The stylish, brand-new Aventura Hotel is simply perfect for families visiting Universal Orlando. Here’s why!
Kids Suites
The 575-square-foot suites features three separate sleeping areas, each with floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows. Suites in the top floors have sweeping views of Universal Orlando’s theme parks and Universal’s Volcano Bay water park.
The largest room comes with a king bed, minifridge, TV, desk, and chairs. Separated by a three-quarter wall and a curtain is the children’s sleeping area, with two twin beds and a TV. Right next to it is a separate space with a pullout sofa, a table, and a third TV mounted on the wall. Here, kids can hang out, play, and watch TV without messing up the bedrooms.
The bathroom has a bathtub, a separate shower, toilet, and a double vanity area. Several family members can get ready at the same time in this space, which is an added bonus.
All suites also have a coffeemaker, an iron/ironing board, Bluetooth speakers, plenty of charging stations, and USB ports for a family traveling with several smartphones and other electronic devices. Tech-savvy travelers will enjoy the in-room tablets that allows guests to control their air-conditioning, lightning, and TV channels; and room service, wakeup calls, room charges, internet surfing, and a digitized Bible are only one click away. The contemporary and minimalistic design of the rooms helps with storage and eliminates clutter.
Pool Time and Kids Activities
The 4,745-square-foot pool is open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., with lifeguards present at all times. The pool area also features a hot tub, a bar located on a covered patio with plenty of seating, and a fire pit. Free pool diapers are available in the bathrooms adjacent to the hot tub.
During inclement weather, the lifeguards entertain kids on the covered bar patio with games. Here, they can also enjoy a game of table tennis, pool, or foosball.
On the 2nd floor of the Aventura Hotel, there is a fitness center and a VR game room. The six different games (Snowball, Longbow, Vortex, Fruit Ninja, Space Pirates, and Zombie Training Center) cost $10 each to play.
Urban Pantry: Amazing Food Choices Keep the Entire Family Happy
The food court is simply the best over-the-counter eatery at any of Orlando’s theme parks and resorts. Plenty of inviting and comfortable seating areas are combined with a cornucopia of choices at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Breakfast at Urban Pantry includes a made-to-order omelet station; a yogurt bar with fresh fruits sold by the bowl and by weight; and an all-American station serving waffles, pancakes, and, of course, scrambled eggs with bacon and sausage.
At lunch, the yogurt bar transforms into a Asian station serving freshly made sushi and a selection of Asian bowls combining different noodles and protein. Kids will flock to the made-to-order pizza station and the adjacent ice-cream counter. A burger and sandwich station also opens for lunch.
The Asian food, fast food, and fresh pizza stations stay open through dinner. A fourth station, the Roast Kitchen, opens up to serve dinner only and features freshly made rotisserie chicken, carved beef, and salmon.
Fun for Mom and Dad
Inside Aventura’s lobby you’ll find a Starbucks and Barventura, a lobby bar that opens at 5 p.m. For a relaxing evening, a little bite, drinks, and a great view, head up to Bar 17 Bistro, located on the 17th floor of the hotel. The menu of the rooftop bar includes delicious bao buns, sliders, salads, and kids’ fare. The bar opens at 4 p.m., and the kitchen starts serving at 5 p.m.
Volcano Bay Waterpark is Right Next Door
You won’t have to take a bus or car to reach Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay, as a dedicated path leads from the hotel’s pool area to the entrance of the water park. In addition to amazing rides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and tropical decor reminiscent of the islands of the South Pacific, the park is hands-down the nicest water park out there. Check out my full review here.
Good to Know
There is regular, efficient bus service between the hotel and CityWalk. If you like to walk, you can do so following a path that ends right next to Margaritaville. If you are not in a hurry, you can walk over to Sapphire Falls Resort, which is across the street from Aventura hotel, and take the boat to CityWalk from there.
Rates for a kids suite start at $216, with standard rooms going for $116. Staying at Aventura Hotel includes Early Park Admission to Universal theme parks, as well as Volcano Bay, but does not include the Universal Express Pass.
If you enjoyed this post, sign up for our newsletter here. For all there is to see and do at Walt Disney World, check out The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids by Bob Sehlinger and Liliane Opsomer, with Len Testa. For an in-depth look at Universal Orlando consider The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando by Seth Kubersky.
This article was first published by The Mouse for Less.
