Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando

Virgin 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.

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. 

  • Book 7 nights or more for travel before 31 Dec '25 and receive up to 30% off your accommodation rates. Any applicable offers have been calculated into the prices shown. Offers may not be combinable.
  • Exclusive Virgin Benefit - Travel until 31st Dec 2024 and receive - Complimentary self-parking (saving $18 per day) - Guaranteed late check-out available until 1.00pm - Float away with two complimentary inflatable rubber rings per room, for use on the lazy river - Complimentary welcome drink (for guests age 21 or older, valid photo ID may be required. Guests under 21 years will receive a non-alcoholic drink voucher). Any applicable offers have been calculated into the prices shown. Offers may not be combinable

Complimentary transportation by shuttle buses or you can walk along guided paths to all 3 theme parks and Universal CityWalk.

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.

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 (13722)
  • Very good (6151)
  • Average (2469)
  • Poor (1173)
  • Terrible (1085)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great value and experience

May 18, 2024 Wanderer797382 Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

My 23-year-old son and I stayed for 4 nights - 3 days in the park. In the past, we have stayed at the Hard Rock and the Royal Pacific. This was our first time at Cabana Bay and it was my favorite hotel experience by far. The rooms were huge compared to the other two hotels we have experienced. Lots of things to do - game room, pool, ice cream,… Read more
My 23-year-old son and I stayed for 4 nights - 3 days in the park. In the past, we have stayed at the Hard Rock and the Royal Pacific. This was our first time at Cabana Bay and it was my favorite hotel experience by far. The rooms were huge compared to the other two hotels we have experienced. Lots of things to do - game room, pool, ice cream, starbucks, bayliner food court. We do not need anything fancy. Loved the theme, commercials, references, old cars out front. The shuttle bus was very easy to use and was available every time with little to no wait. We had always used the boats before but the shuttle was very easy to use = probably less time waiting than the boats. We used the early entry into Harry Potter. We purchased the express passes separately. We were able to get two huge rooms for less than the price of one basic room at the other hotels. We had a view of Volcano Bay on the 10th floor of building 8 - adjoining rooms so that we could hang out together if we wanted to. Very helpful and friendly staff. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Ok especially on a Virgin Holidays deal

May 14, 2024 Audie B Southport, United Kingdom

Pretty good hotel for the cost. Far better deal than the Disney hotel we stayed in. The rooms are good and the location to Volcano bay is amazing, just ideal. Service was good and the hotel is good. Cleaning in public areas could be better, the pool area was not good as towels on Sun beds from the day before, which is pretty poor. The food area… Read more
Pretty good hotel for the cost. Far better deal than the Disney hotel we stayed in. The rooms are good and the location to Volcano bay is amazing, just ideal. Service was good and the hotel is good. Cleaning in public areas could be better, the pool area was not good as towels on Sun beds from the day before, which is pretty poor. The food area outside the restaurant near the pool area was a disgrace, no one can ever check it. If they just had a few more staff sorting that sort of thing it was be excellent. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Super Average

May 14, 2024 Tiredboss

Average for average price The good Location to universal On site food is ok, not bad….not great. Pool area is…average. Not sure if the filtration is working or they’re not netting out the bits but it was always just feeling a little dirty. Comfiest bed and pillows. Please tell me what pillows you use! The bad Boring on-site gift shop.… Read more
Average for average price The good Location to universal On site food is ok, not bad….not great. Pool area is…average. Not sure if the filtration is working or they’re not netting out the bits but it was always just feeling a little dirty. Comfiest bed and pillows. Please tell me what pillows you use! The bad Boring on-site gift shop. Everything is just now crazy expensive. Staff in food areas are very uninterested all except one girl who was working the burger section. A very pretty young lady who was the only person who could raise a smile. The distances from lobby to rooms can be a lot after day at park. And the worst was the soda machines. At least three of the six always tasted like there was no syrup. Seems like a definite ploy to stop you drinking! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great, unless you want to sleep

May 14, 2024 Road30028533807

Rooms are simple,clean and modern. Had some great food from the market. Walk to the theme parks is nice and only take 15-20 mins. They also have shuttle buses. Biggest problem, and a pretty major one in my opinion was that they randomly start to play very loud music at 3am from the bar/food court when people are trying to sleep! Im fine with… Read more
Rooms are simple,clean and modern. Had some great food from the market. Walk to the theme parks is nice and only take 15-20 mins. They also have shuttle buses. Biggest problem, and a pretty major one in my opinion was that they randomly start to play very loud music at 3am from the bar/food court when people are trying to sleep! Im fine with music until 10/11pm while pool areas are open etc, but at 3am? This made no sense unless they were trying to irritate people. This is currently happening whilst I write this review and its a tuesday morning. the smell of cannabis in certain areas slso not great. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Walking distance to Volcano Bay

May 10, 2024 653lilys

Perfect location if you want to hit Volcano Bay on the first day of arrival. Me and my significant other have a tradition of visiting the waterpark the day of arrival/check in. This was my first time staying on property and the experience was amazing. Our rooms were ready when we got there so we went straight to changing in our swimsuits. Our… Read more
Perfect location if you want to hit Volcano Bay on the first day of arrival. Me and my significant other have a tradition of visiting the waterpark the day of arrival/check in. This was my first time staying on property and the experience was amazing. Our rooms were ready when we got there so we went straight to changing in our swimsuits. Our hotel room was very close to walkway to Volcano Bay aka the resort entrance to the water park. This was a plus. There were a lot of food options but we opted to eat at the water park. The hotel itself has a bowling alley and an arcade. It also has two separate outdoor sandy beach pool areas and a lazy river. It has jacuzzis too. Now the cons: The reason I didn’t give it a 5 star is that when we booked the room based on the pictures, I was expecting on the full window view to volcano bay. I only got two windows and a wall dividing it. I feel that was misleading. I actually booked through hotel.com. I didn’t think of anything cause it was my first time and we always look at the picture of the hotel rooms before booking. The beds weren’t soft at all and pillows were hard. The room needed a lot of love. The walls had white plaster covering holes and scratches but you could still see them. Bed decoration was super old cause it had stains on the decorative pillow. The room was small and bathroom and amenities were fine. The jacuzzi also was packed with little kids which didn’t allow us to enjoy it. We are considering staying in another universal hotel cater more for adults. Overall, I do recommend the hotel if you are visiting Universal Orlando. Very close to Volcano Bay. Read less