Helios Grand Hotel

[jarmor]

Yeah, I'm not to thrilled about these rooms. It's gonna take more than a view to get me to shell out good money to stay here. Guess the big three has me (us) spoiled. When I stay at the Portofino, I feel like I am at the Portofino. Same for the royal pacific. Based on these pics, it seems it all stops at the door of the rooms.

 

[quinnmac000]

Modern design for hotel rooms for both Disney and Universal especially the high end hotels (Fantasy Springs and this) have really underwhelmed me and in the grand scheme of things outside of potential benefits does not make me want to stay at the hotel.

But i think that is more so derived from minimalism becoming the norm vs elaborate theming and finishes. But there are small things they could've done to make this hotel room higher grade (separate shower from bathtub, separating the toilet from the bath area, more elaborate finishings, ceiling artwork vs white ceiling). just my thoughts

 

[Jake S]

But i think that is more so derived from minimalism becoming the norm vs elaborate theming and finishes. But there are small things they could've done to make this hotel room higher grade (separate shower from bathtub, separating the toilet from the bath area, more elaborate finishings, ceiling artwork vs white ceiling). just my thoughts

I think this is exactly it. The overall design aesthetic isn’t my favorite, but I would easily get over it if you got more of the “premium” amenities you mention. In the end, if I’m gonna stay in a nice hotel in Orlando, it’ll be the Conrad. But that’s more about personal preference than anything else.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

It's not just the aesthetics, you will be paying Portofino prices, if not higher, for 325 sq. ft rooms, same as Sapphire.
It will probably be years before they make any AP rates available as well.
Without express I personally don't have a desire to stay here except maybe one night to check it out.

 

[Skold]

People are forgetting what makes a "lux" hotel. It isn't waterslides, tapas bars, lazy rivers, large rooms, distance to the park, or any of that. It is one thing: bathrobes! Waiting in the closet for you, those plush, lovely bathrobes.



There is only one deluxe hotel one property. And it sounds like that will stay the case.

 

[Alicia]

I stayed at Portofino recently, the room decor was just as “plain” as Helios’ art for a standard room.

It’s not just Aventura or Sapphire or Endless Summer. All the standard UOR hotel rooms are pretty plain with a splash of themed decor, even the fancy ones.

Official Portofino image on left

 

[fall125]

I was hoping Universal would take a bigger swing here, but I suppose I was over expectant. People are using the Contemporary as a comparison, but are failing to mention that the majority of the Contemp rooms have outdoor balconies/patios (save for the middle floor garden wing rooms). The contemporary rooms also have dual vanities, a large stand up shower, and a toilet separated by a sliding door.

I'm most disappointed by the toilet aspect, the tub shower combo, and the embarrassing use of shower curtains in their 'top of the line' resort.

The hotel public areas look very nice to me, the roof top bar especially.

That being said, my desire to spend money here will depend entirely on the ticket situation, not the hotel itself. If I can only spend 1 day at Epic due to ticketing limitations, why would I stay here when I get the same early entry by staying at another resort, and I'm much closer to the other parks, which is where I'll be forced to spend the majority of my time.

No doubt they will add express to Epic Universe at some point (Alicia has stated as such in regards to them having the lines planned). When Helios gets Epic Express included, I will stay there in a heartbeat. Until then, I would be hard pressed to pull the trigger over Sapphire/Royal Pacific.

 

[Alicia]

No doubt they will add express to Epic Universe at some point (Alicia has stated as such in regards to them having the lines planned). When Helios gets Epic Express included, I will stay there in a heartbeat. Until then, I would be hard pressed to pull the trigger over Sapphire/Royal Pacific.

That’s just something I’ve speculated, but if Universal feels trapped into free express at the original three and the dishes they could get out of it as some here are suggesting, maybe no other hotel will ever offer it after all.

To clarify, Epic rides will eventually add Express, but who knows if Helios ever offers free passes.

 

[Brian G.]

I stayed at Portofino recently, the room decor was just as “plain” as Helios’ art for a standard room.

It’s not just Aventura or Sapphire or Endless Summer. All the standard UOR hotel rooms are pretty plain with a splash of themed decor, even the fancy ones.

Official Portofino image on left

It's a trend at a lot of hotels nowadays, too. For better or worse.

Out of curiosity, I went to take a look at the Disney's Ritz-Carlton and this is there standard room. Bigger in size, but the same general angle for decor - white and clean).



I know we only have a layout of the Deluxe Helios room, but I'm curious if a photo will change any opinion.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

It's not just the aesthetics, you will be paying Portofino prices, if not higher, for 325 sq. ft rooms, same as Sapphire.
It will probably be years before they make any AP rates available as well.
Without express I personally don't have a desire to stay here except maybe one night to check it out.

Sources needed.

 

[Mad Dog]

It's a trend at a lot of hotels nowadays, too. For better or worse.

Out of curiosity, I went to take a look at the Disney's Ritz-Carlton and this is there standard room. Bigger in size, but the same general angle for decor - white and clean).

View attachment 23085

I know we only have a layout of the Deluxe Helios room, but I'm curious if a photo will change any opinion.

Yes. Just like @Alicia said about Portofino room decor. They've done a marvelous job of constantly updating the Portofino resort. This is their 'third' major renovation since I started staying at Portofino in 2011. During that time, each renovation has resulted in a more antiseptic look in contrast to the luxurious room decor look when we first went. The huge Portofino bathrooms still have that luxury look, fortunately. Myself, I prefer the former look, but it is what it is. Industry trends take precedence. Portofino example: The disappearance of elegant colorful bedspreads happened a decade ago during their renovation around 2014 or so. .

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Yes. Just like @Alicia said about Portofino room decor. They've done a marvelous job of constantly updating the Portofino resort. This is their 'third' major renovation since I started staying at Portofino in 2011. During that time, each renovation has resulted in a more antiseptic look in contrast to the luxurious room decor look when we first went. The huge Portofino bathrooms still have that luxury look, fortunately. Myself, I prefer the former look, but it is what it is. Industry trends take precedence. Portofino example: The disappearance of elegant colorful bedspreads happened a decade ago during their renovation around 2014 or so. .

But Portofino Standard rooms are much bigger. I like how HR has a sink outside AND inside the bathroom.

 

[Mad Dog]

But Portofino Standard rooms are much bigger. I like how HR has a sink outside AND inside the bathroom.

Definitely. But we were referring to the decor/look primarily. Portofino has the largest rooms by far, with standard at 450 sq. ft. Even Hard Rock and Royal Pacific are more about the size of Helios rooms.

 

[jarmor]

I stayed at Portofino recently, the room decor was just as “plain” as Helios’ art for a standard room.

It’s not just Aventura or Sapphire or Endless Summer. All the standard UOR hotel rooms are pretty plain with a splash of themed decor, even the fancy ones.

Official Portofino image on left

Portifino has:
Actual headboards for each bed.
Larger, easier functioning table
Wood furnishing
Crown moulding
Lounging chair
Larger room overall
Larger bathroom overall

It's not so much the bedding or decor for me, its the functionality and make of the actual room that makes the difference.

 

[Ahmanet]

"David also hinted at a “new way to enjoy an ice cream sandwich” which sounds fairly exceptional."

The headline for me very intrigued haha

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Does anyone notice on Universal's site they have Portofino, Royal, Hard Rock, and Helios all down with four dollar signs for the price?

 

[IzzyB]

It's a trend at a lot of hotels nowadays, too. For better or worse.

Out of curiosity, I went to take a look at the Disney's Ritz-Carlton and this is there standard room. Bigger in size, but the same general angle for decor - white and clean).

View attachment 23085

I know we only have a layout of the Deluxe Helios room, but I'm curious if a photo will change any opinion.

This hotel looks way better. The flower oddness makes Helios look old lady in my opinion. The coloring is just not modern in my opinion. This is much more clean and sleek.

I am curious about the Family suites and the price. With pull out couch they will fit 5 and the theming in kids bedroom is nice. I just wish they did a bunk and a regular bed. I like hotels that put at least 3 in the kids room fits more families.

 

[JJ2023]

Of the other Signature hotels, I have stayed at Portofino and visited Hard Rock and found them both hugely impressive. With their theming and decor they are the kind of hotels that are rare outside theme parks.

Helios just seems like a standard four or five star hotel not a ‘theme park hotel’.

The advertising references a nice restaurant, bar and pool, but all good hotels have those.

There appears to be minimal theming, innovation or anything else that you expect in the best theme park hotels.

 

[kristenabelle]

Of the other Signature hotels, I have stayed at Portofino and visited Hard Rock and found them both hugely impressive. With their theming and decor they are the kind of hotels that are rare outside theme parks.

Helios just seems like a standard four or five star hotel not a ‘theme park hotel’.

The advertising references a nice restaurant, bar and pool, but all good hotels have those.

There appears to be minimal theming, innovation or anything else that you expect in the best theme park hotels.

So while I'm not super impressed by the room concept art & layout (really wish there were standalone showers), I feel like the biggest draws for Helios are:

• location, location, location
• gorgeous exterior
• super unique views
• location, location, location

Stay here because you're super duper close to a brand-new beautiful park, and not necessarily because staying in a lightly celestial-themed modern hotel is your favorite level of immersion. IDK, I'm just excited to get the chance to stay in a new resort on this level, with the connection to the new park.

OTOH, Boardwalk is our home resort, my favorite resort ever, and the rooms aren't great. Refurbished ones are fine, but I'm a much bigger fan of the resort theme, vibes, and location. So I guess that's all to say one aspect of a hotel doesn't necessarily make or break my love for it.

Rambling, but...still looking forward to staying here unless rates are like, $900/night. That's like four seasons money.