Universal Stella Nova Resort, the first of three hotels located around Epic Universe, opened on January 21, 2025. Check out the resort and its amenities in a photo tour below.
Universal Stella Nova Resort
Map
Entrance
The exterior of Stella Nova, and its sister Terra Luna, is covered in colorful reflective tiles. These evoke space and galaxies. The resort’s windows all have rounded ends like those of a spaceship.
The porte-cochere at the main entrance is also rounded. It’s a dark gray color with blue underlights. An arched entryway leads into the hotel.
There are white lampposts and flagpoles in flowerbeds.
Lobby
The lobby is #2 on the map, while the guest check-in desk is #1. Also found here is Luggage Services at #3, the Vacation Planning Center at #4, and the Car Rental Desk at #5.
The lobby features white curved walls and space murals. White tile creates a walkway through the entrance, surrounded by speckled black tile. Atop a circular carpet are black padded benches and small tables.
Strips of light hang from the ceiling, particularly in the entryway, so guests might feel like they’re moving rapidly through space. The check-in counters are illuminated from below.
There are unique celestial chandeliers that reflect off the floor. Some blue lights are built into the walls. There are long curved black couches.
The walls facing the pool area have floor-to-ceiling windows with white blinds.
The white path on the floor leads to the elevator bay. The elevator doors are highlighted with yellow strips of light.
Nova Bar
Nova Bar can be found at #7 on the resort map.
In the lobby is Nova Bar. Around the entrance are geometric chairs with a white and black gradient pattern. Small blue tables sit between them.
The Nova Bar sign has blue-black ombré lettering and a golden line through the “o.”
Inside the Nova Bar, there’s a blue speckled carpet surrounded by white tile flooring. More geometric chairs, this time with a blue pattern, are around black tables and a long black curved couch.
One of the resort’s starry chandeliers hangs over the space. The bar is white with subtle vertical lines down the front. Behind the counter is a liquor cabinet, with three TVs mounted above.
Behind the cabinet is a purple space mural. The bar chairs have green backs and white seats. There’s a footrest around the bottom of the bar.
Nova Bar is located across from the Vacation Planning Center and Universal Studios Store.
Universal Studios Store
The Universal Studios Store can be found at #6 on the resort map.
The Universal Studios Store is the resort’s gift shop. It has a curved white tunnel entrance with strips of lights on the floor. Check out the new Epic Universe merchandise available at the store.
Cosmos Cafe & Market
Cosmos Cafe and Market can be found at #9 on the resort map.
Cosmos Cafe & Market is the main quick-service restaurant offering made-to-order American classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as grab-and-go selections. There are more geometric chairs at the cafe’s entrance. A blue light runs along the wall below the Cosmos Cafe & Market sign.
Restrooms are located next to the cafe’s entrance.
The market area with grab-and-go items is through an archway. It has a dark ceiling and a spacey blue and orange wall.
There are large freezers and coolers as well as shelves of pre-made meals, snacks, and drinks.
There is also ice cream and baked goods.
The dining area also has a dark ceiling with a triangle pattern. Planet-like light fixtures hang over the space. The walls feature light blue galaxy designs with white hexagons across them.
There are green and white chairs around circular tables. There are some curved booths with blue padded benches. Order pick-up is at the back of the room.
One wall has floor-to-ceiling windows with blinds. A beverage and utensils station is next to the pick-up counter.
Here, there are two Coca-Cola Freestyle machines offering various options.
There are machines for coffee, tea, and creamer. There is a microwave.
Utensils, napkins, and standard condiments are available.
Stella Nova refillable mugs are available at Cosmos Cafe & Market.
Game Room
The “game room” is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. It’s down a hallway on the first floor, near the fitness center. It can be found at #11 on the resort map.
Inside is an arcade of various Universal games. Guests can purchase and recharge game cards at Stella Nova-branded machines.
There are multiple Super Mario games and prizes. There are claw machines and racing games.
A Jurassic Park arcade game is in one corner.
There are basketball options.
There’s an air hockey table in the middle of the floor.
Fitness Center
The fitness center is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. It can be found at #13 on the resort map.
It has a curved wall of mirrors facing a white wall. The black ceiling is decorated with light-up hexagons.
There is a variety of exercise equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, and weight-lifting machines. There are restrooms and a water fountain, with a bottle filler, in the fitness center.
Locker Room
The restrooms also act as locker rooms. There’s a bank of 12 lockers. There are regular stalls and sinks, as well as a couple of shower stalls. It can be found at #14 on the resort map.
Rec Center
The Rec Center can be found at #12 on the resort map.
The rec center can be used for various activities. It has plain white walls and a white tile ceiling. The carpet is blue with yellow speckles like the night sky.
Pool Area
The pool deck is surrounded by a black fence. Outside the fence is the fire pit, which can be found at #19 on the resort map.. Room keys are required to enter the pool area, and the rules are posted on a sign outside the gate.
Stretching over the pool area are lights evocative of celestial bodies.
Life vests are available in multiple sizes and are free to use while visiting the pool.
Outside, signs point to the Galaxy Bar and Grill, restrooms, and wheelchair access to the pool. The pool area is surrounded by a black fence. There are palm trees throughout.
Pool
The pool can be found at #16 on the resort map. It is oval-shaped with multiple ladder and step entrances.
Around the pool are blue and white umbrellas over loungers. Tall lampposts illuminate the area.
Across the street is Terra Luna Resort, which has its own pool.
Pool Deck
Loungers can be found around the pool and splash pad, with umbrellas placed intermittently throughout the seating area. Small tables are also available.
There are recreation areas on the deck as well. Games like table tennis and cornhole along with toys like hula hoops are available for guests to enjoy.
Part of the pool deck also includes a sandy area with more seating, another table tennis setup, and room for play. The beach seating area can be found at #18 on the resort map.
Towel pickup and return stations are found on the deck.
Spa
A hot tub is between the pool and Galaxy Bar, and can be found at #17 on the resort map.. There’s a mobility lift to aid guests that need assistance entering the spa. There’s also a shower here for guests to rinse off before entering the tub.
Splash Pad
The splash pad is an oval with many water fountains in the ground. It was not operating during our visit due to inclement weather. It can be found at #15 on the resort map.
Restrooms
Restrooms can be found near the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines at Galaxy Bar. There is a drinking fountain and water bottle filler, as well as a call box and AED for emergencies.
Galaxy Bar & Galaxy Grill – Poolside Dining
Galaxy Bar and Galaxy Grill can be found at #8 on the resort map.
The Galaxy Bar is a white building that also includes restrooms. A round overhang covers the bar and seating area. There are lights and ceiling fans under the overhang. A spacey blue-green accent wall behind the bar matches the tiling on the resort.
Galaxy Bar’s neon sign features purple letters and a group of cocktail glasses that look like constellations.
In addition to the couches and chairs directly in front of the bar, there are chairs and tables outside of the shaded area. Nobody was using them on the rainy opening day. There are black chairs and white circular tables.
These chairs and tables fill the space between Galaxy Grill and Galaxy Bar. A ramp and stairs lead up to Galaxy Grill order and pickup.
The quick-service location is just a counter in the wall of the resort. There’s a rounded overhang covering the windows. Like Galaxy Bar, it has a constellation neon sign.
You can also see in the above photo that the lampposts around the pool area have crescent moon-shaped lights.
Standard Room
Check out our full photo and video tour of a standard room with a pool view at Stella Nova Resort.
Resort Shuttle Bus Service
Buses run between Stella Nova and the main bus station at Universal CityWalk Orlando.
Bus Stop at Stella Nova Resort
Outside of the resort’s main entrance is a walkway to the resort shuttle stop. It can be found at #20 on the resort map. There are benches available as well.
There are two covered queue areas. One is for transportation to CityWalk while the other is designated for Volcano Bay. A-frame signs are in place to indicate where to wait.
For the convenience of both departing and arriving guests at the stop, there’s a digital tip board. It rotates through various images including a weather forecast, a map of the hotel, and a map of Universal Orlando Resort.
Bus Stop at CityWalk
The stop at the main bus hub at CityWalk may change terminals. Guests should reference the directory board to verify the stop number, but there are multiple signs posted to indicate where guests should wait.
Universal Terra Luna Resort opens in March and Universal Helios Grand Hotel opens with Epic Universe in May.
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