much less: compare the cheapest Universal Orlando hotels.
Booking tips for Loews Royal Pacific Resort
- Match park days to hotel nights: Express covers check-in and check-out days, so put Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure days at both ends of your stay and Epic Universe days in the middle.
- Arrive early on day one: Your room key is the pass, so check in early and ask whether keys can be issued before your room is ready.
- Compare rate types: Booking.com usually shows free-cancellation and non-refundable rates, and signed-in members may see Genius or longer-stay discounts. Compare them with direct Loews offers.
- Mind the Volcano Bay closure: The water park is scheduled to close for maintenance from October 26, 2026, with a planned reopening on or before April 1, 2027.
Check Loews Royal Pacific Resort prices on Booking.com
Comparing the Express hotels? read Hard Rock vs Royal Pacific vs Portofino Bay.
Choosing between two Loews hotels? read Sapphire Falls vs Royal Pacific.
Bringing a dog? see pet-friendly hotels near Universal.
Frequently asked questions
Does Loews Royal Pacific Resort include Universal Express?
Yes. Every registered guest in the room gets free Universal Express Unlimited for the whole stay, from the moment your key is issued until the parks close on check-out day, and your room key is the pass. It works at participating rides in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, but not at Epic Universe, Volcano Bay, Hagrid’s or Pteranodon Flyers. You still need park tickets.
Can you walk from Royal Pacific to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure?
Yes. A landscaped path leads to CityWalk, and TouringPlans times the walk at about 9 minutes to Islands of Adventure and 12 minutes to Universal Studios Florida. If you would rather ride, the free water taxi averages under 10 minutes to CityWalk, and free shuttle buses also run from the hotel.
Is there a shuttle from Royal Pacific to Epic Universe?
Yes. Universal’s free hotel shuttles serve all four parks, including Epic Universe, about 4 miles away by road. There is no water taxi or walking path to Epic, and the hotel’s free Express does not work there. Hotel guests can get Early Park Admission at Epic Universe on some dates, so check Universal’s calendar.
Does Royal Pacific charge a resort fee, and how much is parking?
Loews lists no resort fee at the time of writing. Overnight self-parking is $36 plus tax per vehicle, and valet is $45 plus tax. Possible extras include $55 per adult beyond two, $35 plus tax per day for a rollaway and $150 per stay for a pet. Rates change, so check the final price breakdown.
Is breakfast included at Loews Royal Pacific Resort?
Not in standard rates. You can buy coffee and breakfast items at Tuk Tuk Market in the lobby or order 24-hour room service. Royal Club Level rooms include continental breakfast in the Royal Club Lounge. If free breakfast matters most, look off-site, since Universal’s Express hotels do not include it in standard rooms.
Sources checked in October 2026: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Royal Pacific rooms and suites, Loews Universal Orlando theme park benefits, Universal Orlando: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Universal Orlando hotel transportation guide.