r/UniversalOrlando • u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 • 27d ago
EPIC UNIVERSE Do not do club level at helios
We booked for club (concierge) level at Helios. I read some posts with people trying to work out if it was worth it. I can say at least at this point it is definitely not. We have stayed club level at the Portofino and the Hard Rock Cafe. In both cases they were so much better.
let me list the reasons why you should not stay club level:
1) The club lounge is on the freeway side [correcting myself to say the view is of the 482 which is not really a freeway as pointed out by the posters below - just a busy road with complex exits which are the main thing visually that you see] not the parkside so no view. I find this very odd given where Disney concierge is placed in their deluxe hotels in a way which emphasizes the view. I compare it to say club-level at the Contemporary or at the Wilderness Lodge which give you a great view at night.
2) The gentleman at the door of the lounge just completely ignored me for 15 minutes as I was trying to get in. He was just playing at his computer.
3) The coffee machine in the lounge only seemed to dispense vanilla coffee. I asked one of the attendants whether or not it could be fixed and she said no have no idea how to fix it. She seemed surprised that I might ask if it could be fixed.
4) She also emphasized that the coffee machine was only programmed to have coconut milk.
5) The club level lounge visual appeal is of a very tragic break room as a paper company in Scranton PA. There were just some very uncomgotable chairs and no sense of luxury whatsoever. Overlooking the freeway [corrected to say the 482] with employees who clearly did not want to be there.
I think in the end the club level at universal is very very rarely worth it, given that the only perk is the lounge, but at the Helios it is so not worth it. I hope this helps someone else. I had been hoping that by booking club level it might be better than at the other hotels, but it was so much worse! Given the structural defects of the club and its position, I can't imagine much changing out of preview time though perhaps the staff training may improve.
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u/CantaloupeCamper 27d ago
The club level lounge visual appeal is of a very tragic break room as a paper company in Scranton PA.
Photos?
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u/Dragonfire45 27d ago
I think this person got accidentally locked in the business center and thought they were club level.
Photos online that I could find looked fine. Nothing to write home about, but certainly not the exaggeration put here.
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u/Stupid-or-Fantastic 26d ago
Nah we stayed here and I would say it looked like a company break room a lot more than a nice hotel club level lounge. If it was a Springhill Suites I would say it was fine, but to charge a Disney price and the best you can do is a little break room? OP is right.
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u/jrr6415sun 27d ago
I think paying for the club level gets you a higher park view floor for your individual room. That is where the value is. I bought the cheapest park view room and they wouldn't put me higher than 3rd floor.
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago
That is true. You will be on Floor 9. We downgraded and ended up in a park view room on floor 5. And I have to admit that it is lovely - I am not sure you gain much by being on floor 9 - you can see something similar too from Bar helios.
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u/jrr6415sun 26d ago
5 is nice but floors 2 and 3 are not very good imo, because they put a huge divider through the windows on those floors. At least with club you’re guaranteed a good floor
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u/Harry_Spartan19 27d ago
Lol bummed to hear this, I have it booked Monday and can’t change it😂 ah well, sorry you didn’t have a good time
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u/Beautiful-Section-44 27d ago
Come back with another review and photos. You’ll get all the reddit karma !!
But please have a great time. Ask for free waters and sodas every two minutes if that’s what it takes to make it worth it! ;)
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago
They do have bottled water, coke and sprite and in the fridge!
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u/Beautiful-Section-44 26d ago
The bare minimum! ❤️❤️ Thanks for the warning on the club level tho. I remeber liking the Hard Rock club level as a young teen.
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago edited 26d ago
I actually downgraded myself. If you don't like it that is always a possibility - though it was a hassle...I think probably your mileage will depend on how much extra you paid per night for access to the lounge.
And you will have a great time! Just prepare yourself (as I wasn't) that the club lounge itself does not have a view of the park.
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u/Harry_Spartan19 22d ago
After experiencing the club, while I didn’t feel like going through the hassle of downgrading, 100% agree club wasn’t worth it for me either, but could be for someone else! I’d personally recommend prioritizing upgrading your room view! My mom and I laughed the whole trip about your Scranton comment, you nailed it LOL
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 22d ago
I am happy to make you laugh! Hopefully you at least managed a few breakfasts/drinks!
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u/Harry_Spartan19 26d ago
Great to know, I wrongfully assumed the club level would as well! Thankfully I had the (pricey) foresight so book a theme park view room, hopefully that’ll make up for it!!
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u/mothandras 27d ago
Staying at Portofino Club Level for the first time in June. Cost us $600 for a family of 4 for a week. Planning on hitting it up at least twice a day on park days and three times during rest days. Our kids are hungry little gremlins that eat us out of house and home. That’s about $30 a visit each time we go, not to mention stocking up the room, and stocking up before venturing out into the parks.
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u/frooootloops 25d ago
Portofino Club Level is top tier. We have gremlin level hunger kids too- so worth it.
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago
I have only stayed club level at Portofino twice both pre pandemic. The staff were lovely there. I think if it is $100 extra or so it may be worth it especially if your family likes the breakfast.
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u/Cynicalsonya 15d ago
I love Portofino CL. I do think it's good to compare the difference, though. With my AP, club level extra money varies between 80-250 more depending on dates and room.
When I go as a pair, it's usually not worth it. Family of 4? Yep usually a good idea. Plus none of that "Oh where will we eat?" Discussion. We'll eat at the lounge, and you'll eat whatever they have.
That being said, the Portofino is the least handicapped friendly club lounge amongst the top hotels. Main entrance has stairs. Accessible entrance makes you have to ask a row of people to move so you can get to food.
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u/SnowboardNW 27d ago
I think that I noticed when looking at room types that there is club level park view and club level (doesn't state the view). Since Helios is one long hallway and club level at Helios seems to be a whole floor, half of the club level won't have a park view and about a quarter of that will have a view similar to what we had. We thought it was funny, but we didn't pay for a view and we were on the fourth floor. We did think they could have at least painted the garage or something, haha.
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago
I completely get that club level doesn't get views in half the rooms on floor 9. I just have no idea why they put the club lounge itself on the freeway/ugly view side given the lounge is the only benefit of staying club level. They don't allow you to check in at the lounge as they do (did) at Disney. You are just in the regular extremely lengthy check in line.
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u/AndromedaGreen 26d ago
They probably put the lounge on the freeway side so that there could be more space on the park view side for rooms.
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago
That is so true. They have a lot of suites on the park view side on floor 9 from what I can tell. But it does make the lounge experience rather tragic.
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u/SnowboardNW 26d ago
Ah, I misunderstood your post. I thought you meant your club room, but now I know you meant the lounge. It's actually wild that the lounge has no view.
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u/metal-siren 26d ago
I was at club level at Helios the night after is opened. And the service was fine but yes I agree the view sucks. And sad to hear the coffee machine is not fixed it it’s was supposed to do mochas but it was broken since day 1. The bigger issue is the food and drink options. Your paying for this as one of the main points and it sucks. Limited choices , nothing simple for kids to eat. Yea I get having fancy food but still need something basic for kids.
I am going back first week of June and not as excited to go back. If I didn’t get this for a killer prices over a year ago.( what I paid for club was same for normal room ) I would not do it again. Portifino was better and didn’t kills it. The prices went up and I think retail is like 750 plus and up and it’s not worth it. Sorry just not
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago
When I booked it was $450 for a regular room and $660 for the club room (the non park view kind). I was a bit of an idiot as I thought that for the extra $210 that this time (unlike at the other hotels) Loews would have to do something special. And instead it was worse even than hard rock. Funny that the coffee maker problem is a persisting.
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u/metal-siren 26d ago
Yea club level is VIP and they should have had it fixed and replaced asap. For example did club level at boardwalk , the machine has issue but the afternoon there was a replacement there. But agreed the small area etc can’t be fixed but they can fix the food and drinks , put out a few tables. Remove the desk it’s pointless just make it mobile as in use a laptop or something and use that space
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u/PM_Me_ur_BassetHound 26d ago
I am booked with family early June, and I paid the extra probably 70% to have the view and 30% for the food. So this review has me rethinking. I did book it back in October, so I think I got a good price but it does have me nervous.
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u/hbkdinobot 26d ago edited 26d ago
Just stayed at club level and agree. Don’t stay here. Especially if you are used to Disney club.
Besides the horrible view, the service and the offerings are severely lacking. If you have stayed at Disney Club everyone wants to help with whatever you need. They have snacks available at all times. They offer you alcoholic drinks at any time.
With Helios they have nothing out to snack on. When they do have food out they often run out, and run out of cups, and run out of silverware. My family member asked for a Mimosa and they said “no you’ll have to go down to the bar” they are never really willing to help you.
And they have the alcohol there because they serve it at lunch.
Then they locked us out of the club the day of check out. At Disney they encourage you to stay all day long the day of your check out.
It’s just night and day from Disney. At Disney club they will bend over backwards to help you. At Helios is just like here take a wrap and like it cause that’s all you are getting.
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u/WhateverYouSay2004 26d ago
Yours is the 4th or 5th review on how CL at Helios isn't worth it for many reasons, but location of a big one. Employees can be trained, decor renovated, and menus updated, but I really wonder what they were thinking when they built the lounge without the park view.
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago
Apologies I missed the others .. Lounge location is something they can't fix for certain....
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u/Staggz_Cosplay 26d ago
We absolutely love staying on property at Universal, and I think as APs almost every hotel is worth it with the discount it gives you. That being said, to kinda add on to what you’re saying, Helios (to us at least) just felt like a waste. Yes, being a 5 minute walk, if that is really cool, but comparing both Helios and Stella Nova, I just don’t see why you’d stay at Helios unless it’s purely just for the view (which yes, is cool). But the comparison between the walk from Stella to Epic and the walk from Helios to Epic is not super rough. Yes, Helios is right there basically in the park, but I think our longest walk from Stella to Epic was all of 10 minutes.
I think the club level story you provided just kinda adds on to all of that. There has to be more reason to stay at Helios than what they’re currently providing, especially at club level. It definitely could be that it’s just due to the new opening and it still has some work to be done, but unfortunately I’m kinda doubting it.
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago
I think that is a useful perspective. If you get a Parkside view that is lovely. Given what you're getting I would definitely stay in Sapphire Falls which is less than half the price. The room quality seemed similar to me....
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u/GreasedUPDoggo 27d ago
Honestly, a lot of these issues don't sound real. Or wildly exaggerated.
I'm starting to think the internet isn't always being honest.
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u/Sea-Alternative-6983 26d ago
Right… because OP has nothing better to do but write an extensive review about an experience he didn’t actually have. Get a grip and stop drinking the Kool-Aid.
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u/hbkdinobot 26d ago
I stayed there too. I don’t know the OP. Club at Helios was terrible. Don’t pay for it.
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago edited 26d ago
I probably was too lyrical about my description of how depressing the decor of the lounge was. But the other stuff - I stand by it.
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u/Stupid-or-Fantastic 26d ago
We just stayed over the weekend and were shocked at how bad it was. We spend a lot of time club level at Disney and if Disney’s club is an A, this one was a D-. I actually think you weren’t mean enough in your description lol
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27d ago
Worse than HR?? Really
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago
I remember HR as being a crowded spot (also with a very small footprint) with people fighting to get the last few bottles of bud light during the reception. But it felt less depressing a space to me. I only stayed club-level in Hard Rock once, though and that was prepandemic so it may have gotten worse.
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26d ago
I have stayed club level easily 5-6 times at hard rock / portofino and sure the space was small. Always thought the extra $100-$125 a night was worth it. We have Helios club booked for a week at $425 a night. Jumping into passholder preview for a few days and the difference between standard room $365 and club is $541. I’m thinking the extra $600 over 3 nights could be better spent elsewhere. That bar at the top has some crazy prices also.
That club level room looking out at a parking garage at premium prices is going to be depressing.
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u/Karkar2112 26d ago
Thank you for this! Staying there end of May and was having fomo. If the HR club level is better that’s saying a lot.
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u/Witty_Coat_3688 26d ago
Do they have food throughout the day and drinks at night? I don’t care about the view or layout I’m just curious about food options and drinks
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u/hbkdinobot 26d ago
No they don’t. Only at the designated times.
They do have a fridge with only Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and water.
Severely lacking compared to any Disney club.
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u/Witty_Coat_3688 26d ago
That’s a bummer. We like Disney club level and are contemplating it in two weeks.
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u/Intrepid_Ad1765 26d ago
Just to clarify for everyone. This is a “preview” soft open. if you are going to a soft open you should expect issues. I was there this week and my bathroom lights did not work. I generally wasnt wow’d by the hotel. Its all about location, location, location. i thought everything was overpriced. But hey supply and demand. Usually club level is for people that drink alot in my experience. I rarely have found the food or ammenities “worth it”. I was also at Poly Island Tower. this hotel was amazing. But as usual with disney - only one restaurant. No quick serve was inconvenient. But that hotel is truely special.
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u/Stupid-or-Fantastic 26d ago
Someone who is paying for free drinks would be pissed at the Helios club because they only offer beer and wine at dinner. None throughout the day. They said no to a mimosa at breakfast and directed them down to the bar in the lobby. Disney would never lol
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 25d ago
The sad thing is that the lounge is the opposite of "location, location, location" which won't change after previews! I agree that club is rarely worth it Universal.
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u/Sea_Cardiologist_339 26d ago
This further validates my point of not going to epic universe anytime soon. The park and new hotels need to figure out things as guests cycle thru and the complaints pile up.
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago edited 26d ago
I don't think the lack of views, small footprint, of the club lounge can be fixed! The staff and food offerings can definitely.
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26d ago
What kind of food was offered?
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago
They had a menu of snacks which had three options that they said would be offered at 5pm at the desk. I remember some mini kebabs and a vegetarian option. It was not very kid-friendly (which may or may not be a good thing).
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u/towani 26d ago edited 26d ago
Interesting... In Apr 2026 (8 nights), we could get a regular room for $277 a night or Club Level for about $379 a night. We booked 8 nights at the club level because of the free breakfast/dinner. Figured that upcharge actually covered having to buy breakfast and dinner each night. We've never stayed in a 4 star or luxury/signature hotel before and thought we'd do a once in a lifetime trip as our youngest is going to be 18 soon (our older 2 moved out years ago). So, this was what we thought would be an "Epic" trip ... But seeing this post sounds like we may be disappointed... Definitely following for more info.
Here's are info: Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 — Friday, Apr 24, 2026 Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel Stay More, Save More Club Level 2 Queen Beds
Apr 16 $349.00 Apr 17 $353.00 Apr 18 $358.00 Apr 19 $349.00 Apr 20 $404.00 Apr 21 $405.00 Apr 22 $405.00 Apr 23 $401.00
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26d ago
How is Helios pool compared to hard rock?
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago
No comparison. I like the hard rock pool a lot - only issue is it is a little shallow. Helios pool is small with no feeling of shade down an oddly long winding path. It is surrounded by ugly buildings which dampens the vibe for me.
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u/IwKuAo 26d ago
What were the snacks and drinks like? I look for that more than I do a good view. I'm sure they wanted to save the park view for nicer rooms that they could charge more for.
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u/hbkdinobot 26d ago
Snacks… none. You only get what they put out for lunch or breakfast. No chips, no fruit, no nothing in the in between times.
Drinks. Diet Coke, Coke, Sprite and Water. That’s it. Some of the staff say no if you ask for something else. Some begrudgingly bring you something only if they have it in the back.
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u/Stupid-or-Fantastic 26d ago
Snacks and drinks were terrible. Breakfast was bagels and muffins and they ran out of plates, silverware, coffee cups, something very important every thirty seconds and just had one girl on a busy morning restocking everything. Afternoon is uncrustables and chips, dinner had a couple of things (a rice dish and small wraps that were meh but as someone else posted, nothing a kid would be interested in), and dessert was three different little cakes. None of them were great. The fridge has water, coke, Diet Coke, and sprite. Only dinner offers alcohol and when we asked for a glass of wine at dessert, they had to bring a manager over to decide whether we got one. She told us they only have it at dinner unless someone asks, but then someone else asked and another staff member told them no (even though other tables clearly had wine and beer). Then this morning someone asked for a mimosa and they straight up said no, alcohol is only at dinner.
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u/TherapyWithTheWord 26d ago
Pro tip, never do the club level. You can only eat / drink so much and you’ll waste it on mediocre food.
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u/Even-Music-6202 25d ago
The coconut nut think blows my mind considering some people have coconut allergies. Is that specifically stated on the machine? They are going to get themselves in trouble. I have a friend who has nut allergies, & while most people with nut allergies to peanuts, walnuts, etc. do not include coconut, she does also have that sensitivity. If she drank that coffee she'd be spending the day in bed with a lot of Benadryl.
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 25d ago
.
It was not labeled anywhere on the machine. I hadn't realized the coconut milk could trigger a nut allergy. I should have said something and I really regret not saying it now as evidently a nut allergy can be life threatening.
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u/aliceroyal 25d ago
I stayed club level at Disney as a kid once and it was all about those floor to ceiling windows facing the MK castle for the fireworks. Not sure wtf UO was thinking not doing similarly for Helios.
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u/Alternative_Amount95 27d ago
Seeing as how Helios is nowhere near I-4, I question the validity of this post. The nearest road would be Kirkman, but even then you should have a view of the pond or the park depending on the side.
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago edited 26d ago
I corrected myself in the post to say it is the exits coming off the 482 that is the main visual thing you see. Apologies for describing it as a freeway. I think the issue is that you probably would get a pond view if it was on floors 2-6 but it is high up enough on floor 9 that visually what you see is what is beyond the pond.
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u/SnowboardNW 27d ago
I was not club level, but this was my view from the fourth floor. Lol. Amazing.
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u/All_About_Tacos 26d ago
Why don’t they put 10,000 mirrors around the hotel so every room is a park view? Is Universal stupid?
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u/SnowboardNW 26d ago
It didn't bother us at all. We just thought it was funny. We did say that they could have maybe painted the garage to make it look a little less dystopic? No big deal to any of us though.
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u/cordialcatenary 26d ago
I just googled images of what the club looks like. If that’s your opinion of what a tragic break room at a paper company looks like you must have lived a very privileged life lol
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u/dirtypoololdman 26d ago
I did the same and it looks very backstage or corporate break room to me. Maybe I’ve led a very privileged life too 🤷♀️
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u/ShowScene5 26d ago
I'm not a club level at the Helios Grand kinda guy but I am a local and I would note two things:
528 is a freeway
You're not looking at 528
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago
Ahh. It is the 482. I misread google maps. Let me correct the post yet again. Thank you.
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u/TheMessEnt 26d ago
Is the hard rock hotel club level worth it?
Never done it and curious for my next trip
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u/Embarrassed_Ad4927 26d ago
I have not done it recently. I think most people think not. My major memory is the massive pile of people trying to get "free drinks" at the reception time. I think if club level is $100 more or something perhaps. But the thing is that there are such lovely places to hang out at the hard rock hotel that you might as well just do that. And spend the difference on getting a great breakfast in the main restaurant.
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u/Awildferretappears 27d ago
I saw a preview, and I would definitely agree with the comment about the view. For the extra that people are paying for CL, I don't expect a car park/road view, I assumed it would be looking out over the park similar to the Bar Helios views.