Expand / Collapse search
☰

Universal unveils new video and images of Helios Grand Hotel at Epic Universe

By
Updated  August 22, 2024 9:03pm EDT
Orange County
FOX 35 Orlando

Universal unveils images of Helios Grand Hotel

If you plan to visit an Epic Universe, you might as well stay at a grand hotel. Welcome to the upcoming Helios Grand Hotel at Universal Epic Universe theme park. Named for Helios, the Greek sun god, the hotel will offer visitors direct entrance to the Epic Universe Theme Park.

ORLANDO, Fla. - If you plan to visit an Epic Universe, you might as well stay at a grand hotel. Welcome to the upcoming Helios Grand Hotel at Universal Epic Universe theme park. 

"We're basically told just unleash," said Russ Dagon, Universal Creative SVP, "do what you've wanted to do forever and have fun with this property, and that's exactly what we've done. We've worked hand-in-hand with our creative studio from the onset to create that synchronous experience between park and hotel."

Named for Helios, the Greek sun god, the hotel will offer visitors direct entrance to the Epic Universe Theme Park.

"It's going to be an in-park hotel. So guests staying there are going to have an exclusive entrance into the park and some amazing views. Whether you're dining there or staying there, it's going to be fantastic," said theme park expert Annie Wilson, of Adventuring with Annie (@AnniesUniUpdate).

Universal said the Mediterranean-styled hotel would be the new park's crown jewel. "They said the design is going to compliment the design of Celestial Park, the central hub of Epic Universe that the hotel directly connects to," said Blake Taylor with Attractions Magazine.

First Look: Inside Epic Universe's Helios Hotel

On the latest episode of Orlando Parks V.I.P., Tharin White, an acclaimed theme park expert, gives FOX Local an exclusive scoop on the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, destined for the highly-anticipated Epic Universe theme park. We delve into the just-released renderings of the hotel, discussing its opening timeline and the unique way it is integrated with the park's immersive experience. Tharin also demystifies the pricing, suggesting that luxury may come without the hefty price tag one might expect. He elaborates on how the hotel is designed to elevate the overall visitor experience, making it a seamless extension of the epic adventure that lies within the park's gates.

Among its 500 rooms are suites featuring How to Train Your Dragon decor, especially for kids, matching the Isle of Berk theme park outside its windows. 

"That was one of those that, as soon as I saw that, I was like, why are there only a handful of those rooms? They need to have much more. Give me a Dark Universe room, and I would stay there for a week," said theme park expert Jeremiah Good with LaughingPlace.com.

RELATED EPIC UNIVERSE STORIES:

Dark Universe is another theme park in EpicU, dedicated to villains and monsters. Helios is co-owned and managed by Loews Hotels, which runs other hotels at Universal Orlando Resort. 

"We've been involved with our partners at Universal for close to 30 years, designing 11 distinct hotels. Once again, Universal is stepping-up their game to another level," said Jonathan Tisch, Loews Hotels Chairman.

Helios has all the restaurants, pools, and amenities one would expect from a hotel of its class. It's set to open next year, along with the rest of Epic Universe. There's no word yet on pricing or when guests could start booking rooms.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: