Universal and Loews Hotels & Resorts have announced plans for a 5th hotel to be added to Universal Orlando, Sapphire Falls Resort.
The new resort will be a colorful Caribbean hideaway built around a lush, tropical lagoon and towering waterfall and will be located in between adjacent to the Royal Pacific Resort and across the way from the newly-opened Cabana Bay Beach Resort. The resort is expected to open in Summer 2016.
Sapphire Falls will add 1,000 rooms, including 77 suites, which will bring the number of on-site hotel rooms at Universal Orlando to 5,200. Earlier this Summer, Universal announced plans to expand on the adjacent Royal Pacific Resort, which will see the addition of larger meeting and event space.
The expected price point for the hotel should fall between Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Royal Pacific, but that is solely based on speculation and not confirmed by Universal Orlando at this time.
Inspired by the picturesque rivers and waterfalls of the Caribbean, Loews Sapphire Falls will immerse guests in a highly themed resort environment using traditional island styling with modern touches. A resort-style pool with a water slide, children’s play area, sand beach and fire pit will help form a central courtyard and will be surrounded by the hotel’s guest rooms. There will be water taxi and shuttle access to all of the entertainment and dining options throughout Universal Orlando Resort, however it will not include the Express Pass benefit, similar to the Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
“We are excited to continue our growth plans at Loews Hotels by building another hotel with our long-standing partners at Universal Orlando,” says Jonathan Tisch, Chairman of Loews Hotels & Resorts. “Loews Sapphire Falls Resort will be every bit as distinctive as the other four on-site hotels and will offer a new option to families looking for a truly special Orlando vacation.”
“Our guests repeatedly tell us that our Universal Orlando on-site hotels provide them a completely immersive vacation experience from the moment they enter our hotels and are transported to another place,” said Tom Williams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Universal Parks & Resorts. “We look forward to bringing them yet another incredibly themed experience with the opening of Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.”
The new hotel will be full service. Amenities will include Early Park Admission to Universal’s theme parks, a full-service restaurant with scenic views and outdoor dining, a themed lobby lounge, poolside bar and grill, quick-service marketplace, valet service and a fitness center. Booking information and pricing will be announced at a later date, however reservations are slated to begin around the Spring 2015.
