Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort

When the rain started unexpectedly, the recreation center team quickly put together an indoor pop-up activity so the families could still have fun. That extra effort made us feel well looked after and gave our kids a really positive memory. The large family suite was spacious and comfortable, and the resort had plenty of food choices without having to leave. Staff throughout Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort were warm and welcoming. We had a wonderful stay and would definitely return.

The problems started at check-in. Even with online check-in, the shorter line took about 40 minutes, and the employee told us our room wasn’t ready and we’d get a text, but never mentioned the extra charges on my card. Parking was $26/day. I wouldn’t pay it: the garage gate stayed open the entire time, so people could come and go without paying while I was charged. The place felt overcrowded and messy, with food in the elevators, trash in our hallway, and thin walls that let us hear the neighbors all night. We felt like we were at a Holiday Inn with a few extra amenities. The pool was packed, with dirty sand everywhere, and the dining area closed far too early. The amenities may be numerous, but the quality wasn’t there. Our room was dated, the bed had an old, overly soft mattress, and the bathroom was cubicle-sized, with a dirty old shower and barely enough room to turn around. The one clear positive was the location. You can take a boat taxi, shuttle, or walk 10-15 mins to Universal and Universal City Walk. We walked to Sapphire Falls both nights to take the water taxi, and the difference in class was striking. This resort is overpriced. Do yourself a favor and stay somewhere else.

The shuttle was a bright spot: easy to use and running about every 10-15 minutes. The team members I met were friendly, professional, and genuinely helpful, and they tried to address our concerns. Still, the stay felt average, and I’d suggest this hotel mainly if keeping costs down near the parks is your priority. The retro decor didn’t work for me; much of it looked like a cheap way to decorate a large resort rather than something nostalgic or trendy. The property needs maintenance. Hall carpets stayed dirty, and our room was missing towels on two separate days, which was frustrating after long park days. The one time I used the laundry, the cold setting dispensed hot water, so washing clothes properly was difficult. The location and staff are positives, but cleanliness, upkeep, and attention to basic amenities made the stay disappointing. There are better choices if budget isn’t the main concern.

There were a couple of things I wish I’d known beforehand: the lazy river does have tubes, but you have to buy one to use it, and if you forget something and have an Amazon or other delivery sent, you have to pay the bell desk to pick it up. We also couldn’t get the resort to appear in our Universal app, even though we booked through Universal. It turns out it’s owned by Lowes Corporation, so it doesn’t link with Universal. The retro feel was fun and the price was on the more affordable side, so we might stay again, but we’re not in a rush. After a week there, the room and resort decor seemed neat, and we liked using the bowling alley, though it needs cleaning and maintenance. The dining and pool/lazy river areas could use a thorough cleaning too. Food was mediocre at best, and the staff we encountered were less than friendly, especially at the bowling alley.