Helios Grand Lodge is the brand new resort inside Epic Universe, with views overlooking the third theme park at Common Orlando. This evaluation options room photographs & video, a take a look at widespread areas & facilities, plus the professionals & cons of staying on the latest in-park lodging and whether or not it’s well worth the splurge.
Common Helios Grand Lodge is a 500-room, full-service lodge located in Common Orlando’s top-tier “Signature Assortment” alongside Loews Portofino Bay Lodge, Exhausting Rock Lodge, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. The primary three inns on that checklist are the legacy deluxe resorts, which supply limitless Categorical Move with stays, amongst different issues. Neither the new-ish Sapphire Falls nor Helios Grand Lodge provide limitless Categorical Move.
As with the opposite resorts at Common Orlando, Helios Grand Lodge is a collaboration–designed by Common Inventive and operated by Loews Lodges. The brand new lodge is ostensibly a Mediterranean-inspired resort, with astronomical and mythological motifs. Helios Grand Lodge rises above the luxurious gardens and scenic waters of Celestial Park at Epic Universe, and is designed as a “palatial” resort. The lodge has a cosmos-inspired rooftop bar and the lodge’s personal devoted entrance into Epic Universe as its predominant options.
Helios Grand Lodge will undoubtedly make a powerful first impression on most company, me included. Once you stroll via the entrance entrance, you’re instantly drawn to the overlook on the different finish of the foyer that boasts massive views into Epic Universe. All through the lodge, each excessive level is the proximity to the park. The views into Epic Universe are spectacular and thrilling, particularly in the event that they’re whetting your urge for food for a primary go to to Epic Universe.
Helios Grand Lodge is being described by Common Orlando because the “crown jewel” of Epic Universe, which is comprehensible given its location rising above the park. It’s basically the point of interest from round Celestial Park and, accordingly, you may anticipate this to be the flagship lodge at Common Orlando, very like Lodge MiraCosta at Tokyo DisneySea or the Grand Californian at Disneyland Resort.
Not a lot. Its in-park location is the one factor Helios Grand Lodge has in widespread with these flagship resorts.
Sadly, there’s no there there in a thematic sense with Helios Grand Lodge when you get previous a number of cool particulars. On its floor, it appears and seems like Common’s tackle the kind of lodge tower you’d discover in Las Vegas. There are really magnificent inns with overwhelming and ostentatious design in Las Vegas.
Whereas the Las Vegas comparisons are going to be apparent and ample, Helios Grand Lodge doesn’t measure as much as any of these properties when it come to lavishness. Nor does it have the slate of options and facilities company might anticipate from an upscale Las Vegas lodge or, for that matter, different prime tier theme park resorts in Central Florida.
Let’s dig deeper into the resort by looking round Helios Grand Lodge…
Helios Grand Lodge Visitor Rooms & Suites
The visitor rooms and suites of Common Helios Grand Lodge are mentioned to evoke the tranquility of a blissful backyard, with most of the rooms affording breathtaking views of Epic Universe and others boasting the worst metropolis view possible.
Customary Rooms on the Common Helios Grand Lodge present a garden-themed retreat, obtainable with both a king mattress for as much as three company or two queen beds for as much as 5. The 2-queen-bed commonplace rooms measure 325 sq. ft, whereas the king-bed commonplace rooms provide a bit more room at 340 sq. ft.
Deluxe Rooms are bigger nonetheless, at 415 sq. ft and accommodating as much as 5 company. This structure has two queen-sized beds and a standard space that includes a small sleeper couch. The suites are even larger, with choices from 545 sq. ft (Easy methods to Practice Your Dragon Children’ Suites) to over 1,000 sq. ft for the hospitality and presidential suites.
All rooms at Helios Grand Lodge boast 300-thread-count, 100% cotton mattress linens; versus a mattress runner, all of them have ornamental duvets that cowl the complete size of the mattress. Consolation-wise, the bedding was plush and incredible. The sheets had been likewise fairly good. Each Common and Disney have improved their mattresses within the final a number of years, so completely no complaints there.
Different in-room facilities embody a mini-fridge, free Wi-Fi, dresser, 55-inch flat panel TV with on-demand in-room motion pictures, single-cup espresso maker, Julien Farel tub merchandise, and all kinds of retailers and USB ports. There’s an extended checklist of stuff you’d anticipate, like a secure and iron (separate options), however I’m not going to checklist that every one.
Most notable is that there’s a pill for controlling the lights, temperature, TV, and studying concerning the lodge. There are additionally wall controls for the entire similar, though I discovered them to be hit and miss. I had a really tough time opening and shutting the drapes, and I promise this wasn’t because of consumer error. The system was glitchy, as confirmed by different company staying at Helios Grand Lodge. Lastly, my desk lamp turned on at random in the course of the night time on two totally different events, main me to unplug the clearly-haunted mild fixture.
I’ve very combined emotions concerning the visitor rooms at Helios Grand Lodge. I beloved the headboard in my room, which evoked a watercolor portray with its floral brushstrokes in comfortable pink and blue tones. The carpet and furnishings was likewise good, as had been a number of accents, all elevating the room and making it really feel refined and stylish.
The most important drawback is the room measurement. I had simply stayed at Common Terra Luna Resort the nights earlier than switching to Common Helios Grand Lodge. My room on the former, a ‘Prime Worth Resort’ costing lower than $150 per night time, was 315 sq. ft. My room at Helios Grand was solely 325 sq. ft. A negligible distinction.
Furthermore, I can not conclusively state that the visitor room on the Signature Assortment resort was materially nicer than the funds choice. There have been little touches suggesting that, to make sure, however nothing really excessive finish. A part of the “drawback” right here is Terra Luna arguably punches above its weight for its value. However the rooms at Helios Grand Lodge additionally punch beneath theirs.
The one factor that made apparent the distinction was opening the drapes and looking into Epic Universe.
The park view is beautiful, and focuses company’ consideration exterior the room reasonably than in it. Critically, this angle overlooking Epic Universe is magnetic, overshadowing nearly every thing else concerning the lodge. That is nothing just like the distant views afforded by park view rooms of Magic Kingdom on the Grand Floridian or Modern Resorts. Since Helios Grand is a real in-park lodge, you might be absolutely immersed in Epic Universe. This view is pure magic.
Clearly, this solely applies with a park view room. The opposite aspect of the lodge presents views into back-of-house amenities and stuff you usually received’t wish to see. For that reason, we are able to actually solely suggest Helios Grand Lodge if you happen to’re prepared and in a position to splurge on a park view room. We’d prioritize the park view over all different room sorts. (Word: the Membership Degree lounge doesn’t have a park view.)
Listed here are extra photographs from our Park View Room at Helios Grand Lodge on the Membership Degree:
Personal Park Entrance Into Epic Universe
Situated off the foyer is Helios Grand Lodge’s devoted entrance into Epic Universe that gives entry to and from the theme park (legitimate theme park admission required, after all).
Critiques from the media occasion praised this park entrance, with a number of indicating that the road can be shorter and quicker than the principle entrance. That is false, and underscores the issue with reviewing a lodge in a managed and capability constrained surroundings.
The devoted entrance into Epic Universe has a 500-room lodge all served by a single safety scanner for bag verify and a few turnstiles. Unsurprisingly, many (most?) of the company in these 500 rooms all wish to enter Epic Universe for Early Park Admission. The tip end result, at the least throughout my keep, was a massively lengthy line that stretched all the way in which open air and into the pool space.
It was neither quick nor quick. Buddies staying at close by Terra Luna Resort obtained via safety on the predominant entrance quicker than me. Maybe this may change over time as there’s much less of an emphasis on Epic Universe for company staying at Helios Grand Lodge, however I doubt it. The explanation to remain right here will all the time be going to Epic Universe.
The excellent news is that, as soon as the morning rush subsides, utilizing this entrance is an absolute breeze. I used to be out and in of Epic Universe in a matter of minutes. For noon breaks, the devoted entrance into Helios Grand Lodge is a gamechanger.
Helios Grand Lodge Pool
It’s no secret that Central Florida has 43 weeks of summer time, making the lodge pool some of the necessary options for a lot of company at Common Orlando or Walt Disney World. This zero-entry pool space is lengthy and winding, that includes a spacious tiered seating space. It additionally options underwater audio system, poolside cabana leases, a sizzling tub, poolside motion pictures, and every day leisure actions. Lotus Lagoon is the resort’s poolside bar & grill, serving up drinks and pub meals.
Throughout my keep, I by no means noticed too many individuals utilizing the pool at Helios Grand Lodge. The seating space was, at most, one-quarter full and there was ample area within the pool itself. I think this may change over time, given what I’ve noticed from different pool areas at Common Orlando. This can be busy and crowded in some unspecified time in the future.
As in comparison with decrease degree pool areas at Common Orlando, the one at Helios Grand Lodge is good. The lengthy and winding structure breaks up the area, and is much superior to the large complexes on the funds resorts.
Nevertheless, Helios doesn’t maintain a candle to the pool areas at any of the opposite Signature Assortment resorts, all of which supply a few of the nicest swimming pools in Central Florida. I hold seeing reward for this pool and it being described as an “oasis,” which has me questioning whether or not we stayed on the similar lodge.
The opposite Common Orlando Signature inns have a wide range of nice and interesting options, whereas the pool at Helios Grand Lodge feels extra superficial–an grownup pool that serves an atmospheric goal whereas lounging. There’s not essentially something improper with that, however if in case you have children who love taking part in in swimming pools, you may wish to look elsewhere.
Its location additionally leaves one thing to be desired, “nestled” between the car parking zone and Monsters Unchained present constructing. The best way it’s wedged into this spot makes me wonder if it had been initially meant to be situated on the park aspect of Helios Grand Lodge.
Bar Helios
A glowing and classy rooftop lounge, Bar Helios at Common Helios Grand Lodge presents a menu of tapas and acquainted favorites, handcrafted specialty cocktails, and unmatched 360-degree views of Epic Universe and past – making this the right spot for company to relax within the night after a busy day within the parks.
Bar Helios is certainly the excessive level of Helios Grand Lodge. Actually and figuratively. For those who don’t have a room with a park view, you’ll completely wish to go to Bar Helios. Ditto company who aren’t staying at Helios Grand Lodge, as that is undoubtedly a vacation spot bar.
Heck, I did have a park-view room and nonetheless discovered myself making three separate visits to Bar Helios. Because of the early closing time of Epic Universe, a cease up at Bar Helios is a good way to finish–or lengthen–the night. The moody ambiance inside is gorgeous, and the views exterior are unmatched. I extremely suggest reservations at Bar Helios, and doing drinks or dishes at this rooftop bar. It’s phenomenal.
Flora Taverna
This full-service restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner and foyer bar with a light-weight and ethereal ambiance – that includes an open-style kitchen with reside cooking. Flora Taverna serves up Mediterranean consolation meals and pizza, providing al fresco seating overlooking the attractive surroundings of Celestial Park.
As I used to be staying Membership Degree, I didn’t have event to dine at Flora Taverna–however I did stroll via the restaurant and was impressed by each its views and ambiance. My pals who had been staying at Helios Grand Lodge on the similar time had been impressed by the delicacies right here.
Aurora Market
A recent espresso store and market providing freshly-roasted coffees, grab-and-go meals gadgets, in addition to snack & dessert choices from morning to nighttime.
With regards to the restaurant lineup, Aurora Market is my largest disappointment. I had simply come from Common Terra Luna Resort instantly earlier than my keep at Helios Grand Lodge, and was actually impressed by the meals court docket there. That is merely, because the title suggests, a grab-and-go market. And a reasonably small one. The unequivocal highlights are the espresso and gelato.
Whereas I do know it’s widespread for the top-tier Common Orlando or Walt Disney World resorts to have undercooked counter service choices, it’s however disappointing that there’s nowhere to go for a fast sizzling meal at Helios Grand Lodge. It’s additionally price noting that this resort has a light-weight restaurant lineup as in comparison with most of its counterparts. (Granted, there’s a complete park stuffed with eating simply exterior Helios!)
Different facilities at Common Helios Grand Lodge additionally embody a state-of-the-art health middle that includes a wide range of power and cardio tools; a sport room for company to blast, zap and race their approach via a group of arcade video games with the acquisition of a sport card; Common Orlando Resort Retailer for company to buy every thing from sundries and requirements to merchandise.
I don’t have a lot significant commentary so as to add concerning the different facilities. They’re just about par for the course at Common Orlando resorts. Whereas I didn’t use the health room, I discovered it to be fairly good and appreciated the views it presents into Celestial Park. Adjoining to the health middle can be a pleasant altering space–I did use this, as I had a late flight on checkout day.
Staying at any Common Orlando lodge additionally comes with unique theme park advantages. Company of Common Helios Grand Lodge, or any of the opposite Common Orlando inns, obtain Early Park Admission to take pleasure in choose sights on the theme parks, which incorporates Epic Universe. Early Park Admission presents as much as one hour of precedence entry earlier than the park opens with legitimate theme park admission.
Fortuitously, the problems with the glacially gradual devoted entrance don’t impression Early Park Admission, as safety begins ‘processing’ company with greater than ample time to make into the park earlier than the beginning of EPA. (Simply don’t present up ~quarter-hour upfront and anticipate to be within the park on-time.) Word that it’s a farther stroll from Helios Grand Lodge to Tremendous Nintendo World, however this wasn’t a difficulty for us–we nonetheless made it to the entrance of the pack for EPA. (See our Early Park Admission at Epic Universe Technique Information: Beating Crowds in Tremendous Nintendo World!)
Common Orlando lodge company may also make the most of complimentary shuttle bus transportation to the theme parks and Common CityWalk, resort-wide charging privileges, complimentary merchandise supply and extra.
The outside of Helios Grand Lodge appears just like the love-child of Disney’s Riviera Resort and Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs, and people are unquestionably the 2 Walt Disney World resorts that provide the most effective comparisons to Common’s new tower. Like these, Helios Grand Lodge is boxy, bland, and underbaked from a thematic perspective.
There’s no two methods about it: if Helios Grand Lodge had been constructed to miss one of many Walt Disney World theme parks, it could be completely excoriated by followers. There’s a double-standard for Common Orlando vs. Walt Disney World. I’ll be the primary to confess that I grade Common on a curve, and most different theme park followers do too, judging by how a lot of a move Common will get for the issues followers over which Disney would obtain infinite criticism.
Fortunately, the outside of Helios Grand Lodge does look nicer than its up to date counterparts at Walt Disney World–however barely. For a lodge that’s the de facto point of interest of a model new theme park, it’s nonetheless embarrassingly bland. However in Common’s protection, we lately skilled the identical with the disappointing Fantasy Springs Lodge at Tokyo DisneySea, largely lauded as the best theme park on earth. I think each initiatives noticed COVID-induced funds cuts and funneled that in direction of their respective resorts. Higher that the lodge be value-engineered than Epic Universe itself.
Inside, Common Helios Grand Lodge isn’t nicer than Disney’s Riviera Resort, and even Gran Destino Tower.
Each of these ‘trendy’ Walt Disney World inns boast extra consideration to element all through their widespread areas, with superior match and ending. In addition they have higher facilities–from extra strong restaurant rosters to their swimming pools and different options.
Even with Common being graded on a curve, I’m shocked extra consideration isn’t being drawn to this. Like Riviera Resort, the foyer at Helios Grand is surprisingly compact and underwhelming–Gran Destino Tower simply surpasses each when it comes to grandiosity. That continues to be the exemplar of Las Vegas model resorts in Central Florida, even when it’s missing in location.
When confined to the partitions of Helios Grand Lodge itself, there’s little or no that separates this property from the opposite current resorts at Common Orlando. Every part is pretty pedestrian and paint-by-numbers, and it’s tough to argue that this property is materially nicer than Aventura, Stella Nova, or Terra Luna.
From my perspective, Helios Grand Lodge doesn’t maintain a candle to Portofino Bay, which stays the high-water mark for themed resorts at Common Orlando. In fact, it’s additionally a product of a distinct period. Visitor preferences have modified since then, and so too have each Common’s and Disney’s approaches to themed lodge design. However I might additionally rank Exhausting Rock Lodge and Royal Pacific above Helios Grand, in terms of the inns themselves. From a private desire perspective, I may additionally give the sting to Sapphire Falls and Cabana Bay, for that matter!
The distinction between Helios Grand Lodge and the older Common resorts is that they strove for idealized and romanticized themes that transport you to a different time and place. These resorts are immersive, heat, and reassuring. Though ostensibly Mediterranean and mythology-inspired, Helios Grand Lodge isn’t thematically transportive–the design is all floor degree. The lodge strives for one thing totally different solely.
What Helios Grand Lodge strives for is being actually transportive. It locations you proper inside Epic Universe, and pulls company’ consideration away from the property itself and in direction of that beautiful theme park the resort faces.
In so doing, it’s straightforward to miss the numerous faults of Helios Grand Lodge when you find yourself fairly actually overlooking Epic Universe. It’s fully comprehensible that extra followers aren’t fixating on how Helios Grand Lodge lacks X or Y facilities or design particulars, underwhelms as in comparison with the legacy Signature Assortment properties, and falls far wanting ‘flagship’ standing. Everybody’s consideration is on the park itself!
This was true for me, too. Once I first entered the lodge, I instantly regarded previous the undersized foyer to the outside overlook. Once I entered my room, I raced to the window. All of my waking hours within the room had been spent on the window-side desk. Bar Helios is the place I spent my late nights, savoring that view. Other than fast laps across the resort for the sake of this evaluation, the whole thing of my focus throughout my keep at Helios Grand Lodge was truly Epic Universe. The spotlight of the lodge is definitely the park, with Helios Grand Lodge “proving” the primary three guidelines of actual property: location, location, location.
Lastly, as lined in Common’s Epic Universe In-Park Lodge is Low cost, nightly charges for Helios Grand Lodge begin at $293 per night time for traditional rooms with no view and stays of 4 nights or longer.
In all chance, you’ll have an exceedingly tough time discovering availability at or round this value level except you’re reserving approach upfront. Common Orlando makes use of dynamic pricing for its resorts, and we’ve seen costs steadily enhance for Helios Grand Lodge (at the same time as availability has remained pretty good) via 2026.
On common, you must anticipate to pay beginning costs within the neighborhood of $500 per night time–and maybe greater than that. For instance, my Membership Degree, Park-View Room booked instantly when reservations opened was inexpensive than the present value for the standard room through the fall low season.
Reserving early is the optimum method for Helios Grand Lodge, after which circling again to see if any reductions drop later. Our expectation is that received’t occur till the ‘new lodge odor’ wears off, which might take years. Critiques have been reasonably glowing of Helios Grand Lodge, so demand will possible stay sturdy.
Given all of that, we extremely suggest requesting a quote from Be Our Visitor Holidays, a no-fee Common Most popular Journey Company. They’ll help reserving Helios Grand Lodge for you, comparability procuring among the many numerous inns, and serving to decide which packages will work greatest for your loved ones.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Does Common Helios Grand Lodge show that it’s all about location, location, location? Impressed by the model or substance? What do you consider the outside and inside? Will you e book Common Helios Grand Lodge, or persist with one of many current resorts? Agree or disagree with our Helios Grand Lodge evaluation? Any questions? We love listening to from readers, so please share some other ideas or questions you could have within the feedback beneath!
