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Subscribe NowLast updated: December 23, 2024
Sapphire Falls Resort brings a sunny Caribbean island vibe to the moderate market with its 1,000 rooms (including 77 suites), and water taxi transportation to the parks.
Cost Range
$226-$350
Lodging Area
Universal Orlando Area
Category
Moderate
Transportation
Boat, Bus, Walk
Pool complex might be the resort's strength
Strong Water Tavern is an excellent bar with tasty food
Water taxi transportation to the theme parks and CityWalk
Overnight parking fee
Feels a lot like a convention hotel, because it is
The rooms are aesthetically acceptable but a bit antiseptic, aside from a garishly colored mirror frame and metalized photos above the beds, and they are barely bigger than the standard Cabana Bay rooms.
The room layout is perfectly functional, but there are some odd design quirks, such as a sliding door to the toilet that doesn't latch; don't plan on doing your business in private if you have inquisitive kids
Amatista Cookhouse Bright and clean, though a bit too big to be cozy, Amatista is the main table-service restaurant at Sapphire Falls and caters to families and conventioneers by serving comfort food favorites with an abundance of Caribbean creativity. We love the jerk-seasoned chicken wings, flaky empanadas, conch chowder, and juicy Angus burger. Ordering breakfast à la carte quickly adds up, so if you want more than a muffin, spring for the buffet (when available). Service, like that on the actual islands, is friendly but inconsistent; at lunch you may have the place all to yourself, but don’t count on a quick dinner here if you’re on a tight schedule.
Strong Water Tavern We love almost everything about Strong Water Tavern—the contemporary Caribbean atmosphere, the variety of fresh ceviches, the potent cocktails—except for the prices. Drinks are a bit steep but not unreasonable considering the top-shelf ingredients. A couple mugs of the Tavern Grog will make you want to join the merchant marines, and the tasting flight lets you sample three rums; don’t order the Hamilton 151 if you plan on driving home. On the other hand, while those who enjoy authentic West Indian, Cuban, and Puerto Rican recipes will feel right at home, your abuela would never dream of charging this much for such tiny tapas-style servings. Pretty much all the savory plates are overpriced, but the beef empanadas are probably the best buy. Periodic rum dinners (temporarily suspended at press time) feature an hors d’oeuvres reception, five culinary courses paired with craft rums, and an after-party with coffee and cigars.
Amenities
SWIPE TO EXPLORE
The Sapphire Falls pool has a water slide, hot tubs, a sand beach, and a children's play area.
The Calypso Game Room has relatively recent video games of all kinds.
The Kalina Health and Fitness Center is on-site and has weights, treadmills, and other equipment for your workout.
Guests staying at Sapphire Falls get priority seating at many Universal park and CityWalk restaurants. Check with the front desk for options.
Guests staying at Sapphire Falls get in up to one hour early to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Practical Matters
Check-in is 4:00pm
Check-out is 11:00am
Hotel mobile check-in lets guests perform several check-in tasks before leaving for their visit, leading to a smoother and shorter process once they arrive at the hotel. Check your email about 24 hours in advance for an invitation to do mobile check-in.
Park tickets are best purchased online in advance either directly through Universal Orlando or from a trusted reseller. However, if you arrive without park tickets, head to the Vacation Planning desk in the hotel lobby.
Table service dining reservations can be made via Universal Orlando's Dining Reservations website or app.
Washers and dryers are availabile in laundry facilities at each Universal Orlando hotel. Only credit/debit cards can be used for payment. A small selection of soap, fabric softener, and dryer sheets is sold in vending machines in the laundry rooms.
If you lose something during your stay, visit Universal's Lost and Found website or call (407) 224-4233.
Universal hotels have gifts shops near their lobbies with a decent collection of souvenirs. You will also find basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like.
Universal recommends a third party company, Kid's Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels.
Transportation
The resort is located inside the Universal Orlando Resort. All modern GPS apps, and Google Maps, will have clear driving directions to it.
Destination | Boat | Bus | Car | Walk |
---|---|---|---|---|
Universal Studios Florida | 8 min | 15 min | – | 19 min |
Islands of Adventure | 10 min | 15 min | – | 15 min |
Volcano Bay | – | 4 min | – | 8 min |
Bus service is available to the theme parks, Volcano Bay water park, and CityWalk.
It's faster to take a bus, boat, or walk to the theme parks, Volcano Bay, and CityWalk.
You can walk to the theme parks and CityWalk from the resort.
Universal's boat service provides access to the theme parks and CityWalk.
You can walk to the Royal Pacific, the Hard Rock Hotel, and the Portofino.
Driving to the Resort
Getting to the Parks
and Universal CityWalk
Getting to Another Hotel
from Sapphire Falls
The resort is located inside the Universal Orlando Resort. All modern GPS apps, and Google Maps, will have clear driving directions to it.
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