TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

This was our 2nd time staying here and, like last time, we really enjoyed it overall. The rooms are a good size and excellent value. Noise wasn't an issue, although I appreciate other floors and rooms could he noisier (do bear in mind this is a value hotel with over 2,000 rooms - it's going to be busy and noisy). The shuttles to the park are brilliant; we never waited more than 5 minutes, and nearly always walked straight onto one. The hotel really is well located for the park, and is also close to the I-4. Pier 8 Market has a good range of food throughout the day, and is reasonably priced. My coeliac wife enjoyed the gluten free waffles and pizzas that were cooked to order by the chef. The hotel is also well equipped in terms of other amenities such as the laundry rooms, gym with showers, Starbucks and games room. We got good value from our refillable mug, using the Freestyle machines and drip coffee loads during our 2 weeks. There are two negatives which stop me giving 5/5. The housekeeping was inconsistent this year (certainly more so than last year). One day, for example, they just totally forgot to make our bed. Some would replenish towels and toiletries, others wouldn't. The other is the cost of parking at the hotel. With tax it cost us $263 for 13 days.... This is extortionate and clearly the hotel cashing in on a captive market. Overall though we do enjoy our stays, and will almost certainly return early next year (we're planning a shorter trip without a car, meaning no parking charges!).

3rd stay but unfortunately I think probably our last. Let me start by saying, I only ever leave my holidays with incredible memories. I always make the most of them. They cost a lot of money and I literally wait all year for them. The issues I faced, may well have been dealt with, had I spoke to someone there. I didn’t. It’s not what I go away to do. To stand in line to complain about something that I know won’t have any resolution anyway!! (This is Universal’s downfall versus Disney, in my opinion. Disney fix things and they do it well!!). So my third stay. Upgraded by the lovely Isiah as it was our wedding anniversary. Thank you for that. Beautiful pool view. I think it’s worth spending more to have a 2 bed-I missed the space this year. Everything beautiful. Staff personable. Rooms clean (my front door was filthy and it remained that way), very well stocked at all times. The refillable cup a must ($30 for your stay). BUT. I’ve now stayed at universals 12 times. Aventura x 3 dockside x 3 and cabana bay x 6. In all those times, I have never known the pool side areas to be so dirty!!!?? I was there for 10 days. From day 1 there was a pair of dirty, grey kids socks on the sandy bit in front of the pool of tower 1. They remained there the entire time!! I cut my foot on a plastic cup that was buried in the same bit. There was cigarette ends. Plasters (band aids). Lolly sticks. It was absolutely filthy. Never once cleaned. Now i remember it so fondly being cleaned and raked overnight and coming down In the morning to fresh sand. It was absolutely horrid. Dirty black leaves covering everything. It really didn’t feel like I was in a universal resort at all. I couldn’t enjoy my only day at volcano bay because of my foot, again really tempering my holiday. Be careful dockside. You’re letting standards slip and it’s not ok.

The hotel staff were extremely welcoming and accommodating to any additional needs. We have stayed at Dockside for a total of three times now and have never had an issue with cleanliness. There are also many food options able to purchase to accommodate for any dietary needs. The shuttles also make it very easy to go from the hotel to the parks at any time of day. On top of that, we also have early access to the parks because Dockside is a Universal Hotel.

Second time staying at this hotel. Perfect location, clean, very friendly staff and loads of food & drink options. Rooms are a great size with tv, fridge, hairdryer, coffee machine and clean towels everyday. You can also get towels at the pool so no need to bring your own. There are 2 huge pools at the hotel with bars at both & coca-cola freestyle machines. Resort cups can be purchased for the length of your stay and there is loads of options. Hotel is based a short walk from international drive and a massive choice of shops & restaurants. There is a supermarket (Walgreens) a 5 min walk away. Hotel has very regular buses to the Universal theme parks (we didn’t have to wait once for a bus at any point in the day). Couldn’t recommend this hotel enough. We will be back next year 100%!

We’ve had such a wonderful time at this hotel! Mildred was our guest welcoming receptionist and she was great! The check in was super easy and fast! She answered all our questions with grace and knowledge! She also had a welcoming smile that made us feel like we were at home! The rooms were very clean, nice beds and comfortable pillows! The food was ok, fair price. The pool area was very clean as well! We stayed at room 1758 and we loved it! It was very worthy to be at this location and have shuttles that takes us to all the universal parks and city walk! We had a blast!