A Windy Review of Surfside Inn and Suites

With Hurricane Milton on the horizon for nearly all of Florida, my husband and I found ourselves checking into our scheduled 5-day visit to Universal Orlando Resort. Our travel plan had made it impossible to cancel, and honestly, we didn’t want to. We’d already missed out on Halloween Horror Nights before, and the Floridians said we would be fine. Luckily or blessedly, we were. Spending a whole day at our hotel, Surfside Inn and Suites at Endless Summer Resort, essentially on lockdown gave us a chance to get to know this property in ways we wouldn’t have otherwise.

Check-In and First Impressions

Kia, the upbeat and friendly check-in desk team member, greeted us warmly and let us know we’d been upgraded. She even gave me a drink voucher for coffee or the bar for my birthday. It came with a cute card signed by the staff of the resort. Kia felt confident we’d have a good week and assured us the hurricane wouldn’t cause much trouble. Coming from Missouri, we’ve learned not to panic until the locals do, and Kia was cool as a cucumber.

This was my second experience at a Universal Resort, having stayed at Cabana Bay a few months prior. Both times, I was blown away by the clear, helpful instructions the team members provided at check-in. Kia explained everything from parking closer to our room, using amenities, and contacting guest services to rescheduling our Halloween Horror Nights tickets since the hurricane was expected to hit on the day we booked. You can also text the front desk directly with just a bit of set-up, which I find so luxurious.

It was a smooth experience in a beautiful, bright lobby, and Kia’s wealth of information alleviated much of our anxiety. We wound up crashing into comfy beds with blackout curtains drawn shortly thereafter.

The Room

Our room was the standard size, and well-equipped for our needs. Universal’s resort rooms consistently impress me with their windows and views, and this was no exception. Despite Hurricane Milton, we barely heard the wind. We even watched two ducks float on the pool during the storm—they didn’t seem too fazed. The pool view is not something I would have opted to pay for myself, but the upgrade made me see the value of having something pretty to see out the window. We could also monitor the water level of the pool and pond as the rain came down. See pick below!

The long countertop over the chest of drawers and mini fridge provided ample storage for our hurricane snacks, extra water, and food items we could cook with a coffee maker if needed. Universal hotel rooms also come with a clothesline in the shower and a generous array of mini complimentary toiletries. On a lazy morning, housekeeping checked on us, and while we declined service, I mentioned loving the soaps. They graciously loaded me up, and I’m still using them!

Dining

Beach Break Cafe, a half counter-service, half cafeteria-style eatery, was clean, well-maintained, and offered a huge variety of options with a California fresh vibe. We grabbed breakfast on our first morning and dinner on hurricane night. Both meals were satisfying. I accidentally ordered a Beyond burger thinking it was beef but ended up loving the banh mi-inspired dish with fresh pickled veggies. It was moist, flavorful, and larger than most park burgers I’ve had—a pleasant surprise that inspired me to explore more plant-based options.

Other dining options included the onsite Starbucks (a standard at every Universal Resort Hotel) and the Sand Bar, which was moved indoors from the pool deck due to the weather. Having these convenient options onsite made our stay even more enjoyable. The lock in felt a bit like a block party. People came out of their rooms to mingle, commiserate and get their drinks of choice. I opted to use my voucher on the cocktail above, a not too sweet tropical mule with a ginger kick. Not what I'd usually go for as a margarita girlie, but definitely enjoyable. The bartender was from my hometown in Texas so we bonded over hurricanes guest starring throughout our lives.

Unexpected Perks

Surfside Inn offers all the perks of a Universal value-tier hotel, including complimentary transportation, early park entry, package pickup, and charging privileges. However, it also has some unique features. Unlike other Universal resorts, pool hopping isn’t allowed, but this exclusivity means only guests at Surfside can enjoy the iconic surfboard-shaped pool. It may seem like a downside, but I liked knowing there was a limit on how crowded our pool could be. Next time, we will hopefully spend more time using it ourselves!

While it’s the farthest resort from the parks, Surfside’s location will make it one of the closest to Epic Universe when it opens in May 2025. For us, the best part was being on the outskirts of the resort bubble. This gave us easy access to offsite dining and shopping. After the storm passed, we walked to Waffle House around the corner and even got ice cream at Twistee Treat, a local favorite. There’s also a Walgreens and some kitschy souvenir stores within walking distance. These options are perfect for budget travelers or anyone needing a change of pace from theme park prices.

Resort Amenities

The grounds around Surfside Inn were lovely, featuring a well-maintained walking path with plants reminiscent of famous Universal movie settings (with signs telling you about which films the landscaping was inspired by) and ocean blue sidewalks. The path is a great spot for a stroll if you’re looking to get extra steps in or enjoy some fresh air. Despite being close to I-Drive, we felt safe and secure.

The hotel’s design is minimal with a touch of beachy playfulness, offering a clean, crisp hotel vibe mixed with fun vacation energy. Its smaller size compared to other Universal resorts made it feel more intimate and manageable, especially during a storm.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Surfside Inn and Suites is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers looking to experience a resort stay. Its cleanliness, convenience, and dedicated staff made our stay unforgettable, even with a hurricane in the mix. Yes, the cafe can get busy, and you’ll encounter plenty of kids, but those come with the territory.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time here and will definitely return. If you’re planning a Universal Orlando vacation in 2025, I’d love to chat with you about my favorite dining spots, ticket deals, and the best times to visit. When you’re ready, I’d love to help book your trip and take the hassle off your shoulders so you can fully relax and enjoy all these amazing amenities. Contact me through the form on this site or via email at suzannah@diserella.com. Stay wonderful, friends!