Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando

I am currently at this resort with family and like it a lot. We have stayed at Universal Portofino and many Disney Resorts and at first I was worried Sapphire Falls didn’t have enough bells and whistles like those….but then I realized that’s exactly what I love about it. It’s a nice respite after a chaotic day at the parks. Every staff member we’ve encountered has been lovely and gone above and beyond. The text feature for pretty much anything you need is great as they are prompt to reply and very helpful. The property and room is clean (I’m a freak about that,) and it has a big heated pool with a slide for the kids. There are few other fun extras like ping pong and a little game room. Really nice gym too. This resort is very close to Islands of Adventure and the Universal Studios so the water taxi is a quick and pleasant ride over. We’ve taken the shuttle to Epic and that was easy too. Very timely transportation. The food on property at all restaurants we’ve tried has been great, including the Drhum Club by the pool, Strong Water Tavern (loved) and even the snacks at the coffee shop in the lobby. The coffee (k cups) in the room is bad, but they want you to go buy it from the coffee shop so we just did that. Having a nice time and glad we chose this place for our stay this year.

We stay here for 6 nights and are pleased we did from the welcoming reception, to the movies characters in reception, the arrival couldn’t be more welcoming! Check-in was super easy and a room was allocated with a view towards the parks. The room was spacious and comfortable, you couldn’t ask for anything more. However, during our stay we did encounter an issue that did put a a dim view on the hotel. However on speaking with the management team they apologised and went above and beyond to make it up to us. Breakfast we purchased in the reception area every morning always fresh and flavoursome - would highly recommend. We ate in the restaurant downstairs towards where you get the boat (can’t remember what it was called) and again this restaurant was always good! Can recommend the half roast spit chicken! We ate here on a number of occasions after a day in the parks. We can’t thank you enough for everything you did for us and our son to make it one of the most special holidays we’ve done yet. Blinky the fish is now home and our son still enjoys reading the book before bed most nights! Thank you to all involved with Blinky and to the management team. A great holiday and would stay here again in a heart beat!

Vacation-goer, BEWARE!! I was asked if we wanted our room cleaned for the two days we stayed and I said resoundingly NO. Times are tough right now, you know. No sense inviting a problem in. Well, our room was cleaned and $70.00 cash was taken from my wallet. I filed a report. I was told someone would follow up in the next couple of weeks. I got a phone call about a week later, asking me to again summarize the theft. Two days later I got a CHARGE of $70.00 on my credit card I used for the room originally. Next, I tried to contact corporate. I was told no emails are available for higher-ups. I was directed to leave a voicemail, which I left. No reply. It’s been over a week now since I called. I called the hotel directly and was told by Katie, the assistance front office manager, who insisted that I was mistaken about the charge - Lowes issued credit to my card and that I would have to take it up with my bank. I called my credit card company who had to file a dispute on my behalf. This story just keeps going on and on. Still not done with it. Now I’m out $70.00 cash as well as a $70.00 charge. Unbelievable how many people have dropped the ball on this one and how many times I’ve been made to feel like I am the problem. Lowes customer service sure has slipped. The bottom-line is DON’T TRUST the front or housekeeping and lock away your valuables. I would have recommended this hotel in the past but it’s gone downhill fast!

The hotel is fine, but starting to look a bit dated. . It is huge and designed for conventions. Staff were very good and professional. The rooms are large and comfy bed but strange that sink separate toilet and furniture a bit dated. The air conditioning was very noisy. Food and drink very expensive but what you expect in Orlando, Walking distance to Citywalk was good, we used the path several times. Also a free water taxi and shuttle to park. Fine for short stay but in need of updating.

The hotel is fine, just not anything special. It is huge and designed for conventions. There are several towers of rooms and a lot of meeting space. The rooms are a little nicer than a Hampton Inn. Having a laundry on the first floor of our tower was convenient. It was $4 per load per machine. Walking distance to Citywalk was good, we used the path several times.