Sapphire Falls Resort

[Parkscope Joe]

I've been checking AP rates for September, and the rates for Sapphire Falls are actually really good. Comparable to Cabana Bay at this point!

Even Royal Pacific isn't too bad, few weeks ago I snagged a few nights for $290 something a night.

 

[Drumfreak]

I've been checking back every so often for the trip I booked for 9-9 to 9-14, and only recently have the rates for Sapphire Falls been more then $10 higher than Cabana/Aventura. Even looking right now, Sapphire is $210, Cabana is $190, and Aventura is $180. Even if I was booking now, I would still lean towards Sapphire given how small the upgrade is compared to Cabana/Aventura.

 

[HHN Maddux]

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Just had our first stay here over the weekend! We always wanted to but never wanted to pay the price.

But when we booked, Sapphire was actually cheaper than Cabana Bay - so we went for it!

The property is beautiful, service was great, and the rooms were very comfortable. New Dutch Trading Co was surprisingly good too!

 

[JohnHammondsCane]

Just had our first stay here over the weekend! We always wanted to but never wanted to pay the price.

But when we booked, Sapphire was actually cheaper than Cabana Bay - so we went for it!

The property is beautiful, service was great, and the rooms were very comfortable. New Dutch Trading Co was surprisingly good too!

It’s definitely out homebase at Universal. I obsessively check passholder rates after booking and I always seem to be able to find a great price. If they’re too high, sometimes I’ll try Aventura and pool hop to SF.

The food is so good here and a big upgrade over the value Universal resorts, IMO. Amatista is good for all meals. The pool food is great and can’t beat the server bringing it to your chair/table! I always try and recommend Sapphire Falls to people, as it feels like vacation slows down at the resort.. unlike Cabana Bay/Terra Luna/Dockside etc. whe our kids gets older and stray riding more rides, we’ll probable less trips but splurge for Portofino or Royal Pacific.. only for the express passes, because Sapphire Falls is better resort IMO!

 

[Mad Dog]

and....don't forget Strongwater Tavern....great bar and small plates restaurant with an excellent view.

 

[JohnHammondsCane]

and....don't forget Strongwater Tavern....great bar and small plates restaurant with an excellent view.

Last few times we’ve stayed, we had our 4 and 2 year old picky eaters LOL but when we went previously, it was fantastic , especially if you don’t want a huge meal

 

[TheCodeMan95]

We haven't managed to do Strongwater yet, but we visited Amatista in the past and really enjoyed it!

The biggest adjustment for me was not having 24/7 access to Freestyle machines lol

 

[Mad Dog]

We haven't managed to do Strongwater yet, but we visited Amatista in the past and really enjoyed it!

The biggest adjustment for me was not having 24/7 access to Freestyle machines lol

Amatista is very good. Plus we had a terrific breakfast buffet a few times and the Thanksgiving buffet was out of sight. Like Strongwater, a fabulous ambiance and view dining on the terrace.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

SF is my HHN home base most years. I do need to hop to Aventura after HHN for Pizza though as Dutch trading pizza is smaller and more expensive than Aventura and not as good either.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Oddly enough, we always wanted to stay at Sapphire to be closer to the water taxi. And we didn't use it a single time the whole weekend lol

 

[Disneyhead]

Amatista is very good. Plus we had a terrific breakfast buffet a few times and the Thanksgiving buffet was out of sight. Like Strongwater, a fabulous ambiance and view dining on the terrace.

The combo of great theming, Strongwater Tavern, the water taxi, and Bar17, (the roof top bar next door at Aventura) makes Sapphire an amazing resort stay even if you don't go to the parks. And you can easily pool hop over to Cabana for the lazy river.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I’m old enough when everyone hated on Sapphire……

 

[Brian G.]

I’m old enough when everyone hated on Sapphire……

Day 1 Lover!

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Day 1 Lover!

You and Strickland lol

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I’m old enough when everyone hated on Sapphire……

I wasn't as tuned it at the time it opened - why exactly did people hate it?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I wasn't as tuned it at the time it opened - why exactly did people hate it?

It was a rushed opening so some things like the landscaping weren’t done yet. Amatista had some issues at opening with waits and food quality. Strongwater had some weird staffing issues.

Point is opening day issues can and do improve. Not to excuse them, anyone who stayed there should get the best experience, but it does offer some perspective when other hotels and attractions open up.

 

[Andysol]

It’s definitely out homebase at Universal. I obsessively check passholder rates after booking and I always seem to be able to find a great price. If they’re too high, sometimes I’ll try Aventura and pool hop to SF.

The food is so good here and a big upgrade over the value Universal resorts, IMO. Amatista is good for all meals. The pool food is great and can’t beat the server bringing it to your chair/table! I always try and recommend Sapphire Falls to people, as it feels like vacation slows down at the resort.. unlike Cabana Bay/Terra Luna/Dockside etc. whe our kids gets older and stray riding more rides, we’ll probable less trips but splurge for Portofino or Royal Pacific.. only for the express passes, because Sapphire Falls is better resort IMO!

Best hotel at Universal for sure (I haven't stayed at Helios yet or the new values). Location isn't as ideal and no expresses are the only things that keep me away; but in a vacuum, it's the best. The gym is awesome too- massive with tons of equipment and great view. Easily the best.

 

[Mad Dog]

I recall walking back to Cabana from the parks the month before Sapphire opened. The landscaping was a vast mud pit and the pool wasn't installed yet. I thought, no way this opens on time. Well, it did open on time but they had problems registering people and things like that, but that was fairly brief. We were booked into the hotel a couple of months later and by then everything was just about perfect. I remember a nice opening review on Strongwater by @Brian G. that applauded the bar/restaurant. So we went there, I believe three times, and it was just pure perfection. Carlos, the food chef/manager sat down with us and explained his vision for the restaurant, and the most excellent server Maggie gave us the best restaurant service we ever had anywhere. They are both still there. Food was excellent then and still is. We also had the breakfast buffet, sitting on the terrace, at Amatista and it was a very good experience. So, they recuperated from that tough opening month pretty quickly. I still regard it as superior to Royal Pacific, with the exception of not having the Express hotel pass. I've booked there three or four vacations, and even when not staying there we eat at Strongwater and Amatista. Sapphire is the jewel it's named for.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Bias aside from what was an absolutely lovely weekend trip in November with friends, Sapphire I think really is the best resort on property. The architecture, landscaping, dining, pool and layout are all perfect.

Also, maybe it's just me, but it has a certain vibe to it that the other hotels just don't. I can't explain it, but it's there every time I go in.