Of all the attractions that Orlando, Florida has to offer, Universal Studios is one of my favorites.  The lines are typically shorter than the lines at Walt Disney World and I love the rides at both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

If you’re planning a trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, I highly recommend staying at one of the three on site properties.

Not only is it convenient for accessing the park, but guests of the park hotels receive free Express Pass tickets to Universal Studios.  You’ll still have to pay regular admission, but you get to skip the regular lines at all of the attractions.  Any time you can visit a major theme park and avoid the lines, you’ll have a much better park experience.

In addition to having easy access to the park and BYPASS perks, staying at one of the hotels at Universal Studios will allow you to enjoy the nightlife of City Walk safely and easily.  Courtesy water taxis and shuttle buses transport guests to and from the hotels and the Universal Studios compound.  There are also well lit paths available for those inclined to walk – because they are clearly less lazy than I am.

Universal Studios has three hotels on site to choose from.

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios Orlando

Portofino Bay at Universal Studios

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is designed to reflect the elegance of the Italian Riviera.  It’s perfect for a romantic getaway.  The hotel also features a full-service Mandarin Spa for added luxury and pampering.  Rooms at the Portofino Bay Hotel start off at about $300 per night.  A suite, including the Dr. Seuss kid themed suite, will cost closer to $600 per night.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios

Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios

Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios conjures images of a remote private island in the South Pacific.  The details of the theme run from the thatch roofed entryway to the tropical foliage that covers every inch of the property.  The atmosphere here is much more family beach party fun than secluded romance.  Rooms at the Royal Pacific Resort stat at about $250.  A king suite will cost about $400 per night.

Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios

Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios

Like the famed Hard Rock Cafes, the decor of the Hard Rock Hotel features memorabilia from the music industry’s greatest performers.  This hotel is the smallest of the three with only 600 guest rooms and 29 suites.  It does allow plenty of room for a 12,000 square foot pool with an underwater sound system and sand beach, as well as a state of the art Fitness Center.  You can book a standard room at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios for $289, or opt for a King Suite for $544 per night.

Of course, all three hotels offer amenities that cater to families on vacations, including well staffed children’s activity centers and on site babysitting services.

If you’re an annual pass holder to Universal Studios, you can use your pass to receive discounts on rooms at all three hotels.