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Universal Stella Nova Resort Review

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Back in early May, I stayed two nights at the Universal Stella Nova Resort. Here’s a review of that experience.

Universal Stella Nova Resort

Universal Stella Nova Resort

This resort is one of the newest hotels at Universal Orlando. It opened in January 2025 and is directly across the road from the new theme park – Epic Universe! It’s considered a Prime Value Resort like Aventura resort. In fact having stayed at both now, I would say it’s a space themed version of Aventura to a large extent. The space theme ties in nicely with the Celestial Park front of Epic Universe, which this hotel faces. I really enjoyed the space theme and pictures.

Standard Room

Immediately upon entering my room, I noticed an issue. There were two bottles of shampoo in my shower and no conditioner. I texted with the hotel to ask for a replacement bottle and was told it was no problem. Then, I went to the park. I came back several hours later and noticed that there was indeed a conditioner bottle in the shower. It wasn’t until I was in the shower that I realized that the bottle was completely empty. So, I had to text again the next day for conditioner. During my second park day, someone finally got me some conditioner. I don’t know what the process is to replace shampoo/conditioner at this hotel, but I’ve never had that much trouble getting either one before.

It appears that there’s only one type of room here – the standard double queen room. Due to the extreme last minute nature of my trip (I stayed here during my Epic Universe preview), I took what they had available. Personally, I always prefer a standard view room to a pool view due to noise. However, all they had left was pool view. So, I stayed in a pool view room during this trip. While I did hear some noise from the pool during my mid-day break, I turned on my white noise machine and was able to block it out. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to block out the noise from within the hotel. I kept hearing people running around and housekeeping slamming doors.

The Lights

I had read reviews online ahead of staying here with people complaining about the lights automatically turning off and on. While I’m very happy to report that the lights didn’t randomly turn on while I stayed here, I did have the lights turn off on me once. I actually had to get out of the bed to make them turn back on. I also noticed that the air seemed to turn off if there wasn’t much movement and got a little warm. Plus, there seems to be some sort of sensor on the lights near the bathroom and the sensor light never goes out. Rather, it lights up the whole room all night.

The Food

While I didn’t eat dinner here, I did enjoy breakfast. I was pleased to discover a couple of good items for breakfast. One day, I enjoyed the Croque Madame. I was surprised that it may have had cilantro or some other green herb that wasn’t advertised. Once I removed it, it was tasty. I also got the chocolate monkey bread and saved it for the next morning. It was still good the next day! Personally, I found the breakfast options to be a step above some other value resorts.

Stella Nova Pros

  • Space themed – The space theme is really cool. I enjoyed seeing the pictures of space around the hotel.
  • Location – This was the perfect hotel for my Epic Universe only trip. The bus ride was typically really short. Although, there was one time where the light couldn’t be triggered and it took us like 20 minutes to get to the park. There’s also a short walking path to Epic Universe – which is what swayed me to stay here instead of at Terra Luna.
  • More affordable – Unfortunately, I went during a cheer competition, which raised the rates pretty significantly. Typically, it’s around $200/night, which seems reasonable to me given its location.
  • New – Having just recently opened, you know that nothing is run down yet.
  • Comfortable room – It was a solo trip, but I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here with my mom or husband. The beds were pretty comfortable too.
  • Early entry – Just like all of the other on-site hotels, guests get early entry into the parks.

Universal Stella Nova Cons

  • Noise – The walls/floors seem to be somewhat thin. I thankfully didn’t have a connecting room, but I was still able to hear my next door neighbor’s conversations as well as people moving around the resort. I also heard housekeeping pretty consistently during my mid-day break.
  • Automatic lights and air – The lights and air will automatically cut off if they don’t sense movement after so long. I’m sure it’s a cost/energy saving measure, but it’s annoying.
  • Lack of room type options – If you need a different bed or room configuration, you will have to look elsewhere.
  • Theme not for everyone – Aside from the pictures of space, the resort is a little… sterile feeling? It’s sleek but kids would probably enjoy a different resort better.

Is the Universal Stella Nova Resort worth it?

This is a great option for visiting Epic Universe. However, I think it’s a little far removed from the rest of Universal Orlando Resort. I also didn’t like how noisy it was. I might stay at Terra Luna or Helios next time for the Epic portion of my trip and then transfer to a different hotel to visit the other parks. You can view my Universal Orlando Resorts Overview if you need help picking a resort.

Have you stayed here? What did you think?

Courtyard Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Review

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Back in April, I stayed two nights at the Courtyard Myrtle Beach Oceanfront hotel with my mom. I thought I would do a review of it in case anyone else is considering staying here.

Courtyard Myrtle Beach Oceanfront

Courtyard Myrtle Beach Oceanfront

This was only the second time I’ve visited the beach. My mom grew up going to the beach in New Jersey though. So, I thought it would be a great idea to book a beachside hotel for this trip. I have to say, it made for a unique experience that I wouldn’t mind repeating.

Standard Double Queen Guest Room

We booked a standard double queen guest room this trip. We chose the Discover Myrtle Beach package that came with free parking as there isn’t free parking at this hotel. In fact, the parking situation leaves something to be desired entirely. I think that the parking structure across the street with tiny spaces and an elevator that went out during our trip is probably the biggest drawback of this hotel.

Fortunately, the room was great. It was amazing to step into our room and immediately see the ocean! I loved having a balcony to sit and look out at the ocean. I’ve never been a beach person. However, sitting on the balcony and just looking out at the ocean made me understand people who are. It was very relaxing and beautiful. I loved watching the sunrise and set from the balcony. It was also cool to see how dark it was at night.

The room itself seemed recently refurbished. The only thing not in working order was the body wash holder in the shower. As you can see in my pictures, housekeeping just set the body wash in the basket on the wall. Everything else was pretty good in this room. The beds were more comfortable than the ones we slept in at a different hotel on this trip.

Really though, you are picking this hotel for the balcony and view.

Pros

  • Oceanfront view – Every room here has a balcony with a view of the ocean! I loved this and it makes me want to visit another beach lotion just to look out at the ocean.
  • Recently refurbished – The room was in mostly good working condition. I was happy with the number of plug ins as well.
  • Comfortable beds – We arrived here after staying one night at a different hotel in Myrtle Beach where we slept in hard beds. So, it was a noticeable difference how much more comfortable these beds were.
  • Good location – Yes, it’s on the beach. However, it was also reasonably close to everything we wanted to do in Myrtle Beach, like the Medieval Times dinner show.
  • Reasonable rates in advance – We booked this hotel a few months in advance. As such, we got a reasonable rate of $209/night! Granted, this was a Sunday and Monday night. However, we were happy with the rate considering it was on the ocean.

Cons

  • Parking – There’s a $20/day parking charge without the Discover Myrtle Beach package. This charge allows you to park in the parking structure across the street. Unfortunately, the parking garage is not as new as the hotel. It’s too small for modern vehicles. It was difficult to back up in this garage and to fit into the spaces. Additionally, the elevator went out during our stay without any explanation or apology from anyone. Walking up and down several stories with your stuff is not fun.
  • Limited TV channels – My mom enjoys watching tv before bed. Unfortunately, this hotel had a limited selection of channels for her to choose from. Not a deal breaker, but just something to keep in mind.
  • Check your bill – We booked the package that included parking. However, the final bill charged us for parking. So, we had to go down to the front desk to have it fixed. The front desk staff was friendly and helpful. Just pay attention to your bill.
  • Low chairs on balcony – The chairs on the balcony were a little difficult for my mom to get in and out of. It’s not a huge thing, just something to know.

Is the Courtyard Myrtle Beach Oceanfront hotel worth it?

While the parking situation is not ideal, I enjoyed the hotel and room itself. Maybe take a car instead of an SUV if you stay here so your car can fit the spaces better.

Disney All Star Sports Resort Review

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Back in December 2024, I was able to stay at the Disney All Star Sports Resort while on a short (48 hour) solo trip. Today, I thought I would share my thoughts on that experience.

Disney All Star Sports

Disney All Star Sports

Previously, I posted an All Star Resorts Overview with a brief look at each of the three themed value resorts. At the time, I had stayed at Music and Movies, but not Sports. So, since I finally checked off Sports, I thought it was time to review them separately as well.

The Resort

Just a brief reminder, this is one of the three All Star Resorts on property. Each one is considered a “value resort” due to them typically offering the cheapest rates on property. They are each highly themed to their respective namesakes with big statues around the resorts to fit the theme. Unfortunately, a recent room refurbishment made each of the rooms identical and almost exactly the same as those found at Pop Century (murphy bed/table). However, the artwork is the same across the three All Star Resorts. So, the theming currently ends once you step inside the room.

All Star Sports has various sports themed sections around the resort. These include: baseball, basketball, football, surfing, and tennis. For my visit, I stayed in the tennis section. I enjoyed this because there’s a scene depicting Donald and the nephews (Huey, Dewey, and Louie) playing tennis/baseball outside! I love Donald Duck, so it was nice to see him as I came and went from the room.

The Room

As I stated above, the rooms across the All Star Resorts are now nearly identical. In fact, aside from different artwork, they are almost exactly the same as those found at Pop Century Resort. So, if you are expecting a unique room, then this isn’t the resort for you. However, they have all been recently refurbished and are in decent shape – especially for the price.

Just like at Pop Century, there’s one regular queen sized bed. Then, there’s a pull down bed that’s also a table when not in use. This was a fine set-up for my solo trip. However, it’s not ideal for trips with my mom when we both want a regular bed for a good’s night rest. I will definitely nap in the pull down bed or sleep a single night in them though.

All Star Sports Food

A quick note about the food here. Your only option at value resorts are the quick service food courts. However, I was happy with the food I ate from here. For dinner on arrival, I selected a grilled half chicken meal. The chicken was tasty and not dry. For sides, I got green beans and mashed potatoes. The green beans were ok and I liked the mashed potatoes.

For convenience, I also ate breakfast here on the day of my departure. I got a signature Mickey waffle breakfast. My waffle was classic and good. The scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and tots hit the spot and fueled me for hours! It was quick and relatively affordable by Disney standards.

Overall, you won’t find anything too exciting here. However, it’s great for when you are in a hurry to hit the road or theme park. Plus, it’s more affordable than some options in the parks.

Pros

  • Cheaper rates – I have to list this as a pro. The All Star Resorts consistently have the lowest rates of on-site hotels. If budget is a big concern, then consider an All Star Resort.
  • On-site perks – I love to stay on-site due to the free park transportation alone. It makes this solo female traveler feel safe. I also like the 60 days out dining perk.
  • Fun theme – This is the perfect place to say for any sports fan. Although, I’m not a big sports fan and I enjoyed seeing Donald in the tennis section.
  • Newly refurbished rooms – It’s a cheaper rate, but not necessarily a cheap feeling room.
  • 1st Bus Stop – Sometimes, they combine the buses for the three All Star Resorts. If that’s the case, then Sports is the first stop! That’s pretty convenient when you come back late at night and are tired!

Cons

  • Noise – I travel with a white noise machine to attempt to drown out some noise. However, I was still woken up by a crying child at 5 AM while staying here. So, don’t expect quiet privacy here. You will hear others and they will probably hear you.
  • Popular with sports team and tour groups – Due to the lower rates, all three resorts are popular with tour groups. However, Sports is especially popular with sports groups, in particular those competing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. Maybe keep an eye out for competitions to plan your trip around if you are staying here.
  • Murphy bed – While I appreciate the use of space in the recent refurbishment, I would prefer two real beds for trips with my mom or longer trips.
  • Buses can be crowded – Being the first stop can mean that you have to fight the crowd to actually exit the bus. Also, there can be long waits for said bus.

Is Disney All Star Sports Resort worth it?

I found the nightly rate here to be acceptable and it’s part of what encouraged me to book this trip. The room was adequate for a solo two night stay. The theme was cute. I appreciated the on-site perks. However, if I was going for a longer stay or going with family, I would probably opt for a resort with two real beds.

Have you ever stayed here? What was your experience like?

DoubleTree by Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Avenue Review

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Back when my husband and I visited NYC in January we stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Avenue. Since it’s a recently refurbished and re-branded hotel, there aren’t many reviews available. I thought I would give anyone considering a stay here an overall review.

DoubleTree by Hilton New York Midtown

DoubleTree by Hilton New York Midtown

I had a really hard time picking a hotel for the NYC trip. Between high prices, not knowing the area, and lackluster reviews, it can be difficult to find the right hotel in NYC. Given its proximity to the things we wanted to visit, the recent refurbishment, and pricing we selected the DoubleTree by Hilton New York Midtown for our two night stay. I will admit that this was nowhere near a perfect stay. In fact, I will probably choose to stay elsewhere if I ever return to the city.

Room Options

Given that the hotel is centrally located and basically crammed in (like much of the rest of the city), there are loads of different room configurations available here. I booked a 1 King Bed in mid-October for early January using a Hilton Honors discount. Unfortunately, we received a queen. So, this review will be on a queen size bedroom.

I will say that the recent refurbishment is nice. The room looks sleek and clean when you first enter it. There’s also a good amount of plug ins here since they recently remodeled it. The bed was reasonably comfortable as well. Unfortunately, that’s where the good stuff ends.

It was a tiny room. I know that’s par for the course for a room in NYC though, so I can’t fault them too much for that. However, the heat was turned off when we arrived and we had to get someone to come to the room to turn it on. That took multiple trips down to the front desk to get fixed. I also was surprised to see people right outside our window doing construction. The construction crew got an early start each day. So, make sure you pull the blinds here.

The bathroom had several little issues. The shower door doesn’t properly latch close. The cabinet doors don’t have a hinge to keep them from slamming into the wall/picture. There’s no fan in the bathroom (which makes sharing a room a little awkward if nothing else). Lastly, the faucet was installed backwards. You have to turn it to the right for hot water, instead of the traditional left.

Pros

  • Location – This hotel is right beside Radio City Music Hall. It was perfect for seeing the Rockettes and walking over to Rockefeller Center for the NBC Studios Tour.
  • Recently refurbished – Rooms were remodeled in 2024.
  • Good number of plugins – Older hotels tend to have an inadequate amount, so it’s nice to find a hotel with an ample amount.
  • Italian restaurant – There’s an Italian restaurant housed in the top of the hotel. We had dessert here one night and it was good. The ambiance was nice and romantic. However, the menu was over-priced.
  • Free cookie – Every DoubleTree by Hilton gives out free cookies upon checking in. We enjoyed ours immediately.

Cons

  • Check in was a disaster – There’s no other way to say this. This was the worst check in experience I’ve ever had. The lobby is small with no seating. Plus, they store guest luggage here. To add insult to injury, we were told at check in that if our room wasn’t ready by check in time, we would receive an upgrade. A queen is certainly not an upgrade from a king. We ended up taking whatever we could get as we had dinner and show plans to get to. We (along with several others) waited 1.5 hours for a room.
  • No real luggage storage – This is one of the biggest reasons I won’t be returning here. They appear to have one room for storing guest luggage (maybe?) that gets full immediately. We checked out of the room a little after 8 AM on a Saturday and we still had to stow our luggage in the lobby. They give out a luggage tag to retrieve your luggage. My husband ended up losing ours, but it didn’t matter since we were able to walk right up to take our luggage without anyone noticing or caring! Maybe if you travel light or don’t need luggage storage, this will be ok for you. However, you can expect to walk by lots of luggage in the lobby everyday of your stay.
  • Room is small and wonky – As I noted above, there were lots of little mistakes in the bathroom.
  • Long elevator waits – There’s definitely not enough elevators for a hotel with this many people.
  • Fragrance in lobby – There’s a fragrance dispenser in the lobby of the hotel and of the restaurant. It puts out fragrance every few minutes. If you are sensitive to fragrance (I have a strong sense of smell) then this is a problem to walk by everyday.

Is the DoubleTree by Hilton New York Midtown worth it?

We paid $487.52 for two nights in early January here. I think that’s a cheap room in NYC. However, if I return to NYC I will probably look for something a little further away for better accommodations. It’s probably acceptable for a quick trip to see a show though.

Colonial Williamsburg Colonial House Review

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Back in December my mom and I shared a Colonial Williamsburg Colonial House while visiting for the holidays. Today, I am going to share my thoughts on that experience.

Colonial Williamsburg Colonial House

Colonial Williamsburg Colonial House

My mom and I initially booked a Tavern Room for this trip. However, we received a call a few weeks out from our trip that they had overbooked our room. So, they upgraded us to a house. While normally you can book a specific house, we had no idea which house we were staying in until we were handed the keys. We ended up spending two nights in the Orrell Kitchen. FYI: Kitchens used to be a separate building from the house back in colonial times. So, while you may book or be placed in a “kitchen”, it’s still a whole separate home.

The House

At first glance, this is an adorable little home. There was a little sign on the wall detailing some of the rich history of this home when you first enter it. We were tickled to have our own spaces, with my mom taking the downstairs bedroom and I took the upstairs. However, as we spent sometime getting familiar with our home, we started to notice lots of little issues.

For starters, while there was two bathrooms, only the upstairs one had a shower. So, my mom took only one shower while we were here because she didn’t want to navigate the stairs. The stairs were a whole issue onto themselves. They totally couldn’t be built like that today. You can view them in my Instagram post to see for yourself how bad they were.

By the time I went to bed, I discovered another glaring issue: the lack of working heat. I was freezing the whole night. We went back to check in to inquire about switching to a room someplace but we were told everything was booked up. They sent maintenance out to look at the house. Apparently, they couldn’t get the heat to work either. So, they put a small portable heater in the upstairs room and called it a day. Thankfully, it was a small space so the heater was able to heat the bedroom. Unfortunately, the one bathroom with a shower was still a little chilly.

We also had issues with the lock on the back of the house. When we checked out, we couldn’t even get it to lock back. Upon returning the key to the front desk, we told them about the issue and they didn’t seem surprised. In fact they told us not to worry about it.

Pros

  • Location – The houses are located right in Colonial Williamsburg! It’s so easy to walk to everything. Plus, we loved not having to deal with parking during the fireworks.
  • Tickets included – Staying at any of the official CW resorts (including the houses) gives you length of stay passes to Colonial Williamsburg.
  • Unique – It’s truly a unique experience to stay in a house that old. I don’t know anywhere else you can do that.
  • Early access to booking dining reservations – This was especially useful since we were staying during one of their busiest weekends: the holiday season. We were able to book the Holiday Tea prior to the general public since we stayed on property.

Cons

  • Stairs – They didn’t have standards for building stairs back then. So, anytime you get a house with stairs, you run the risk of them being really bad.
  • Run down – I know these are old houses, that’s the whole point of staying in them. However, they really need some love and attention. They need to update the electrical system and put in more outlets. Also, the heat didn’t work in our house.
  • Weird bathrooms – The bathrooms also need to be updated. Once again, just like when I stayed in the Deluxe Suite last year, the bathroom ceiling cut in at an angle in the shower.

Is a Colonial Williamsburg Colonial House worth it?

Suffice it to say, that while it’s mighty convenient and neat to stay in colonial lodging, I probably won’t do it again. I’ll be looking at hotels the next time I visit Colonial Williamsburg, unless they do some major updates to these houses.