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Universal Helios Grand Hotel is the only hotel inside Universal Epic Universe, and its big selling point is simple: a dedicated entrance from the hotel lobby straight into Celestial Park, the park’s central hub. Loews runs it, and Universal places it in its top-tier Signature Collection. It welcomed its first guests on April 16, 2025, about five weeks before Epic Universe opened on May 22, 2025.
It is also easy to misjudge. Helios Grand does not include free Universal Express, its standard two-queen rooms are 325 square feet, and it sits a few miles south of the original parks and CityWalk, so those days mean a bus ride. Below: how the park entrance works, which rooms fit five, what extras cost, and when another Universal hotel is the smarter booking.
Quick answer: Book Helios Grand if you plan two or more Epic Universe days and want easy midday breaks, and pay for a Theme Park View room if the view is part of the appeal. Families of five should book the Deluxe Room or the How to Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suite rather than a two-queen room with a rollaway. If free Express Pass is the goal, choose Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay or Loews Royal Pacific instead. If you just want to walk to Epic for less, compare Universal Stella Nova Resort.
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Universal Helios Grand Hotel at a glance
- Area: Inside Universal Epic Universe, at the end of Celestial Park; 8505 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando, FL 32819.
- To the parks: Private entrance into Epic Universe off the lobby (park ticket required). Free shuttle buses go to the CityWalk hub for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, and a separate route goes to Volcano Bay.
- Park perks: Early Park Admission up to one hour before opening at select attractions, charging purchases to your room key and free delivery of purchases from select park shops. No Universal Express Unlimited.
- Rooms: 500 rooms, including 35 suites. Two-queen rooms are 325 sq ft and sleep up to 5 with a paid rollaway; Deluxe Rooms (415 sq ft) and Kids’ Suites (545 sq ft) sleep 5 without one.
- Breakfast: Not included, except continental breakfast on Club Level. Flora Taverna serves a paid breakfast buffet.
- Pool: 8,660-square-foot zero-entry pool with hot tub, firepit, 18 rentable cabanas and the Lotus Lagoon pool bar. No waterslide is listed.
- Fees and parking: At the time of writing, self-parking is $36 plus tax per night and valet is $45 plus tax. No daily resort fee is listed, and room rates carry 12.5% tax.
- Best for: Trips with two or more Epic Universe days, and couples or families who value park views and short midday breaks.
This guide compiles Universal’s and Loews’ official pages plus named planner reports. Rates change daily, so check live prices before you decide.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel photos
A closer look at the lobby, rooftop bar, pool, fitness center and rooms from the hotel’s own photo gallery. Tap any photo to enlarge it, or see the full gallery and current rates on Booking.com.
How the private Epic Universe entrance works
The hotel’s park entrance is next to the lobby and opens into Celestial Park, the hub that links Epic Universe’s four themed worlds. It is reserved for hotel guests, works in both directions, and still requires valid Epic Universe admission, because the room does not include park tickets. That two-way access is the real value: a pool break, a nap or a change of clothes takes minutes instead of a bus round trip.
Mornings are the catch. Disney Tourist Blog’s May 2025 review reported a single security scanner and a couple of turnstiles serving the whole 500-room hotel, with the Early Park Admission line stretching outdoors into the pool area during that stay. Once the morning rush passed, getting in and out took minutes. To be near the front, join the line well before Early Park Admission begins.
Early Park Admission lets Universal hotel guests into select attractions up to one hour before regular opening. Universal decides which park or parks offer it on a given day, and Epic Universe has been eligible since May 23, 2025, so check park hours in the Universal Orlando Resort app for your dates. Our guide to Universal Early Park Admission explains how to use that hour.
No free Express Pass at Helios Grand
Universal’s FAQ is explicit: Helios Grand does not include Universal Express Unlimited, despite its Signature Collection status. That perk belongs only to Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific, and works only at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. At Epic, Express Unlimited isn’t sold at all at the time of writing, but you can buy a regular Universal Express pass, which gives one Express entry per participating ride. Dragon Racer’s Rally doesn’t accept Express. Our comparison of Universal hotels with Express Pass covers what the perk is worth.
Getting to the other parks, the airport and parking
Helios Grand is not walkable to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure or CityWalk, which sit a few miles north of Epic Universe. Instead, free shuttle buses run to the CityWalk hub, where you walk to either original park, and a separate route serves Volcano Bay. Universal’s transportation guide (August 2025) lists Helios buses about every 10 minutes (Universal’s hotel FAQ says every 15) and puts typical travel time at roughly 10 to 20 minutes, depending on hotel and destination. There is no water taxi, and there is no bus to Epic because you walk in. Check current schedules in the app during your stay.
If most of your days are at the original parks, those rides add up, and a hotel on the main campus makes more sense. Our guide to hotels near Universal Studios Orlando compares every on-site option.
- Airport: Universal’s SuperStar Shuttle links Orlando International Airport and the Universal hotels for a fee (book ahead). Otherwise use rideshare or a rental car; the hotel has an Avis desk (check its current hours).
- Overnight parking: $36 plus tax per night for self-parking and $45 plus tax for valet, per vehicle, at the time of writing.
- Day-guest parking: $125 for self-parking and $128 for valet, plus tax, per day, so the hotel lot is no shortcut for day visitors to Epic.
Rooms and suites: sizes and who fits
Rooms follow a garden theme in blues and purples, with impressionistic floral headboards. Two-queen rooms come in Standard, Pool, Skyline or Theme Park View; other categories offer fewer choices. Only Theme Park View rooms are sold with a view into Epic Universe, and Disney Tourist Blog’s review notes that the other side of the building looks over back-of-house areas, so prioritize the park view if seeing the park is part of why you’re booking.
| Room type | Size | Beds | Max guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 2 Queen | 325 sq ft | 2 queens | 5 (fifth on paid rollaway) |
| Standard King | 340 sq ft | 1 king | 3 (third on rollaway) |
| Deluxe 2 Queen | 415 sq ft | 2 queens, small sleeper sofa | 5 |
| Club Level 2 Queen | 325 sq ft | 2 queens, lounge access | 5 (2 beds; ask about a rollaway) |
| Kids’ Suite | 545 sq ft | King, 2 twins, sleeper sofa | 5 |
| Celestial Suite | 735 sq ft | King, sleeper sofa | 4 (with rollaway) |
| Helios Grand Suite | 945 sq ft | King, sleeper sofa | 4 (with rollaway; 3 adults max) |
Sizes and maximums are Loews’ published figures at the time of writing. Two-bedroom suites, from 870 to 1,825 square feet, sleep 7 to 10, some only with a paid rollaway.
Families of five
Loews lists five as the maximum for the 325-square-foot two-queen rooms, but with only two beds the fifth guest needs a rollaway. Rollaways cost $35 a night plus 12.5% tax at the time of writing, are limited to one per room and are first come, first served, so request one when you book and confirm before arrival. Each adult beyond two also adds an extra-person charge: Loews’ Helios page lists $55 per extra adult, while Universal’s Helios page lists $25 plus tax, so confirm the amount when you book.
Two room types sleep five without a rollaway. The Deluxe Room (415 square feet) adds a common area with a small sleeper sofa. The How to Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suite (545 square feet) has a king bed plus a separate themed kids’ room with two twin beds, and a common area with a small sleeper sofa and small fridge. For more options, see our list of rooms that sleep 5 or 6 at Disney World and Universal.
Club Level and in-room amenities
Club Level rooms add a private lounge with continental breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres and personal concierge service, plus evening turndown. Disney Tourist Blog praised the lounge food and service but noted the lounge has no park view.
Every room has a small refrigerator, a single-cup coffee maker, a 55-inch TV, a safe and a bedside tablet for lights, drapes and temperature. Standard rooms don’t list a microwave (several suites have one), but Universal’s Helios page offers microwaves on request for $15 a day plus 12.5% tax (one per room, first come, first served). Pack ‘n Plays are free on request, and premium WiFi is $9.95 per 24 hours at the time of writing; basic WiFi is free.
Pool, fitness and other amenities
The pool is an 8,660-square-foot zero-entry design with a hot tub, underwater speakers, a terraced deck, an outdoor firepit area and 18 private cabanas for rent. Poolside movies and activities run when weather permits, and Lotus Lagoon serves frozen cocktails, beer and snacks at its open-air seating or at your lounger.
Set expectations if you have kids. Loews doesn’t list a waterslide or splash area, and Disney Tourist Blog described it as more of a lounging pool than a play pool, set between the parking area and a park show building rather than on the park side.
- Fitness center: Free for guests, with cardio and strength equipment.
- Game room: Arcade games paid by game card.
- Services: Universal Orlando Resort Store, 24-hour business center, laundry and luggage storage.
Dining and bars
Helios Grand has four food and drink venues plus room service, and during park hours Epic Universe’s restaurants are a short walk away if you have park admission that day.
- Flora Taverna: The three-meal restaurant, with a full breakfast buffet, Mediterranean comfort food, an open kitchen with pizza oven, grills and a gyro station, and indoor or al fresco seating facing Epic Universe. Its lobby bar serves cocktails, beer and wine with Celestial Park views.
- Bar Helios: The rooftop lounge, with tapas, seafood, specialty cocktails, a circular bar and an outdoor terrace overlooking the park. Loews takes table reservations, and Disney Tourist Blog called it the hotel’s high point.
- Aurora Market: A grab-and-go coffee bar with croissants, cakes, paninis, wraps, salads and gelato. Disney Tourist Blog found it small, with no hot quick-service meals.
- Lotus Lagoon: The pool bar and grill, with drinks, snacks and appetizers.
Breakfast is not included in standard rates. Club Level guests get continental breakfast in the lounge; everyone else can use the Flora Taverna buffet, grab pastries at Aurora Market or order room service. For a wider choice at night, CityWalk and the other Universal hotels are a shuttle ride away.
Fees, policies and booking details
- Resort fee: None is listed on Universal’s or Loews’ Helios Grand pages at the time of writing.
- Check-in and check-out: 4 pm and 11 am. App mobile check-in is offered for reservations booked directly with Universal or Loews and linked to a Universal account.
- Deposit and cancellation: Direct bookings take a first-night deposit. Loews’ standard policy refunds in full 6 or more days before arrival and charges one night within 5 days. Third-party rates follow their own terms.
- Age and pets: At least one guest per room must be 21 or older (17 with an active military ID). Pets are not allowed at Helios Grand.
Best for and not ideal for
Best for: Trips with two or more Epic Universe days, especially with young kids who need midday naps, travelers who want park views (book Theme Park View), and families of five willing to pay for a Deluxe Room or Kids’ Suite.
Not ideal for: Anyone counting on free Express Pass, trips built around Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure (a shuttle each way), tight budgets (this is Universal’s top tier), and kids who want waterslides and splash zones at the hotel.
Check Universal Helios Grand Hotel prices on Booking.com
Nearby alternatives
- Universal Stella Nova Resort: A lower-tier Prime Value hotel that Universal puts a 5- to 10-minute walk from Epic’s Chronos gate. See our Stella Nova vs Terra Luna comparison.
- Universal Terra Luna Resort: Stella Nova’s sister hotel next door, with the same perks but a shuttle bus to Epic instead of Stella Nova’s walking path.
- Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay or Loews Royal Pacific: The only Universal hotels with free Express Unlimited at the two original parks, on the main campus with water taxis to CityWalk. See our Loews Portofino Bay Hotel guide.
- Loews Sapphire Falls Resort: The other Signature Collection hotel without Express, on the main campus with a water taxi to CityWalk. See our Loews Sapphire Falls Resort guide.
- Off-site hotels: For suites, kitchens or lower rates near the new park, see our guide to hotels near Epic Universe.
Two Express hotels compared: read Helios Grand vs Portofino Bay.
Frequently asked questions
Does Universal Helios Grand Hotel include Express Pass?
No. Universal confirms that Helios Grand does not include Universal Express Unlimited. That perk comes only with Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific, and only at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. At Epic Universe you can buy a regular Universal Express pass, good for one Express ride per participating attraction.
Do Helios Grand Hotel guests need a ticket for Epic Universe?
Yes. The dedicated entrance is a convenience, not admission. Every guest who walks through it needs a valid Epic Universe ticket or pass, and hotel rates do not include park tickets unless you buy a vacation package. Once you’re in, you can use the hotel entrance to come and go during the day.
How many people can stay in a Helios Grand Hotel room?
Standard two-queen rooms list a maximum of five, but the fifth guest sleeps on a paid rollaway ($35 a night plus tax at the time of writing, one per room, subject to availability). King rooms take three, also with a rollaway. The Deluxe Room and the How to Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suite sleep five without a rollaway, and two-bedroom suites sleep 7 to 10 (some with a rollaway).
How do you get from Helios Grand Hotel to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure?
Take the free shuttle bus to the CityWalk hub, then walk to either park. Universal’s blog lists Helios buses about every 10 minutes and its hotel FAQ every 15, with typical resort travel times of roughly 10 to 20 minutes. A separate shuttle route serves Volcano Bay. There is no walking path or water taxi from Helios Grand to the original parks.
Does Helios Grand Hotel charge a resort fee or for parking?
No resort fee is listed on Universal’s or Loews’ pages at the time of writing. Parking is extra: $36 plus tax per night for self-parking and $45 plus tax for valet. Day visitors pay $125 plus tax to park at the hotel, so it is not a cheaper alternative to the main Epic Universe lot. Room rates also carry 12.5% tax.
Is breakfast included at Universal Helios Grand Hotel?
Not with standard rooms. Flora Taverna serves a paid full breakfast buffet, Aurora Market sells coffee, croissants and other grab-and-go items, and room service is available. Club Level rooms include continental breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres in the private lounge.
Sources checked in October 2026: Universal Helios Grand Hotel (Universal Orlando), Universal Helios Grand Hotel (Loews Hotels), Helios Grand Hotel rooms and suites (Loews), Universal Express Passes FAQ, Discover Universal: hotel transportation to the parks.