Mustard or ketchup? Coke or Pepsi? Joel or Mike? The universe ponders these questions, and a new debate has popped up: Universal Orlando’s Stella Nova or Terra Luna? This article examines the two new Universal Prime Value hotels near Epic Universe, what differentiates them, and which things are the same. We’ll help you decide which hotel is best for your trip.

Lobby

Stella Luna and Terra Nova are inspired by the Googie architecture from Los Angeles in the 1940s-60s, with modern design inspirations. Think the TVA Hotel meets modern LED lighting, with swooping white walls and chique lighting fixtures and seating. This is the sort of place the Jetsons would stay on their theme park trip.

Stella Nova will likely be considered the most “plain” of the two hotels, with neutral walls and flooring throughout and white lighting. Stella Nova focuses on galaxies and stars, with large satellite imagery from NASA on the walls. The designers referred to walking into the hotel as entering a black hole with the compression and release of passing from the porte-cochère to the check-in area.

Terra Luna instead opens immediately into a wide lobby full of earth tones and softer back lighting. Here, things are more, literally, down to earth. The star fields of Stella Nova are replaced with terrestrial textures – wood, sod, and stone. The black hole is instead replaced with a large, bright lobby. Luna Bar’s sweeping bar top is at the back of the lobby near the large windows.

Pool & Outdoors

Both hotels’ pools are 10,000 square feet (max out around 4 feet deep) and have a large pool deck, hot tubs, mobile order quick service, and a bar area. The pool chairs feature mobile ordering to the quick service venue (but no poolside delivery, sorry).

Stella Nova’s pool is located outside the hotel’s L shape, adjacent to the hotel’s food court. Nearby is the hotel’s splash pad, which is perfect for young kids and families. The Galaxy Bar and Grill offers ample poolside seating for those munching on the grill menu or sipping a cocktail, mixed drink, beer, wine, or soft drink.

Terra Luna’s pool and lounge area is inside the L-shaped tower, next to the lobby and food court, making it less private than Stella Luna’s pool. Terra Luna’s hot tub is larger than Stella Nova’s, and there is no splash pad for the kiddos, making Terra Luna a better choice for older families and adults.

Food & Beverage

Here’s the low-down: Stella Nova and Terra Luna each feature a marketplace, pool grill, two bars, and room delivery pizza. The resort marketplaces have grab-and-go items and alcohol for the room, plus quick-service meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Stella Nova features the Cosmos Market, a quick service and grab-and-go with fun American fare. Breakfast options include a breakfast platter of eggs, bacon or sausage, potatoes, and a biscuit; Smashed Avocado toast; Challah French toast; and more. Lunch and dinner options include soups, sandwiches, pizzas, and more. Over at the Nova Bar are beers, wines, and cocktails, including the amazing The Black Hole espresso martini.

Terra Luna has a similar food setup to Stella Luna, with the Omega Cafe and Market serving a classic breakfast, fritatas, and a stuffed French toast. For lunch and dinner, expect to find burgers, wraps, pizzas, and more. The lobby Luna Bar offers a selection of modern cocktails till late at night.

Gift Shop, Game Room, Fitness Center, & Etc

Both hotels have on-site game rooms featuring modern arcade and video games. The gyms at both resorts are modern and include free weights, machines, cardio equipment, and a locker room. The Universal Studios Store is the hotel gift shop that sells Universal Orlando theme park merchandise, resort-branded items, and toiletries.

Rooms

We covered the two rooms in separate articles (Stella Nova | Terra Nova), but tl;dr: Both rooms are nearly identical, with only slight differences in wall art, lighting choices, and the view of Epic Universe. Friends who have visited both hotels say that the views of Epic Universe are closest at Stella Nova, but the best overall vista is from Terra Luna.

Which One Should I Pick?

I suggest whichever has the lowest nightly rate, both hotels’ rooms are very similar, and each offers the same amenities. But if each hotel is the same price, keep in mind that there are some distinct pros and cons to each resort:

• Stella Nova features a walking path from the hotel to Epic Universe. Terra Luna sort of offers one, but it’s over a mile long with multiple multilane street crossings. If you want to use a walking path, stay at Stella Nova.
• Stella Nova has a water play area at the pool, Terra Luna does not. Stella Nova nudges out Terra Luna for families with young kids.
• Terra Nova has the larger hot tub of the two hotels.

Are you staying at Stella Luna or Terra Nova soon? Did you decide which hotel? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!