I had a chance to visit Loews Sapphire Falls Resort on a recent trip to Universal Orlando Resort. I was taken by surprise at the beautiful interior and quality of the amenities available with your stay. While an unassuming blue, white and tan exterior might make it seem as if the interior would be plain, it is anything but.
Lobby
The hotel lobby is large, with many areas to sit back and relax. Your eyes are drawn immediately to the spherical baskets chandelier. The colors of blue and tan continue in the lobby, with the added colors of green, yellow, and a touch of pink. Photographs and colors throughout, certainly make you feel as if you are arriving at a tropical paradise walking along the beach near the Caribbean blue waters.
The next thing you notice is a stone turret, reminiscent of the old windmill ruins often found on sugar plantations in the Caribbean. Inside, this turret is a gorgeous spiral staircase leading to other areas of the hotel. There are also floor to ceiling windows along the back wall with views of the lush landscaping, waterfall, and waterway. The views from the side of the lobby are of the stunning 16,000 square foot pool and water slide.
Rooms
There are standard rooms and suites available, as well as water view upgrades. There are kid’s suites, hospitality suites with large entertaining space, and even a Presidential Suite. The standard rooms are decorated in those same Caribbean colors and feel bright, calm, and airy. The bathrooms have beautiful tile floors, subway tile shower with glass door, and a fun multicolored framed mirror. There is plenty of closet and drawer space.
Dining
There are several dining options at this resort as well. Amatista Cookhouse with it’s open kitchen, net lighting, and huge wall of windows includes a fresh, seasonal menu. The New Dutch Trading Company is perfect for grab and go items. Strong Water Tavern serves up adult beverages with appetizers. Drhum Club Kantine provides all your poolside snack and drink needs.
If you love the Minions, you may want to check out the Despicable Me character breakfast. If dancing and music are more your style, you will want to check out the Caribbean Carnaval Dinner Show offered on select nights. You can also visit the dining options at other Universal resorts via a complimentary dining shuttle offered from 6-10pm every night approximately every 30 minutes.
Amenities
The pool area is beautiful with sand beaches, colorful umbrellas, cabanas for rent, a fun waterslide, complimentary life vests, poolside activities, children’s play area, hot tubs, and fire pits. There are also some fun, family games like ping pong, corn hole, and more near the pool area as well. Need to keep up with your fitness regimen? They have one of the nicest fitness areas I have seen at a hotel at the Kalina Health and Fitness room. There is also a game room, walking and jogging paths, and a Universal Orlando Store.
Benefits
Sapphire Falls Resort guests also have many benefits including: Early Park Admission to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, complimentary transportation to the parks and CityWalk, complimentary access to select CityWalk live entertainment venues, complimentary purchase deliver from the parks, 24 hour room service, preferred tee times at Grand Cypress Golf Club, access to Resort Kids Camps located at other resorts (for a fee), and complimentary wifi.
Parking is $22 per night and rollaways for a 5th guest are available for $25 per night. You can learn more about Sapphire Falls here.
Although, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort does not include complimentary Express Pass as some of the other resorts do, the resort is beautiful and serene. The rooms are well appointed and the grounds and pool are truly a tropical paradise worth visiting!
