Inside Loews Royal Pacific Resort: An In-Depth Review of This Universal Orlando Oasis

^{The author stayed as an invited guest of Universal Orlando. All opinions are the author’s own, and Universal Orlando had no input in any part of this review.}

Luaus, leis, palm trees, and a serene tropical space are not the scenes you typically imagine when you stay at a hotel just steps from one of the world’s most exciting theme parks.

But at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando, that is exactly what my family and I experienced.

There are countless hotel and resort options in Orlando for every taste and every budget. At the top of most budgets, you’ll likely be paying for either location or luxury. In this case, you don’t have to choose. You get both — along with some very valuable theme park perks.

While I was in town for a press event, Universal invited me to stay at this South Pacific-inspired hotel, which has long been on my bucket list. I couldn’t say no.

Let’s take a look at what it’s like to stay at (what feels like) an island paradise that’s just a 5-minute walk from Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Orlando.

Booking Loews Royal Pacific Resort

As a Signature Collection hotel (Universal’s top tier), the Loews Royal Pacific Resort is not inexpensive, but for Universal fans, it could be a steal once you see what’s included (more on that below).

During my summer stay, rooms started at over $700 for standard rooms and reached upwards of $4,000 per night for suites! I booked the Water View 2 Queen Room, which is 1 level up from the standard room, for $762 per night.

Some of the available rooms are themed, and others have lounge access, but all have a Universal Express Unlimited pass, which can be worth at least $165 per person.

Suites can accommodate up to 6 people and come with lounge access, so if you were planning on paying for Universal Express Unlimited passes, you’re saving almost $1,000 immediately — and that doesn’t even account for the free food and drinks!

Hot Tip:

Universal Express Unlimited passes are valid from check-in through checkout. So, in theory, you could stay just 1 night and get 2 days’ worth of passes, reducing the room’s effective cost even further.

Location of Loews Royal Pacific Resort

The 1,000-room Loews Royal Pacific Resort is 1 of 7 official hotels at Universal Orlando Resort, and 3 more are coming soon!

If you’re coming from Orlando International Airport (MCO), it’s about 15 miles away and takes about 20 minutes without traffic by car.

Once on the property, the resort is just a 10-minute walk along the garden walkway before arriving at a semi-private security screening to enter Universal CityWalk. The walkway drops you off right next to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, which is just steps away from the Universal Islands of Adventure entrance.

Needless to say, it’s extremely convenient.

If you don’t feel like walking, you can always grab the free water taxi or one of the theme park shuttle buses.

Checking In

The Loews Royal Pacific Resort is essentially located inside Universal Orlando, so getting there is easy if you’ve ever been to the parks before.

We had a rental car, so we followed the signs toward Universal and then spotted more signs pointing us toward the hotel. After pulling up to the front door, the warm air and relaxing music playing almost tricked us into thinking we were in Hawaii.

I opted to drop the bags and park the car myself. The parking lot was just a 2-minute walk away, and I saved $9 per night vs. valet parking.

As I walked into the hotel, I crossed a long bridge that was suspended over a lush tropical landscape, which really set the mood.

Once inside, the vibe shifted. Right in front of me was an expansive reflecting pool complete with fountains.

To the left was the front desk that looked like it would fit right in at any South Pacific island resort.

To the right was a comparatively sterile bar and restaurant area.

It was a beautiful space, but perhaps a bit too modern and “corporate” compared to the rest of the main area, in my humble opinion.

I arrived around 11 a.m., and my initial plan was to drop the luggage off and head to the parks until check-in was available.

When it was my turn to check in, I tapped my Citi Strata Premier℠ Card so I could earn 3x points on anything charged to the room. This is a great card for theme park fans, as ThankYou Points are arguably the best for theme park tickets. Then, the excellent front desk agent informed me that my room was ready, so we could get settled before heading out.

Even if the room wasn’t ready, I would still have received my keys, which have a very special function beyond opening the room door.

Since the Loews Royal Pacific Resort is a Signature Collection hotel, room keys also double as a Universal Express Unlimited pass for each guest!

Water View Double Queen Room

Up until this point, I was very impressed with the hotel.

It had beautiful grounds, great staff, and an excellent location. However, we were a little let down when we walked into the room for the first time. Don’t get me wrong, it was a very nice room overall, but let’s not forget that the cheapest rate was well over $700 per night.

For more than $700 per night, it felt … average. But then again, the main attraction of this hotel isn’t the room, it’s the benefits that come with it.

Although the room didn’t feel top-tier, the view did. We were assigned a room with a pool and park view, which quickly reminded us why we were there in the first place.

The room is listed at 335 square feet, which was functional but often tight for a family of 4 getting ready for the parks in the morning.

The room had a modern tropical theme with whites, browns, and greens throughout and a giant flower mural behind the bed.

The beds themselves were comfortable, but after removing the duvet and decorative pillows (that probably rarely get washed), there was no room to get out of the bed.

One bed was pressed against the wall, and the other had a random chair wedged between it and the window. It ended up being the pillow chair. You can see how quickly the room got small — and this room has a listed capacity of 5 people!

A functional alarm clock with 2 USB ports and a wireless charging pad was placed on a nightstand between the beds, which was a nice touch.

Across from the bed was a 40-inch TV, cleaning supplies forgotten by housekeeping, a footstool, a desk, and a chair.

Underneath the TV was a small fridge and a coffee maker.

Although the coffee maker was fairly basic (surprising for a top-tier Universal hotel), the coffee itself was at least a functional start to the day as we hurried to make rope drop.

To the right of the TV was a closet with a safe, a luggage rack, and an ironing board. To the left was the desk area, which was well-thought-out and had plenty of space, outlets, and USB ports.

It was perfect for charging devices and getting some work done after riding VelociCoaster 6 times.

Bathroom

Although the bedroom area was a bit cramped, it was relatively spacious because it was split into 2 separate areas.

The sink area was open to the entryway, so there was plenty of room to move around if multiple people needed to brush their teeth, hair, etc.

The toilet area was separated by a sliding door and was nice and modern.

The shower had a big glass door and great water pressure.

I was surprised to find individually packaged soap, shampoo, and conditioner — a rarity in hotels these days!

Bottom Line:

The room is nice, but nothing special. If you are considering paying $700+ per night at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort, come for the perks, not for the room itself.

Amenities

As you might expect, a resort that charges $700 or more per night comes with a long list of amenities.

If you’re going to the theme parks, you’ll love the perks and features, but if you’re not, you may not be that impressed.

Universal Express Unlimited

Visiting a theme park can be an awesome experience, but it can be tarnished if you’re constantly waiting in long lines to get on your favorite rides.

With Universal Express Unlimited, you can skip the regular lines at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. And it’s an included perk at all Universal Signature Collection properties.

If you aren’t staying at a Signature Collection hotel, you can purchase a Universal Express Unlimited pass on top of your park ticket. These start at $99 per person per day for a 1-park pass. That price jumps to $135 for a 2-park pass and can cost up to $380, depending on the date.

Bottom Line:

Staying at a hotel that offers Universal Express Unlimited passes as an included benefit can be very valuable.

Early Park Admission

In addition to the Universal Express Unlimited Pass, guests can access The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal Volcano Bay up to 1 hour before the park opens.

This is a great opportunity to knock out some of your favorite rides before the crowds (and heat) show up.

Transportation

Hotel guests can take advantage of the proximity to the parks, using the walking paths that drop them off right at Universal CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida, and Universal Islands of Adventure.

Alternatively, a free water taxi can do the same thing — but you’ll get fewer steps in.

Finally, complimentary shuttle buses are available that connect all Universal Orlando on-site resort hotels and parks, including Universal’s Volcano Bay.

Pool

A proper family resort in Florida is not complete without an impressive pool. Loews Royal Pacific Resort did not disappoint in this area.

Thanks to multiple sections, each with its own flair, the lagoon-style pool was perfect for guests of all ages and abilities.

There was a deeper end that had a volleyball net set up. It was situated closer to the bar, so it was popular with the older crowd.

The other side of the pool featured a sandy beach area and a zero-entry feature, which was perfect for smaller guests.

The highlight (at least for my kids) was the Royal Bali Sea, which was made to look like a decommissioned ferry but was complete with water features that kept us busy and refreshed all afternoon.

There were also 2 hot tubs available, but since we were visiting Orlando in the summer, we didn’t dare get near those!

If it gets too hot for you and your party, private cabanas are available to rent (prices vary) and include drinks, fruit, and a ceiling fan.

The pools are open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday nights, they stay open until 11 p.m.

Wi-Fi

Wireless internet was fast and easy to connect to throughout our stay. It performed more than adequately for everyday social media and email duties.

Fitness Center

The Loews Royal Pacific Resort has a 5,000-square-foot fitness center that’s located near the pool area.

There were plenty of ellipticals, bikes, and treadmills available during my 2 visits.

The selection of free weights was solid.

And there were a few machines by Technogym. There was also a steam and sauna area, but I didn’t have time for that.

Overall, it was a pretty solid gym. It had everything I needed for a good workout before hitting the parks.

Hot Tip:

Runners and joggers can find scenic paths throughout the resort in 0.45-, 1.3-, and 3-mile loops.

Pet Friendly

Loews Hotels are notably pet-friendly — and this is no different at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort.

Cats and dogs staying at the hotel receive amenities, including a bowl, a pet tag, and a special treat. Owners will also receive a map with the local dog-walking routes, the Loews Loves Pets room service menu, area pet services, and more.

Guests who bring a pet will be charged a one-time $150 fee, with a limit of 2 pets per room.

Valet Parking

Parking is available at the property — valet costs $45 plus tax per night, and self-parking costs $36 plus tax. Since the parking lot was about 20 steps from the front door, I opted to self-park and save the $9 per night.

Food and Beverage

The Loews Royal Pacific Resort has plenty of dining options, so if you’re hungry after a long day at the parks and don’t want to deal with the crowds at CityWalk, heading back to the hotel is a great choice.

Islands Dining Room

The main dining option is the Islands Dining Room, which features “traditional family fare and South Seas specialties.”

With a long menu that includes spring rolls, soups, wok-fired meals, and plenty of chicken and beef options, you won’t go hungry here.

The Islands Dining Room is also where breakfast is served each morning.

Guests will find the traditional hotel menu options, including avocado toast, omelets, fruits, and waffles.

However, if you’re looking for a treat, try the Hawaiian pancakes, which were topped with toasted coconut, pineapple, and macadamia nuts. They were delicious!

My family and I ordered pancakes and eggs Benedict for our final morning, which was enough to get us started for the day.

Islands Dining Room is open daily for breakfast from 6 to 11 a.m. and for dinner from 6 to 10 p.m. The menus are available online.

Hot Tip:

Islands Dining Room is temporarily closed. According to the property, “Jake’s American Bar will be open for breakfast during the closure, and our neighbors at Sapphire Falls have another great full-service breakfast option within walking distance in Amatista Cookhouse.”

Jake’s American Bar

Guests looking for a fun, themed bar should look no further than Jake’s American Bar.

This is a fun spot for all ages. It has a full bar stocked with Captain Jake’s favorites, specialty drinks, cocktails, and beer, as well as a full lunch and dinner menu.

With staples like the Loews Classic Caesar Salad, wings, brisket, pizza, burgers, and wraps, there’s something satisfying for everyone in your party. Trust me when I tell you this: Don’t skip the homemade pretzel rods.

Jake’s American Bar is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. You can find the menu online.

Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar

Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar is the beautiful (yet sterile-feeling) bar in the lobby.

When I first saw the bar, I thought that it was likely expensive and not very family-friendly due to the long list of fancy Japanese whiskeys and sushi rolls. Well, after eating there 2 nights in a row and returning on a subsequent trip (even though we were staying somewhere else), I can assure you that I was wrong.

The Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar was a great spot for my family and me to grab something easy before heading up to the room at the end of our day. The tables by the bar were casual enough for kids, the staff was super friendly, the food was good, and we weren’t tied to a sit-down dinner with tired kids.

Our order generally consisted of some edamame and sushi for my wife, daughter, and myself.

My son ordered a hot dog. He said it was very good, though I don’t see it on the menu anymore. He will be disappointed.

The cocktails were pretty good too — I’d say the bar is a great spot for a nightcap.

Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar is open daily from 5 to 11 p.m. Bar service is available until 1 a.m. You can find the menu online.

Hot Tip:

If you want to skip the booze but enjoy the bar, try Free Spirited by Loews Hotels, a curated list of nonalcoholic and low-alcohol beverages.

Bula Bar & Grille

Bula Bar & Grille is your standard pool bar and restaurant — but with a South Seas twist.

There are plenty of classics like burgers, salads, and pizzas, as well as some unique items like Polynesian pork tacos and huli-huli chicken.

We went with the tacos, which were very good, and the kids grabbed some burgers poolside. No complaints.

Again, the drinks hit the spot as well.

Bula Bar & Grille is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., with bar service until 10 p.m. It’s open on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., with bar service until 11 p.m., and you can find the menu online.

Tuk Tuk Market

Tuk Tuk Market is a small market, cafe, and convenience store in the lobby.

This is where you can grab your (Starbucks) coffee in the morning, sandwiches and wok bowls in the afternoon and evening, and ice cream and gelatos after a long, hot day in the parks.

Tuk Tuk Market is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and you can find the menu online.

Wantilan Luau

The Wantilan Luau is a weekly Hawaiian dinner show that features hula and fire dances, delicious Polynesian specialties, and, yes, pit-roasted suckling pig.

If you’ve never been to a luau, it’s quite the experience. It features all-you-can-eat food, drinks, and incredible entertainment.

We couldn’t fit it into our schedule, but if you’re interested, you can reserve your spot in advance.

Room Service

Finally, if none of the other food and beverage options suit your preferences, there’s always room service. With all the classics, from chicken fingers to a turkey club, you won’t go hungry.

Room service is available 24 hours per day, and you can find the menu online.

Service

From the moment we stepped into the tropical paradise that was the Loews Royal Pacific Resort, we were greeted with warm, genuine hospitality.

The front desk agent who checked us in went beyond the usual pleasantries and really set the tone for our stay. That same level of care extended throughout the resort, from the restaurant servers and bartenders to the pool attendants and housekeeping staff. No matter where we went, we felt like valued guests.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort already has many physical advantages, but the fantastic customer service adds another layer of excellence.

Final Thoughts

My stay at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort was terrific, and I would easily stay there again.

The proximity to Universal Orlando is unmatched; a 1-night stay comes with 2 days’ worth of Universal Express Unlimited Passes (worth hundreds of dollars), and the vibes are exactly what you need after a long day of rollercoasters.

The only negative is that the rates are high, so it’s hard to justify a stay here to only enjoy the resort and not take advantage of the parks. Especially when there are so many luxury resorts in the area with competitive prices.

That being said, if you can afford the rates, a great stay is almost guaranteed.