Stella Nova Review: Is This Universal Orlando Hotel Worth It?

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I recently stayed at Stella Nova Resort, one of Universal Orlando’s brand-new Prime Value hotels, and wanted to give you a full, honest review of my experience. Whether you’re planning a trip to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, or Epic Universe, you might be wondering if Stella Nova is worth booking.

First Impressions: Modern, Sleek, and Spacey

From the moment I walked into my room at Stella Nova Resort, I could tell this was one of Universal Orlando’s newer properties. Everything felt fresh, modern, and space-themed, with cool backlit mirrors, space photography, and even nods to NASA murals and James Webb Telescope imagery adorning the walls. It’s clean, simple, and a little futuristic — a step up from Universal’s Dockside Inn and pretty on par with Aventura Hotel.

Room features I loved:

• Full-length mirror (perfect for checking those park day fits)
• Backlit bathroom mirror and a sleek shower (no tub in my room)
• Privacy curtain separating the bathroom from the sleeping area
• Wireless phone charging alarm clock (tiny detail, big win)
• Smart TV with casting and Bluetooth options and built-in streaming apps
• A mini-fridge (not freezing cold, but good for leftovers)
• Bonus points for how they positioned the connecting room doorway down the hallway and away from the beds – no loud noises coming through the less insulated door!

Is the room lighting a little dim? A bit, yes. But honestly, I didn’t mind. There’s something cozy about it, and there are plenty of lamps and reading lights if you need to brighten things up. Plus, strong overhead lighting is overrated anyway (queer folks know what I mean).

Resort Vibe, Theming, & Amenities

The vibe here is exactly what you’d expect from a space-themed design — sleek, modern, and minimalist without feeling sterile.

The all-white lobby makes a bold first impression, with an airy, open feel and just enough NASA-inspired decor to feel immersive without overdoing it. The lobby ambiance was chill when I arrived.

The heated pool area is sleek and spacious, with a spa hot tub tucked off to the side. I didn’t hop in this time (it was overrun with college kids — not exactly my vibe for a hot tub hangout), but it looked great for a sunny afternoon.

As for dining, you’ve got a few options:

• Cosmos Market: Grab-and-go spot for snacks, drinks (including coffee), pastries, and ice cream.
• Cosmos Cafe: The resort’s main quick-service option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also deliver pizza between 5PM and Midnight to your room!

I grabbed breakfast at the Cosmos Cafe my first morning there: the All-Galaxy Classic Breakfast. It came with scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, a southern biscuit and applewood smoked bacon.

I enjoyed this for a basic breakfast offering. The eggs were well-seasoned and not too wet or dry, the breakfast potatoes had great flavor, the biscuit was warm and fluffy, and the bacon was nice and crispy.

At $13, it was surprisingly solid for theme park hotel dining. If you’re looking for something simple before a park day, it gets the job done.

I also got the Hot Honey Chicken Pizza to eat poolside on my check-out day. It’s a 10″ pizza with chicken, grilled corn, caramelized onions, hot honey drizzle, and garlic cream.

This tasted absolutely amazing. The sweetness from the honey went really well with the cheese and chicken on the pizza, which was also well-cooked and not too crispy. There was a small amount of heat from the honey, but I personally could have handled some more.

For drinks, check out Nova Bar in the lobby, and poolside, you’ll find Galaxy Bar, which serves up cocktails. Light bites can also be found poolside at Galaxy Grill, which has a pickup window located near the Galaxy Bar.

The fitness center was bright, modern, and well-equipped for a resort at this price point. There’s also a games arcade if you need a little air-conditioned downtime.

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!

Transportation: What to Expect

Important to know — Stella Nova guests only use bus transportation to get around the Universal Orlando Resort. The efficient bus service drops off at the CityWalk security entrance, so you’ll go through security with the general crowd. You don’t have a private resort entrance like guests at some of the Signature hotels – Sapphire Falls, Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay.

Bus ride times:

• About 15–20 minutes to CityWalk, depending on your driver’s pace and time of day
• Another 5–10 minutes walk through CityWalk to reach Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure

If you’re aiming for early park admission (which is included when staying at Stella Nova), I’d budget 45 minutes to an hour from leaving your room to being inside a park.

Expert Tip: Stella Nova features a walking path to Epic Universe! It only takes about 10 minutes to walk from the hotel to the park, making it one of the most convenient, budget-friendly options nearby.

Sleep Quality & Sound

Truthfully, sound travels a bit in this hotel. You can hear doors closing and neighbors occasionally, though it didn’t ruin my sleep. The room’s soundproofing was decent, but if you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs and try to request a room on the top floor away from the elevators.

Only real downside? The blankets were a little too thin for my liking. If you love a heavier comforter, ask for an extra blanket at the friendly front desk staff, who, by the way, made the check-in process a breeze. There are also some extra blankets and pillows in the closet.

Pillow and bed comfort was a win though — soft without being flimsy or too firm.

Final Thoughts: Should You Stay at Stella Nova?

If you’re planning a quick trip to Epic Universe when it opens, Stella Nova Resort is a fantastic option.

It’s stylish, budget-friendly, and feels like a step above Universal’s Value Inn & Suites category, especially with perks like early park admission and free transportation to the parks. I spent $310.51 total on my Stella Nova stay for two nights with an Annual Passholder discount, and that felt extremely fair to me.

Compared to Dockside Inn or even some Disney resorts in a similar price range, Stella Nova feels newer and fresher. The food pricing at Cosmos Cafe was fair for a theme park hotel, and I appreciated the polite staff and comfortable rooms.

The bus transportation to CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay can take some more time than at other Universal Orlando hotels, though. If you aren’t really planning on visiting Epic Universe, staying at one of those resorts may save you time.

There are some nice amenities here, like a heated pool, hot tub, and fitness center, but not as many as at some other Universal Orlando Resort hotels (like free Express Unlimited at some of the Signature hotels).

Would I stay here again? Absolutely — especially for an Epic Universe trip or if you’re attending a conference at the nearby Orlando Convention Center.

Final Ratings for This Stella Nova Review

Category	Rating (out of 5)
Room Decor & Cleanliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Amenities & Features	⭐⭐⭐
Dining (Cosmos Cafe)	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Transportation Convenience	⭐⭐⭐
Sleep Quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall Value	⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’ll be reviewing Terra Luna Resort next to see how it stacks up against Stella Nova! And of course, check out my Epic Universe review and thoughts after my first preview visit there!

If you’re ready to plan your Universal Orlando trip — whether you want to stay at Stella Nova Resort or another hotel — let’s chat! I can help you plan a custom, stress-free theme park getaway. Not only am I a travel agent, I’m also a Universal Orlando Annual Passholder, so I visit the parks frequently and can help you have the best vacation with my tips and tricks.