Loews Royal Pacific Resort is one of the more expensive theme park hotels in Orlando, but, maybe dollar-for-dollar it is one of the ‘best’ value options too.
Knowing your priorities and setting a proper budget is key.
Priced anywhere between $500 and $950 per night, many guests may find that Loews Royal Pacific doesn’t suit their budget, and, instead, may find the more affordably priced resorts at Universal to be a better fit.
But, if you have the budget - even for just a short stay - being right on the doorstep of the Universal Orlando parks plus the ‘free’ Unlimited Express Pass can mean that many guests feel like they get a lot of bang for their bucks.
So, is the tropical-themed resort that's known for its luxury vibes and unbeatable access to the parks worth the high price tag?
Are guests satisfied?
For the most part, guest reviews say they are satisfied with their stay at Loews Royal Pacific, with positive comments pointing to the convenience of the location, the ‘vibe’ and atmosphere around the resort and lagoon pool area, and the resort’s family-friendly amenities.
Many guest reviews highlight the big perk of staying here, the Unlimited Express Pass, which on paper has a significant ‘cash value’.
For context, to buy a standalone Unlimited Express Pass guests would have to pay from $150 to around $250 per person per day - whereas a group of four can get them for ‘free’ with their +$750 per night booking at Loews Royal Pacific.
Whether either the passes or the hotel rate are truly ‘good value’ will be a matter of opinion between guests with different budgets and different priorities.
Besides the dollar-equivalent value of the Unlimited Express Pass perk, most guests staying at Royal Pacific appreciate how much time it saves them during their stay - instead of spending hours in ride queues, guests staying at Royal Pacific can zip their way around the Universal parks and find themselves a few hours to spare lazing by the pool.
Having an express pass throughout your whole stay also takes a lot of pressure off the mornings, no rope drop is necessary (although the pass is excluded for a small number of rides, most significantly Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure).
Guests who choose to stay at Royal Pacific consistently say that the ‘free’ Unlimited Express Pass is a big factor in their decision, and makes the price “worth it”.
It's a luxury resort
Loews Royal Pacific positions itself as a luxury resort, and for guests who enjoy a relaxed and deluxe hotel stay it delivers.
Honestly, if it wasn’t for the Universal merchandise in the lobby’s gift shop or the theme park views from the bedrooms, you could easily forget you’re at a theme park hotel. The resort genuinely has the air and ambiance of a 4 / 5-star luxury resort that you’d find at a high-calibre beach resort anywhere in the world.
Guest reviews highlight the resort’s beautifully landscaped grounds, its lagoon-style pools, and South Seas-inspired decor that all contribute to a sense of island escapism.
Those looking for a relaxed resort with quick access to the parks say that Loews Royal Pacific is worth the expense.
It’s not all sunshine in the reviews, however, as some guests say that the rooms, while clean and comfortable, don’t quite live up to the luxurious feel of the public areas.
Some guests who have stayed in the very top-tier worldwide resorts (which have similar price tags) may see a slight disconnect between the finish in the common areas versus the room interiors and facilities.
This would, perhaps, be picky and this negative view would be in the minority. But, still, most guest reviews agree that the atmosphere and location of Loews Royal Pacific make up for these smaller quibbles.
Is it right for everyone?
While the majority of reviews are positive, a few guest reviews show mixed feelings.
Those on tighter budgets may more than likely see the luxury stay at Royal Pacific as an unnecessary extra expense, especially because the whole range of resort hotels at Universal Orlando are modern and finished to a high standard (even the ones that are more basic and have fewer facilities).
Some of those other hotels are a lot cheaper, and whilst there are no Unlimited Express Pass perks for those lower-priced stays, they are also quality resorts.
Our thoughts …
For families and theme park fans looking to combine luxury and convenience, Loews Royal Pacific Resort is a solid choice - and having the Unlimited Express Pass for the entirety of your stay can be a game-changer versus other resorts.
Time is money, especially in the top theme parks once the cost of admission, hotel accommodation and travel are all stacked up, so from that point of view there’s great value given the ability to skip queues and free up so many of those hours during your trip.
It is probably not a matter of whether you would want to stay at Loews Royal Pacific, but rather a question of whether you can afford to stay here or, maybe more accurately, whether you can justify the big outlay to yourself or to your ‘other half’.
There are other high-quality, popular and cheaper Universal Orlando resorts nearby that share many, if not all, benefits.
A very popular ‘hack’ is to book a split stay, with one or two nights at Loews Royal Pacific to pocket an Express Pass for two or three days, and then save money with a stay at one of the cheaper hotels.
Ultimately, the choice will likely come down to the priorities and the budget.
