72 Hours at the Hilton Orlando Hotel—Here's Why I Loved My Stay

The moment we entered—even though we got in pretty late—we were met with plenty of staff to help check us in and avoid long lines. I can appreciate that beyond the property’s proximity to Universal—it’s a six-minute drive from Epic Universe with complimentary shuttle service—there’s even a dedicated space in the lobby to book Universal tickets. The convenience is built into the hotel experience. In fact, aside from Epic Universe, the property is close to other Orlando attractions like SeaWorld and Epcot, and just steps (literally) to the Orlando Convention Center, Plus, it’s only a 16-minute drive from Orlando International Airport.

The hotel room was spacious, featured two full-size queen beds, a sizable bathroom (with a tub) and a work area. But it’s called the EPIC View Room for a reason: large windows overlook the Orlando Convention Center, Universal’s Terra Luna Resort and even provide a tiny glimpse into the new Epic Universe theme park. Squinting, I could just make out the turning of the windmill in the Dark Universe.

I can report the beds were super comfortable, and I slept like a baby every night. The room also included robes, additional pillows and extra sheets. But one of the best surprises came while we were exploring the room and noticed a small birthday cake on the desk. I appreciated the hotel going above and beyond for my mom—even if I didn’t request a sweet treat to be delivered to our room. It was this small gesture that was a nice bonus to the trip, and BTW, the cake was delicious. 

A wellness space on the bottom floor includes a spa, gym and even a hair salon. However, it was the large pool that grabbed my attention. Aside from the expansive pool, there is a smaller pool for adults only (with a small whirlpool included), a water slide for the thrill-seekers, and a splash pad for the younger guests. 

But the real star of the show was the 892-foot lazy river. Once I grabbed a tube and started my journey through the lazy river and a canopy of trees, I almost forgot it was a part of the hotel.I’m not afraid to admit I did go through the lazy river a couple of times during my stay.

Hilton Orlando has Italian favorites at Trabucco, Mexican cuisine at Todovos and quick bites at Scratch Market (open 24 hours, FYI). My mom and I were obsessed with FastBreak, their sports bar and restaurant, which featured huge TV screens. As of writing, I’m still dreaming about the “All American” burger I had for dinner. 

The restaurant is also known for their “Epic Sips” menu, a curated list of drinks inspired by Epic Universe’s lands. As a big Harry Potter fan, I ordered the “Transfiguration Juice,” a mocktail with lemonade, butterfly pea flower tea and lemon juice. It comes with Harry’s signature glasses and a plastic wand (which you can take home with you!). Pro tip: Use the wand to ‘mix’. Sure, it was cheesy, but I loved it. My mom had the “Power-Up Sour” in honor of Super Mario Bros. It was a blend of lime, guava and pisco and came in a mushroom-shaped glass. 

Bottom Line

My mom had a blast. I had a blast. I mean, cake greeted us upon arrival. What’s a better way to start her birthday extravaganza? After three nights on land, we traveled to Cape Canaveral to hop aboard our cruise. So whether you’re looking for a quick stay or a long vacation—you can experience a theme park-esque experience without ever leaving your hotel. 

Fast Facts

• Location: 6001 Destination Pkwy, Orlando, Florida 32819
• Price Range: $454/night
• Accommodation Options: standard rooms, pool view/epic view rooms, pure allergy rooms, family suites, signature suites, presidential suites