Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Liz Emery

I just got back from a 1 week stay with my daughter and grandchildren at Cabana Bay and we loved it. I did online check in while on the plane . This was important as when we arrived at the resort there was a huge check in line ( probably at least a 2 hour wait) and a small line with only 3 people in it who did online check in already. I only waited maybe 5 minutes when the most amazing staff member checked myself in and gave me an upgraded family suite ( I booked a standard suite ) for no additional cost. The room had everything we needed and was great for what we needed. There definitely was some wear and tear on the furniture but everything was clean and the beds were comfortable. The resort itself is huge but has great heated pools and a few hot tubs as well we used. The kids loved the water slide. The bayside diner has reasonable prices, and a wide variety of food. The shake place is terrific and made great milkshakes. The hotel has a great walking path to City Walk and the parks. We did the walk the first 2 days then we started to take the path to Sapphire Falls where we would use the boats to go to the parks for the day and then return. It was an easy 5 minute walk to the boats and back. Overall it’s a fantastic resort for the price point and has easy access to City Walk and UIA USO . The early park access was also an added bonus. I also used the laundry facilities which came in handy and I appreciated how cash could be used everywhere . I would definitely not hesitate to stay here again.

Chase Doney

GOOD stay, not exceptional, though. Cabana Bay is a great value for the price. I paid $134/night, and at that rate it’s worth it—but I wouldn’t pay much more. This is very much a ~$100-ish hotel, and expectations should be set accordingly. The location is excellent: close to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk. The theming is fun and well executed—love the retro 1950’s vibe, the malt bar, and the pool/hot tub areas. Service was strong throughout the stay, with a special shoutout to DJ at the pool bar. The room layout was a big plus. Two queen beds, a pull-out sofa, a small living room area, and a wet bar made the space functional despite the smaller footprint. Very soundproof which is a huge plus since there’s a lot of kids. It works well for spreading out. Comfort and maintenance were the main issues. The room and property alike showed visible wear and tear—tattered finishes, and signs of deferred upkeep around the property. We’re a little past the point of COVID-era budget cuts. The bed was rock hard, and the springs squeaked, making it uncomfortable to sleep. Like conditioner? Pack your own. None offered in the rooms. Overall, it’s a good property. It’s a bit beat up, but then again, you aren’t paying for pretty. Would return but would request a room that isn’t as worn out. Value: 5/5 Location: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Amenities: 5/5 Comfort: 1/5 Rooms: 2/5

Asa Miller-Wilson

Overall Impression The resort has an interesting retro aesthetic and was mostly clean, though not spotless. Holiday décor added a nice touch, and the music created a pleasant atmosphere. However, the cafeteria was often dirty, and the café staff seemed unfocused and indifferent to good customer service. Room Experience I stayed in a standard two-queen bedroom. The room was clean and spacious for two people. The beds were fine, but the pillows were paper-thin, which affected comfort. Amenities & Activities This is where Cabana Bay shines. The pools and lazy river were great—even in winter—and there are fun extras like bowling. These amenities were the highlight of the stay. Service & Staff Staff members were generally nice but lacked enthusiasm and attentiveness. Customer service across the resort felt inconsistent and could use improvement. Location & Convenience The location is excellent, especially for Volcano Bay, which has its own resort entrance. Access to other Universal parks was easy thanks to the shuttle buses. Value for Money For the price, the experience did not meet expectations. The hallways had an odd smell (like nail polish), and the elevators need renovation. The food was frankly awful—mostly frozen meals priced around $20—except for the pizza, which was decent. Overall, I believe better experiences can be found at other resorts or hotels. I will not stay here again. Highlights & Downsides Best Part: The pools, lazy river, and convenient location. Needs Improvement: Customer service, food quality, and general maintenance. Final Verdict Cabana Bay offers great amenities and a prime location, but poor food quality, lackluster service, and maintenance issues make it hard to justify the cost. If pools and proximity to Volcano Bay are your top priorities, it might work—but otherwise, consider other options.

Rob Gioia

The staff was absolutely amazing Right upon checkin ( early check in mind you before noon) the front desk staff asked us where we would like our room and we said close to the gym and he easily accommodated us. He also explained that upon checkout we could leave our car at the hotel until midnight. He showed us all the resorts amenities on the map and gave us several suggestions of dinner. He never rushed us The room was amazing! The cleanliness was second to none! The resort common areas were also clean! All staff was friendly and willing to help with anything you needed I would highly recommend this resort!

Jordan

We stayed here for 8 nights this month and from start to finish had an amazing time. Check In was quick and easy, the rooms were spacious, clean and most importantly quiet. The diner was great for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the bar in reception was perfect for a quick drink after a busy day at the parks. The hotel pools were clean and had plenty of sun loungers, but with passes for volcano bay the 5 minute walk to there was also a great option. The bus service to city walk was quick and frequent which saved us lots of Ubers if we would have stayed at I-drive instead. All of the staff that we dealt with were really helpful and friendly, I can’t think of anything negative to say about our time here. We will definitely return. Thanks for a great stay!