🌌 Staying at the Helios Grand Hotel: My Night Overlooking Epic Universe

Adventurous Jennifer
Jul 8
4 min read

During my recent visit to Universal's Epic Universe, I had the absolute pleasure of staying at the brand-new Helios Grand Hotel — and not just anywhere in the hotel — I scored a theme park view room. I had imagined what it might be like to look out over the park from my room, but let me tell you… nothing could have prepared me for the actual view in person. It was next level.

Location, Location, Location

Helios Grand is uniquely positioned inside the theme park, on the opposite end from the main entrance. Yes, inside the park! That means guests staying here have two entrances to Epic Universe — the public one and a private guest-only entrance from the hotel. During my stay, only hotel guests could use this back entrance, with security stationed at the door during park hours. Once the park closed, the entrance was locked.

First Impressions

I was dropped off by Uber at the main entrance, and I immediately fell in love. The modern architecture and floor-to-ceiling windows draw your eye straight through the elegant lobby and out to a breathtaking view of Epic Universe, complete with Apollo's majestic fountain at the center. The surrounding gardens were already beautiful — and I can only imagine how much more magical they’ll look once the landscaping fully matures.

The Lobby and Check-In Experience

Walking into the lobby felt like stepping into a celestial dream. To the right is the check-in desk, which serves both regular and Club Level guests. There isn't a separate check-in line for concierge-level, but honestly, the experience felt smooth and personable.

A team member named Jason walked through the line chatting with guests, making us feel welcome and keeping things moving. I loved his enthusiasm — especially when he found out we were visiting from Canada!

An Elevator with a Secret

One of the most surprising and magical moments came at the elevator bay. There’s a mural on the back wall that transforms — I kid you not — from a subtle decorative panel into a daytime sky scene. And at night, it turns into a twinkling night sky. I believe it’s motion-sensored, because as I turned toward the elevator, the mural came to life. Unfortunately, my phone wasn’t ready to capture it (hands full, of course!), but it’s one of those delightful details you’ll want to keep your eye on.

Inside the Room

Let’s just say… WOW. My room had two queen beds with cozy mattresses and elegant décor featuring deep blues, gold accents, and crisp whites. The carpeted floors surprised me — a nice, quiet touch in an age of hardwood-heavy hotel rooms.

Some details worth noting:

Pocket doors separate the bathroom, which includes a large shower with a built-in bench.
A mini-fridge and single-use pod coffee maker are tucked into the dresser area.
Closet space is smaller than expected — especially compared to the Stella Nova Resort, where I stayed next.
There’s a work desk near the window… but with those views, who’s getting any work done?

And yes, Helios Grand also offers suites! The How to Train Your Dragon Kids' Suite — a 545-square-foot room that includes a separate kids' room with two twin beds themed with heartwarming and imaginative How to Train Your Dragon décor. It’s a fantastic option for families looking to add a bit more magic to their stay.

The View: Move Over, Bellagio

Seriously, nothing compares to this view. The Epic Universe fountain show happens multiple times throughout the day and night, and it’s just the beginning. From my window, I could see attractions in motion across the different lands, people adventuring, lights twinkling — it felt like staring into a real-life galaxy.

At night, the walkways glow like constellations, and Stardust Racers streaks across the sky like a comet. It’s mesmerizing. This view alone made the whole stay worth it.

Dining & Drinks

🌿 Flora Taverna

Although I didn’t have time to dine here, I peeked in and was impressed by the Mediterranean ambiance and the full-size live tree in the middle of the dining area! Flora Taverna is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and includes a pizza oven and gyro station.

☕ Aurora Market

Essentially a Starbucks, but with added grab-and-go options. I snagged a hot breakfast sandwich — definitely get there early for more choices.

🍸 Lotus Lagoon

Located poolside, this bar offers full service to your lounge chair. From cocktails to fresh fruit trays, it’s the perfect way to spend a check-out day. The fruit tray I ordered wasn’t on the menu but was large enough for four of us to share.

🌠 Bar Helios

My personal favourite! Located at the top of the hotel, Bar Helios offers stunning views of Epic Universe and an indoor ceiling dome filled with constellations. We ordered several shareable appetizers — everything was delicious, but the Farmer’s Cheese Board and Crispy Chicken Wings stood out.

I sipped on a non-alcoholic Mount Olympus, which had lemon, lavender, lime, and mint. Lavender lovers — this is your drink.

Extras Around the Resort

The Universal Store inside has all your merch needs — and rain gear, which we definitely needed during our very soggy visit.
There’s a well-equipped gym, if 20,000 park steps aren’t enough for you.
Laundry facilities are available on multiple floors — super handy after a week and a half of traveling.

Final Thoughts

If you can make it work in your budget, I highly recommend splurging on a theme park view room at Helios Grand, even just for one night. Between the view, the private entrance to Epic Universe, and the incredible design of the hotel itself, it’s an unforgettable experience.

The staff went above and beyond — especially considering the hotel had only been open a couple of weeks during my visit. The entire vibe of the resort — with its celestial design and serene energy — gave me a sense of calm in the middle of all the theme park excitement. #HeliosGrandHotel #EpicUniverse #UniversalOrlandoResort #InsideEpicUniverse #EpicUniverseViews #StayInsideThePark #ThemeParkStay #ThemeParkLuxury #RoomWithAView #ResortReview #TravelBloggerLife #MagicalViews