Loews Royal Pacific Resort

The Royal Pacific is a family-friendly theme park resort, and those who stay here get special privileges at the Universal Studios theme parks, including VIP line passes that allow fast-tracked access to rides and some preferential treatment at the park's restaurants. The resort strives to recreate the spirit of Hawaii (or, at least rival the charisma of Disney's Polynesian Resort). The lobby features lots of dark wood and thatched-style roofs with some skylight features that are more common in the tropics than in the American South. The grounds have a similar vibe, with man-made ponds, tropical foliage, fountains, and Indonesian-style statues in halls and throughout the grounds. Most guests are families visiting the two Universal parks.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort is one of three hotels located inside the Universal Studios Resort complex in Orlando. Universal is the second-largest resort in Orlando, next to Walt Disney World, with two theme parks -- Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure -- and a shopping and dining strip called City Walk. The Royal Pacific's proximity to the gigantic Orange County Convention Center also makes it a solid choice for conventioneers. Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and City Walk are both a 10-minute walk away. It's a five-minute drive or free shuttle ride to SeaWorld. Downtown Orlando is a 20-minute drive away. It's a 25-minute drive to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom parking lot, followed by a 15-minute ride on a tram and monorail to the park itself; expect a similar commute to Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. It's a 20-minute drive from the resort to the Orlando International Airport. 

With the dark woods and wicker furniture of a Hawaiian resort, the 1,000 rooms at the Royal Pacific fit seamlessly into the Pacific Island theme. The stylish rooms have white-and-gray decor accented by colorful throw pillows in hues of violet or pink and patterned wallpaper with large printed images of orchids or hibiscus flowers in one corner. Most units have medium-size bathrooms with marbled walk-in showers. Entry-level Standard Rooms and Water View Rooms all come with 32-inch flat-screen TVs with HBO, minibars, and Keurig coffeemakers, while upgraded Club Rooms include access to the Royal Club Lounge, with free continental breakfast and evening hors d'oeuvres, plus little extras such as bathrobes, turndown service, and discounts on poolside cabana rentals. All have either two queen-size beds or one king-size and rollaway beds are available. King Suites have separate living areas, pullout sofas, and two flat-screen TVs, while Kids' Suites have separate rooms with kid-friendly themes (such as Jurassic Park). The hotel also offers One-Bedroom Hospitality Suites with separate living areas and and Two-Bedroom Hospitality Parlor Suites that also have conference tables and can sleep up to 10 guests (with rollaways, available for a fee). There's also a huge Captain's Presidential Suite with a dining and conference area, a study, a whirlpool tub, and the option of connecting up to two additional rooms.

One of the hotel's biggest selling points is its lagoon-style swimming pool and adjacent sandy beach that gives the place a seaside vibe despite its inland location. There are plenty of poolside activities such as volleyball, ping-pong, a kids' play area, two hot tubs, and the occasional poolside torch-lighting ceremony. Poolside cabanas with fans, TVs, and mini-fridges are also available for rent. Other features include a poolside game room with video games, jogging and walking paths, coin-operated laundry facilities, a 24-hour business center with free boarding-pass print outs, and a large amount of meeting and function space. There's also a fitness center with treadmills, exercise bikes, and plenty of weight-training machines, plus a whirlpool, steam room, and sauna. There's no spa, though guests can access the facilities at sister property Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. The resort also offers free property-wide Wi-Fi along with plenty of conference and meeting space for rent. Travelers with pets should note that there's an on-site dog park and plenty of pet-friendly services, such as pet-sitting and cat and dog menus.The Royal Pacific also offers plenty for families. The Mariner's Club kids' club, available for children ages 4 to 14, offers activities including movies, video games, arts and crafts, and games. There's also a kids' menu available for room service, a croquet lawn and volleyball court with free equipment rentals, and even the option of dining with a favorite Universal character right at the hotel.There's  a decent variety of restaurants on-site, including Islands Dining Room, which serves "Pacific Rim" cuisine at breakfast and dinner, complete with a children's buffet and a Balinese-inspired play area. For something a little fancier, Emeril's Tchoup Chop serves Asian- and Polynesian-influenced fare at lunch and dinner. Jake's American Bar has pub food at lunch and dinner, while Orchid Court Lounge and Sushi Bar serves up sushi and sashimi and a variety of martinis. Bula Bar & Grille sits next to the pool and serves burgers and wraps. The resort also puts on weekly luaus with fire dancers and island cuisine. Room service is also available.