Contemporary and stylish yet budget-friendly: A review of Universal's Aventura Hotel

If you're planning a trip to Universal Orlando, there are many compelling reasons to stay at one of Universal's official hotels. Not only do you get closer access, but you also enjoy the perk of early park entry—an advantage that can significantly enhance your experience. Among the eight on-site hotels, Universal's Aventura Hotel stands out as an excellent choice for those looking to reap these benefits without overspending.

Rates at Universal's Aventura Hotel typically hover below $200 per night, yet the hotel ambiance feels more luxurious than its pricing indicates. It features a rooftop lounge, a resort-style pool, a spacious food hall, and a pathway that leads directly to Universal's theme parks.

Here’s all the essential information you need before reserving a room at Universal's Aventura Hotel.

What exactly is Universal's Aventura Hotel?

In contrast to many theme park hotels, Universal's Aventura Hotel exudes a modern and chic atmosphere, distancing itself from the typical theme park vibe. You’ll find characters only on the merchandise sold in the gift shop. Aventura is classified as a "Prime Value" hotel, placing it in the second tier among Universal's four hotel categories.

This hotel offers some of the finest views of Universal's theme parks, particularly from the higher floors. If you don't score a high floor room, head to the rooftop Bar 17 Bistro for breathtaking panoramic views of both the parks and the city of Orlando.

Aventura’s design strikes a balance between chic and welcoming, extending from the lobby to the guest rooms. It features various gathering spots for friends and family, both indoors and outdoors, and the beds are incredibly comfortable, making you feel right at home after a long day.

How to make a reservation at Universal's Aventura Hotel

The simplest way to book a stay at Universal's Aventura Hotel is through Universal's official website. Alternatively, you can call 888-273-1311 to secure your reservation.

Standard room rates start at approximately $180 per night. During special hotel discounts, you might find rates as low as $145 per night, but prices can soar above $300 per night during peak holiday seasons. By booking directly with Universal, you ensure that any available discounts are automatically applied to your stay.

To receive a full refund for your reservation, you must cancel at least six days before your scheduled check-in. If you cancel after that period, you will incur a charge for one night’s room and tax.

Similar to the resort's other accommodations, Universal's Aventura Hotel is typically accessible through the Capital One Travel portal. If you hold an eligible Capital One card, such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, you can use your Capital One miles to book this hotel via the travel portal. Additionally, by using a Venture X card to pay for your vacation, you can take advantage of the card's $300 annual credit within the Capital One Travel portal to help reduce your trip costs.

Conveniently located within walking distance to Universal's theme parks

At Universal Orlando's hotels, paying more generally means being closer to the parks. Fortunately, all but two of Universal's hotels (Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn & Suites and Dockside Inn & Suites) are just a short walk away from Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and the CityWalk shopping and dining area. Aventura Hotel features a walking path that gets you there in about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your pace. Aventura is one of only three Universal Orlando hotels (alongside Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort) that offers a dedicated walking path to the Volcano Bay water park.

If you'd rather conserve your energy for the parks, all Universal Orlando hotels provide complimentary bus transportation.

Modern, tech-savvy guest rooms

At Universal's Aventura Hotel, standard rooms come equipped with either one king bed or two queen beds. The king rooms feature a cozy sitting area with a sleeper sofa, while the queen rooms include a comfortable accent chair. The color palette is soft and reminiscent of a spa, featuring rich hardwood flooring, light gray walls and bedding, with gentle touches of blue and deep purple, all contributing to a serene atmosphere. The translucent panels between the bedroom and bathroom allow natural light to filter in, enhancing the room's open and airy feel.

In the bathroom, a door provides separation between the vanity area and the shower and toilet. While the bathrooms feature a single vanity, there is ample storage space next to and beneath the sink, along with a hook on the back of the door for a hanging toiletry kit. The shower is generously sized and includes a ledge for shaving.

Each room is equipped with a compact refrigerator and a coffee station featuring a single-serve Cuisinart coffee maker, along with coffee packets, sugar, cups, and an ice bucket. You'll also find an iron and ironing board tucked inside the closet and a full-length mirror located near the hotel room entrance. Skyline view rooms can be requested, and larger deluxe rooms and children's suites are also available.

What sets Aventura's rooms apart from other hotels at Universal Orlando is their tech-savvy features. Each room comes equipped with a Bluetooth speaker and an iPad that lets you manage the television, temperature, lighting, and more. You can use the tablet to stream your Netflix content on the TV, order room service, and request toiletries. If you need toiletries, you can communicate with a team member through the tablet and ask Relay the Robot to deliver them to your room.

During your stay, don’t be surprised if you encounter Relay roaming the hallways. You can interact with the robot when you see it in the lobby, as Relay enjoys telling jokes and taking selfies.

Dining choices: From coffee to cocktails

It's rare for a budget-friendly theme park hotel to offer such a wide range of dining options. Universal's Aventura Hotel features both quick-service and table-service restaurants, along with a poolside lounge, lobby lounge, and a Starbucks. The Urban Pantry, the hotel's food hall located in the lobby, includes various stalls that serve diverse cuisines, from sushi to stir fry to burgers. I tried the vegetarian folded eggs ($10) for breakfast at Urban Pantry, and the portion was generous, with my meal tasting fresh and delightful.

Urban Pantry also provides a selection of grab-and-go items like snacks, cereal, and oatmeal. There is a warming station equipped with microwaves and toasters for those who purchase or bring items that need heating.

Bar 17 Bistro is one of my top late-night destinations at Universal, conveniently located at Aventura Hotel. This rooftop lounge is open every day until midnight, with food service available until 10:30 p.m. During my visit, I sampled the Bao sampler, featuring three bao buns of your choice for $18. I’ve tried all the options and enjoy them immensely, particularly the jackfruit and crispy pork belly varieties. As for the sides, I ordered the Parmesan fries ($8), which didn't quite meet my expectations. Although the fries and dipping sauces were tasty, the Parmesan didn't stick well to the fries, resulting in most of it gathering at the bottom of the bowl. Bar 17 Bistro also boasts an extensive selection of beers, wines, and cocktails.

The views and ambiance at Bar 17 Bistro are a significant attraction, as you can see nearly the entire resort from this vantage point.

A fitness center that meets your needs

The fitness center at Aventura Hotel is located on the second floor and operates 24 hours a day. While it's not particularly spacious compared to some gyms, it offers a satisfactory range of equipment. You'll find a solid selection of free weights, weight-training machines, and cardio machines. I appreciated having a few foldable mats for floor workouts and a foam roller for recovery after exercising. During my visit, there were about 10 people working out, which made the space feel a bit crowded.

A spacious pool with family-friendly features

The pool at Universal's Aventura Hotel wraps around the hotel, providing a serene and secluded atmosphere. There is plenty of seating available, and the surrounding palm trees offer shade from the sun.

The pool features a hot tub and a kids' splash pad complete with fountains. Adjacent to the poolside lounge, there's an outdoor game area equipped with a pool table, yard games, and arcade machines.

Considerations for choosing Universal's Aventura Hotel

Having stayed at Universal's Aventura Hotel multiple times, I've found my experiences enjoyable. The hotel maintains cleanliness, comfort, and a diverse range of amenities. However, if you're in search of a hotel that embodies the essence of a theme park, you might want to explore other options. The decor at Aventura could easily fit into a major city setting, which is perfect if you prefer a less themed atmosphere.

If you enjoy having the theme park ambiance extend into your hotel experience, you might consider Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort or Universal's Portofino Bay Hotel, albeit at a higher price point.

Accessibility features at Universal's Aventura Hotel

All on-site hotels at Universal comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including Aventura. Every entrance and pathway is accessible for wheelchair users. The pool offers a zero-entry option, and both the pool and hot tub are equipped with accessible lifts. There are accessible guest rooms featuring wheelchair access, braille room numbers, and hearing-impaired kits available at the front desk.

Check-out process

Whether Universal's Aventura Hotel suits your needs hinges on what you're seeking in a theme park hotel. Its stylish, minimalist design might attract some guests, while others may prefer a hotel with a more immersive theme. Nevertheless, I am consistently impressed by what this hotel offers at its price point and plan to return during my future visits.