Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando

Virgin rating

The hotel

Enjoy vibrant, retro-style with rooms and suites brilliantly designed for family-sized fun and affordability. Relax and play, surrounded by amazing iconic architecture inspired by classic Florida beach resorts of the 1950s and 60s. Two towers offer the best views of Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park. You’ll enjoy endless family fun with two massive pools including a water slide and a lazy river, 10-lane bowling alley*, and Early Park Admission† to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and Universal’s Volcano Bay up to one hour before the theme parks open (select attractions, valid theme park admission required). The whole family can stay comfortably in family suites that sleep up to six, complete with a kitchenette, or relax in one of the hotel’s standard rooms that sleep up to four. You're just a short walk to Universal's Volcano Bay and a quick, free shuttle ride to Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure, as well as Universal CityWalk entertainment complex.

Amenities

  • Wheelchair access
  • Families
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Games Room
  • Restaurant
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Swimming Pool
  • Close to Universal Orlando Resort

Where is it

Just a short walk to Universal's Volcano Bay water theme park, and Universal's Citywalk via a guided path, or a short hop on the shuttle to all Universal parks. Transfer time from airport: 20 minutes.

Hotel information

2,200 total rooms. All with air-conditioning, complimentary WiFi, HDTV, mini-fridge, hairdryer, coffee machine, safe, and iron and ironing board. 

Standard Rooms are 300 sq ft and have views of the courtyard and pool, with 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 people.

Volcano Bay View Standard Rooms have amazing views of Universal's Volcano Bay, with 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 people.

Poolside Standard Rooms have views of the courtyard and pool, with 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 people.

Family Suite - Exterior Entry are 430 sq ft and have a living area separated by sliding partition, a kitchenette with mini-fridge, microwave and sink, outdoor access with your own exterior entry, and 2 queen-size beds plus sofa bed, sleeping maximum 6 people.

Family Suite - Interior Entry are as above, but with access from the interior hallway only.

Poolside Family Suite - Exterior Entry are 430 sq ft and have an exterior entrance, pool views, living area separated by sliding partition, a kitchenette with mini-fridge, microwave and sink, and 2 queen-size beds plus sofa bed, sleeping maximum 6 people.

Poolside Family Suite - Interior Entry are as above, but with an interior entrance only.

Volcano Bay View 2-Bedroom Suites are 772 sq ft and have amazing views of Universal's Volcano Bay, living area separated by sliding partition, a kitchenette with mini-fridge, microwave and sink, 2 bedrooms; one with 1 queen-size bed and one with 2 double beds, plus sofa bed, sleeping maximum 8 people. 

  • Exclusive Virgin Holidays benefits for travel before 31 Dec '24: - Complimentary self-parking for all Virgin Holidays' customers, saving $18 per day - Guaranteed late check-out available exclusively until 1.00pm - Float Away with two complimentary inflatable rubber rings per room, for use on the lazy river - Complimentary welcome drink (for guests aged 21 or older. Valid photo ID may be requested). Guests under 21 years will receive a non-alcoholic drink voucher
  • Book 7 nights or more for travel before 31 Dec '24 and receive up to 30% off your accommodation rates. Any applicable offers have been calculated into the prices shown. Offers may not be combinable.

Complimentary transportation by shuttle buses or you can walk along guided paths to all 3 theme parks and Universal CityWalk.

Bayliner Diner (food court with 4 unique food stations including grab ‘n go items). Galaxy Bowl Restaurant (casual table service in an old-school bowling alley). The Hideaway Bar & Grille and Atomic Tonic (poolside bars serving snacks and drinks^). Swizzle Lounge (lobby bar). Shakes Malt Shoppe (serving smoothies, sundaes and more). Starbucks®. Limited pizza delivery*.

2 swimming pools, including a fun, interactive water play area for the kids, lazy river. poolside cabanas*, and waterslide. 10-lane bowling alley*. Fitness centre. Game room*. Poolside games and activities.

Resort-wide charging privileges with your room key. Complimentary merchandise delivery to your hotel from shops across Universal. Universal Studios Store. Universal Vacation Planning Centre. Complimentary WiFi. Early Park Admission† to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and Universal's Volcano Bay (select attractions, ticket required). Laundry service*. 

Wheelchair accessible rooms available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. To discover all the special assistance services we offer please see additional information below.

HARRY POTTER WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23).

Special assistance

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: One person must be 21 years or over in the room to check in.

^ Must be 21+ with a valid photo ID to consume alcoholic beverages.

†Requires theme park admission. Early Park Admission begins up to one (1) hour prior to regular scheduled park opening to either Universal Studios Florida or Universal’s Islands of Adventure as determined by Universal Orlando. Early Park Admission begins up to one (1) hour prior to regular scheduled park opening for Universal’s Volcano Bay. Valid at select attractions at each park. Attractions are subject to substitutions without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.

©2023 Starbucks Coffee Company. All rights reserved. Cabana Bay Beach Resort TM & © 2023 UCF Hotel Venture II. All rights reserved.  Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2023 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (13654)
  • Very good (6130)
  • Average (2452)
  • Poor (1156)
  • Terrible (1063)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great way to do Universal’s parks

Dec 5, 2023 LD112023 Toronto, Canada

We stayed at Universal’s Cabana Bay for 6 days during the Christmas celebrations. The hotel was great - clean, nice pools, food was fine, but the real selling point is the easy and free transportation to and from the parks, as well as early park admission. Doing a package with hotel and park tickets saved us so much money and time (we’ve rented an… Read more
We stayed at Universal’s Cabana Bay for 6 days during the Christmas celebrations. The hotel was great - clean, nice pools, food was fine, but the real selling point is the easy and free transportation to and from the parks, as well as early park admission. Doing a package with hotel and park tickets saved us so much money and time (we’ve rented an Airbnb and a car in the past), we will always stay on site in the future! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Not a Good Experience

Dec 5, 2023 amy_jones1980 Fairhope, Alabama

My husband convinced me to give the Universal resorts another shot after our cruise, so we stayed at Cabana Bay. It was much worse than Dockside. The sheets were not as itchy, but the towels were still rough, with small holes in 2 of them, and when I pulled the blanket out of the closet to use there was a huge hole in it. Our shower drain plug was… Read more
My husband convinced me to give the Universal resorts another shot after our cruise, so we stayed at Cabana Bay. It was much worse than Dockside. The sheets were not as itchy, but the towels were still rough, with small holes in 2 of them, and when I pulled the blanket out of the closet to use there was a huge hole in it. Our shower drain plug was also broken, and when we came back from the park the cleaning team had broken my electric razor and left the pieces sitting on the sink. No note of sorry, no nothing. This just solidified that we won’t ever stay at a Universal hotel again. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Hotel maintenance getting worse

Dec 3, 2023 Chad T San Antonio, Texas

Room maintenance issues are getting worse each year. This time we had a clogged shower, nonfunctioning refrigerator and the closet light was out. The last three times we have stayed here this year we’ve had to call maintenance to fix something.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Don’t bother

Dec 3, 2023 Dawnmaud London, United Kingdom

Staff not interested in fixing broken gate. So no security and constant banging. Disaster door access also broken and no one seemed bothered.spoke to reception and nothing. Checked out after 6 days of no sleep
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Cabana Bay is a great place to stay!

Dec 2, 2023 Pat Y

We have stayed at Cabana Bay three times in the last ten years. We love staying here and enjoy the ease of getting to the park with the great bus transportation. Hotel is retro which we love. Right down to the VO5 shampoo and Zrst soap!