universal hotel opinions.

[Ilovetink]

ok. we have a change in plans for our summer vacation. We decided to try Universal for the first time. I want to stay onsite since we are going in July so we can use the special pass for onsite guests. We are debating between Hard Rock and Portofino. Any opinions? Does one have a better pool/pool slide then the other? Is one more convenient to the parks? We will be traveling with a 4 yr. old and a 7 yr old. Thanks!!!

[Johnie]

All 3 Universal hotels are close to the parks. Out of the two you asked about, I'd choose Portofino. It's got a beautiful theme. Hard Rock is cool but the rooms are rather sterile feeling IMO. Of course, I'd choose Royal Pacific out of all 3 :)

[mom of four]

We stayed at the Hard Rock three years ago and plan to stay again in June. The Hard Rock is within easy walking distance of the parks. You can take a boat, but it's nice not to have to wait for one when you're eager to be off. We walked to Portofino one day, thinking we would then take a boat back to the Hard Rock, but the line for the boat was really long and we ended up walking back.

[Scoootch]

I haven't stayed at either as we are DVC members but....I've heard great things about the Portifino Bay Hotel. Whichever you choose, enjoy that FOTL access! :)

[american idol]

Portofino is a lovely hotel (my fave in the world!!) the staff are great and great restaurants :thumbs: i believe it's where George Bush stays when he's in Orlando :D

[Disneykid@heart]

We will be at the Hard Rock for our third time in May. IMO Hard Rock is the best Universal Resort for families with kids. There is music playing under the water in the pool. My DD loves the Hard Rock. I believe that Friday night is drive-in night at Hard Rock. They show a movie poolside. I don't know if they do this at Portofino. To me Portofino is more of a romantic choice.

[american idol]

you're right Portofino is romantic but the restaurant- not the posh one but Mama dellas i think was great- might be worth a visit. We arrived there with a very tired 5 year old, Mama found us a booth instead of table and chairs so that 'bambino' could lie down and then got her a blanket! The antipasto was to die for and they had musicians roaming around. They asked me what i wanted them to play and i said the lady and the tramp music which they did- i just about cried :)

[PumbaNY]

We stayed at portifino & being a disney regular as a DVC member we were impressed, it always is a littler pricer as their top on property hotel, but the rooms are large the staff are great & the feel is that you are realy in italy. the Hard rock is closer, it is also beautyful but the the rooms are not as nice in the style of comparison to the portifino. The boat ride is shorter from the hard rock compared from portifino. The pool with the slide at portifino is cool but not as great as the strumalong pool I am use to. the pools at Universal seem to be smaller in scale, I guess to space concerns over disney.

[highlander447]

the RPR pool is more child friendly in my opinion although the HRH is pretty cool but more for teens to feel ,cool although the slide is good, PBH is more sedate romantic they do gondola rides real gondola $40, and the thirsty fish is a great place for drink as well

[Huntermom]

We've stayed at the Portofino and Royal Pacific and both were suberb. I thought the room at the Royal Pacific was small -around the size of the AKL or WL at Disney. What I loved about it was that from our standard view room, we had a perfect view of IOA and the Hulk. DD and I could have watched it all night.

I found the service superior at both hotels. I'd suggest anyone planning a stay join the Loew's Club. You get a welcome gift which is really nice-fruit and water, cookies and milk, wine and nuts among other choices.

Diane