Where you stay near Universal can completely change your trip — especially when you’re traveling with tweens and teens.

Hotel choice affects:
• how early you can get into the parks
• how much walking you do
• whether you need Express Pass
• how exhausted everyone feels at the end of the day

For families with older kids who care about rides, this decision matters more than almost anything else.

Here’s how you can decide where to stay near Universal — and the two strategies to use depending on the type of trip you’re taking.

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Quick note

Some of the links mentioned in this post may be affiliate links. I don’t publish direct credit card links on my blog. If you’re interested in applying for any card I mention, please message me on Instagram at @pointsandmilesteachers so I can send you the correct link.

Using my links is how I get paid and allows me to continue sharing free content and trip planning help for families like yours — thank you for supporting my work.

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Planning a Universal Trip With Tweens and Teens?

This post is part of my Universal Studios + Epic Universe planning series, created specifically for families traveling with tweens and teens.

You can read the full series here:

• How We Fly Our Family to Universal Studios Using Points and Miles
• Universal Studios + Islands of Adventure in One Day With Tweens and Teens
• Where to Stay Near Universal With Tweens and Teens (Including Free Express Pass Options)
• What to Know About Epic Universe Before You Take Teens and Tweens

Plus, be sure to read how much this trip actually cost for our family of 4!

As each post is published, I’ll link it here so you can plan your entire trip step by step.

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Why Hotel Choice Matters So Much at Universal

Universal is different from Disney.

At Universal:
• rides matter more than shows
• lines get long fast
• Express Pass can dramatically change your day

That means your hotel isn’t just “where you sleep.”

It’s a strategy.

And for families with tweens and teens, the right hotel can save you hundreds — sometimes thousands — of dollars.

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Option 1: Staying at Hyatt on Points

This is often our go-to option.

We like Hyatt because:
• points are predictable
• award pricing is reasonable
• availability is usually solid
• we’ve stayed for $0 many times

When we’re trying to keep trip costs as low as possible, Hyatt is usually our first stop.

I walk through exactly how we’ve booked Hyatt stays for free here:
[How We Stay at Hyatt for $0 Using Points]

The trade-off

The downside of staying at Hyatt near Universal is simple:

You do not get Express Pass included.

That means:
• longer waits
• more strategy required

If your kids are fine waiting in lines and you’re planning a focused itinerary, this option can work really well.

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Option 2: Universal Premier Hotels (Free Express Pass)

This is where things get interesting.

Universal has three Premier hotels that include a free Express Pass for every person in your room:

• Hard Rock Hotel
• Loews Portofino Bay
• Loews Royal Pacific

And this benefit alone can completely change your trip.

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Why these hotels are such a big deal

Express Pass can easily cost:
• $150–$300 per person
• per day
• during busy seasons

For a family of four or five, that adds up fast.

When you stay at a Premier hotel:
• everyone in your room gets Express Pass
• valid for check-in day and check-out day
• no separate purchase required

For many families, this can save $ 1,000 or more in a single day.

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Other perks families love

• walk or boat to the parks
• early park admission
• midday hotel breaks
• less end-of-day exhaustion

For tweens and teens who want nonstop rides, these hotels can be absolutely worth it.

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How to Book Universal Hotels Using Credits or Portals

This is where flexibility matters.

Sometimes using points is best.

Other times, using credits or travel portals makes more sense.

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Using American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts

Premier hotels can sometimes be booked through Fine Hotels & Resorts, which may include:

• hotel credits
• early check-in / late checkout
• added perks

Depending on pricing, this can offset part of the cost.

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Using the Capital One Travel Portal

Another option is booking through the Capital One Travel portal.

This can make sense when:
• cash prices are reasonable
• you want to earn miles
• you plan to erase the charge later with points

I explain how this works step by step here:
[Capital One points blog post]

This is often how families bridge the gap when Express Pass value outweighs hotel point redemptions.

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Don’t Forget Flights Come First

Before choosing a hotel, make sure your flights are booked.

If you haven’t already, start here:
[How We Fly Our Family to Universal Studios Using Points and Miles]

Once flights are locked in, you can decide which hotel strategy makes the most sense.

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Final Thoughts

Where you stay near Universal is not just a place to sleep.

It’s a decision that impacts:
• cost
• wait times
• stress levels
• how much fun your kids actually have

For families with tweens and teens, choosing the right hotel strategy can make the difference between a chaotic day and an incredible one.

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Want help choosing the best hotel strategy?

If you’re planning a Universal trip and want help deciding whether points, hotel credits, or Express Pass hotels make the most sense for your family, message me on Instagram at @pointsandmilesteachers before you book anything.

Using my links is how I get paid and allows me to continue providing free content and trip planning help — and I’m always happy to help you think it through.