Common Helios Grand Resort has opened early, and we’re staying on the new in-park resort overlooking Epic Universe for paid previews of the third theme park at Common Orlando. We wished to share a preview of the visitor rooms, eating places, retail and the whole lot else in Helios resort earlier than its official grand opening on Could 22, 2025.
By way of primary background, Helios Grand Resort is dropped at life by the award-winning Common Artistic group and co-owned and operated by Loews Motels & Co. The brand new Common Orlando property is a Mediterranean-inspired resort rising above the luxurious gardens and scenic waters of Celestial Park at Epic Universe.
Based on Common and Loews, Helios Grand Resort was designed to mix immersion and rest to create a resort keep like no different. The palatial resort options tranquil sleeping lodging, entertaining facilities for the entire household to get pleasure from, divine eating choices, a shocking rooftop bar and the resort’s very personal devoted entrance to the brand new Epic Universe theme park.
Bringing Common Orlando’s resort portfolio to a complete of 11 lodges and 11,000 visitor rooms, Common Helios Grand Resort builds upon Common’s greater than three a long time of experience in world-class leisure and artistic theming – mixed with Loews Motels’ hospitality and repair excellence – to set a brand new commonplace in immersive resort experiences.
Solely at Common Helios Grand Resort can friends unwind within the serenity of a sunlit retreat in a single second after which inside minutes discover themselves within the coronary heart of exhilarating theme park adventures. Common Helios Grand Resort is a lot greater than only a place to remain; it’s the crown jewel of Epic Universe and the top of Common Orlando’s resort experiences.
Based on Common Orlando, as quickly as friends step into this radiant sanctuary, they are going to be transported to a fantastical world inside the palace of Helios, the Greek god of the solar, adorned with lovely particulars of celestial patterns, dazzling constellations and stylish but informal Mediterranean design components. (All their phrases, not mine.)
I’m not going to editorialize a lot right here as a result of we’re nonetheless at the start of the keep. And since I’ve restricted time to write down this, edit photographs, and get to mattress earlier than an early morning at Epic Universe tomorrow. So I’d somewhat take some extra time for my ideas to simmer, and have a full expertise previous to firing off scorching takes. What I’ll say is that, to date, Helios Grand has largely matched or exceeded my most up-to-date expectations.
My authentic expectations have been sky-high, as I anticipated Helios Grand Resort to simply be the flagship resort at Common Orlando and among the best theme park lodges in all of Central Florida. Perhaps in the entire world. I used to be disabused of this when Common did its grand reveal of the resort, which appeared to place extra on par with Gran Destino Tower or Disney’s Riviera Resort, however overlooking a theme park.
For probably the most half, that’s precisely what Helios Grand Resort is. If something, these comparisons are most likely charitable to Helios Grand Resort. It’s very whelming so far as lodges overlooking theme parks go, and positively not the flagship property at Common Orlando. I’m not likely what’s, at this level, as a result of the legacy lodges are beginning to present their age a bit. For my tastes, Portofino Bay continues to be #1.
What I underestimated (or forgot), greater than the rest, is simply how cool it’s to remain in a resort overlooking a theme park. It’s actually, actually cool. Particularly in case you have a theme park view room! All all through this check-in day, I’ve felt like a child ready on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus to return, after which for the following morning to unwrap presents.
I actually love lodges that overlook theme parks, and the sense of anticipation that brings with it on arrival day. That’s intensified exponentially when it’s a model new theme park that I’ve by no means skilled. To say I’m hyped could be a large understatement!
Within the curiosity of getting this put up achieved shortly (by my requirements), I’m largely going to share video versus photographs. It’s an entire course of to get pictures from my digital camera to pc, whereas I can shortly add telephone movies and share these.
May additionally be a pleasant change of tempo, too! (Relaxation assured, a full overview of Common Helios Grand Resort is coming quickly, together with meticulous documentation by way of photographs.)
Let’s begin with the arrival at Common Helios Grand Resort on opening day:
Common Orlando introduced that Helios Grand would open at midday, and my thought was to reach barely early to beat the push. In so doing, I forgot the military-esque mantra of theme park openings: “if you happen to’re barely early, you’re late. If you happen to’re ridiculously early, you continue to received’t be first in line.” Suffice to say, I encountered a prolonged line for check-in upon arrival…which was fully gone a couple of hours later.
It was nonetheless all price it for the nice and cozy welcome from Loews and Common Group Members. Perhaps I’m loopy, however this sort of factor is why I like these opening days. I dwell for it. I’ll endure the entire pointless ready for the fanfare and being a part of the collective vitality and pleasure for one thing new. It’s not for everybody, to make certain, however I benefit from the communal side of those occasions. My finest reminiscence from March 2020 continues to be that first morning of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Hopefully in one other decade, it’s my solely reminiscence of that month! 😉
Transferring alongside, right here’s a nighttime tour of our Park View room at Common Helios Grand Resort (await it…):
Right here’s the whole lot that Common Helios Grand Resort affords:
Serene Visitor Rooms and Spacious Suites – Brilliant, inviting and heat, the visitor rooms and suites of Common Helios Grand Resort evoke the tranquility of a blissful backyard – with lots of the rooms providing incredible views of Epic Universe.
Right here’s that view once more throughout daytime so you will get a greater and nearer take a look at all of the motion inside Epic Universe:
Distinctive to Common Helios Grand Resort are the imaginative The right way to Practice Your Dragon Children’ Suites, the place little ones can take to the skies and relaxation amongst dragons in a colourful room impressed by the Viking village of Berk.
Setting apart the view, which is frankly absurd–like setting apart the meat when evaluating a steak dinner–our room was pretty unremarkable. I’m now curious to take a look at one of many The right way to Practice Your Dragon Children’ Suites–perhaps if Megatron is into the franchise when she will get a bit older!
Foyer Overlook – Simply outdoors the primary foyer of Common Helios Grand Resort is that this beautiful foyer overlook providing views into Epic Universe. Its particularly beautiful at night time. For my part above, you possibly can see testing of the Cosmos Fountain Present within the late night time hours earlier than Epic Universe began paid previews.
We couldn’t get sufficient of that foyer overlook, so right here’s one other view:
Devoted Entrance to Common Epic Universe – Positioned off the foyer is the resort’s devoted entrance into Epic Universe – an unparalleled amenity for friends of Common Helios Grand Resort that gives direct, handy entry to and from the theme park (legitimate theme park admission required).
The devoted entrance hasn’t been opening but as I’m penning this (because it’s earlier than day considered one of previews), however its dimension is barely regarding for rope drop functions. A 500-room resort all served by a single safety station. I’m certain it’ll be high quality all through the day, however the morning rush has me barely involved.
Bar Helios – A glowing and trendy rooftop lounge, Bar Helios at Common Helios Grand Resort affords a tasty menu of inventive tapas and acquainted favorites, thoughtfully-handcrafted specialty cocktails, and unmatched 360-degree views of Epic Universe and past – making this the right spot for friends to chill within the night after a busy day within the parks.
If you happen to don’t have a Park View room, you’ll completely need reservations at Bar Helios and a desk within the out of doors seating space overlooking the park. Positive, the bar itself seems cool, however these views are the actual stars.
Resort-style Pool – The oasis of the zero-entry pool is the final word spot for relaxation and rest – full with underwater audio system, poolside cabanas obtainable for lease, a scorching tub, poolside motion pictures, leisure actions and extra.
Company of Common Helios Grand Resort can even get pleasure from:
- a complimentary state-of-the-art health middle that includes quite a lot of energy and cardio gear;
- a recreation room for friends to blast, zap and race their approach by a set of arcade video games with the acquisition of a recreation card;
- a Common Orlando Resort Retailer for friends to buy the whole lot from sundries and requirements to Common Orlando merchandise; and a lot extra.
Company trying to have a meal or seize a fast snack in between visits to the parks can select from quite a lot of distinctive eating choices, together with:
- Flora Taverna – a full-service restaurant providing breakfast, lunch and dinner and foyer bar with a light-weight and ethereal ambiance – that includes an open-style kitchen with dwell cooking, Mediterranean consolation meals, pizza ovens, and al fresco seating overlooking the attractive surroundings of Celestial Park;
- Aurora Market – a recent espresso store and market providing freshly-roasted coffees, pleasant grab-and-go meals objects and engaging snack and dessert choices from morning to nighttime;
- Lotus Lagoon – a poolside bar and grill the place friends can cool off with refreshing cocktails or non-alcoholic drinks and luxuriate in informal fare choices like burgers, salads, sandwiches and extra.
That’s a wrap on our dwell protection from the primary day and night time of Common Helios Grand Resort. When you have any query or there are points of the resort you’d prefer to see coated, please let me know and I’ll attempt to verify I seize content material about that. I most likely received’t have time to reply the questions right here since I’m heading into Epic Universe for Very Necessary Analysis over the following few days, however I’ll see them and work them into future protection.
Want journey planning ideas and complete recommendation to your go to to Central Florida? Make sure that to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for the whole lot about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally try our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for the whole lot about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra. For normal updates, information & rumors, a heads up when reductions are launched, and far more, join our FREE e-mail publication!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider Common Helios Grand Resort? Impressed by the fashion or substance? What do you consider the outside vs. inside? Will you e book Common Helios Grand Resort, or persist with one of many present resorts? Suppose Epic Universe might be a 3rd gate that’s a worthy addition to Common Orlando Resort…and probably on par with Disney’s finest lands? Agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? We love listening to from readers, so please share another ideas or questions you have got within the feedback beneath!
