Halloween Horror Nights may take place inside Universal Studios Florida, but Universal Orlando has expanded the Halloween experience beyond the park gates, including at its hotels.
Universal Orlando recently invited Inside Universal to spend a night at Loews Royal Pacific Resort and get a taste of what hotel guests can experience during Halloween Horror Nights, from specially themed bars and menus to perks that can make getting into the event a little easier.
Universal Orlando provided Inside Universal with one night of accommodations at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, plus admission to Halloween Horror Nights 35.
Aliens Take Over BarVentura
Our first stop took us to Universal’s Aventura Hotel, where aliens have taken over BarVentura for the Halloween season.
The lobby bar features three specialty cocktails along with a non-alcoholic option:
Alien Abduction – $17
Vanilla vodka, Cointreau, Chambord, prosecco and soda.
Wormhole Margarita – $17
Patrón Silver Tequila, lime juice, triple sec, agave and charcoal powder.
The Caffeinated Coven – $17
Ketel One Vodka, Caffè Borghetti, pumpkin foam and cinnamon.
Asian Pear Ginger Spritz
Pear puree, ginger beer and yuzu.
Of the three cocktails, The Caffeinated Coven was easily our favorite, and might be one of the best drinks you can find around Universal this Halloween season. It’s essentially a Halloween spin on an espresso martini, with the pumpkin foam adding a nice seasonal flavor without straying too far from the familiar cocktail.
The Wormhole Margarita was a little too sweet for our tastes, while the Alien Abduction was much more refreshing. Vanilla is the dominant flavor, with some hints of fruit coming through from the Chambord.
Universal Monsters Laguna Lounge
Jake’s American Bar has transformed into the Universal Monsters Laguna Lounge, a classic monster hideaway with a tiki influence.
The lounge features plenty of nods to Universal’s classic monsters, with Frankenstein, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Invisible Man, and more. The lounge also includes fun references to tiki culture and a few nods to Dark Universe, including a fantastic new tiki-style Ygor statue.
Besides drinks, Laguna Lounge also let us sample some of their Halloween food offerings.
Devil’s Volcanic Eggs – $12
Jalapeños and pimento filling.
Haunted Hideaway Buffalo Dip – $18
Smoked cheddar, green onion, and blue cheese crema, served with tortilla chips.
Phantom Polynesian Linguine – $24
Pesto cream sauce, confit cherry tomatoes, asparagus tips, and char-grilled chicken breast.
Cursed Luau Burger – $25
Muenster cheese, strawberry BBQ sauce, and crispy onion straws on a black sesame bun.
We left as big fans of all four dishes.
I’m not much of a deviled eggs guy, but even I found myself eating a few.
The Haunted Hideaway Buffalo Dip was smoky, cheesy, and exactly the kind of appetizer that works well for a couple or small group to share over drinks. The blue cheese crema is appropriately styled like a spiderweb, adding a little Halloween flair to the presentation.
The Phantom Polynesian Linguine is probably the most straightforward of the four dishes, but it was still a solid option.
The standout, however, was the Cursed Luau Burger. The strawberry BBQ sauce adds a welcome sweetness that plays nicely against the meat and cheese, while the crispy onion straws provide some extra crunch and a nice savory punch. It was easily our favorite dish of the night.
Laguna Lounge also offers three specialty cocktails:
Black Sand Margarita – $18
Milagro Silver Tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, orange juice, REÀL agave syrup, black food coloring, black sugar rim and dehydrated blood orange.
Spiced Island Mule – $18
Absolut Vodka, fresh lime juice, Fever-Tree Ginger Beer, Pumpkin Spice REÀL Syrup, dehydrated lime and cinnamon stick.
Blood Moon Spritzer – $18
Lunetta Prosecco with a syringe of Campari Liqueur and dehydrated blood orange.
The Spiced Island Mule leans into the tropical flavors you’d expect from a tiki bar, with a seasonal pumpkin spice twist, though it was a bit too sweet for us.
We enjoyed the Black Sand Margarita, even if it was essentially a traditional margarita. The Halloween twist comes from its jet-black appearance and presentation, but no complaints from us – sometimes a good margarita is all you need.
The Blood Moon Spritzer has a little more fun with its presentation. The Campari comes in a syringe, which is “injected” into the Prosecco before serving.
Aventura and Royal Pacific were the only two stops on our visit, but Universal Orlando is offering other Halloween experiences across its hotels for Halloween Horror Nights, including The Frozen Hull at The Thirsty Fish at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Night of the Living Shred at Hard Rock Hotel, among several other offerings across the resort.
The Perks of Staying On-Site for HHN 35
Of course, themed food and drinks are only part of the appeal of staying at a Universal Orlando hotel during Halloween Horror Nights.
Hotel guests also get extra perks that can make an HHN night a little easier.
Hotel guests have access to complimentary transportation to Universal Orlando’s theme parks, including buses and water taxis depending on the hotel. Once you arrive at Universal Studios Florida, hotel guests can also use a dedicated entrance to Halloween Horror Nights.
Anyone who has experienced the crowds gathering outside the park before HHN opens knows how valuable that can be. The dedicated entrance gives hotel guests another option to enter the event without dealing with the massive crowds that can form at the main gates.
Hotel guests can also visit the Keyholder Bar, an exclusive HHN bar available to Universal Orlando hotel guests, Annual Passholders, and Universal Rewards Signature Visa cardmembers. The bar itself is simple, but does offer another perk for guests. Hopefully Universal can expand upon the concept next year because we think it’s a great idea, just lacking a bit in terms of offerings.
Being able to grab a Halloween-themed drink at your hotel, hop on complimentary transportation, use a dedicated entrance into HHN, and then head back to your room when the night is over makes the experience feel more connected.
For guests already considering staying on-site during their Halloween Horror Nights trip, the Halloween offerings and additional event perks give them a few more reasons to make the hotel part of the experience, not just a place to sleep.
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