The Common Stella Nova Resort in Orlando, Florida isn’t flashy — and it doesn’t have to be. What it lacks in theme park views, it makes up for in advantages that simplify your go to to Epic Universe, all at a worth that’s comparatively low for a Common lodge.

It is considered one of two Prime Worth motels (alongside Common Terra Luna Resort) constructed inside Common’s new Epic Universe campus. Prime Worth is Common’s time period for midtier motels. Rooms at Stella Nova can typically be discovered for lower than $300 per night time. Throughout nonpeak occasions, these charges get nearer to $200. That is a lot cheaper than the extra luxurious Common Helios Grand Resort, which has a personal Epic Universe entrance for visitors and expenses greater than $700 per night time. (Extra on that later.)

I stayed on the Stella Nova for 3 nights throughout a media preview forward of Epic Universe’s opening in Could 2025. Common lined the price of my room, park tickets and most meals.

The lodge itself was snug and unfussy. Whereas the decor wasn’t essentially memorable, the true worth lies in its advantages like early entry for lodge visitors to the theme park and a straightforward stroll to Epic Universe. I loved each conveniences (and the park itself) a lot that I’m already mulling a visit again with my household — this time alone dime.

For those who, like me, need a lodge that is near Epic Universe with out breaking the financial institution, this lodge is a superb possibility.

Common Stella Nova Resort location

Stella Nova is a few 15-minute stroll or a fast shuttle trip to Epic Universe’s entrance. Although it feels secure with sidewalks and crosswalks, there’s little shade. Nonetheless, having the ability to stroll to Epic Universe out of your lodge room is a giant deal.

The draw back is that it’s not on Common’s predominant resort campus. Which means attending to Common Studios Florida, Islands of Journey or Common CityWalk entails a roughly 15-minute shuttle trip by means of Orlando on what seems like an ordinary metropolis bus. It really works, however it’s not ideally suited when you’ll spend a superb chunk of your time in these locations.

One night time, I headed to CityWalk for a late-night deal with from Voodoo Doughnut and ended up including about 45 minutes to my night due to the shuttle wait occasions.

The lodge dazzles — actually. Like its sibling property, Terra Luna, it’s lined in multicolored mosaic bricks that shimmer, providing an particularly sparkly impact on a sunny day.

The lodge’s inside is considerably much less colourful. Styled like a spaceship’s command heart, the Stella Nova foyer is generally white (except for some celestial-print accents) with curves all over the place. The design is so futuristic, I couldn’t discover a single straight edge on any wall.

Ample, outsized couches make any potential waits a bit extra nice.

The lodge additionally presents specific checkout on-line or by means of your room’s tv, so you do not have to do it in particular person (although you may, when you favor).

Commonplace rooms clock in at round 315 sq. ft, however they don’t have any wasted area. The lavatory is small, which leaves more room for the sleeping and sitting space.

The aesthetic leans minimalist and fashionable. Assume primary white linens, with orange and blue accents, coupled with galaxy-inspired paintings.

Rooms have primary facilities like a flat-screen TV, mini fridge, espresso maker and USB shops, however nothing notably excellent when it comes to plush linens or intelligent design. That is Prime Worth, in spite of everything.

Bogs function giant vanities and vivid lighting, although you received’t discover high-end finishes or luxurious toiletries right here. They did inventory my lavatory with toiletries with the scent “Cosmic Ember,” however please don’t ask me to explain what cosmic ember smells like.

I received a pool view, which was positively good however not distinctive.

There aren’t any particular suites or fancy extras, however that’s OK. For those who’re getting back from an extended day at Epic Universe and simply need a clear, cool room to unwind in, Stella Nova delivers.

Key facilities on the Common Stella Nova Resort

The lodge has a large, 10,000-square-foot zero-entry pool, which implies it has a delicate slope entry like a seaside.

Whereas the ground surrounding the pool is concrete, there’s a complete again space of the pool advanced lined in sand, including to the beach-like really feel. There’s additionally a scorching tub and youngsters’ splash pad.

There are many lounge chairs and a good quantity of umbrellas.

Chairs have a neat function the place connected QR codes mean you can scan and order meals out of your telephone, delivered proper to you.

There’s a small arcade with video games based mostly on Common franchises like Mario and Jurassic Park. Video games price about $1 to $3 per play.

The health heart has your commonplace treadmills, bicycles, weight machines and free weights. It’s fairly spacious, and floor-to-ceiling home windows overlooking the pool assist it really feel even larger.

The health club additionally has an connected locker room with a bathe, which is a handy amenity for freshening up and altering when you use the pool or health club in your arrival or departure days however don’t have room entry.

The foyer reward store has a small smattering of the identical souvenirs you should buy contained in the park. It additionally sells objects like sunscreen and a few over-the-counter medicines.

Eating on the Stella Nova Resort

Eating choices aren’t something memorable, which is a bit disappointing contemplating how good the meals is inside Common’s theme parks. However it’s fantastic when you want one thing fast or handy.

This quick-service restaurant has primary theme park fare. Assume burgers, paninis, pizza and fries.

I attempted to go for essentially the most distinctive menu merchandise I might get, which wasn’t all that distinctive — a pulled pork sandwich (I requested for no bun) topped with coleslaw and onion rings, with candy potato fries. It was an enormous portion, albeit a tad too greasy (hey, it’s meals at a theme park lodge).

Meals on the cafe is made-to-order, although an adjoining market sells prepackaged variations of lots of the identical salads and sandwiches in addition to different grab-and-go objects like pastries, chips and sweet bars.

Galaxy Bar and Galaxy Grill are the 2 out of doors eateries on the pool deck. Each serve an identical menu to what you’ll get at Cosmos Cafe. For those who want meals by the pool, it suits the invoice — however go in with low expectations.

Nova Bar sits proper in the midst of the foyer. It’s modern with ample seating, although the regular circulation of visitors rolling their suitcases previous detracts a bit from the vibe.

The drink menu does a enough job of embracing the lodge’s celestial theme with cocktails like “The Black Hole” (principally their model of an espresso martini). It’s good if you would like an grownup beverage with out leaving the property, although there are numerous different, higher bars across the Common Orlando Resort.

Simply because Stella Nova is extra inexpensive doesn’t imply it skimps on perks. As with all Common motels, visitors right here get:

• Early park admission to Epic Universe or different Common parks, relying on the schedule. Which means shorter waits for standard points of interest within the early hours and a large head begin on the crowds.

• Free shuttle transportation to all Common parks, together with Epic Universe, Common Studios Florida, Islands of Journey and Volcano Bay.

• The choice to cost purchases to your lodge key card. You should use this card to pay for merchandise and meals all through the resort.

• Complimentary merchandise supply from taking part theme park shops to your lodge, so that you don’t have to hold purchasing baggage round all day.

You received’t get a Common Categorical Go; that line-skipping profit is reserved for Premier motels like Loews Portofino Bay Resort and Onerous Rock Resort. However for the value, the perks are loads beneficiant.

How does it evaluate to Helios?

Stella Nova is considered one of three new motels constructed by Common inside strolling distance to Epic Universe. Terra Luna is nearly a precise copy of Stella Nova.

The opposite property is vastly totally different: the Common Helios Grand Resort, which is so near Epic Universe that it has its personal personal entrance. Stella Nova shouldn’t be proper subsequent to the park gates like Helios, however it’s shut. Whereas Helios has direct views of Celestial Park, Stella Nova faces a extra industrial stretch of Common property. You received’t be gazing at fireworks out of your room, however that’s not what this lodge is about. As an alternative, that is the lodge for somebody on the lookout for a mattress to right away conk out on after an extended day on the theme parks.

Certain, if cash had been no object, I’d completely guide the Helios. However that upscale property instructions nightly charges over $700, whereas rooms at Stella Nova can typically be discovered for lower than $300 per night time.

Significantly on a theme park journey the place I’m spending minimal time in my room — and I’m having all my meals at considered one of Epic Universe’s incredible eating places — I don’t thoughts the dearth of luxurious or facilities (there’s not even a waiter-service restaurant on the lodge).

Common Stella Nova Resort: Is it price it?

For those who’re planning to spend most of your journey inside Epic Universe and wish to save your splurges for one thing apart from a lodge room, then Stella Nova is a sensible, snug dwelling base.

For those who prioritize maximizing park time and minimizing lodging prices — whereas nonetheless staying throughout the Common bubble — Stella Nova would be the smartest (and most inexpensive) keep throughout the Epic Universe orbit.