Universal Stella Nova Resort

The Hotel Overview

Universal Stella Nova Resort opened its doors in January 2025, months ahead of Epic Universe itself, as one of two brand-new Prime Value hotels built to serve Universal's fourth theme park. The design leans into cosmic wonder rather than hard sci-fi, with a facade wrapped in more than 140,000 small tiles that shift between blue, purple, and teal depending on the angle and light, giving the building a shimmering, starfield-like quality day and night.

Its standout feature is sheer proximity: Stella Nova sits close enough to Epic Universe that guests can walk straight into the park on a dedicated path, no shuttle required, making it one of the most convenient on-site hotels Universal has ever built for a single park.

Dining & Amenities

Dining leans casual and quick, fitting the Prime Value tier. Cosmos Café and Market serves as the main grab-and-go and sit-down option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while poolside guests can grab food and drinks at Galaxy Grill and Galaxy Bar. The lobby-adjacent Nova Bar rounds things out with a small craft cocktail program for evening drinks.

The resort-style pool spans roughly 10,000 square feet with a zero-entry, beach-like slope, a large hot tub, a fire pit, and a sand-covered lounging area that reinforces the beachy feel. A nearby splash pad, poolside games like giant Connect Four, and nightly poolside movies make it a strong option for families with younger kids.

Booking Strategy

• Book Stella Nova over its sister hotel Terra Luna if you have young kids — the splash pad and lighter, more playful color palette make it the more family-oriented of the two.
• Because Stella Nova has the closest walking path to Epic Universe, ask for a room on the Epic Universe-facing side if you plan to walk to the park each day.
• Compared to Terra Luna, Stella Nova runs slightly more expensive per night, largely due to its marginally shorter walk to the park entrance — worth it if convenience to Epic Universe is your top priority.
• If you also plan to hit Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, or Volcano Bay, budget extra shuttle time — those parks are a 15-20 minute bus ride via CityWalk or a separate dedicated route, not a walk.