When my 13-year-old daughter and I planned a quick Orlando getaway in April, we were looking for something new, fun, and close to the Universal parks—and Universal’s Stella Nova Resort absolutely delivered. Even though we only stayed one night, it felt like we blasted off into a mini space vacation!
I’ve stayed at a lot of the different Universal Hotels (see our review of Aventura or Cabana Bay) and I really did enjoy the look and feel of this one. While I wouldn’t say it is my favorite, I will definitely come back for another visit.
First Impressions: A Cosmic Welcome
As soon as we pulled up, we were greeted by the resort’s sleek, space-themed exterior. That was one of the things that made me want to book this hotel for this trip. Plus I wanted to be one of the first to visit (it opened on 1/21/25).
Inside, the white-on-white lobby and glowing NASA-style wall art had me thinking, “Whoa, this place looks like a spaceship.” It almost felt like we were on The Avalon from the movie Passengers.
One thing I didn’t like, there was no roped off line for check in. There were two other families in front of me and we ended up forming our own line. Now it was very early in the morning like around 8am, but when we came back later that afternoon there still wasn’t a roped off line area. Maybe that is because it’s still doing like a “soft” opening before Epic Universe opens.
Our Room Among the Stars
The room was perfect for the two of us. With two super comfy queen beds, USB ports in all the right places, a mini-fridge, and galactic touches like artwork from the James Webb Telescope, it was equal parts functional and fun. Everything was crisp, clean, and new—which we loved.
Plus my love of all things space really had me excited to stay here. While the beds weren’t out of this world, they were very comfortable and gave me a good night’s sleep. The little couch and table were okay. The table was barely big enough to hold our food we got from Cosmos Café later that evening.
The bathroom was a little bit small in size, it is a Universal value resort after all. Like most of the newer resorts, the sink and mirror is outside of the shower and toilet area which is perfect when you are traveling with a teenage daughter.
The water temp and pressure in the shower was perfect. It wasn’t even too confusing on how to work. The flushing power on the toilet was great as well. For reference, we had a room on the 6th floor overlooking the parking lot.
However, in a few short weeks, it will have some of the best views of Epic Universe. We could clearly see Super Nintendo World (well the backside of it) and one of the roller coasters from our room.
This resort might be considered “value” by Universal’s standards, but it definitely didn’t feel cheap.
Amenities That Go Beyond
We didn’t get to explore all of the amenities (just one night, after all), but we did check out the pool area and it looked fantastic—big, inviting, and surrounded by space-age loungers and cool lighting. The Galaxy Bar was tempting (for me), and the on-site Cosmos Café & Market made it easy to grab snacks without hunting for food late at night.
We ended up ordering food and everything was delicious. The Mac and Cheese was creamy. The burger was nice and juicy and the fries were fresh. I even ordered the wings and I was pleasantly surprised. They were cooked perfectly (nice and crispy) and were covered in plenty of buffalo sauce.
Plus, there’s a fire pit, a kids’ splash pad, and even outdoor movies by the pool—definitely a bonus for longer stays. There is even a small fitness center that has your basic workouts covered.
Park Days: Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure
We spent our day bouncing between Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure, riding everything we could cram into the time we had. My daughter is a total thrill-seeker, so it was non-stop roller coasters, Spider-Man, and a little bit of magic in the Wizarding World.
We didn’t use the shuttle buses this time, but drove to CityWalk—and I’ll be honest, driving to the parks wasn’t the most convenient part of the trip. The traffic in the area can be a nightmare. While CityWalk is only 3.7 miles away. In the middle of the day that can take you over a half hour to get to. Even at 5 in the morning it is still a 12 minute drive.
Stella Nova is a bit further out compared to Universal’s more central resorts, but I imagine the complimentary shuttle service will smooth that over once everything is fully up and running. There is supposed to be a dedicated bus lane going from Epic Universe over to CityWalk.
So Close to the Future…
One of the coolest things? Stella Nova is right near Epic Universe (Opening May 22, 2025) . We could actually see it from the resort! Even though the park isn’t open yet, the short walking path being finished nearby makes this a prime spot for future visits. You can bet I’ll be back for at least a couple nights when Epic Universe opens in 2025.
Final Thoughts: A Quick Trip Worth Taking
Would I stay at Stella Nova again? Absolutely. It’s stylish, clean, and perfect for short visits—especially if you’re planning to check out Epic Universe when it opens. It’s also a great choice for families, especially if you want something a little different than the usual “Florida theme park hotel” feel. Plus it is one of the three newest Universal Orlando hotels of 2025.
It is also close to other Universal Theme Parks. Disney is only a 25 minute drive (in ideal conditions) and SeaWorld is only 4 miles away. If you are looking to visit different theme parks in the area and stay at a resort that won’t break the bank, Stella Nova might just be the right place for you.
For now, it’s still a bit of a hidden gem, but not for long. So if you’re looking for a fresh, futuristic stay without breaking the bank, Stella Nova might be the launchpad for your next Universal or Orlando area adventure. It really is one the best value hotels within walking distance to Epic Universe. A Stay here will help you stay in budget while not feeling like you are on a budget.
Kozmo Photos 