Welcome to Florida: the sunshine state. The perfect place for you to dip your toes into our beautiful and refreshing pools. Or you might want to grab a cocktail and make a shaded lounge chair your next nap destination. Well, if you’re staying at one of our amazing hotels, you’re in the perfect place.
Universal Orlando Resort is just that—a resort. You’re minutes away from Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay.
Sure, you may be at the theme park that makes all other theme parks jealous, but you’re staying in the heart of where adventure meets relaxation. So grab some sunscreen, a fruity drink and soak up The Ultimate Guide to Hotel Pools.
Scroll to find your favorite pool or click the links to jump to a specific hotel pool you’d like to see.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Premier Hotels – $$$$
Preferred Hotels – $$$
Prime Value Hotels – $$
Value Hotels -$
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel transports you to the tranquil beauty of Italy with three unique pool experiences: the Beach Pool, Villa Pool and Hillside Pool.
Beach Pool
The Beach Pool is the ideal place for your family to spend the day together. This lively, yet serene pool area features a Roman aqueduct–inspired waterslide, a sandy beach, children’s pool, two hot tubs and colorful beach cabanas.
- Poolside Restaurant: Splendido Bar and Grill
- Amenities: Towels, water, waterslide, poolside activities, sandy beach, hot tubs, pool bar, pool concierge
Villa Pool
For a bit more exclusivity, the Villa Pool offers additional amenities including private cabana rentals and upgraded lounge chairs. Get away from the action and kick up your feet under a cabana that includes a ceiling fan, refrigerator, phone and plasma TV.
- Amenities: Towels, water, cabana rentals, pool concierge, bocce ball court
Hillside Pool
The third pool, the Hillside Pool, is just off the hotel’s east wing. This pool offers a bit more privacy for a quiet place to relax by the water. The most secluded of the pools – you’ll feel like you’re on your own private Tuscan estate. Vacations are for dreaming, right? And if you’re looking for the perfect poolside nap, you’ve found it at the Hillside Pool.
- Amenities: Towels
Hard Rock Hotel Orlando
If you’re looking for a pool that rocks, it’s waiting for you at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando. And when I say that it rocks, I’m not joking. You’ll never miss a beat in this 12,000 square–foot pool that features an underwater sound system. I think this is what the Beach Boys would call ‘good vibrations.’ On select days, you might even get a chance to hear live music poolside.
The entertainment doesn’t stop there. The pool at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando also features a 260–foot slide, two hot tubs, a sand beach and volleyball court. Now that’s the kind of pool that will wear the kids out.
- Poolside Restaurant: Beachclub
- Amenities: Towels, slide, poolside activities, pool concierge, cabana rentals
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
If you’re seeking a tropical oasis in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, skip the 15-hour flight and indulge at Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Sink your toes into the white-sand beach that hugs the huge lagoon-style pool.
You’ll feel like you’re on a Polynesian island as you relax by the palm tree-lined pool. This area features two hot tubs and the impressive Royal Bali Sea interactive water play area for children. For some shade and privacy, rent a private cabana complete with amenities such as a ceiling fan, phone, TV, refrigerator with water, soda and a fruit bowl.
On select evenings (weather permitting) you can witness a torch-lighting ceremony featuring the “oli aloha” welcoming chant, a fire dancer and more. This is a hidden gem you won’t want to miss.
- Poolside Restaurant: Bula Bar and Grille
- Amenities: Towels, pool concierge, cabana rentals, poolside activities, water play area
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
Next stop: Caribbean escape. Welcome to Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, featuring the largest pool at Universal Orlando Resort – a 16,000-square-foot, zero-entry pool. Now that’s a lot of room for fun, and even more for relaxation. Surrounding the pool, you’ll find a sandy beach, hot tub, cabanas for rent, waterslide, children’s play area and a fire pit.
- Poolside Restaurant: Dhrum Club Kantine
- Amenities: Towels, pool concierge, cabana rentals, poolside activities, firepit, slide
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Cabana Courtyard
Step back in time and into fun at the pool at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Experience retro-relaxation at its finest with this amazing pool that the whole family will obsess over. The kids will splash to their heart’s content as they slide down the dive tower-themed waterslide. Treat yourself at the poolside Atomic Tonic bar and relax under one of the cabanas for rent or shaded picnic tables. The Cabana Courtyard offers a large fire pit and fun for the whole family.
- Poolside Restaurant: Atomic Tonic
- Amenities: Towels, slide, cabana rentals, poolside games, splash pad
Lazy River Courtyard
If you were already sold on the mid-century leisure at Cabana Bay, just wait. The Lazy River Courtyard is home to another sparkling swimming pool that features a winding river, sand beach, two fire pits, hot tubs and plenty of outdoor seating perfect for relaxing and soaking up the warm Florida sunshine. Yep, you heard that right, a lazy river at your hotel –– you can even catch a glimpse of the Volcano at Universal Volcano Bay!
- Poolside Restaurant: Hideaway Bar & Grill
- Amenities: Towels, lazy river, inner tubes for purchase, poolside games, hot tub
Universal’s Aventura Hotel
Modern meets South Beach style at the pool at Universal’s Aventura Hotel. The pool, a splash zone for kids and a fire pit provide for plenty of chill time after a long day in the parks. This is the oasis you were dreaming of where you’ll soak in the sun, cool off and tell tales of the day’s adventures while planning the next.
- Poolside Bar: Bar Sol
- Amenities: Towels, splash pad, hot tub, fire pit
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites
For a pool that’s so cool it’s shaped like a surfboard, hang ten at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites. You’ll feel like you’re catching a wave in the middle of the ocean as you kick back in the waterfront pool and soak in the Florida sunshine. It’s the perfect place to relax and play for the whole family. Sounds pretty rad to me.
- Poolside Bar: Sand Bar
- Amenities: Towels
Which pool are you most excited to dip your toes into? Tell us in the comments.
10 Comments
After staying many times at the Hard Rock, we decided to try the Portofino and the Royal Pacific. They are both beautiful in different ways! We came back to the Hard Rock though, it’s by far our favorite!
Does anyone know which on site pool and surrounding sunbathing gets the sun the latest?
Hi Sandy!
While our Guests enjoy all of our pools, we recommend Loews Sapphire Falls Resort for the most sun while enjoying the biggest pool!
Wife and I stayed at Sapphire Falls in 2018 by far the best Hotel we’ve ever stayed in and we’ve stayed at many. Pool was awesome and great to end a day at the parks. I’m a huge Disney fan for years and thought they were number one. That was until our last visit to Universal. All the rides , Volcano Bay right nearby, Hogwarts, and oh those reflection pool nighttime spectacular 3d shows. Now Universal is King of the heap and can’t wait to return. The water taxi at the hotel makes driving obsolete so more time enjoying your hard earned vacation.
Hope this helps
Hi Jim!
Thanks so much for sharing this! We are glad you enjoyed your visit with us! We look forward to welcoming you back in the near future.
Are the pools heated for use year-round? Thanks!
I understand that if you are staying at one of the resorts you can pool hop. Is this true? And what pools can you hop too?
Hey Kimberly, we’re excited you’re interested in visiting our hotels! Guests can pool hop to other Universal Hotel pools; however, Guests staying at Universal’s Endless Summer Resorts are only able to visit the pools at their respective hotel.
Great info. Lucky me I found your website by chance (stumbleupon). I have book marked it for later!
We hope to see you soon! 😊