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The closest hotels near Epic Universe are Universal’s three Epic-area hotels: Helios Grand is inside the park, Stella Nova is a short walk from the gate and Terra Luna is a quick shuttle ride away. A handful of off-site hotels on Universal Boulevard and around the Orange County Convention Center sit about 2 to 3.5 miles away by road.
Epic is not next to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, so a room at one of the original Universal hotels still means a bus ride on Epic days.
Quick answer: For two or more Epic days and a bigger budget, book Helios Grand. Families who want to walk on a mid-range budget should pick Stella Nova; Terra Luna has the same rooms, but you ride the shuttle to the gate. For suites and kitchens off-site, look at Las Palmeras or Westgate Palace. For free breakfast, try Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center. For resort pools plus a free Universal shuttle, choose Hilton Orlando or Rosen Shingle Creek.
Check prices at hotels near Epic Universe
On this page
How we chose
We looked at how you actually reach the Epic gate (private entrance, walking path, shuttle or car), room sizes and occupancy on official hotel pages, the parking and resort fees hotels publish, and Universal perks. Planner-reported walking times are labeled as such, and driving distances are our own map estimates. We did not score hotels.
Hotels near Epic Universe compared
| Hotel | Type | How you reach the Epic gate | Standard room sleeps | Overnight parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Helios Grand Hotel | On-site, Signature Collection | Private in-park entrance | 4, or 5 with paid rollaway | $36 + tax |
| Universal Stella Nova Resort | On-site, Prime Value | Walk 5-10 min or shuttle | 4 | $30 + tax |
| Universal Terra Luna Resort | On-site, Prime Value | Shuttle, about every 10 min | 4 | $30 + tax |
| Las Palmeras (Hilton Grand Vacations) | Off-site timeshare suites | Drive or rideshare | Studio 2, suites more | Fee applies, check |
| Hilton Orlando | Off-site, Universal partner | Free shuttle, reserve in person | Not published | $38 + tax |
| Rosen Shingle Creek | Off-site, Universal partner | Free shuttle, set times | Not published | $36 + tax |
| Hyatt Regency Orlando | Off-site, Universal partner | Partner shuttle (confirm Epic) or drive | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center | Off-site suites | Drive or rideshare | Not published | Fee applies, check |
| Westgate Palace | Off-site 2-bedroom suites | Shuttle (Epic not named) or drive | Up to 6 | In resort fee |
Parking is per vehicle per night at the time of writing; check current rates before you book.
Where Epic Universe is and why it is not next to the other Universal parks
Universal Epic Universe opened on May 22, 2025, as Universal Orlando’s fourth park. It sits on a 750-acre site south of Sand Lake Road near the Orange County Convention Center, reached by the Kirkman Road extension, and has its own surface parking lot at 1001 Epic Blvd instead of the garages used at the original parks.
By our map estimate, Epic’s entrance is about 2.5 miles from CityWalk in a straight line and about 5 miles by road. The takeaway: staying “at Universal” does not mean staying near Epic.
1. Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel
Helios Grand is the only hotel inside Epic Universe. It stands at the end of Celestial Park, and guests use a dedicated, exclusive entrance into the park, so a midday nap or pool break takes minutes. It welcomed its first guests on April 16, 2025, about five weeks before the park opened on May 22, 2025, and has 500 rooms, including 35 suites. Park tickets are not included.
Universal lists it in the Signature Collection, but it does not include free Universal Express. Two-queen rooms are 325 square feet and sleep five only with a rollaway (fees apply, subject to availability); king rooms are 340 square feet and sleep three (also with a rollaway). Deluxe Rooms (415 square feet, with a sleeper sofa) and the How to Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suite (545 square feet, king bedroom plus a kids’ room) sleep five without a rollaway.
- Why stay: A private park entrance, a zero-entry pool with a hot tub, and Flora Taverna with Epic views, plus the rooftop Bar Helios.
- Getting to the parks: Walk into Epic through the hotel entrance. A free shuttle runs to the other parks and CityWalk about every 10 minutes, per Universal.
- Good to know: At the time of writing, self-parking is $36 plus tax per night ($45 valet) and each adult beyond two costs $55 a night. No resort fee appeared among the listed charges. Breakfast is extra (a paid buffet at Flora Taverna; Club Level adds a continental breakfast). No pets. Check current terms.
Best for: Two or more Epic days and families of five who want midday breaks (fifth guest needs a paid rollaway, or book a Deluxe Room or Kids’ Suite).
2. Universal Stella Nova Resort
Stella Nova is the only hotel besides Helios Grand within practical walking distance of Epic Universe. Loews says Epic is reached “via walking path or complimentary shuttle,” and Universal’s blog puts the walk at 5 to 10 minutes to the Chronos gate. One planner who stayed there reports 8 to 12 minutes on a flat path with one traffic light.
All 750 rooms share the same layout: 315 square feet with two queens, for up to four guests, and no suites. The 10,000-square-foot pool has a kids’ splash pad, hot tub and fire pit, and dining is quick-service. Torn between the sister hotels? Read our Stella Nova vs Terra Luna comparison.
- Why stay: A walking path to Epic at a Prime Value price, and a splash pad for younger kids.
- Getting to the parks: Walk to Epic or ride the free shuttle, which comes about every 10 minutes. Shuttles also go to Volcano Bay and the CityWalk hub for the original parks.
- Good to know: At the time of writing, self-parking is $30 plus tax per night and each adult beyond two costs $20. No resort fee was listed either. No Express, water taxi, pets or included breakfast. Check current terms.
Best for: Families of up to four who want to walk to Epic without paying Signature Collection rates.
3. Universal Terra Luna Resort
Terra Luna is Stella Nova’s sister: 750 Prime Value rooms next to Epic, all 315 square feet with two queens for up to four guests. The difference is the trip to the gate. Loews and Universal advertise shuttles only, and one planner reports the walking route is roughly a mile with multi-lane road crossings, so plan on the bus, which runs about every 10 minutes.
The zero-entry pool has a hot tub and fire pit, Omega Cafe and Market serves three quick-service meals, and an Avis car rental desk sits in the lobby.
- Why stay: Stella Nova’s rooms and price tier, plus an on-site car rental desk.
- Getting to the parks: Free shuttles to Epic, Volcano Bay and the CityWalk hub. Do not plan to walk.
- Good to know: Parking ($30 plus tax per night), the $20 extra-adult charge and the exclusions (no Express, water taxi, pets or included breakfast) match Stella Nova at the time of writing. Check current terms.
Best for: Families of four who don’t mind a short bus ride and want on-site perks at a Prime Value rate.
Off-site hotels closest to Epic Universe
Epic’s south side faces the Convention Center district, so these hotels are closer by road than Universal’s original hotels. None is walkable in practice: routes follow Kirkman Road, Universal Boulevard or Tradeshow Boulevard across major roads. For more, see our guide to hotels near the Orange County Convention Center.
4. Las Palmeras, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club
This Hilton Grand Vacations resort at 9501 Universal Blvd is about 2 to 3 miles by road from Epic’s parking lot. Studios (400 to 447 square feet, sleep two) have kitchenettes, and 1- and 2-bedroom suites add more space and a full kitchen or kitchenette, depending on the unit. The pool has a waterslide and splash pad.
- Why stay: Suite space and kitchens close to Epic.
- Getting to the parks: No shuttle is advertised and it is not a Universal partner hotel, so drive or use rideshare.
- Good to know: Fee trackers list a resort fee and paid parking that we could not confirm officially. Check the full nightly total before booking.
Best for: Families with a car who want a kitchen and separate bedrooms.
5. Hilton Orlando
This large resort at 6001 Destination Parkway is a Universal Partner Hotel with a Universal desk in the lobby. It says it is less than a mile from Epic; that is a straight line, and by road it is about 2.3 to 2.5 miles. Two pools, a lazy river and a waterslide make it a strong pool pick.
- Why stay: Resort pools, a free Universal shuttle and a Disney shuttle in one stay.
- Getting to the parks: Free transportation to all four Universal parks, reserved in person at the Universal desk. Confirm Epic times on arrival. The resort charge includes a scheduled shuttle to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT (reservations required).
- Good to know: At the time of writing, the resort charge is $47 plus tax per night and self-parking is $38 plus tax ($50 valet). No free breakfast or pets. Check current terms.
Best for: Pool-loving families splitting days between Universal and Disney.
6. Rosen Shingle Creek
Rosen Shingle Creek, at 9939 Universal Blvd, calls itself the closest Rosen to Epic Universe, about 1.9 miles by road. This 1,501-room resort has four seasonally heated pools and a golf club, with rooms from double queens to 3-bedroom suites. Doing SeaWorld too? See our hotels near SeaWorld Orlando.
- Why stay: No resort fee and free in-room Wi-Fi at a full resort.
- Getting to the parks: Free scheduled partner transportation, including an Epic route. At the time of writing there were three morning departures to Epic (8:15, 9:45 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.) and four evening returns; schedules change. Reserve in person. It does not work for Early Park Admission.
- Good to know: At the time of writing, self-parking is $36 plus tax ($48 valet). No free breakfast is advertised. Check current terms.
Best for: Travelers who want a big resort without a resort fee and can drive or follow a fixed shuttle schedule.
7. Hyatt Regency Orlando
This Convention Center hotel at 9801 International Drive is about 2.7 miles by road from Epic’s lot. It is on Universal’s partner-hotel list, and Hyatt describes free scheduled transportation to the Universal parks, booked in person a day ahead. We could not confirm that it serves Epic.
- Why stay: A partner hotel next to the Convention Center, handy for work trips with a park day.
- Getting to the parks: Partner shuttle (confirm Epic service) or drive.
- Good to know: Hyatt listed a $48 daily resort fee at the time of writing, and a tracker shows more, so check at booking. Parking and occupancy were not verifiable.
Best for: Convention travelers adding an Epic day.
8. Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center
This all-suite Marriott at 8800 Universal Blvd is the free-breakfast pick. Marriott lists a free hot breakfast daily, and studios, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom suites all have full kitchens. Epic’s lot is about 2.6 miles by road.
- Why stay: Free breakfast and a kitchen cut food costs on park days.
- Getting to the parks: No Universal shuttle is advertised, so drive or use rideshare. It is not the partner hotel Residence Inn Near Universal Orlando.
- Good to know: A parking fee applies and published figures conflict, so check the current rate.
Best for: Budget-minded families with a car.
Check Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center prices on Booking.com
9. Westgate Palace
Westgate Palace, at 6145 Carrier Drive, has renovated two-bedroom suites for up to six with full kitchens. It sits between the two Universal areas, about 3.5 miles by road from the Epic lot: the farthest pick here, but a middle ground for split Epic and original-park days.
- Why stay: Two-bedroom suites for six, a heated pool and a game room.
- Getting to the parks: A free guest shuttle serves Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay. Epic is not named, so confirm or drive.
- Good to know: A resort fee that includes parking and Wi-Fi applies; the amount isn’t published, so check at booking. Up to two dogs allowed for a fee.
Best for: Groups of five or six who want bedrooms with doors.
On-site perks on Epic days: Early Park Admission yes, hotel Express no
Guests of every Universal Orlando hotel get Early Park Admission: entry up to one hour before regular opening at select attractions, Epic Universe included. You need valid tickets, and it also works on check-in and check-out days. Epic’s early lineup has changed several times, so check the Universal app before each Epic day.
Free Universal Express comes only with Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific, only at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. It is not valid at Epic or Volcano Bay, and Helios Grand guests don’t get it.
Partner hotels such as Hilton Orlando and Rosen Shingle Creek get Early Park Admission only with a Universal Orlando Vacations package that includes tickets, and their shuttles usually leave too late for it anyway. These perks can change without notice.
Getting to Epic Universe from the original Universal hotels, I-Drive and by car
Every Universal hotel except Helios Grand (which has its own park entrance) runs a free Epic shuttle. Per Universal (August 2025), buses leave about every 30 minutes from Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, Royal Pacific and Sapphire Falls, and about every 15 minutes from Cabana Bay, Aventura and Endless Summer. Rides take about 10 to 20 minutes. Check current schedules in the Universal app. Water taxis go only to CityWalk. For the original resort, see our best hotels near Universal Studios Orlando and our Loews Portofino Bay Hotel guide.
On International Drive, the Avanti International Resort is a Universal partner hotel whose resort fee covers a scheduled shuttle that includes Epic. Our roundup of hotels with the best shuttle service to Universal and Disney has more.
If you drive, Orlando Informer lists Epic parking at about $35 at the toll plaza or $32 prepaid at the time of writing. Rideshare uses its own drop-off and pick-up area next to the main lot. Don’t park at Helios Grand as a day visitor: it charged $125 plus tax a day at the time of writing.
Which hotel near Epic Universe fits your trip
- By Epic days: One Epic day? Stay anywhere at Universal and ride the shuttle. Two or more? Helios Grand or Stella Nova save the most time.
- By party size: Four fit at Stella Nova or Terra Luna. Five fit a Helios Grand Deluxe Room or Kids’ Suite, or a two-queen room with a paid rollaway (subject to availability). Off-site, five or six fit a Westgate Palace suite or a Las Palmeras two-bedroom (confirm occupancy).
- By budget and car: Add parking and resort fees. At the time of writing, Hilton Orlando’s resort charge and self-parking add $85 a night before tax, while Rosen charges parking only.
- With Disney too: Consider a split stay; our guide to the best areas to stay in Orlando helps you decide.
Choosing between two Loews hotels? read Sapphire Falls vs Royal Pacific.
Two Express hotels compared: read Helios Grand vs Portofino Bay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest hotel to Epic Universe?
Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel. It is the only hotel inside the park, at the end of Celestial Park, and guests use a private entrance. Next is Universal Stella Nova Resort, which Universal says is a 5- to 10-minute walk to the gate. Terra Luna is also adjacent but relies on a free shuttle.
Can you walk to Epic Universe from Stella Nova or Terra Luna?
From Stella Nova, yes: a dedicated path that Universal puts at 5 to 10 minutes, and one planner at 8 to 12. Terra Luna advertises shuttles only, and one planner reports the walking route is roughly a mile with multi-lane crossings, so take the bus, which runs about every 10 minutes.
Does Helios Grand Hotel include Universal Express Pass?
No. Helios Grand is in the Signature Collection, but free Express Unlimited comes only with Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific, and only at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. It is not valid at Epic Universe. Helios guests do get Early Park Admission and the private entrance.
Do Universal hotel guests get early entry to Epic Universe?
Yes. Guests of all Universal Orlando hotels get Early Park Admission, up to one hour early at select attractions, including at Epic. You need valid tickets, and it works on check-in and check-out days. The Epic lineup changes, so check the Universal app. Partner-hotel guests need a Universal Orlando Vacations package with tickets.
Do off-site hotels near Epic Universe have a free shuttle?
Some do. Universal partner hotels such as Hilton Orlando and Rosen Shingle Creek run free scheduled shuttles, reserved in person, with limited times; Rosen listed three morning Epic departures at the time of writing. Las Palmeras and Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center advertise no Universal shuttle, so drive or use rideshare.
How far is Epic Universe from Universal Studios Florida?
About 2.5 miles from CityWalk in a straight line and about 5 miles by road, by our map estimate. Water taxis don’t go to Epic, so walk through CityWalk to the shuttle bus bay and take the free bus, a ride of about 10 to 20 minutes.
Sources checked in September 2026: Universal Helios Grand Hotel (Loews), Universal Stella Nova Resort (Loews), Loews Universal Orlando exclusive benefits, Discover Universal: hotel transportation to the parks, Hilton Orlando: Universal Orlando Resort.