It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, and you know what that means: love is in the air! Or maybe it’s just pollen. But you shouldn’t let seasonal allergies put a damper on your date night — and at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel, there are SO many romantic activities to choose from, it can be hard to pick just one!
Whether you just put a label on your situationship or you’re celebrating your 50th anniversary together with a grand getaway, this guide will help you make sure that your date night at a Universal Orlando hotel is a stand-out chapter in your love story.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
With a shimmering harbor, a piazza filled with romantic places to dine and sip, and three serene swimming pools, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel may just be the most classically swoon-worthy place at Universal Orlando. So it’s no surprise that every kind of couple can find their perfect date night activity here!
The Honeymoon Phase Couple
Located on the beautiful Harbor Piazza, The Thirsty Fish is the perfect place to toast the start of a new relationship. This waterfront bar has a fantastic assortment of champagne, wine, beer and specialty cocktails to choose from. Here’s an Italian secret straight from the source (my family): spilling a little bit of wine is actually considered good luck! So if you accidentally spill a little vino, don’t sweat it — it might just be your ticket to a long and loving relationship.
The Newlyweds
Whether you’ve already gone on your honeymoon or you’re still planning a romantic getaway, a serenade under the stars should definitely be on your list of ways to celebrate. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at Portofino Bay, you can enjoy Musica della Notte: Italian ballads sung from the balcony! Performances feature a mix of classic opera, festive melodies, and “popera” favorites.
The Long-Time Partners in Crime
If you’ve been with your partner for a while, you know how important it is to try new things together. Harbor Nights at Portofino Bay are a great opportunity to do just that! Offered on select nights throughout the year, these events include gourmet Italian cuisine, wine sampling and live jazz music.
Hard Rock Hotel
If you and your beau are less into R&R (rest and relaxation) and more into R&R (rock ‘n’ roll), Hard Rock Hotel is the place to be for your next date night. (Yes, I am very proud of that joke.)
The Honeymoon Phase Couple
Game for a little competition? Here’s what you do: head to The Kitchen, order The Kitchen Sink — that’s seven layers of brownie, peanut butter cream, chocolate chunk cookie, pecan pie, vanilla cheesecake, devil’s food chocolate cake, vanilla chiffon, chocolate sauce and vanilla bean ice cream — and see who can eat more! (Disclaimer: I’d only try this one if you’re staying at the hotel and can immediately crash into a post-dessert nap.)
The Newlyweds
Trust me: there’s nothing more romantic than charcuterie, a glass of red, and an acoustic set. That’s why the Velvet Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel is a rockin’ place to toast your new marriage with live music, tasty appetizers and a glass (or two) of wine on the veranda.
The Long-Time Partners in Crime
Keeping with the theme of new experiences, Wine Riffs turns what could be a stuffy wine dinner into a multi-sensory blast. Take vintage wine, a multi-course meal and a custom soundtrack provided by a DJ and you have an idea of why these events are such a blast!
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
With tropical ambiance, exotic food and a mix of both tranquility and fun, visiting Loews Royal Pacific Resort is just like embarking on an island honeymoon…
The Honeymoon Phase Couple
The Newlyweds
Full disclosure: I am a sushi LOVER, so of course I was going to find a way to plug Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar. Seriously, the only thing that might be better than the sushi here is the breathtaking view of the tropical paradise that is Royal Pacific! Order a Caterpillar Roll — trust me on this one — and toast to your newly official union with some Japanese whiskey.
PRO TIP: With a unique theater-in-the-round design, Orchid Court offers a great opportunity to meet and mingle with other couples. Hello, future double-date partners!
The Long-Time Partners in Crime
Hawaiians commemorate milestones and special occasions with luaus, so if you have a big anniversary coming up, Wantilan Luau is the perfect date night for you! This weekly evening of Polynesian merriment includes an all-you-can-eat buffet (challenge accepted), live music and — as you probably guessed — hula and fire dancers who might even invite you on stage to show off your own skills.
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
What do you say we keep these island vibes going? At Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, it’s easy to plan a Caribbean dream date, whether it’s your first or your 50th.
The Honeymoon Phase Couple
Your real honeymoon might not be for a few years, but you can enjoy a sneak preview at the tropical paradise that is Sapphire Falls! At Drhum Club Kantine, you can get cozy by a fire pit and enjoy an evening libation accompanied by the rhythm of the islands. In the mood for a post-sip dip? Opt for the hot tub for maximum romantic vibes!
PRO TIP: Purchase a s’mores kit to take your fireside date to the next level! Because s’mores make everything better. They’ve studied this.
The Newlyweds
You did the hard work of planning a wedding — booking a venue, choosing a caterer, deciding which relatives you can safely not invite — so now, it’s time to sit back and relax. At Strong Water Tavern, you don’t even have to wonder what you should order because you’ll have your very own rum specialist to help you decide! If you’re like me and can’t make any decisions even WITH help, ask your Rum Captain for a flight or tasting of what they recommend.
The Long-Time Partners in Crime
Keeping with a theme here, the Sapphire Falls Rum Dinner is a wonderful way to celebrate an anniversary with your rum-loving partner. Offered on select nights, this experience includes hors d’oeuvres, rum samplings and entertainment. And that’s all BEFORE you sit down to a five-course dinner, each paired with crafted Caribbean rums! I know what I’ll be expecting for my 20th anniversary dinner. (I should probably get married first.)
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Love is timeless, and there’s no resort that captures that timelessness quite like the retro rewind that is Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort!
The Honeymoon Phase Couple
It’s safe to assume you know the basics about your partner. But maybe you’re still getting to know their history, their dreams and their family drama…the deep lore, if you will. What better time to do that than while floating down a lazy river? Cabana Bay’s Lazy River Courtyard is the perfect place to relax, unwind and simply enjoy your partner’s company.
The Newlyweds
It is a truth universally acknowledged that bowling is the perfect activity for a date night. At Galaxy Bowl, you can prove me right about that AND indulge in a little friendly competition! Best of all, this alley offers a full-service restaurant so you can enjoy burgers, pizza, wings and more while you serve up some strikes.
The Long-Time Partners in Crime
The longer you’ve been together, the nicer it is just to sit back and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. And if you’re like me, the greatest simple pleasure is a milkshake. Shakes Malt Shoppe offers all of the classics, like sundaes and banana splits, plus grown-up twists like a Chocolate Peanut Butter shake featuring peanut butter whiskey. Grab a couple of things to split (hold for laughs) and thank me later!
Universal’s Aventura Hotel
For the modern and stylish couple, Universal’s Aventura Hotel is the perfect fit for your next date night.
The Honeymoon Phase Couple
One of my favorite ways to get to know someone is discovering their favorite cuisine! Head to Urban Pantry, where you can find a rotating selection of international flavors, a custom wok bar, and classics like burgers and pizza, and order for each other. You’ll learn something about your date’s taste, and you just might discover a new favorite yourself!
The Newlyweds
In my opinion, one of the best views at Universal Orlando can be found at Bar 17 Bistro, Aventura’s rooftop bar. Equally stunning are the international flavors you can find here, from baos to bibimbap! Order a signature cocktail — the Butterfly Kisses feels on-theme — and toast to your newly-official partnership at sunset for peak romantic vibes.
The Long-Time Partners in Crime
An arcade may feel like more of a first-date activity (although I would happily spend any evening playing Galaga), but Aventura’s VR Game Room takes things to a level worthy of any anniversary. Get your competition on and challenge your beau to a round of Fruit Ninja, Merry Snowballs or Space Pirate Trainer.
PRO TIP: The games here can change, so keep coming back for new experiences as the years go by!
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort
Sure, it’s fun to splurge, but wining and dining on a budget can result in just as big of a romantic win. Surfside Inn and Suites and Dockside Inn and Suites, the two hotels that make up Universal’s Endless Summer Resort, prove it!
The Honeymoon Phase Couple
Not my competitive side coming out again…but who’s surprised? Certainly no one I’ve ever been on a date with. Throughout Dockside you can find — and, if you and your date are up to the challenge, count — 2,050 longboards made by Quiet Flight just for the hotel! If you manage to find all of those, head over to Surfside to try to find all 1,435 surfboards around the hotel. Happy hunting!
The Newlyweds
Located at Dockside Inn and Suites, The Oasis Beach Bar is the perfect spot to get in the honeymoon mindset. Enjoy a signature cocktail — served with a souvenir glass! — before you take a romantic evening dip in the pool, which is only a few steps away.
The Long-Time Partners in Crime
In my humble opinion, a successful relationship is one where you can still enjoy a cozy night in no matter how long you’ve been together. At both Surfside and Dockside, you can get pizza delivered right to your room all the way until midnight! That’s plenty of time to get into your comfy PJs, turn on a movie (or two, or three) and just enjoy the fact that you’ve found your person.
What are your favorite ways to spend a date night at Universal Orlando Resort? Let us know in the comments!
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