When booking this year’s trip to Universal Orlando, I couldn’t resist trying out a new resort. Surfside Inn & Suites, part of Universal’s Endless Summer Resort, opened in 2020. It proudly offers suites that sleep 6 comfortably, a perfect fit for our just-above-average family.
A couple years ago, I stayed at the sister resort, Dockside Inn & Suites, and had a great time. Both resorts are worth checking out! (Note that the two communities are across the street from one another and separated by a road that is pedestrian-passable, but it is not what I would consider pedestrian-friendly.)
Cabana Bay Beach Resort | Endless Summer: Dockside | Hard Rock Hotel
The first thing I noticed is that Surfside has a smaller feel than Dockside, probably because it actually is smaller! It’s about 40% of the size with regard to room count. Fewer guests meant we didn’t see mobs at the check-in counter, the lobby Starbucks was actually accessible, and the eatery was rarely crowded.
The prices are reasonable for both resorts. Using our annual pass discount, we were able to secure a suite for our family of five for just under $110 per night. Both sides of this resort have traditional rooms as well as suites, so you can expect lower rates for traditional rooms.
Checking In
We arrived at Surfside Inn & Suites at peak check-in time, just after 4:00PM. There were only two other families checking in, which meant the line moved very quickly. We were excited when our team member informed us that they’d upgraded us to a water view at no charge! We thought this meant we’d be able to see the pool from our room, but it actually meant the nearby lake.
We couldn’t wait to see our room!
The Resort
The resort lobby was crisp and vibrant. I knew immediately I’d made a good choice when booking this resort. The theme of the resort was immediately evident, from the surfboard sign to the crab net ceiling decorations.
The resort is made up of two large buildings, numbered 1 and 2, each with its own not-really-adjoined parking structure. They are connected by the lobby, which features dining options (Beach Break Café and Starbucks), a gift shop, a small arcade, and a fitness center. The buildings flank the surfboard-shaped pool.
The beach theming went beyond the traditional pastels and seashells.
The Room
We checked the map to find our family suite. It had easy pool access, but we were as far as you could be from the lobby. Luckily the walk was still a short one and we had multiple opportunities for the elevator.
The suite was spacious, bright, and beautiful!
Our family suite included two queen-sized beds in the main living space, plus another queen-sized bed in a separate room. The main room has a TV and built-in dresser. The master has a TV and its own small closet. Each bed had storage space underneath, plus the room featured several rows of hooks for lanyards, backpacks, and keys.
As you can see, our suite overlooked the lake at the tip of the surfboard pool. The view was stunning! It was definitely a welcome upgrade.
The suite also included a kitchenette with its own ample storage space, a mini fridge, a sink, a single-cup coffee maker, and a picnic table with two chairs and a bench. The resort provided some paper plates and bowls, coffee pods and creamer, and a few utensil packets. We had leftovers heated in this microwave a few times! We also enjoyed being able to keep warm convenience foods (like Easy Mac) on hand.
The bathroom was no-frills… but what can you really expect from a bathroom? There were two sinks, separated from the bathroom itself, and that made it much easier for us to take turns getting ready.
Also, there were connections for USB charging everywhere in this room! The only outlets that didn’t have them were the GFCI outlets by the kitchen and bathroom.
The Pool
Surfside Inn & Suites has a single pool and it’s shaped like a surfboard!
Honestly, it looks a bit like a fish.
In addition to ladders, there is a zero-entry end with a few water sprayers and a stair entry on the opposite end. The pool is heated and does not get deeper than 3 1/2 feet. We found it to be an excellent spot to swim or relax.
The Sand Bar, the poolside bar, serves an excellent cocktail called The Storm. We aren’t big drinkers, but we had three during our stay. We also loved the souvenir cup.
Dining
Beach Break Café, the in-house dining option, is a fairly standard resort food court. It had grab-and-go options like sandwiches and salads, plus pizza, pasta, chicken tenders, burgers, and other classic American fare. Desserts and refillable mugs rounded out the options.
We had chicken tenders, two varieties of pizza, and a fruit and cheese cup during our stay. The pizza, fries, and fruit cup were good, but we found the chicken tenders to be a bit lacking. Also, they were shaped like stegosauruses!
The lobby also has a Starbucks! We had a coffee here the day we arrived and the day we left, but were satisfied with our in-room brews on the other days.
Getting to the Parks
A shuttle is provided for access to Universal’s parks and CityWalk. Regardless of when I arrived at the stop, a bus was always available. The ride to the parks was under 10 minutes, though the walk to security probably took another 5 to 10 minutes. We elected to drive a couple times and it did not save time in transit or with parking. (Note that if you drive, you’ll need to pay for parking if you don’t have an annual pass that includes it.)
[You may also enjoy reading about our two-park VIP Tour Experience!]
Overall Impression
I really loved our time at Surfside Inn & Suites. It was spacious, clean, affordable, and beautifully themed. Even though we’ve visited resorts with more amenities that were closer to the parks, my family keeps insisting we return to this one!
Plan Your Visit
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort
Surfside Inn & Suites
7000 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, Florida 32819
888-273-1311
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