Common Helios Grand Resort assessment

When it opens Might 22, Common Epic Universe will introduce 5 themed “worlds” — primarily based on widespread movie franchises and video video games — to Common Orlando Resort. Along with these thrilling new lands, the Central Florida resort just lately opened three new lodges to accommodate guests clamoring to go to the park.

Two of these lodges, Common Stella Nova Resort and Common Terra Luna Resort, are a brief bus journey or stroll from Epic Universe. However the third, Common Helios Grand Resort, is inside Epic Universe.

TPG acquired the prospect to remain at Helios Grand, which Common is looking “the crown jewel of Epic Universe and the top of Common Orlando’s lodge experiences,” on opening day, April 16. This is what you’ll be able to count on from this “epic” new lodge.

What’s Common Helios Grand Resort?

Common Helios Grand Resort is a 500-room, full-service lodge co-owned and operated by Loews Inns & Co. The lodge was designed to enhance that of the Epic Universe land it’s closest to, Celestial Park, and, in some ways, the lodge serves as a backdrop for the land.

The lodge blends Mediterranean design with astronomical and mythological themes. Even the lodge’s moniker is derived from Greek mythology: Helios is the Greek god of the solar. The lodge is designed to be his palace, with white stonework and patterned tiles offset by blue and gold accents and art work impressed by the cosmos.

Due to its proximity to the park, the lodge has a devoted entrance to Epic Universe that is completely accessible to Helios Grand Resort company. That is among the many different perks all Common lodge company take pleasure in, like early theme park entry, complimentary shuttle transportation, resortwide charging privileges and complimentary merchandise supply.

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Helios Grand is in Common’s “Signature” assortment, the resort’s highest lodge tier. Which means that along with elegant theming and luxurious facilities, you will additionally discover an elevated stage of service. This extends from small particulars like coming again to my room and discovering that the housekeeping attendant had straightened my sneakers within the closet and left two water bottles on the nightstand to the spice blends utilized in lots of the restaurant dishes that have been custom-made for the lodge.

Tips on how to guide Common Helios Grand Resort

Common Helios Grand Resort charges begin at $293 per night time for the standard room for stays of 4 nights or longer. On common, pricing begins nearer to $400 per night time for the standard room for a one-night keep. Pool or theme park view rooms, club-level rooms and suites are additionally accessible. You possibly can guide your room immediately by Common Orlando’s web site, however this property can also be accessible by a number of bank card journey portals.

For instance, eligible Capital One cardholders can guide this resort by way of Capital One Journey, both by paying with their Capital One card or redeeming Capital One miles. Once you pay utilizing your card, you’ll be able to earn as much as 10 miles per greenback spent, relying on the Capital One card you carry. There are a number of playing cards to select from, however the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card and the Capital One Enterprise X Enterprise have the very best incomes charges for lodges.

Helios Grand can also be bookable by way of the Chase Journey℠ portal, the place you’ll be able to guide lodges and earn or redeem Chase Final Rewards factors. In case you guide this fashion, we suggest utilizing the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and charges). This card earns 10 factors per greenback spent on lodges booked by the journey portal, and it comes with a $300 annual journey credit score you should use to offset the price of your keep (10 factors per greenback are earned after the $300 annual credit score is spent). In case you redeem Final Rewards factors, you will get a charge of 1.5 cents per level. You can even guide this property utilizing the the Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and charges).

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Restricted time provide: Chase Sapphire Most popular — highest-ever 100,000-point bonus after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.

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Helios Grand can also be accessible by way of the Citi journey portal. Once you guide with the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see charges and charges), you will earn 10 factors per greenback and set off the cardboard’s annual $100 lodge credit score (so long as your keep is greater than $500; taxes and charges excluded). Or, you’ll be able to redeem Citi ThankYou Rewards factors at a charge of 1 cent apiece for lodges booked by the portal.

In case you are parking a automobile, self-parking prices $36 plus tax per night time, and valet parking is $45 plus tax per night time.

The closest lodge to Epic Universe

Once I say Helios Grand is situated inside Epic Universe, I do not imply you’ll be able to squint your eyes and see Tremendous Nintendo World or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic. I imply, you’re actually steps away from the park. Common Helios Grand Resort is situated alongside the again fringe of Celestial Park, overlooking the land’s fountains, gardens and cosmos-themed points of interest.

From my theme park view room, I may see virtually your complete park. I needed to drive myself to shut the drapes on the finish of the night time so I may get some sleep as an alternative of staring on the park’s colourful dancing fountains and vibrant lands. Even in the event you do not spring for a theme park view (although I extremely suggest you do), there’s a deck off the foyer that overlooks the park, or you’ll be able to head as much as the highest ground to the rooftop bar for 360-degree views.

The devoted theme park entrance for Helios Grand company has a a lot shorter safety line than the principle entrance, serving to you get to the enjoyable even quicker. It is situated simply subsequent to the espresso store, so you’ll be able to cease in for some caffeine earlier than you hit the park.

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Serene visitor rooms with sensible facilities

Visitor rooms at this elegant but laid-back lodge evoke the sensation of stepping right into a watercolor portray with gentle hues and floral accents. The headboard in my room seemed like a watercolor floral portray in gentle pink and blue tones.

This coloration scheme is seen all through the room, together with within the accent furnishings and carpet. (You may additionally see lots of the identical gold and white particulars present in different areas of the lodge.)

All rooms and suites have tablets that company can use to digitally management the drapes, lights, TV and thermostat. A number of of the retailers, together with these close to the desk and bedside tables, had customary USB and USB-C retailers. I additionally appreciated the inclusion of small studying lights on both aspect of the headboard along with bedside lamps.

Every room additionally has a espresso and tea maker, a minifridge and ample storage within the closet and the dresser.

The lavatory has a bathe with refillable facilities and different bathtub merchandise on the counter, together with a bathe cap, cotton swabs, cotton balls and lotion. The sink counter was giant sufficient that I may set my gadgets out and hold them inside arm’s attain moderately than depart them piled up in my toiletry bag.

Along with customary rooms, the lodge has one-bedroom suites and club-level rooms with entry to a non-public lounge serving continental breakfast and hors d’oeuvres within the night, plus private concierge companies. Helios Grand additionally has 14 “Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon” children suites, every of which encompasses a dragon mural behind the beds and furnishings impressed by the Viking village of Berk seen within the iconic movies.

Scrumptious eating with theme park views

Helios Grand has a number of eating retailers. Due to its proximity to the park, you do not have to remain on the lodge to pop over for a drink or one thing to eat. Generally, if you’ve been at a theme park for a couple of days, you simply want one thing that feels contemporary. There isn’t any scarcity of that at Helios Grand.

Throughout my keep, I dined at Flora Taverna for breakfast and dinner. This full-service bar and restaurant simply off the foyer options an open-style kitchen serving up Mediterranean fare and oven-fired pizzas. Along with indoor seating, company can dine alfresco for one more vantage level of Celestial Park.

I sampled the Greek salata with salmon ($18), and it was colourful and lightweight, with a big piece of salmon that was crisp on the skin and tender on the within. For breakfast the following morning, I fueled up with the breakfast buffet ($36), however there have been additionally a number of particular person menu gadgets to select from.

Earlier than dinner, I headed as much as the rooftop for a cocktail and beautiful 360-degree views of Epic Universe at Bar Helios. It was instantly apparent this bar would turn out to be an instantaneous favourite throughout all of Common Orlando. This rooftop bar serves a menu of tapas which might be nice for sharing and handcrafted cocktails with mythology-inspired names.

I had the That is Sparta ($18), a mixture of rum, rye, Aperol, Ancho Reyes Verde liqueur and lime. It wasn’t overly candy or sturdy and tasted refreshing, an excellent complement to our Spreads and Mezze plate ($23) and wagyu beef sliders ($26).

To be able to meet my every day caffeine wants, I additionally made a number of visits to Aurora Market within the foyer. This quick-service eatery and occasional store serves grab-and-go meals gadgets, Starbucks espresso drinks, gelato and different desserts.

The lodge additionally presents 24-hour room service.

All of Common Orlando’s eating places that settle for reservations, together with Bar Helios and Flora Taverna at Helios Grand, are eligible for the Resy credit score accessible with choose American Categorical bank cards.

A swimming pool with family-friendly actions

You’ll probably spend most of your time in Common’s theme parks if you keep at Helios Grand, however if you want a break or wish to chill out after a day within the park, head for the lodge pool.

Company can cool off from Orlando’s sizzling summer season (and spring, fall and winter) days within the zero-entry, resort-style pool. The pool space is lengthy and winding, so it by no means feels too crowded. It additionally options underwater audio system, poolside cabana leases, a sizzling tub, poolside films, and every day video games and actions. Lotus Lagoon is the resort’s poolside bar and grill, serving cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks and informal meals like burgers, salads and sandwiches.

Like different Common lodges, Common Helios Grand Resort additionally homes a health heart, a recreation room and a Common Orlando present store with varied sundries and a collection of Epic Universe merchandise.

Causes Common Helios Grand Resort won’t be for you

• In case you desire budget-friendly lodges if you go to a theme park, Common does have inexpensive lodge choices. Search for certainly one of Common’s Worth or Prime Worth properties like Common Stella Nova Resort, Common Infinite Summer season Resort or Common Cabana Bay Seashore Resort. The nightly charge at every of those is about half the price of Helios Grand.
• Although Epic Universe is correct outdoors your window if you keep at Helios Grand, you’re a few miles away from the remainder of Common Orlando Resort. In case you desire the comfort of taking a ship, bus or quick stroll to Common Studios Florida, Islands of Journey and Common CityWalk, think about staying at certainly one of Common’s different lodges.

Accessibility

Like all Common Orlando lodges, public areas just like the foyer, eating places and pool are wheelchair accessible. The pool and sizzling tub even have wheelchair lifts. A number of accessible visitor rooms can be found, with options like further clearance, wider doorways, roll-in showers and hearing-accessible options.

Testing

Epic Universe is redefining the idea of a theme park, and Common Helios Grand Resort is doing the identical for what it means to be a theme park lodge. Once you keep right here, you are feeling as in case you are nonetheless at Epic Universe, even when you find yourself preparing within the morning and tucking in to sleep at night time. From the proximity and theme park perks to the upscale theming and scrumptious eating, Helios Grand actually is the paragon of theme park lodges.

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