
Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa
Best for families or large groups needing multi-bedroom villas and on-site water-park and recreation options.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa is a 4-star, family-focused villa resort in Orlando with multi-bedroom villas, multiple pools and a paid on-site water park; read this if you want roomy lodging, on-site activities and family amenities. Universal's Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel is a 4-star Universal Orlando resort hotel tailored to park guests, offering complimentary shuttles and early park entry; read this if you want straightforward access to Universal Epic Universe and park perks.
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Best for families or large groups needing multi-bedroom villas and on-site water-park and recreation options.

Best for Universal visitors who want hotel perks such as complimentary park shuttle service and early theme-park entry.
When Westgate Lakes wins: choose Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa if you need multi-bedroom villas, lots of on-site pools and a paid water-park option, or if you’re traveling with children and want more resort recreation without leaving the property.
When Helios Grand wins: choose Universal's Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel if your priority is being part of the Universal Orlando hotel network—easy park access, a complimentary shuttle, early park admission and a compact, hotel-style stay close to Epic Universe.
Bottom line: pick Westgate Lakes for space and family-oriented resort amenities; pick Helios Grand for proximity to Universal parks and hotel-level convenience for theme-park days.
| Category | Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa | Universal's Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large villa resort with family recreation and a paid on-site water park | Mediterranean-style Universal resort hotel focused on park access and guest services |
| Location | International Drive / Convention Center area (9500 Turkey Lake Rd) | 8505 S. Kirkman Road, adjacent to Universal Epic Universe |
| Size (rooms) | About 1,990 rooms (villa units up to five bedrooms) | 500 rooms |
| Ages | All ages; family-friendly with kids’ club and children’s pools | All ages; not adults-only and offers family-friendly rooms |
| Pools & water features | Seven heated outdoor pools, seven hot tubs, four children's wading pools and Treasure Cove Water Park (paid admission for guests) | One outdoor pool and one hot tub; lifeguard on site listed |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues (Drafts Sports Bar & Grill, Sid’s Bistro, Marketplace & Deli, Cordovano Joe’s, pool bars, water-park snack bar) | Two restaurants, a coffee shop/cafe, 24-hour room service and poolside bar |
| Spa & fitness | Serenity Spa by Westgate — full-service 10,000 sq ft spa with treatments, sauna/steam and fitness center | Fitness facilities available; full-service spa: Not published |
| Known for | Villa-style rooms and a resort water park (Treasure Cove) | Proximity to Universal Epic Universe, early park admission and complimentary theme-park shuttle |
| Event space | Extensive meeting and ballroom options (multiple ballrooms, outdoor event options, private island options) | Conference space ~3,425 sq ft and two bars/lounges |
| Parking & transport | Complimentary self-parking and valet; scheduled shuttles to Disney/SeaWorld/Universal | Self and valet parking (surcharge), complimentary theme-park shuttle and early park entry |
Westgate Lakes sits in Orlando’s International Drive / Convention Center district, near many tourist attractions.
Good base for visiting multiple Orlando attractions with shuttle options; not a dedicated Universal hotel.
Universal's Helios Grand Hotel is located beside Universal Epic Universe and is positioned for Universal park visitors.
Best if you want to prioritize Universal theme-park access and hotel perks tied to the resort.
Westgate Lakes offers villa-style accommodations ranging from studios to multi-bedroom villas.
Choose Westgate Lakes for multi-bedroom space, kitchens and family/group layouts.
Helios Grand offers traditional hotel rooms with multiple view and club-level options.
Choose Helios Grand for standard hotel rooms with Universal-related room packages and club-level options.
Westgate Lakes runs a broader set of casual dining outlets across its village and pool areas.
More casual, family-friendly and pizza/pool-focused dining across the property.
Helios Grand offers a smaller set of food-and-drink outlets plus 24-hour room service.
Simpler on-site dining with services oriented to park days and quick meals.
Westgate Lakes focuses heavily on outdoor recreation with multiple pools and a dedicated water-park amenity.
Pick Westgate Lakes if on-site pools and a water-park experience are key to your stay.
Helios Grand provides a single outdoor pool and a hot tub as its main leisure-water features.
Choose Helios Grand for a standard hotel pool and quick return to parks rather than resort-scale aquatic amenities.
Westgate Lakes places more emphasis on on-site wellness and family recreation.
Better choice for guests who want a full spa, fitness classes and lots of family recreation on property.
Helios Grand focuses on standard fitness facilities and hotel nightlife options tied to Universal’s evenings.
Good for travelers who want basic wellness facilities and easy access to Universal nightlife and entertainment.

Westgate Lakes — villa layouts, kids’ club, multiple pools and a paid on-site water park make it the stronger family choice.

Helios Grand — complimentary shuttle service and early park admission put you closest to Epic Universe convenience and park time.

Westgate Lakes — Serenity Spa by Westgate is a full-service 10,000 sq ft spa with treatment rooms, sauna/steam and kid spa services.

Helios Grand — hotel rooms, club-level options and in-house dining streamline park-focused stays.
Westgate Lakes — it has villa-style rooms, a kids’ club, children’s wading pools and paid access to Treasure Cove Water Park geared to families.
Universal's Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel — it offers complimentary theme-park shuttles and early theme-park entry for guests and is located beside Epic Universe.
No — Treasure Cove Water Park access is a separate paid admission available only to registered on-property guests.
Westgate Lakes has a full-service Serenity Spa by Westgate; a full-service spa at Helios Grand: Not published.
Explore how Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·