Hotel Spotlight: Stella Nova Resort, Orlando Florida

Earlier this year, Erin from our Social Media Team had the absolute pleasure of checking into Stella Nova Resort, one of the newest and most cosmic additions to Universal Orlando Resort — and spoiler alert: it’s out of this world! Located just steps from the highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park, we caught up with Erin to tell us why this space-inspired hotel is perfect for family holidays to Orlando in 2025/ 2026. 

We pulled up late afternoon on a sunny Monday, and from the second I saw the futuristic exterior of Stella Nova, I knew this hotel was going to be as gorgeous on the inside as it was on the outside! Think sleek, space-inspired design meets resort-level comfort. Right across the street is Terra Luna Resort—Stella Nova’s equally gorgeous sister property—and both are just a stone’s throw from Universal's brand-new Epic Universe theme park. (Yes, there’s a free shuttle. Thank you, universe!) I was so excited to step into this hotel and experience the next 4 nights here!

The ground floor of this hotel had everything you could think of! Walking through the front doors, you’re greeted with a bright, welcoming lobby that totally leans into the space theme. There’s a luggage desk, so you can drop your bags and run to the pool or parks if your room’s not quite ready. The front desk staff were super friendly and helpful, which set the tone for the whole stay.

To your left, you’ll find a Universal Studios Store stocked with sunscreen, poolside goodies, and tons of merch, so no panic if you forgot your sunglasses or want to grab last-minute gifts. Just beyond the store is the Vacation Planning Center, where you can plan, purchase, and upgrade your theme park tickets with ease.

This hotel really shines when it comes to family-friendly fun and chill-out time. There’s a modern arcade room loaded with games (great for rainy afternoons), a spacious fitness centre (yes, I peeked inside... no, I did not work out), and the real showstopper: a 10,000-square-foot outdoor pool!

Next to the pool is a kids’ splash pad, hot tub, and Galaxy Bar & Grill, where you can grab drinks and poolside bites. Some nights, they even fire up the poolside movie screen or light up the fire pits. Total vacation vibes.

All 750 rooms at Universal Stella Nova Resort follow a clean, modern layout. Ours had two super comfy queen-size beds, a cosy seating area, flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, and—my personal fave—a coffee maker (vital for early park mornings!). The complimentary Wi-Fi worked flawlessly, and yes—they even offer in-room pizza delivery. That’s the kind of room service I can get behind. The bathroom layout was also super practical: a large vanity area with a sink and mirror, and a separate room for the shower and toilet. Oh, and there were tons of outlets and USB ports—perfect for charging all the gadgets after a day at the parks.

Hungry? You won’t have to travel far. Right on the ground floor is the Cosmos Café and Market, serving up everything from fresh salads and sandwiches to hot meals and late-night snacks. You order at the counter, get a buzzer, and pick up your food when it’s ready. You can dine inside or take it to go. I lived for the pizza—crispy, cheesy, and it hits the spot after a long day out.

Stella Nova Resort is about 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport, 15 minutes from Universal Studios Florida and CityWalk, and literally steps from Epic Universe (which is going to be a huge draw once it opens this month). The location alone makes this one of the best new hotels near Universal Orlando.