Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando

Star 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.

Housekeeping services are offered every other day between 8am and 5pm. 

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. 

Complimentary transportation by shuttle buses or you can walk along guided paths to all 3 theme parks and Universal CityWalk. Self-parking $23 per night plus tax (payable locally, subject to change).

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. 


Please note: the hotel will be refreshing its Bayside and Beachside Tower guest rooms from January to June 2025. While some minor noise may occur occasionally, the hotel is dedicated to minimizing any disruptions.

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 (13778)
  • Very good (6193)
  • Average (2500)
  • Poor (1185)
  • Terrible (1107)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Be warned if you are booking volcano view

Mar 5, 2025 749johannam Miami, Florida

Before I get to the pros and cons, let me start off by warning anyone who wants to book a volcano view. We booked a volcano view and I attached pictures of what we got. Our view was a crumb of the side of the volcano and mostly the back end of the park by the slide area where it looked like staff went to take breaks. The pictures I took were only… Read more
Before I get to the pros and cons, let me start off by warning anyone who wants to book a volcano view. We booked a volcano view and I attached pictures of what we got. Our view was a crumb of the side of the volcano and mostly the back end of the park by the slide area where it looked like staff went to take breaks. The pictures I took were only able to be taken from the right aspect of the room. I had to really get at an angle to take the picture of the volcano. If you truly want to stay at this hotel and see the volcano, maybe call and book (we booked online) to make sure you are actually getting the view of the volcano. To be fair, we called the front desk because of the shock of the view to confirm it was truly a volcano view and they confirmed. They also called us back to see if we wanted to get another room the following day if it was available, but we were going to be in the parks all day and could not fit that into our schedule as we would have to be physically available in the hotel so we declined. They had mentioned the hotel was fully booked and it was crazy busy from a cheerleading/dancer competition going on so it was not a risk we were willing to take. Starting with the positives-the location and theming of the hotel is excellent. The staff was the best part of the stay. They were extremely friendly. The bayline diner and the market were pretty big and had plenty of options for everyone. We stayed at the Beachside tower so it was a little bit of a walk to the lobby but not bad. The walking area was very pretty. I would recommend to ask for a room closer to the lobby if anyone in the family has issues walking. The resort is BIG so it might not be a nice walk for everyone. The cons-As others have mentioned, housekeeping was never seen in the 3 days we were there. However they did come into the room to fix the bed on the second day. They do let you know that housekeeping is done every other day. I did not mind that but the carpets in the hallways were so dirty and smelly! Plenty of stains everywhere. It was kind of crazy. Although this is a value resort, we stayed during a very busy weekend. For the amount of surcharge they added to the room, you would expect them to be on top of the cleaning a little bit more. Where is all the extra money going to if not additional staff to accommodate the amount of people. Also, if you booked close to volcano bay, know that you will absolutely be able to hear the music from the park every morning at 8 am. The walls are very thin so you can also hear every crying baby in your vicinity. Overall, if this hotel fits your budget, cautiously go for it. However, I cannot recommend it. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Average at best

Mar 5, 2025 ConClack Carlow, Ireland

Spent a week at Cabana Bay. Hotel was only ok average. Not much of an atmosphere very conference centre like. Checked in the first night and got to the room and the shower had suspicious looking hairs in it. Called the front desk to let them know they offered to send someone up to sort it but pointless they shouldn’t have been there in the first… Read more
Spent a week at Cabana Bay. Hotel was only ok average. Not much of an atmosphere very conference centre like. Checked in the first night and got to the room and the shower had suspicious looking hairs in it. Called the front desk to let them know they offered to send someone up to sort it but pointless they shouldn’t have been there in the first place. Towels left short also on one of the housekeeping days. Parking rates extortionate. Hotel in general looks tired and needs some TLC. Sapphire falls across the road looks much nicer. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great Amenities but a Serious Health Concern

Mar 3, 2025 Liz G

**Review of Cabana Bay Beach Resort** This was our first stay at Cabana Bay, and it was an overall enjoyable experience with some notable highlights and a few concerning drawbacks. The room was spacious and comfortable, perfect for my kids and me. We especially loved the panoramic window with a stunning view of Volcano Bay—such a nice touch! The… Read more
**Review of Cabana Bay Beach Resort** This was our first stay at Cabana Bay, and it was an overall enjoyable experience with some notable highlights and a few concerning drawbacks. The room was spacious and comfortable, perfect for my kids and me. We especially loved the panoramic window with a stunning view of Volcano Bay—such a nice touch! The size of the room made it easy for us to spread out, which is always important when traveling with children. The resort's amenities were fantastic. The pool area, complete with a lazy river, was a huge hit with the kids. We also appreciated the convenience of having bowling available right on site—something fun to do after a long day at the parks. The food options at the hotel were good, though a bit pricey, but that’s pretty typical for any Universal hotel, so I wasn’t surprised. However, there were a few downsides. One of the biggest was the water pressure in the shower—it was disappointingly low, making it difficult to get a decent shower. Another serious issue was the black mold I found on the plastic of a drink ice dispenser in the food court. I was really taken aback by this, as it's a clear health hazard. I took photos because I was so concerned, and it honestly grossed me out. The fact that it was so visible on something related to food and drink made me question the cleanliness of other areas that might be harder to spot. Overall, if the resort could address these issues—especially the mold problem—this could easily become a 5-star destination for us. The kids loved it, and the location was perfect for park access. However, given the mold issue, I’m hesitant to consider returning unless I know it’s been properly dealt with. If there’s mold so easily visible on something we could potentially consume, it raises concerns about what might be lurking out of sight. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Bring your own toiletries and clean your own room

Mar 2, 2025 B D

We stayed in adjoining suites in February. The space was great. The location was wonderful. Super easy to get to and from Universal Studios on the complimentary shuttle. There are very limited food options. No restaurants on site, just a food court with 4-5 different stations, a malt/ice cream shop and pool bars. That got old after 5 days. The… Read more
We stayed in adjoining suites in February. The space was great. The location was wonderful. Super easy to get to and from Universal Studios on the complimentary shuttle. There are very limited food options. No restaurants on site, just a food court with 4-5 different stations, a malt/ice cream shop and pool bars. That got old after 5 days. The staff were great...friendly, professional and helpful. My biggest disappointment was the room cleaning. They only serviced the rooms every other day and it seemed like all they did was make the bed. Old food was still on the counter when we returned. That was disappointing. They also didn't provide any lotion and only vo5 shampoo and conditioner. I understand staying with the 50s theme but modern toiltries would've been nice. Definitely bring your own and be prepared to clean your own room. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Tempered expectations for this vacation

Mar 1, 2025 drew4erd Orlando, Florida

Quick 2-day staycation. Fantastic stay for the price. But it is what it is, a value based hotel. It’s 10 years old and shows as there are signs of wear and tear. Walls are paper thin and the doors are even thinner. You can hear everything from the hallways. Pros Value / price. Rooms are clean and beds are comfortable. Even the pullout… Read more
Quick 2-day staycation. Fantastic stay for the price. But it is what it is, a value based hotel. It’s 10 years old and shows as there are signs of wear and tear. Walls are paper thin and the doors are even thinner. You can hear everything from the hallways. Pros Value / price. Rooms are clean and beds are comfortable. Even the pullout couch though firm wasn’t that bad to sleep on. 50s mid century modern decor and terrazzo floors were neat. Heated Pool in Feb and lazy river were nice. Bowling and arcade were fun but be careful as the costs add up fast. Cons As mentioned before walls are paper thin and the doors are thin so you can hear the quietest of conversations in the hallway. But that is only if you’re sleeping in the living room close to the hallway if you’re in the bedroom, I’m sure the noise is less. Pool floats are $10 each to buy. Would be nice if they had a bunch of free ones floating around the river like every other hotel and resort. Bring your own. My biggest frustration and complaint is when it comes to Lost & Found…. My son left his backpack between the bed and the window. I called the evening we checked out and housekeeping, hadn’t found it yet. I asked if somebody could walk to the room to check and I kept getting the answer that “if and when it was found it would be given to security.” Plus they wouldn’t tell me if it was occupied or not. I drove back out there and checked for myself the next day. Imagine my frustration when I realize the room is not occupied because the entire hallway is under construction. Why not tell me that on the phone? Front desk said that they would have security check and call them back and to stay out in the lobby to wait. I didn’t trust them to send anyone as I kept getting the runaround so I ran to the room and stood in front of the hallway by the elevators and waited until I found a security guard to flag down. It took some convincing, but after showing my drivers license, he called to confirm that I was the previous guest and him, and I walked down the hallway into the room. The room had already been cleaned. All the linens stripped off the bed and there was the backpack, right where my son left it. Housekeeping must’ve missed it. So disappointing as somebody could have checked the night before when I called. To get anything done, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. You have to stand up and raise your voice and complain for anybody to follow through. When I called the night before the front desk should’ve told me that the room was not occupied and I could come the next day. Just disappointed in the service. Overall decent stay. But temper your expectations. It’s a budget hotel. You get what you pay for. Plus if it’s Disney/Universal it’s going to be expensive. $10 for a beer is the norm. Go into your stay with this in mind and you will have a great stay! Just don’t forget anything in the room! It will be hell getting it back! Read less