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Element Orlando Universal Blvd is a Marriott extended-stay hotel at 8278 Universal Boulevard, about a three-minute walk from The Orlando Eye at ICON Park and about 2.4 road miles from Universal Orlando’s parking garages. Its studios and one-bedroom suites have kitchens with a stovetop and dishwasher, and breakfast is included in the rate.
There is no theme park shuttle, though, and self-parking costs extra. Below, we check the room types, the fees and the real road distances to the parks.
Quick answer: Book Element Orlando Universal Blvd if you have a car and want a kitchen, a free breakfast and ICON Park on foot for a Universal, Epic Universe or convention trip. Choose a studio or the suite, not a Deluxe guest room, if you plan to cook. Budget $24 a day for parking. There is no resort fee. Look elsewhere if you need a free park shuttle, room for more than four people, or Universal’s on-site hotel perks.
Check prices at hotels near Universal Orlando
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Element Orlando Universal Blvd at a glance
- Address: 8278 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819, on the east side of ICON Park, one block from International Drive.
- Distances: about 0.15 mile on foot to The Orlando Eye. By road, about 2.4 miles to Universal’s garages, 3 to Epic Universe, 4 to SeaWorld, 8.5 to Disney Springs and 12 to 14 to the Disney theme park lots.
- Rooms and who they sleep: Deluxe guest rooms (one king bed or two queen beds) with a mini fridge and microwave, plus King Studios, Queen Studios and One Bedroom Suites with a stovetop and dishwasher. Up to 4 guests in two-queen rooms; 2 in the others.
- Pool: one heated outdoor saltwater pool, open year-round from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Breakfast and dining: a free Rise breakfast with a cooked-to-order station. There is no other restaurant and no room service, but ICON Park’s restaurants are a short walk away.
- Parking: self-parking $24 a day on Booking.com (October 28, 2026). Marriott’s May 2026 page listed $24 self-parking and $30 valet.
- Resort fee: none. Booking.com’s price breakdowns showed only Orange County’s 12.5% tax.
- Park perks: none. It has no shuttle, it is not a Universal hotel, it is not a SeaWorld Official Hotel and it is not on Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry list.
- Best for: couples, families of up to four and convention visitors with a car who want a kitchen.
See prices and availability at Element by Marriott Orlando Universal Blvd.
Element Universal Blvd photos
These photos come from the hotel’s own gallery: the room types, a bathroom, the lobby, the breakfast room and the market. Tap any photo to enlarge it, or browse the full gallery and current rates on Booking.com.
Location: ICON Park on foot, the parks by car
The hotel sits on Universal Boulevard, behind ICON Park’s shops and restaurants. Do not confuse it with Element Orlando at SeaWorld, a different hotel on Central Florida Parkway. SeaWorld’s website still lists that hotel as Element Orlando International Drive.
On foot (OpenStreetMap routes), The Orlando Eye is about 0.15 mile away and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium about 0.2 mile. Pointe Orlando is about 0.9 mile (20 minutes), the east end of Restaurant Row about 1.2 miles and the convention center’s West Concourse about 1.5 miles (30 minutes).
For the parks, you need a car or a rideshare. These are public-road routes (OSRM, October 28, 2026) to each park’s parking entrance, rounded:
| Destination | Road distance | Drive without traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Universal’s main garages | About 2.4 mi (about 3 mi back) | About 7 to 8 min |
| Epic Universe parking | About 3 mi | About 8 min |
| Orange County Convention Center (West) | About 1.6 mi | About 5 min |
| SeaWorld parking | About 4 mi | About 10 min |
| Disney Springs garages | About 8.5 mi (about 10.5 mi back) | About 16 min |
| EPCOT main parking lot | About 12 to 13 mi | About 22 min |
| Hollywood Studios parking | About 12.5 mi | About 25 min |
| Animal Kingdom parking | About 13.5 to 14 mi | About 22 min |
| Magic Kingdom (Transportation and Ticket Center lot) | About 14 mi | About 24 min |
| Orlando International Airport (MCO) | About 11.5 mi | About 21 min |
Marriott’s figures differ: its May 2026 overview said “Steps from Epic Universe”, but Epic’s parking is about 3 miles by road, and it lists the airport at 13.8 miles against our 11.5-mile route to Terminal A. For other hotels in this pocket, see our guide to hotels near the Orange County Convention Center.
Rooms: studios with kitchens vs Deluxe rooms
Marriott sells five room types. The table uses each room’s panel on Marriott’s live rooms page (October 28, 2026); sizes are approximate.
| Room type (Marriott) | Size | Beds | Max guests | Kitchen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Guest room, 1 King | 295 sq ft | 1 king bed | 2 | Mini fridge and microwave |
| Deluxe Guest room, 2 Queen | 348 sq ft | 2 queen beds | 4 | Mini fridge and microwave |
| Studio, King | 319 sq ft | 1 king bed | 2 | Stovetop, dishwasher, fridge, microwave |
| Studio, Queen | 398 sq ft | 2 queen beds and a sofa bed | 4 | Stovetop, dishwasher, fridge, microwave |
| One Bedroom Suite | 460 sq ft | 1 king bed and a sofa bed | 2 | Stovetop, dishwasher, fridge, microwave |
The kitchen is the main difference: Marriott lists a stovetop and a dishwasher only in the two studios and the One Bedroom Suite. The Deluxe guest rooms have a refrigerator, a mini fridge and a microwave, with dishes and cookware, but no stovetop and no dishwasher. Marriott does not list an oven in any room type.
On Booking.com, the Deluxe guest rooms appear as “Standard” rooms with a “Private kitchenette”, and the studios and suite appear with a “Private kitchen”. Booking.com shows both Standard rooms at 28 square meters, smaller than Marriott’s figure for the two-queen room.
Two occupancy rules matter for families. First, the One Bedroom Suite sleeps only 2 on both Marriott and Booking.com, even with its sofa bed. A family of four needs the Queen Studio or a two-queen Deluxe room. Second, Marriott says rollaway beds are not permitted. One crib is allowed per room, and Booking.com lists cribs as free on request for children up to 2 years old. Groups larger than four should compare our 2-bedroom suites near Universal.
Marriott’s rooms page promises a Heavenly Bed in every room, and each room panel lists a desk with an ergonomic chair, a coffee maker, USB outlets and an in-room safe “for a fee”. Marriott’s May 2026 overview listed housekeeping every other day. The building is smoke-free. Some rooms look out on The Orlando Eye, as the hotel’s own photos show, but Marriott does not sell a view category.
Pool and outdoor areas
Element has one outdoor pool. Marriott’s experiences page (October 28, 2026) lists it as heated, open year-round, daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., with towels provided. Marriott’s May 2026 overview describes it as a saline pool with views of The Wheel at ICON Park. Booking.com lists a heated saltwater pool with a view.
Marriott mentions relaxing “fireside”, and Booking.com lists an outdoor fireplace, a picnic area and BBQ facilities. A grill station is visible in the hotel’s pool photo. No slides or splash pad appear on the official lists, so this is a pool for a swim, not a water-park day. Marriott’s accessibility list (May 2026) includes a pool lift or sloped entry.
Breakfast and dining
Breakfast is the only meal served on site. Marriott’s dining page (October 28, 2026) describes the free Rise breakfast as whole fruit, granola and a cooked-to-order breakfast station with rotating items. It runs from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday to Friday and from 7 to 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Every Booking.com rate on our sample dates said “Continental breakfast included”.
On weekends, note the 7 a.m. start if you want to be at a park for opening. There is no room service. Marriott’s May 2026 overview says you can buy snacks and essentials “anytime” at the Restore market. Marriott’s dining page lists more than a dozen ICON Park restaurants within 0.3 mile, from Yard House and Shake Shack to Carrabba’s Italian Grill. Our guide to Orlando hotels with kitchens explains what “kitchen” means at each brand.
Parking, fees and deposits
Element does not charge a resort fee. On Booking.com, the price breakdowns for three sample stays (November 16 to 19, 2026; January 11 to 14, 2027; February 15 to 17, 2027) showed only a “12.50 % TAX” line on top of the room price. That is Orange County’s hotel tax. Here is what each official source says:
| Charge | Marriott (May 2026 overview) | Booking.com (October 28, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Self-parking | $24 a day | US$24 a day, no reservation needed |
| Valet parking | $30 a day | Not priced |
| Resort fee | None listed | None; 12.5% tax only |
| Pet fee | $50 a night, maximum $150 | “Charges may apply” |
| Damage deposit | Not listed | US$100, refundable, by credit card |
A worked example with these published figures: for four nights with a car, hotel self-parking is 4 x $24 = $96. If you also drive to Universal on three of those days, Universal’s regular self-parking is 3 x $35 = $105. That is $201 in parking before you pay for the room. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
Check-in is from 4 p.m. and check-out until 11 a.m. The minimum check-in age is 21 on Marriott’s May 2026 page and on Booking.com (October 28, 2026). Marriott’s May 2026 page allowed one pet of up to 30 pounds.
Marriott Bonvoy points and member perks apply only to bookings made directly with Marriott, not to Booking.com reservations.
Getting to Universal, Epic Universe, SeaWorld and Disney
Marriott lists no theme park shuttle, and its May 2026 overview says there is no airport shuttle. Plan to drive or use a rideshare.
- Universal Orlando: Universal’s parking page lists regular self-parking at $35 including tax and Prime parking at $50 to $60 (checked October 28, 2026). One payment covers the same day at both the main garages and Epic Universe if you show your receipt or QR code and a photo ID. Self-parking at the garages is free after 6 p.m., except on Halloween Horror Nights event nights and December 31. The free evening parking does not apply at Epic Universe.
- Universal perks: a room here does not include Universal Early Park Admission or Express Unlimited. Universal Volcano Bay is closed for maintenance, with a planned reopening on or before April 1, 2027, per Universal’s Volcano Bay page.
- SeaWorld: about 4 miles by road. SeaWorld’s hotel partners page (checked October 28, 2026) lists the other Element, Element Orlando at SeaWorld, as an Official Hotel with SeaWorld’s shuttle. SeaWorld names it Element Orlando International Drive. This Universal Blvd hotel is not on that list.
- Walt Disney World: about 8.5 miles to Disney Springs and 12 to 14 miles to the theme park lots. Disney’s standard theme park parking was $35 a day at last check. Element is not on Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry list.
- I-RIDE Trolley: the official I-RIDE page lists a $2 single fare, service daily from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Red Line trolleys on International Drive about every 20 minutes, and a Green Line along Universal Boulevard about every 45 minutes. It is useful for I-Drive, the convention center and the SeaWorld area.
- Airport: Marriott’s May 2026 page estimated an Uber at $27 one way from Orlando International Airport.
Marriott’s FAQ (May 2026) says the hotel has no electric vehicle charging stations. Drivers who need overnight charging can compare our Orlando hotels with EV charging.
Amenities: fitness, laundry, Wi-Fi and accessibility
- Fitness: the Motion fitness center is open 24 hours and is complimentary. Marriott lists a Peloton bike, treadmills, elliptical machines, exercise bikes, free weights and strength equipment.
- Laundry: Marriott lists on-site laundry. Booking.com lists laundry with an additional charge, so ask whether the guest washers are free.
- Wi-Fi: Booking.com says Wi-Fi is free in all areas, and Marriott’s room panels list complimentary wireless internet. Marriott’s May 2026 FAQ tied free in-room internet to Bonvoy members who book direct. Confirm at check-in.
- Accessibility: each room type offers mobility-accessible rooms with tubs and rooms with roll-in showers. Hearing-accessible rooms are listed for every type except the two-queen Deluxe room.
- Other: free lobby coffee and tea, a business center, and staff who speak English, Spanish, Creole and Portuguese (Marriott, May 2026). The hotel holds Green Key eco-certification.
Who Element Orlando Universal Blvd suits
It suits couples and families of up to four who will drive to Universal and Epic Universe and cook some meals. It also suits convention visitors and longer stays, and travelers with one small pet. It does not suit groups larger than four in one room, travelers without a car, or anyone who wants water slides. For other Bonvoy options nearby, see our Marriott hotels near Universal Orlando.
Pros
- Free breakfast with a cooked-to-order station.
- Studios and the One Bedroom Suite have a stovetop and a dishwasher.
- ICON Park, The Orlando Eye and ICON Park’s restaurants on foot.
- Short drives to Universal (about 2.4 miles) and Epic Universe (about 3 miles).
- No resort fee on Booking.com’s price breakdowns.
- Heated saltwater pool open year-round and a 24-hour gym.
Limitations to know
- No theme park shuttle and no airport shuttle.
- Self-parking costs $24 a day.
- Maximum of four guests per room; the suite sleeps only two.
- No rollaway beds.
- Deluxe guest rooms have a microwave and mini fridge, but no stovetop.
- Housekeeping every other day (Marriott, May 2026).
- Minimum check-in age of 21.
- One pool, with no slides or splash pad.
What to check before you book
- The room name: book a “Studio” or the “One-Bedroom King Suite” if you want a stovetop. The “Standard” rooms on Booking.com have a kitchenette only.
- Availability: some dates sell out early. On October 28, 2026, Booking.com had no rooms for December 7 to 10, 2026 or March 15 to 18, 2027, and only the One-Bedroom King Suite for November 16 to 19, 2026.
- Payment: bring a credit card for the US$100 refundable damage deposit; Booking.com says cash is not accepted.
- Pets: confirm the current pet fee and the 30-pound limit with the hotel.
- Cancellation: on our sample dates, some rates were non-refundable and others had free cancellation until two days before arrival.
Nearby alternatives
Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection: a themed Marriott hotel about 0.4 mile from ICON Park, with a restaurant, room service and a pool bar, but no free breakfast and $35 parking. See our Castle Hotel Orlando review.
Hyatt House across from Universal Orlando Resort: kitchen suites, a free hot breakfast and a free Universal shuttle, about a mile on foot from CityWalk. See our Hyatt House across from Universal review.
More options: hotels near Universal with free breakfast, extended stay hotels in Orlando and the best hotels near Universal Studios Orlando.
Frequently asked questions
Does Element Orlando Universal Blvd have a shuttle to Universal?
No. Marriott’s pages list no theme park shuttle to Universal or any other park. Universal’s main garages are about 2.4 miles by road and Epic Universe’s parking about 3 miles, so most guests drive or use a rideshare. Universal’s regular self-parking was $35 a day including tax at last check, and one payment covers both the main garages and Epic Universe on the same day.
Is breakfast free at Element Orlando Universal Blvd?
Yes. Marriott describes a complimentary Rise breakfast with whole fruit, granola and a cooked-to-order station with rotating items. It runs 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7 to 10 a.m. on weekends, per Marriott’s dining page on October 28, 2026. Booking.com’s rates on our sample dates also said continental breakfast was included.
Do all rooms at Element Orlando Universal Blvd have a full kitchen?
No. Marriott lists a stovetop and dishwasher in the King Studio, the Queen Studio and the One Bedroom Suite. The Deluxe guest rooms, called “Standard” rooms on Booking.com, have a refrigerator, a mini fridge and a microwave, but no stovetop. Book a studio or the suite if you plan to cook.
How much is parking at Element Orlando Universal Blvd?
Booking.com lists self-parking at US$24 a day on October 28, 2026, with no reservation needed. Marriott’s May 2026 page listed $24 self-parking and $30 valet a day. The hotel charges no resort fee: Booking.com’s price breakdowns showed only Orange County’s 12.5% hotel tax. A US$100 refundable damage deposit is taken by credit card on arrival.
Can you walk from Element Orlando Universal Blvd to ICON Park?
Yes. OpenStreetMap’s walking routes put The Orlando Eye about 0.15 mile from the hotel, roughly a three-minute walk, and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium about 0.2 mile away. Pointe Orlando is about 0.9 mile on foot. Universal’s garages are about 2.4 road miles away, so plan to drive there.
Bottom line
Element Orlando Universal Blvd is a practical base for drivers who want a kitchen, a free breakfast and ICON Park on foot, with Universal and Epic Universe about 2.4 to 3 miles away and no resort fee. Book a studio for the stovetop, and add $24 a day for parking and Universal’s own parking fee on park days. If a free shuttle matters more than a kitchen, look at the alternatives above. Check your dates for Element by Marriott Orlando Universal Blvd. on Booking.com.
How we checked this guide: room sizes, beds, occupancy and kitchen equipment come from Marriott’s live room panels, and breakfast, pool and gym hours from Marriott’s live dining and experiences pages (October 28, 2026). Parking, pet and policy details come from Marriott’s archived overview of May 16, 2026 and Booking.com’s listing, with price breakdowns for stays in November 2026, January 2027 and February 2027. Distances are public-road and walking routes from OpenStreetMap-based routers. Read more about how we research our guides.
Sources checked in October 2026: Marriott: Element Orlando Universal Blvd. rooms, Marriott: dining, Marriott: hotel overview (archived May 16, 2026), Universal Orlando: directions and parking, I-RIDE Trolley