Westgate Palace Review: 2-Bedroom Suites, Shuttle and Fees

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Westgate Palace is a two-tower timeshare hotel on Carrier Drive, about 1.7 miles by road from Universal Orlando’s parking garages, that rents two-bedroom suites with a kitchen, two bathrooms and a washer-dryer, plus a free, reservation-only shuttle to Universal. It suits families of four to six who want more room than a standard hotel near Universal without paying for two rooms.

The trade-offs: a $24.99-plus-tax nightly resort fee that includes self-parking, a 10 am checkout, one pool and no water park, on-site food that stops mid-afternoon, and timeshare sales offers. We checked Westgate’s pages and terms, Booking.com and Universal’s and Disney’s sites in October 2026; confirm what matters to you before you pay.

Quick answer: Book Westgate Palace if you want a two-bedroom suite with a kitchen and laundry close to Universal and Epic Universe, and you’re happy to reserve shuttle seats or drive the short hop. Skip it if you want Universal’s on-site perks such as Early Park Admission, if your group is bigger than six, or if Disney is the main goal: its theme parks are about 12 to 14.5 miles away.

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Westgate Palace photos

Here are the suites, bathrooms, pool deck and lobby from the hotel’s own photo gallery. Tap any photo to enlarge it, or see the full gallery and current rates on Booking.com.

Westgate Palace location and distances

The Palace sits beside a lake just south of Universal, and Westgate says it’s across the street from Universal Orlando Resort. You still reach the parks through Universal’s parking garages or Epic Universe’s lot, so the trips are longer than the hotel’s figures. We routed them on public roads with OSRM in October 2026; return legs can run longer.

Destination	By road	Drive, no traffic	Westgate says
Universal garages (USF, IOA, CityWalk)	About 1.7 mi	6 min	1.1 to 1.3 mi
Epic Universe parking	About 3 mi	7 to 9 min	1.1 mi
ICON Park	About 1.3 mi	3 to 4 min	1 to 1.7 mi
SeaWorld	About 4.5 to 5 mi	11 to 12 min	5 mi
Disney Springs	About 8 mi	About 15 min	Not listed
EPCOT and Hollywood Studios	About 12 to 13.5 mi	20 to 25 min	13 mi to Disney
Magic Kingdom (TTC lot)	About 14 mi	22 to 25 min	Not listed
Orlando airport (MCO), Terminals A/B	About 12 mi	About 22 min	14 mi

Animal Kingdom’s parking is about 13 miles out and 14.5 back. We routed Disney trips via Sand Lake Road and I-4; interchange work there can change your map app’s route, and rush hour adds time.

On foot, Universal’s garages and CityWalk are about 1.5 to 1.7 miles away (30 to 35 minutes) and ICON Park about 1.1 to 1.3 miles: fine for an evening at CityWalk, tiring before a park day.

The lakeside deck faces the water. Westgate’s Epic Universe page promises views of Orlando from the villas, but neither suite type is sold by view.

Two-bedroom suites: sizes, beds and kitchens

Westgate calls the Palace a two-bedroom suite hotel, and the suites are the main reason to stay here. Its accommodations page lists two types:

Suite	Size	Sleeps	Beds
Signature Two-Bedroom Suite	610 sq ft	Up to 4	Queen, 2 twins
Signature Two-Bedroom Deluxe Suite	700 sq ft	Up to 6	Queen, 2 twins, queen sleeper sofa

Both have two bathrooms (one with a walk-in shower), a living and dining area, a washer and dryer, cable TV, a safe and an iron. Westgate calls the kitchens fully equipped and lists a microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator and cookware; Booking.com adds a stovetop, oven, dishwasher and toaster, and the renovated kitchen in the hotel’s photos has a full range. Westgate’s family-suites page labels only the Deluxe’s kitchen as full, so confirm the cooktop.

Two official details disagree, so check your booking. Westgate’s room-comparison tool says the suites sleep 3 and 5, not 4 and 6, and Booking.com lists a full bed rather than a queen in the Deluxe’s main bedroom. Westgate’s terms count every person toward the limit, babies included, and rollaway beds aren’t available.

Booking.com says cribs are free on request, subject to availability, and Westgate’s family-suites FAQ says to request cribs or high chairs when you book. Westgate lists accessible features for both suites (handrails, a lowered countertop and appliances, a roll-up kitchen sink), and its terms warn that floor plans may vary from the pictures.

Need room for more than six? Its sister resort, Westgate Lakes, rents villas up to four bedrooms, and our list of two-bedroom suites near Universal compares other layouts.

Pool, hot tub and recreation

The Oasis Pool sits just outside the lobby between Towers A and B: a heated outdoor pool with a hot tub, a heated children’s wading pool and the Drafts Pool Bar. Pool and hot tub hours are 7 am to 11 pm, and the bar is listed from 2 to 8 pm. Westgate also lists umbrellas, cabanas and pool lifts.

There’s no slide, lazy river or splash area. Other activities on Westgate’s list:

• the Mission Control Game Room, with pinball and Ms. Pac-Man among its games, listed from 9 am to 5 pm;
• an enclosed playground behind Tower A near the basketball court, 7 am to 5 pm;
• a basketball court, a sand volleyball court by the lake and horseshoes;
• ping-pong, barbecue grills, a picnic area, a fire pit and board game rental.

Dining and breakfast

Breakfast isn’t included. Two outlets sell it, and both close mid-afternoon:

• Drafts Sports Bar & Grill Express: breakfast, burgers, wings, tenders, totchos, hot dogs and salads, with cocktails, wine and beer, 7 am to 3 pm daily (hours subject to change).
• Palace Deli & Coffee Shop: in the lobby, with breakfast, pizza, subs, salads, grilled sandwiches and Starbucks coffee, 7 am to 3 pm daily; Westgate says pizza can be delivered to your suite.
• Drafts Pool Bar: by the pool, 2 to 8 pm.

For dinner, cook in the suite or go out: Westgate’s FAQ points to International Drive chain restaurants within walking distance, and CityWalk is a short drive. Our guide to Orlando hotels with kitchens compares other suites with full kitchens.

Resort fee, parking and house rules

Westgate’s terms set the Westgate Palace resort fee at $24.99 plus tax per room per night. It covers Wi-Fi, self-parking, local calls, the fitness center, basketball and volleyball court access and equipment, and boarding-pass printing. On a sample November 2026 Booking.com stay, the taxes-and-fees line matched the fee plus 12.5% tax on the rate and fee.

• Parking: included in the resort fee for standard cars and small to mid-size SUVs, first come, first served; no oversized vehicles, RVs, trucks or trailers. Booking.com’s rooms include one parking spot.
• Check-in and check-out: 4 pm and 10 am. The minimum check-in age is 21, with photo ID and the card used for payment.
• Deposit: $50 on a credit card or $200 in cash for incidentals, held until checkout.
• Dogs: up to two with a combined 60 pounds, breed restrictions, $150 plus tax per reservation, and no dogs in pool areas or restaurants. An older FAQ answer in the page code says no pets, so tell the hotel ahead.
• Smoking: all suites are non-smoking, with a $250 cleaning fee for smoking or vaping inside.
• Packages: $5 per package for deliveries held at the front desk.

World of Westgate members who book directly with Westgate get up to half off resort fees, which doesn’t apply to a Booking.com reservation. Our guide to Orlando timeshare resorts you can rent by the night compares fees across brands.

Getting to Universal, Epic Universe, Disney and the airport

The free Universal shuttle is the headline perk. Westgate’s shuttle page sets these rules:

• Registered guests only; seats are limited, first come, first served, and need a verified reservation. Service isn’t guaranteed.
• Reserve through a QR code at the front desk, up to 48 hours ahead; the FAQ says bookings run through FareHarbor after check-in.
• Schedules follow park hours and vary by season; times aren’t published online.
• Be ready 10 minutes early. No luggage, oversized strollers, scooters, food or drinks, and wheelchair users should give advance notice.

The stops are less clear. Westgate’s FAQ lists Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, CityWalk and Epic Universe, but Booking.com’s fine print says the shuttle runs exclusively to Universal’s transportation hub, so ask about Epic Universe at check-in. Volcano Bay, also named on Westgate’s page, closes for maintenance from October 26, 2026, with reopening planned on or before April 1, 2027, per Universal.

Driving is quick, and Universal’s regular self-parking was $35 including tax at the time of writing; Universal says a same-day receipt also gets you into the other location’s parking. The I-RIDE Trolley runs along Universal Boulevard (Green Line) and International Drive (Red Line) at $2 a ride; check its map for the nearest stop.

For Disney, drive or take a rideshare and budget $35 a day for standard parking. The Palace isn’t on Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry list, and its guests can buy Lightning Lane passes up to 3 days ahead, not the 7 days Disney Resort guests get. An older FAQ answer in the page code mentions Disney and SeaWorld runs, but the current pages describe a Universal-only service.

Westgate’s FAQ says there’s no airport transportation and suggests rideshares, and Booking.com describes a Universal-only shuttle; MCO’s Terminals A and B are about 12 miles away.

Fitness center, Wi-Fi and other amenities

The fitness center is right off the pool area and listed from 6 am to 11 pm, with cardio and weight equipment; a shirt and athletic shoes are required.

Wi-Fi is in the resort fee under Westgate’s terms and Booking.com’s fine print, though Westgate’s Wi-Fi FAQ still says guests who aren’t owners pay a nominal fee, and Booking.com prices wired internet in public areas at $9.95 per 24 hours.

Westgate also lists a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities, luggage storage, an ATM, a gift shop, a tour and ticket desk, and staff who speak English, Spanish and Portuguese. Housekeeping is listed without a frequency. Accessibility features include pool and spa lifts, Braille signage and shuttles with a wheelchair lift.

Timeshare sales and resort previews

Westgate Palace is a Westgate Resorts timeshare property, and its website says it is used to solicit vacation ownership sales. Westgate’s booking box offers up to 40% off for a resort preview; the terms say those packages require a 90-minute discovery tour and sales presentation, carry income, credit and age qualifications, and add a surcharge of up to $500 (or the rental rate, if higher) if you don’t qualify or don’t finish it.

A regular nightly rate, including a Booking.com reservation, isn’t a preview package, and nothing in the terms requires regular-rate guests to attend a tour.

Who Westgate Palace suits

Westgate Palace works best for families of four to six spending most days at Universal and Epic Universe who want two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen in one unit. The washer-dryer helps on longer stays, and Disney is roughly a 20- to 25-minute drive without traffic for a day or two.

It’s a weaker fit if you want slides or a lazy river, sit-down dinners on site, Universal’s on-site perks or a Disney-heavy base. Compare it with our best hotels near Universal Studios Orlando and hotels near Epic Universe.

Pros

• Two-bedroom suites with two bathrooms, a kitchen and a washer-dryer.
• About 1.7 miles from Universal’s garages and 3 from Epic Universe’s parking.
• Free Universal shuttle for registered guests, with seats you reserve.
• Self-parking is included in a resort fee that’s lower than Westgate Lakes’ $29.99.
• Heated pool, hot tub, wading pool, playground and game room.
• Dogs allowed, within Westgate’s weight and breed rules.

Limitations to know

• No Universal Early Park Admission or Express, and no Disney Early Theme Park Entry.
• Shuttle seats are limited and not guaranteed, and the Epic Universe stop is unclear.
• On-site food stops at 3 pm, apart from the pool bar.
• One pool with no slides, and a 10 am checkout.
• Maximum six guests, and official occupancy figures conflict.
• Timeshare preview offers on Westgate’s own booking pages.

What to check before you book

• Which suite you’re booking, its beds and its maximum occupancy, counting babies.
• Whether the shuttle has a direct Epic Universe run on your dates, and how to reserve it.
• The total with the $24.99 resort fee and 12.5% tax, and the cancellation terms of your rate.
• Crib or high chair requests, made when you book.
• Dog rules and the $150 fee, if you’re bringing a pet.
• That the suite matches its listing: Westgate’s site warns that some imagery may be AI-generated or altered and that layouts vary.

Nearby alternatives

• Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa: the sister resort with the same free Universal shuttle program, villas from studios to four bedrooms and more pools, but a $29.99 fee and a longer drive (about 4 miles) to Universal.
• Universal Endless Summer Resort: an on-site Universal hotel whose guests get Early Park Admission and Universal’s own buses, with much smaller two-bedroom suites.
• Westgate Vacation Villas and Westgate Town Center: Westgate’s villa resorts near Animal Kingdom, better for a Disney-first trip and a water park, but no theme park shuttle we could confirm.
• More options along the corridor: our guide to the best hotels on International Drive.

Other Westgate resorts: compare all seven Westgate resorts in Orlando.

Frequently asked questions

Does Westgate Palace have a free shuttle to Universal?

Yes, for registered guests, but seats are limited and must be reserved, up to 48 hours ahead, through a QR code at the front desk. Westgate says service isn’t guaranteed and schedules follow park hours. Its FAQ lists Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, CityWalk and Epic Universe, while Booking.com says the shuttle runs only to Universal’s transportation hub, so confirm the stops at check-in.

How much is the resort fee at Westgate Palace?

Westgate’s terms list $24.99 plus tax per room per night. It covers Wi-Fi, self-parking, local calls, the fitness center, basketball and volleyball court access and equipment, and boarding-pass printing. On Booking.com, the fee appeared in the taxes-and-fees line of a sample stay. World of Westgate members who book directly with Westgate can get up to half off it.

How many people can stay in a Westgate Palace suite?

Westgate’s accommodations page says the 610 sq ft Signature Two-Bedroom Suite sleeps up to 4 and the 700 sq ft Deluxe up to 6, using a queen sleeper sofa. Its room-comparison tool says 3 and 5 instead, so check the occupancy on your reservation. Every person counts, babies included, and rollaway beds aren’t available.

Do you have to attend a timeshare presentation at Westgate Palace?

Only if you book a resort preview package. Westgate’s own booking box offers up to 40% off for taking a preview, and its terms say those packages require a 90-minute discovery tour and sales presentation, with income, credit and age qualifications. A regular nightly rate, including a Booking.com reservation, isn’t a preview package.

Can you walk from Westgate Palace to Universal Studios?

You can, but it’s farther than the hotel’s 1.1-mile figure suggests. Our walking route to Universal’s garages and CityWalk was about 1.5 to 1.7 miles, or 30 to 35 minutes each way, before the walk through CityWalk to the park gates. Most families use the free shuttle or drive the 1.7 miles and pay for Universal parking.

Is Westgate Palace pet friendly?

Yes, for dogs. Westgate’s pet FAQ allows up to two dogs per suite with a combined weight of no more than 60 pounds, with breed restrictions. The terms set a non-refundable fee of $150 plus tax per reservation, and dogs can’t go in pool areas or restaurants. An older answer still in the page code says no pets, so confirm with the hotel.

Bottom line

Westgate Palace gives Universal-focused families a genuine two-bedroom suite with a kitchen, two bathrooms and a washer-dryer, a short drive or free shuttle ride from the parks, with self-parking included in the resort fee. Plan your own dinners, reserve shuttle seats early, check the occupancy on your suite and expect timeshare offers. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.

Check your dates for Westgate Palace on Booking.com

Sources checked in October 2026: Westgate Palace overview, Westgate Palace accommodations, Westgate Palace Universal shuttle, Westgate Resorts terms and conditions, Universal Orlando directions and parking