Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando

When we first moved to Orlando it was all about the mouse… then we found out there was so much more!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. All Opinions are honest and 100% my own.

pool with beautiful aqua water with palm trees surrounding it and the hotel in the background and Chef Dennis in the water

When you first enter Loews Sapphire Falls Resort you immediately begin to relax. That tropical feeling starts to work its magic and you know you have to head for the pool.

jerk seasoned chicken wings on a tan plate with carrot and celery sticks and ranch dressing. Menu under the plate, with part of a blue plate in the picture

Then it’s time for lunch! And what better spot to enjoy your lunch than poolside at the Drhum Club Kantine.

I started with the Caribbean Jerk Seasoned Chicken Wings to get those juices flowing and the delightful combination of seasonings made in house did their job oh so well.

Then it was time for the main event and I ordered a Grilled Fish Salad. It came served with organic greens, grape tomatoes, carrots, pickled radish, queso fresco and a cilantro lime vinaigrette. I went with blackened instead of grilled to maximize the flavor of the dish.

cheese and fruit on a cutting board under a glass dome. Sitting on a table with a blue napkin with silverware and a card

We had arrived early to get some extra pool time and went up to our room after lunch to check out our home for the next few days. When we got our suite we found a delicious welcome gift from our from the hotel management. They really know how to make you feel welcome!

man in a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt with a guitar and straw hat

But that was just the beginning of my adventure with this delicious Stay-cation. Our first night we were treated to an incredible dinner show called Caribbean Carnival.

We were greeted by our very entertaining MC for the nights’ events who was greeting guests as they arrived for the show.

Cooked whole pig with green apple in his mouth sitting on a table

The Caribbean Carnaval Dinner Show opens at 6 pm for dinner and the show begins at 7 pm. That gives you plenty of time to indulge in all the delicious Caribbean dishes that are served on the dinner buffet. There was so much to choose from on the buffet that even the pickiest of eaters won’t go hungry.

colorfully costumed man on stilts with an orange umbrella

The show began and that’s when the got party started – Island Style! Before and during the show this very talented stilt dancer could be seen swaying to the beat as he enjoyed the festivities.

3 women in colorful outfits standing in front of microphones

And the dancers were simply amazing. I don’t know how they kept up such a high-energy performance for the entire show….. oh to be young again! oh did I mention they sang too?

view of the dining area inside the Amatista Cook House

After a very restful nights sleep in our suite, we were ready for breakfast. That meant a trip downstairs to the Amatista Cookhouse.

breakfast plate with eggs, potatoes, bacon and a croissant. Coffee and orange juice on the table

The Amatista Cookhouse is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the perfect spot to satisfy your hunger in casual elegance. Breakfast becomes my favorite meal of the day when you have so much deliciousness to choose from!

The counter with coffee station at Loews Sapphire Falls

And when hunger or the need for caffeine strikes you can always visit the New Dutch Trading Company. It’s open from 6 am until 11 pm daily. You’ll find sandwiches big enough to share, ice cream, coffee and just about anything else you’d like to snack on or drink.

a view of the Strong Water Tavern front entrance way with stools at the bar and a rum barrel out front

But the real star of the culinary scene at Loews Sapphire Falls was the Strong Water Tavern. If you haven’t heard of it, you’re not alone. It’s one of those hidden gems of Orlando that you’ll want to tell all your friends about. Featuring tapas style dining and a rum bar the Strong Water Tavern is open nightly at 4 pm for dinner and drinks.

cuba libre and pink punch in glasses with straws on a wood table with a leather menu

I had heard about their legendary Rum Bar with more than 75 varieties of rum. I had to go old school with my rum cocktail and try a Cuba Libre (the cola syrup for their version of this classic cocktail is aged in rum barrels). My wife opted for a Landlubber which is usually sold by the pitcher. Our bartender was kind enough to make a single for her to try.

fried dough balls stuffed with cheese sitting on a black plate on a wooden table.

But then the fun started! I had asked chef Samantha to have some fun in the kitchen and send out some of her favorites and she didn’t let us down. She started us off with one of her families recipes for Buñuelo. They’re a yeast dough filled with cheese, then lightly fried till golden brown. It was liking eating little bites of heaven……sigh

shirmp in a garlic sauce sitting in a small cast iron skillet with slices of toasted bread

As we started moving through her selections, we could see that Chef Samantha loved what she was doing. Her passion for cooking showed in the flavors and presentation of her dishes. Here we have Camarones al Ajillo (Shrimp in a garlic sauce). This dish was beyond delicious and we understood why there were slices of bread served with the shrimp. You just didn’t want to let that sauce go…..sigh

gauve cheese flan, tres leches cake, salted caramel, toffee and fig pread pudding with rum raisin ice cream served on black slate

Although we were about to burst after sampling 7 courses of deliciousness, dessert was served. And if you think you’re just going to taste these desserts, you’ll be wrong. In fact I may just come in one night and have all the desserts along with a few cups of Cuban coffee.

Pictured in the left top corner is a guava flan, that my wife refused to share. On the bottom, we have a Salted Caramel, Toffee and Fig Bread Pudding with a scoop of Rum Raisin ice cream, which was the best bread pudding I’ve ever had in any restaurant. And in the top right-hand corner, we have the best Tres Leches cake I’ve ever had anywhere on the planet…. And although I was stuffed beyond belief that Tres Leches cake was so good I couldn’t stop eating it…..

Chef Dennis standing next to a water taxi tied to a dock at Loews Sapphire Falls

After dinner and a Cuban Coffee, I was raring to go. So we decided to take the water taxi to Universal City Walk. Docks are conveniently located at Lowes Sapphire Falls and the water taxis arrive every few minutes to take you to City Walk and Universal Studios. If you’re not up for a boat ride you can also take a bus to Universal Studios and also to Volcano Bay Water Park. These are located at the front of the resort.