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The New Loews Sapphire Falls at Universal Resorts

The hotel-within-a-theme-park model has hit a spike in growth and competition levels in recent years, and it’s easily see why. One stop allows you and your family to enjoy the amenities (and luxury) of a hotel vacation while easily being able to explore the nearest theme parks all day long, even...

The hotel-within-a-theme-park model has hit a spike in growth and competition levels in recent years, and it’s easily see why. One stop allows you and your family to enjoy the amenities (and luxury) of a hotel vacation while easily being able to explore the nearest theme parks all day long, even into the night.

The newest offering from Universal Resorts in Orlando, The Loews Sapphire Falls, takes this convenience to a new level by offering an extremely well-managed, amenity-rich, and beautifully designed hotel with restaurants, just steps from the Universal theme parks.

The décor of Sapphire Falls is a real standout compared to that at other hotel options in the Orlando marketplace. Tagged as "Caribbean-themed" the design feels much more like St. Barts than the Bahamas. Modern, sophisticated furnishings like cocoon chairs and an enormous hanging straw lantern (which took 60 days to build) welcome guests into the expansive lobby.

The 1,000 guest rooms feature Hawaiian-esque photos and beautifully tiled floors. Amenities such as 300-thread-count linens, smart room technology, complimentary internet access, mini-refrigerators, and great views add to the luxe experience. The kids suite, offering a king bed and two twin beds in a separate (but connected) bedroom, is an excellent choice for families.

The property's pool is more than just an add-on. This 16,000 square feet outdoor oasis is a striking feature of the property. Surrounded by cascading waterfalls, the sprawling pool area includes two sand areas, a children’s play spot with pop-up jets, a huge hot tub, a waterslide, and a fire pit — together offering hours of outdoor fun. There’s also a game room, in case your trip happens to be hit with not-so-wonderful weather (it’s Florida, it happens).

The Universal parks themselves are a much less overwhelming and a more manageable experience than their Disney counterparts. The obvious standout destination is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is split between both parks with Diagon Alley in Universal Studios and Hosmeade in Islands of Adventure, connected by the Hogwarts Express. These spot-on “lands” are an absolutely magical experience for even the most casual Potter fan, and a fun escapade regardless of your Potter knowledge. The newly opened “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon” is hilarious, and fun go-to as well.

Dining in the park includes the usual offerings, with some adorable Harry Potter-themed stops along the way such as Three Broomsticks and the Leaky Cauldron. If a simple, satisfying meal is what you seek, head to Mythos, the park's award-winning global restaurant located in Islands of Adventure. In the midst of the "craggy grotto," surrounded by waterfalls, is a dining experience that well exceeds typical theme park fare. Everything from mezze to meatballs to pad Thai to salmon provide a nice departure from the chicken nuggets and pizza that have likely taken over most of your park meals. The chef’s signature Greek salad is a particularly welcome infusion of vegetables with lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onions, Kalamata olives, feta crackers, herb-lemon vinaigrette, and shaved marinated feta grilled chicken.

With the holidays past us, now is an excellent time to hit Universal and stay at Sapphire Falls. Theme park days can be exhausting, but heading to a clean, calm, luxurious home-away-from-home is a really nice break from the mundane. The hotel consistently has affordable deals around the $200 mark, and in summer is especially well priced. That also happens to be when Universal's new 28-acre water park, Volcano Bay, is set to open, so mark it on your calendars!