How to Pick the Right Hotel for Your Universal Orlando Vacation

Universal Orlando currently has seven hotels, soon to be eight with the opening of Universal's Endless Summer Resort: Dockside Inn and Suites on March 17 of this year. Split up among four different categories-Premier, Preferred, Prime Value and Value-each resort offers a load of different amenities and extra bonuses, so it's important to know what's included with your stay to get the most bang for your buck.

Early park admission is available to all resort guests with a valid park ticket on certain days. Although not everything will be open at this time, guests will get the added benefit of riding or experiencing the following attractions:

-Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

-Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

-Ollivanders

-Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

-Flight of the Hippogriff

-The Incredible Hulk Coaster

-The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman

-Doctor Doom's Fearfall

-Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides

-Ohyah of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides

-Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides

-Honu of the Honu Ika Moana

-ika Moana of the Honu ika Moana

-Krakatau Aqua Coaster

-Ko'okiri Body Plunge

This is a biggie-guests receive free Universal Express Unlimited passes for staying a Premier category resort. This $129 value (per person, per day) can really add up and is one of the most popular added benefits. Although the passes are not valid at Universal's Volcano Bay water theme park, this is a huge time saver at Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure. Even better, if you are only planning on visiting the parks for a few days, the Express Unlimited Passes will get you to the front of the lines with a minimal wait for all your favorite rides.

Staying close to the parks is a huge plus but having easy transportation to and from the resorts is even better. Each on-site hotel has buses that frequently travel to and from the parks, allowing visitors a chance to rest after a long day of walking. Premier and Preferred hotels even have a water taxi for a leisurely route between the resorts and parks. And for those who feel they haven't gotten enough exercise in, there are even paved pathways to walk between the Premier, Preferred and Prime Value resorts.

Guests staying at Premier Resorts will also get the added luxury of priority seating at select restaurants. This is especially nice when hunger hits and your favorite restaurant at Universal CityWalk has a ridiculous wait time.

When checking into your hotel room, guests who are staying at any Universal Orlando property are asked if they would like to link their credit card with their hotel key. Much like Walt Disney World's Magic Bands, this added convenience allows guests to only have to carry around their resort key during their stay.

Guests who are staying at one of Universal Orlando's on-site hotels can request that any merchandise they purchase while in the parks or resorts be delivered to their hotel. This added convenience allows visitors not to be bogged down with bags or breakables while trying to enjoy the rides.

Located the closest to the entrance of Universal Studios Orlando, the Hard Rock Hotel brings its iconic rock 'n roll attitude to the area. There are plenty of eateries within the resort-including The Palm, a New York-style steakhouse; a bar with a VIP atmosphere; a beach club where you can enjoy frozen drinks by the pool and 24-hour room service. In addition to all the added benefits of staying at a Premier hotel, the hotel puts on "Velvet Sessions," or intimate rock concerts.

Modeled after the seaside village in Italy, the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel offers three categories of rooms-standard, club level and suites. This hotel is great for those traveling with small children as there is a Kids Camp offered on the property. There's also a full video game arcade, plenty of pool activities - like water balloon tosses and pool basketball-and an ultra-calming spa. The resort has plenty of places to grab a bite to eat, from sit-down restaurants to a deli to bars to a gelateria. And for those coffee lovers, there's even a Starbucks to get your day started before exploring the parks.

Modeled after a Polynesian paradise, the Loews Royal Pacific Resort is considered a Premier hotel at Universal Orlando. The resort features a specialty Despicable Me character breakfast every Saturday morning, a traditional Hawaiian luau and casual dining options to grab a bite to eat. There's a lagoon-style pool, fitness center, shops and even a spot for weddings. Throughout the year there is also a specialty dining option where guests will get to enjoy a five-course meal paired with craft-style brews.

Located at the back corner of the lagoon linking the resorts to the two main theme parks by water taxi sits the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. This is a great location for easy access to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and is just a short walk away from Volcano Bay. The hotel offers standard rooms as well as luxury suites. With a massive pool-16,000 square feet to be exact-and plenty of restaurant and bar options, guests will want to plan to spend some downtime at this hotel.

Universal's Aventura Hotel is a typical high-rise hotel and considered a Prime Value on property. Offering standard rooms and kids suite, guests can relax to views of the iconic volcano at Volcano Bay peaking over Cabana Bay Beach Resort. There is a delicious rooftop bar located at the top of the hotel with expansive views-just don't be surprised to see locals and more than hotel guests hanging out here too.

Also considered a Prime Value hotel, Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort actually has a lot to offer. Styled like a retro beach resort from the '50s or '60s, Cabana Bay has standard rooms and family suites. You'll want to try to get a room with a view of Volcano Bay if you can. Guests can relax in one of two oversized pools or the lazy river, try a plethora of food options at the food court or spend the evening bowling.

Universal's newest hotel-Universal's Endless Summer Resort: Surfside Inn and Suites-also created it's very own category as a Value hotel. This affordable option doesn't skimp on amenities though, and it even offers two-bedroom suites starting at the low price of $120 per night for a 5-night stay. The bright and beachy atmosphere is prevalent throughout the resort with a poolside bar and causal food court. Guests even have the option to order freshly made pizzas directly to their rooms.

Although the sister resort-Universal's Endless Summer Resort: Dockside Inn and Suites-is technically not yet open, we can only expect great things for this resort after seeing the success of Surfside Inn and Suites last year. The hotel is scheduled to officially open March 17, 2020.