Aventura Hotel Review: Honestly, This Place Surprised Me

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I stayed at Aventura Hotel for the very first time back in 2019. It was my first-ever trip to Universal Orlando Resort. I hadn’t been back since, but on my most recent visit I finally returned, and I have to be honest: this hotel really surprised me. Having now stayed at every Universal Orlando on-property hotel, I went in knowing what to expect but was genuinely blown away by some things I had forgotten, or maybe just hadn’t appreciated the first time around.

So let’s get into it. Here’s my full Aventura Hotel review.

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Location: Surprisingly Great Access to Everything

I had always assumed Cabana Bay was the closest Universal hotel to Volcano Bay, and to be fair, if you’re in one of the Cabana Bay towers with a Volcano Bay view, that might technically be true. Cabana Bay also has its own private entrance to the water park, which is a huge deal. But here’s what I didn’t realize: Aventura Hotel may actually be physically closer to Volcano Bay’s main entrance.

You walk out of the lobby, pass the pool, go down a small ramp behind it, and you’re at Volcano Bay’s entrance. That’s it. We’re talking a walk of probably under five minutes. It’s insanely convenient, and it genuinely caught me off guard.

Walk out of the lobby, pass the pool, and you’re basically already at Volcano Bay. I genuinely didn’t realize how close this is.

Beyond Volcano Bay, the location keeps getting better. You’re right next door to Sapphire Falls, which is important for a couple of reasons. First, you can walk over in about two or three minutes, head down to their lower level, and hop on the boat transportation to CityWalk. If you’ve never taken the boats, they’re hands-down the best way to get around Universal Orlando, and I cover all your Universal Orlando transportation options in detail over on the blog. You go through security at the dock rather than the main CityWalk entrance, which saves a noticeable amount of hassle.

Second, being next door to Sapphire Falls means you’re walking distance from Strong Water Tavern, which is my single favorite place to eat on all of Universal property. Being this close to it is a perk I consider almost non-negotiable at this point.

Cabana Bay is also right next door in the other direction, which means you can pop over to Galaxy Bowl for some bowling, or take advantage of their pools with the sandy beaches and lazy river. And if you want to stretch a bit further, Royal Pacific isn’t that far either.

Pro Tip: Instead of waiting for a bus to CityWalk, walk the 2–3 minutes to Sapphire Falls and take the boat transportation instead. You’ll clear security faster and arrive in style. Check out my full Universal Orlando transportation guide for more tips like this.

The one honest caveat here: if Epic Universe is the main reason for your trip, Aventura is not your best base. It’s about a 12-to-20-minute bus ride away, depending on traffic. If you’re planning to spend most of your time there, you’d be better served by one of the Epic Universe-adjacent hotels. I reviewed Helios Grand Hotel and it’s absolutely worth a look if Epic Universe is your priority.

And as with all Universal Orlando hotels, there’s no free airport transportation. You’ll need to use the Superstar Shuttle (which has a fee), a shared car service, or an Uber or Lyft to get to and from the airport.

Rooms and Accommodations: Sleek, Comfortable, and a Little Quirky

If you’re looking for heavy theming (think Universal IPs plastered on every wall, or an immersive resort concept like the shores of Italy at Portofino Bay), Aventura is not going to be your place. The theme here is best described as sleek and modern. Lots of floor-to-ceiling windows, a clean and upscale aesthetic, and a vibe that feels a little more boutique hotel than theme park resort. You might even spot a delivery robot wandering the halls, which is honestly kind of fun.

I’ll be clear: I actually like this about Aventura. Not every hotel needs to be overdone. The modern chic aesthetic feels intentional and refreshing.

On this visit, I stayed in the Deluxe Queen room, which is a step up from the standard two-queen room I had back in 2019. The upgrade gives you a bit more space, and I appreciated that the beds weren’t right on top of each other, so you can actually move around the room without feeling cramped. The views from these rooms can also be really impressive. We had a great view of Cabana Bay and Volcano Bay right from our window.

One thing worth flagging: the room lighting is a bit odd. During the day, those floor-to-ceiling windows do all the work, but at night, the fixtures are placed in some strange spots. There’s nothing directly over the beds, and some of the light switches control multiple lights at once, so if you just want to turn one on, you may end up lighting up half the room. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s worth knowing about.

The beds themselves were really comfortable. The AC fan can get notably loud when it’s running, but honestly, if you’re someone who likes white noise while you sleep (I am), that’s a feature, not a bug. Everything in the room is controlled via an iPad, which is genuinely cool. You can manage the lights, TV, air conditioning, and even order room service from it. Just be aware that if you have anyone in your group who’s not super tech-comfortable, there may be a small learning curve.

Is the Deluxe Queen upgrade worth it? If you’re traveling with at least one other person and you value your space, probably yes. If you’re going solo, I wouldn’t bother; the standard room will serve you just fine. Not sure which Universal hotel is right for your group at all? That’s exactly the kind of thing I help people sort out. Request a free vacation quote and we can figure it out together.

Dining and Restaurants: Bar 17 Bistro Is the Star. The Rest Is Fine.

The dining at Aventura is honestly a mixed bag, and I think it’s important to be straight about that.

Urban Pantry

Urban Pantry is the hotel’s main food court-style dining area. We had breakfast there and it was fine. Nothing blew us away, but perfectly serviceable. From what I’ve heard, the pizza here is worth a try. Overall it’s comparable to what you’d find at Stella Nova or Terra Luna. Good enough, but not a destination dining experience.

Bar 17 Bistro

Now, Bar 17 Bistro. That’s a different story. This rooftop bar sits 17 floors up and delivers some of the best views on all of Universal property. You can see Cabana Bay, Volcano Bay, Dockside, and Surfside from up there. On a clear night, you can even spot Epic Universe in the distance (the same park I covered in my Epic Universe first look), and sometimes catch fireworks from the Disney parks. The views alone make it worth the trip up.

I’ll be honest about the food: the menu has shifted toward a Korean-Asian inspired style, which isn’t necessarily what I’m looking for when I’m at a rooftop bar. I tend to want elevated bar food: a good burger, some solid appetizers, that kind of thing. The burger is still available and it’s pretty good; I had it on my first visit in 2019 and it held up. But the broader menu direction isn’t quite my vibe. I usually go up there for a drink and the views, and I’m perfectly happy doing that.

We dropped our bags, went straight up to Bar 17 Bistro for a drink, looked out over the resort, and knew we were officially on vacation.

The saving grace for dining at Aventura is, again, the location. Strong Water Tavern is about two minutes away on foot, and it’s my favorite restaurant on property. Galaxy Bowl at Cabana Bay is also right there. You’re not stuck with whatever’s on-site, which makes the hotel’s average food offerings much easier to live with.

If you’re looking to have the best Universal Orlando vacation, work with me as a travel advisor! With the help of my host agency, Wishdrawals Travel, I’ll help plan your next epic, stress-free adventure, whether you’re a family with kids, a solo traveler, or a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Get started with a free quote now!

The Pool Is Fine. Your Neighbors’ Pools Are Better. But the Perks Are Great.

There is a pool at Aventura, and it’s perfectly adequate. There’s a splash pad for the kids, a pool bar, a hot tub (which I’m always a fan of, especially on vacation), and some nice lounge space. We spent a little time out there one evening before it got too cool. It gets the job done.

That said, the pool is definitely on the smaller side compared to what you’ll find next door. Cabana Bay has sandy beach areas and a lazy river. Sapphire Falls has a massive pool with a water slide and sandy beaches. And Volcano Bay, which is literally right behind Aventura’s pool, is obviously the ultimate option if you want to spend a full day by the water.

The honest way to look at it: Aventura’s pool is fine for a casual evening soak or letting the kids splash around. If you want a full pool day experience, you have better options within a five-minute walk.

Early Theme Park Entry lets you into the parks up to an hour before the general public. I’ve got a full breakdown of how to make the most of Universal’s Early Park Admission if you want to maximize those extra minutes. Free bus transportation runs to CityWalk, the parks, and Epic Universe. Package delivery service is also included, meaning any merchandise you buy in the parks can be shipped back to your room up to 24 hours before checkout (though there are daily cutoff times, so keep that in mind).

One thing that is not included: Express Pass. If you want to skip the standby lines, you’ll need to purchase those separately. This hotel doesn’t come with them as part of your stay, unlike the Signature Collection properties. I wrote a full guide to Universal Orlando hotels that include Express Pass if that perk is important to you; it covers Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific, and Portofino Bay in detail.

Overall Impressions: Should You Stay at Aventura Hotel?

Having now stayed at every Universal Orlando on-property hotel, I can say with confidence that Aventura Hotel offers a genuinely solid value for what you pay. The rooms are comfortable and stylish, the views are great, Bar 17 Bistro is a legitimately fun and unique experience, and the location might be the best-kept secret among Universal’s mid-tier hotels.

The key is knowing who this hotel is and isn’t right for.

Pros and Cons of Aventura Hotel

I would absolutely stay here again. The price point is fair, the location is genuinely excellent, and being sandwiched between Cabana Bay and Sapphire Falls means you have access to far more amenities than what’s technically on Aventura’s own property. That’s a unique advantage that I don’t think gets talked about enough.

If Volcano Bay is high on your priority list, or if you just want a stylish, comfortable home base that’s well-connected to everything Universal Orlando Resort has to offer, Aventura Hotel deserves serious consideration. I came back after six years expecting to be underwhelmed and left genuinely impressed. That says something.

And if you’re still comparing hotels, whether it’s Aventura vs. Cabana Bay, or you’re weighing whether to splurge on a hotel that includes Express Pass, I’m happy to help. As a travel advisor, I do this for free. No upselling, no pressure. Just honest advice and a plan that fits your vacation. Here’s why using a travel agent for Universal trips actually makes sense, if you’re curious.

FAQs About Aventura Hotel

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