Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Lisa Cramer

We chose this hotel for its amenities—especially the poolside movie and waterslide. Unfortunately, we were disappointed to find the slide was closed for renovations. While we appreciated being given access to the sister property's amenities, it wasn’t ideal since our goal for this quick getaway was to relax without leaving the hotel. Additionally, we noticed a guest had vomited on the pool deck. We were out there for several hours, and after informing staff, guests had placed towels over the spot to cover it up, but we never saw anyone come to clean it up. We were also excited when the staff set up the projector and screen by the pool, only to watch them take everything down shortly after. When my husband asked about it, we were told the movie was being moved indoors, which was a bit of a letdown. It is worth mentioning the food, drinks, and activities are quite expensive. We spent a little over $600 in 24 hours (two adults, two 12-year-old kids). If you are looking for a peaceful night's rest, this is not the hotel for you. We could hear everything in the hallway from our room. We still made the best of our short time there and had so much fun in the arcade! We probably wouldn't have been as concerned with these issues if we were visiting the parks. However, because our plan was to stay put, relax, and enjoy property amenities, it wasn't our favorite stay.

Matthew “Matt from the North Fork” Chizever

If you have kids, you’re staying here for the LAZY RIVER! I totally get it, that was us! And it’s cute! It’s right next to Volcano Bay Water Park (which we highly recommend)! I’d steer clear of the cafeteria-esue “diner” on premises - my wife may or may not have gotten food poisoning from the stirfry. I’m not pointing fingers, we ate there the first night out of convenience, and did not return after our first experience. We stayed for three nights, and unfortunately, were not graced with any room attendant changing sheets, or bringing towels. That was left up to us, which is fine, but if you’re saying they’re going to service the rooms every other day for the environment and staffing purposes, it would be nice to stick with THAT being the bare minimum in service. It’s a huge hotel, and we were there in mid-April, so maybe it was still off-season staffing? Who knows… it was Spring Break. Our first visit to Universal we stayed in the Portofino, which was beautiful, and we will return to without a doubt. I’m not sure we’ll return to Cabana Bay.

Jenn LM

I’ve been to a few resorts but Cabana Bay takes the cake! Although this is considered a budget resort, they do not lack on quality of service. All staff were phenomenal, very accommodating, and informative. The food hall was always a convenient place to eat with decent prices and a large selection to choose from. The resort itself has many pools and entertainment options as well which is great for families. There are free shuttles to Universal that run pretty consistently and City Walk is only about a 15 minute scenic walk from the resort. The location is excellent and the shuttles are as well! The rooms are also quite spacious, clean, and very comfortable to stay in. We all really enjoyed our time here and will definitely be coming back!

Babenskie C

This hotel offers a fantastic experience with a wide range of amenities to keep guests entertained and comfortable. The property itself is impressive, featuring multiple pools and hot tubs, with a lifeguard on duty who was exceptionally attentive, ensuring a safe and relaxing environment. The hotel also boasts convenient dining options, including a Starbucks and a charming diner, perfect for grabbing a quick coffee or enjoying a sit-down meal. For entertainment, guests can enjoy a bowling alley, an arcade, and even a souvenir shop for memorable keepsakes. Adding a magical touch, different characters made appearances in the lobby, which was a delightful surprise. Another major perk was the complimentary shuttle service to and from Universal Studios. It was always on time, making transportation stress-free and easy. Checking in was a breeze, and the staff was incredibly warm and welcoming. I also loved the convenience of checking out via text, such a thoughtful touch that made the process quick and hassle-free. While the rooms were clean, they felt a bit dated. The headboard in my room was peeling, and although the hallways had been recently painted, the lingering paint smell was noticeable throughout my stay. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall experience was positive. The hotel may be on the pricier side, but with so many amenities and conveniences available on-site, it's well worth the cost for a fun and hassle-free stay.

Sandro Gaspar

Review: 3.5/5 – Great perks, but room for improvement I recently stayed at Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and while there are some clear highlights, a few issues held it back from being a flawless experience. The Good: • One of the best perks is Early Park Admission to Universal Studios, which let us beat the crowds and enjoy the rides with shorter wait times. • The hotel’s retro-themed, colorful design is fun and family-friendly. It really captures that 50s/60s Americana vibe and makes walking around the property feel like stepping onto a movie set. • The swimming pool is large and well-kept, great for relaxing after a long day in the parks. There are also cabanas and a lazy river if you want to unwind. The Not-So-Good: • The check-in experience was underwhelming—the staff member seemed disinterested and robotic, which isn’t the warm welcome you’d hope for. • Our room had a visible water infiltration issue, which affected the wall and carpet. Maintenance responded, but it left a bad impression. • No breakfast included in the rate, and while there are dining options on-site, customizing a healthy breakfast was surprisingly difficult—lots of carbs and sugar-heavy choices, very little fresh or balanced food. • The air conditioning was uncomfortably cold in most indoor areas, from the lobby to the food court. Bring a sweater even in summer! Overall, Cabana Bay is a great option if you’re focused on park access and want a playful atmosphere, especially for families. But there are definitely some service and comfort issues that the hotel should work on to better match its value.