Onsite hotel costs?

[TheVBs]

I was just looking into an overnight stay at Universal. We might be visiting family in November and never having been there, thought it might be worth staying one night and getting 2 day park passes. But checking their vacation packages it looks like it's quoting me $650-$700 to stay ONE night onsite, NOT including park passes? Can that possibly be right? Am I missing something?

[DVC2004]

That doesn't sound right. Room only at the onsite hotels depends on season but I would say $200- $275 per night on average. I have seen Royal Pacific for less in the off season ($150 a night). Is it quoting 2 rooms maybe?

[FatherForce]

I just priced a Club level for 3 nights with tickets for 3 for $1,500 …..

[buzznwoodysmom]

We stayed two nights during Christmas week last year for $250 a night. Granted we did have a military discount, but I'm sure there are other discounts to be found.

[texas211]

I've never been able to justify the cost of doing a Universal resort over a Disney resort or other nice Orlando area resort. For the price, and if i wasn't going to do disney, i'd do the Gaylord or something.

[Mfarquar]

I was able to get Portofino this month for $167 a night...

The Loews Hotels are great properties and with true resort amenities. They are definitely worth it compared to other US properties in their price category. Plus, the front of the line access you get for staying on-site is worth its weight in gold.

I would call - there must be a glitch in the site!

[buzznwoodysmom]

I've never been able to justify the cost of doing a Universal resort over a Disney resort or other nice Orlando area resort. For the price, and if i wasn't going to do disney, i'd do the Gaylord or something.

I would not stay in a Universal resort while touring the Disney parks, but for what it's worth the Universal Resorts are far better than any "deluxe" Disney resort, in my opinion.

I have absolutely nothing against Disney resorts, we've stayed at over half of them, and love them all, but don't discount the Universal Resorts. They are really very nice resorts with great perks for guests visiting the universal parks.

We only stay at the Universal resorts during days we are going to the Universal parks. The front of the line acess pass, or express pass, you get with your room is often worth more than the cost of the room. We did two nights at Universal in Dec. for $250 a night. If we had stayed offsite (say at our Disney resort for those nights) and purchased the express pass it would have cost us $80 a day per person. The express pass would have cost us more than the room rate we paid. It was well worth having the express pass Christmas week. It was a no brainer.

[Mfarquar]

I agree with buzzandwoodysmom!

All very true about the Loews Universal properties. Also, the fact that everything is so self-contained (short walk to parks, other hotels and CityWalk/water taxi access) makes for a relaxing vacation.

I'm not directly comparing to Disney, but I have found the Universal properties to provide value for what you pay (room size, dining options, amenities, pools, service and location). There are definite benefits to staying on-site at Universal while visiting the Universal parks.

I hope you find a better price! You may have some luck if you sign up for a Loews First rewards card and/or join the Hard Rock club (if you are interested in staying at the Hard Rock).

[Aurora]

I was just looking into an overnight stay at Universal. We might be visiting family in November and never having been there, thought it might be worth staying one night and getting 2 day park passes. But checking their vacation packages it looks like it's quoting me $650-$700 to stay ONE night onsite, NOT including park passes? Can that possibly be right? Am I missing something?

Are you staying over Thanksgiving? They might be quoting you higher-rate rooms, like a suite, if the other rooms are all filled.

Like others have said, regular room rates are usually much more reasonable. You might try calling a travel agent to see what they can find.

[NJGIRL]

I think you may have waited too long to book and the regular rooms are already sold out.

I know the Hard Rock is sold out for the end of October, and like someone else has already stated, the only room you can get now is a suite.

The room I have at the Hard Rock during the ICOT15 party is only $250 per night, but I booked it back in May.