Orlando theme park to open fifth hotel
Universal and Loews Hotels and Resorts have unveiled details of the latest hotel planned for the Orlando theme park.
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort will be the fifth on-site property at Universal, which will have 1,000 rooms with 77 suites. It is expected to open in the summer of 2016.
This will bring the number of rooms at Universal Orlando to 5,200.
The resort concept is designed around a traditional Caribbean island theme and will feature a resort-style pool with a waterslide, children’s play area and sandy beach surrounded by the hotel guestrooms.
A full-service restaurant with outdoor dining, a themed lobby, poolside bar and grill, quick-service marketplace, valet service and a fitness centre are also planned.
Resort guests will have priority early admission to Universal’s theme parks and a water taxi and shuttle service direct to all entertainment and dining amenities within Universal Orlando Resort.
"Our guests tell us that our Universal Orlando on-site hotels provide them a completely immersive holiday experience from the moment they enter our hotels," said Tom Williams, chairman and chief executive officer, Universal Parks and Resorts.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026