First take a look at Common Orlando’s new Stella Nova Resort close to Epic Universe

It is no secret that 2025 goes to be an “epic” yr for Common Orlando Resort. The resort’s third park, Common Epic Universe, is scheduled to open on Might 22. However you do not have to attend till then to discover among the park’s different thrilling new developments.

Along with Epic Universe, Common is opening three new resorts and including 2,000 visitor rooms to its portfolio this yr. The primary of those, Common Stella Nova Resort, opened on Jan. 21, 2025, and TPG was among the many first to remain at this galactically cool property.

The resort’s design is impressed by the huge and exquisite wonders of outer area, which you’ll see mirrored all through the property beginning with the outside. The facade of the resort is roofed by greater than 140,000 colourful dichroic tiles that change coloration primarily based on the lighting and time of day. After I arrived round noon, they had been shimmering in a complete rainbow of hues, however within the night they tackle darker blues and purples.

Upon coming into the foyer, you will see space-themed art work impressed by NASA images. The cosmic aura continues by means of to the nebulalike purple, blue and white coloration scheme and the spaceport home windows within the visitor rooms.

This is a primary take a look at Common Stella Nova Resort, together with price, facilities, eating and theme park perks.

What does it price to remain at Stella Nova Resort?

Stella Nova Resort is a part of Common’s Prime Worth lodging class (Common Aventura Resort and the soon-to-open Common Terra Luna Resort additionally belong to this assortment).

Costs begin at $147 per evening (plus tax), however this value is barely obtainable for stays of 4 nights or longer. On common, we discovered pricing to be nearer to $200 to $230 per evening for a one-night keep. Each room at Stella Nova is a normal two-queen room, so the one value distinction you will see that is if you happen to select a pool-view room over a normal view. You will pay between $10 and $20 extra for a pool view.

The parking price for in a single day friends is $30 plus tax per automobile per evening.

Stella Nova Resort is bookable through the Capital One Journey portal. Eligible Capital One cardholders can ebook this resort through Capital One Journey and pay in money with their Capital One card or redeem Capital One miles. If you pay utilizing your card, you possibly can earn as much as 10 miles per greenback spent, relying on the Capital One card you carry.

Among the many Capital One playing cards you need to think about using if reserving this fashion are:

Stella Nova Resort location

Stella Nova, together with Common’s different two upcoming resorts, is positioned adjoining to Epic Universe. Epic Universe itself is about three miles from the remainder of Common Orlando, however there’s a complimentary shuttle service between the brand new park (and its resorts) and the remainder of Common Orlando Resort. From Stella Nova, it’s a few 12-minute bus experience to Common Orlando’s fundamental safety space that results in Common Studios, Islands of Journey and CityWalk (bus switch is offered to Volcano Bay water park).

From Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO), it is a few 20-minute drive to Stella Nova Resort. Common does provide a paid shuttle service referred to as the SuperstarStar Shuttle, however ride-hailing companies and rental automobiles are additionally available.

Inside Stella Nova Resort visitor rooms

All 750 rooms at Stella Nova Resort are double queen rooms that sleep as much as 4 friends, so the layouts are comparable in each visitor room, although you possibly can select from standard-view and pool-view classes. ADA-compliant rooms can be found. An ordinary-view room appears to be like over the again of Epic Universe. You’ll be able to see parts of the park peeking out, which builds the thrill to your trip.

Contained in the rooms, the colour scheme is much like that of the resort’s public areas, with space-inspired artwork. Just a few enjoyable particulars, like a galactic mural behind the beds, Creamsicle-colored accent pillows and modern, curved furnishings add to the futuristic really feel.

The beds are tender and cozy, with a skinny coverlet that is not essentially a nasty factor when you think about the standard exterior temperatures in Orlando. I additionally appreciated that there was a QR code on the TV that I might scan to make use of my telephone as a distant management (there’s a normal distant, as effectively).

Much like many different Common Orlando resorts, the toilet is split-style, with a sink and vainness within the heart and a door that separates it from the bathroom and tub. This not solely permits for privateness but additionally makes it simpler for a number of friends to prepare concurrently.

The specialty Cosmic Ember tub merchandise had a contemporary scent, and I cherished the continuity of the branding even for the shampoo, conditioner and cleaning soap.

Visitor rooms are additionally geared up with normal facilities like a espresso and tea maker, mini fridge, hair dryer and iron. Commonplace Wi-Fi is complimentary, or you possibly can improve to premium Wi-Fi for $9.95 per day.

Stella Nova Resort facilities

Stella Nova presents comparable facilities to Common’s different Prime Worth properties. It has a resort-style pool complicated with a ten,000-square-foot pool, a sizzling tub, a child’s splash pad and garden video games like hula hoops and desk tennis. The resort reveals poolside motion pictures on choose nights (verify on the entrance desk for a weekly schedule).

The resort additionally has a 24-hour health heart, an arcade, laundry amenities, an Avis automotive rental desk, a ticket desk to help with theme park planning wants and a present store so particular (for now, no less than) that it is likely one of the first resorts to function a big assortment of Epic Universe merchandise. I noticed shirts, toys and collectibles representing the entire lands coming to the brand new park and a few basic Epic Universe-branded merchandise.

Common Artistic turned an unused portion of the third ground with no visitor rooms right into a “sky bridge” with starry lights within the ceiling, which is already proving to be a well-liked spot after being open solely a few days.

If you cannot resist getting that excellent Instagram picture on this trippy area, strive to take action quietly in order to not disturb the friends staying on this ground.

Stella Nova Resort eating

Stella Nova Resort has a number of eating choices to maintain you fueled up to your theme park adventures.

Cosmos Cafe and Market

Situated within the resort foyer, Cosmos Cafe and Market is a quick-service outlet that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner day by day. It additionally presents a number of grab-and-go objects like ice cream, snacks, prepackaged salads and sandwiches and occasional drinks.

The menu is comprised largely of American classics like burgers, fries, pizza and pasta, however there are some specialty objects as effectively. I ended by for lunch throughout my keep (which was too transient to find time for breakfast).

I attempted the recent honey pizza ($15.50), which was topped with cheese, garlic cream sauce, buffalo rooster and, in fact, sizzling honey. It was tasty — and spicy. I had the Mexican road corn ($7) on the facet, which was by far my favourite dish and an enormous portion for being a facet merchandise. My eating companion had the Stella burger ($15.50), which was a scrumptious basic burger.

All in all, the meals was good and filling, however there are so many good eating choices contained in the park and at CityWalk, I believe I’d save my Stella Nova meals for after I wanted one thing earlier than heading out for the day or after I was ravenous after a protracted day on the parks.

Nova Bar

Nova Bar can also be positioned within the foyer and is open day by day from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Along with basic beer, wine and cocktails, you will discover space-themed drinks just like the Black Gap ($16), which is mainly an espresso martini, and the Tremendous Nova (additionally $16), a whiskey-based cocktail with cherry-infused Campari and tart cherry syrup served smoked over a big ice dice.

Galaxy Bar and Galaxy Grill

Galaxy Bar and Galaxy Grill are the resort’s poolside drink and eating choices. Starters embody issues like chips and salsa, hummus and veggies and a Mexican shrimp cocktail. To your meal, you possibly can select from a number of salads, burgers, sandwiches and wraps.

Galaxy Bar has a prolonged beer record with a mixture of cans and drafts and a handful of arduous ciders and seltzers.

Pizza supply

Direct-to-room pizza supply can also be obtainable day by day between 5 p.m. and midnight. You’ll be able to place your order through telephone or the on-line order kind.

Stella Nova Resort theme park perks

Like all Common Orlando resorts, friends get pleasure from sure perks that solely onsite resort friends get pleasure from. These embody early entry to pick out theme parks and points of interest every morning. Which park(s) and points of interest you get entry to can fluctuate by day, however you will get a 30-minute head begin at Volcano Bay and a full hour at Islands of Journey or Common Studios.

Stella Nova friends additionally get park-to-hotel package deal supply, resort-wide charging privileges utilizing their room key and complimentary shuttle service to and from Common’s theme parks and CityWalk. Even if you happen to drive, I like to recommend utilizing the shuttle service as a result of Common doesn’t provide free theme park parking to resort friends.

Stella Nova (like its sister property, Terra Luna) has a strolling path that may result in Epic Universe when the park opens in Might. It is a few 10-minute stroll, however you may as well take the shuttle if you happen to select.

Issues I cherished about Stella Nova Resort

• I’m a sucker for good theming, so I used to be all-in on the stylish spaceship vibes Stella Nova was giving off. Every part from the futuristic foyer seating to the art work felt upscale and ultramodern. With theme parks leaning an increasing number of towards immersing friends within the worlds they create, it solely is sensible that Common would lengthen this sentiment to its resorts.
• The thrill for Epic Universe’s grand opening this yr is palpable amongst theme park followers. Stella Nova presents the primary and solely manner for Common friends to remain so near this groundbreaking new park and get a glimpse inside even whereas they’re nonetheless placing the ending touches on the points of interest. Except for including to the anticipation, as soon as the park does open, friends staying at Stella Nova Resort shall be solely a brief stroll or bus experience away from Epic Universe.
• Particularly whereas the whole lot within the resort is shiny and new, you can not beat this resort’s degree of theming and facilities at such an inexpensive value level. Common has resort rooms that vary from the $150 vary all the best way as much as as a lot as $800 per evening. Clearly, you get what you pay for, and Stella Nova seems to be an amazing worth for the nightly price.

Issues to contemplate earlier than staying at Stella Nova Resort

• Although you’re a stone’s throw from Epic Universe once you keep at Stella Nova, you’re a few miles away from the remainder of Common Orlando Resort. In the event you desire the comfort of taking a ship, bus or brief stroll to Common Studios, Islands of Journey and CityWalk, that won’t be an choice once you keep right here.
• Not like Common’s Signature Assortment properties (just like the upcoming Common Helios Grand Resort), you will not discover facilities like a number of swimming pools, waterslides, formal sit-down eating, 24-hour room service or baggage supply. If these are luxuries you’re acclimated to, you must take into account whether or not you are able to do with out them at Stella Nova.

Backside line

Common Stella Nova Resort is the primary of three new resorts opening close to Epic Universe this yr and it units a excessive bar. Common Terra Luna Resort opens on March 25, 2025, and needs to be comparable in all however its theming, whereas Common Helios Grand Resort will develop into Epic Universe’s flagship resort when it opens together with the brand new park on Might 22, 2025.

The explanations for staying at this specific resort shall be apparent as soon as the park opens, but it surely presents a uncommon alternative to be among the many first friends on Epic Universe property for many who select to remain right here now even earlier than Might. I can confidently say I used to be not prepared to come back again all the way down to Earth after my out-of-this-world go to to Common Stella Nova Resort.

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