Portofino Bay or Royal Pacific

[captainkidd]

Heading down for Labor Day weekend. We've stayed at the Royal Pacific 3 times and LOVE it. Stayed at Hard Rock once, and it was just OK. There are 2 adults and 3 kids in our party. The rooms at Royal Pacific are only 335 sq ft, so it's a tight squeeze with 5. Rooms at Portofino are 462 sq ft, so there's quite a but more room.

My 2 biggest concerns are theming and location. We love the theme and laid back atmosphere of the Royal Pacific. Will be be disappointed with Portofino? Also, location of RP is perfect, with the 7 minute stroll to all the action. I know PB is further away. How much longer would you estimate the walk is, and which would you choose in our situation?

 

[dave&di]

We always stay at the Portofino when visitng Uni/IOA, it has a very relaxed atmosphere, it feels like a sleepy italian village! There are ducks on the harbour lake next to the piazza at night an opera singer sings for about half an hour on the main balcony.

The walk from Portofino to the Parks would be 10mins tops! We always walk there, the path runs beside the river, the area is covered with flowers and greenery and is a pleasure to stroll through! I'm now depressed as I have transported myself there mentally! I could go on about the Resort!

 

[SleepingMonk]

I say give Portofino a shot, book a bayview room, beautiful location in a great resort.

And try Bice and/or Mama Della's while you're there.

 

[dave&di]

I say give Portofino a shot, book a bayview room, beautiful location in a great resort.

And try Bice and/or Mama Della's while you're there.

I always book bay view! The best view! My 1st time we were at the far end looking over the bay! Last year we were over the piazza, not mad for that room again but the balcony was amazing, it was undercover, too close to the opera singer I will ask for the West Wing next year!

 

[captainkidd]

I booked a Bay View Deluxe Room. 490 sq ft sounds nice.

Though I can't say I'm too ecstatic about listening to an opera singer.:lol:

 

[dave&di]

I booked a Bay View Deluxe Room. 490 sq ft sounds nice.

Though I can't say I'm too ecstatic about listening to an opera singer.:lol:

Enjoy !! The singing only lasts about half hour if that, I think it starts around 7pm, so get yourself a few double brandys around 6.45pm and you'll be fine!

 

[captainkidd]

Kind of sucky. We decided to switch back to Royal Pacific. We just love it there too much. Universal charged me a $50 fee for downgrading resorts.

 

[mickeysshoes]

Kind of sucky. We decided to switch back to Royal Pacific. We just love it there too much. Universal charged me a $50 fee for downgrading resorts.

Really????? That is crazy......

 

[captainkidd]

Really????? That is crazy......

Yeah, I thought it was kind of nuts. I almost felt like asking the woman "If you prefer, I can just cancel the reservation and go stay at a Disney Resort."

It's my own fault for being indecisive, but that's a pretty lame policy. I can see charging a fee if you cancel or change a reservation at the last minute, but 3 months in advance is a bit wacky.

 

[mickeysshoes]

Yeah, I thought it was kind of nuts. I almost felt like asking the woman "If you prefer, I can just cancel the reservation and go stay at a Disney Resort."

It's my own fault for being indecisive, but that's a pretty lame policy. I can see charging a fee if you cancel or change a reservation at the last minute, but 3 months in advance is a bit wacky.

I think i might have tried to talk her out of it or even talk to manager about it. In the world today parks like Disney and Universal are very lucky everyone can afford to even go...and if you have to down grade you should not be charged. Now I know money is not why you changed but it should not make a difference.

 

[tiggspring]

We are a family of five going to Uni June 2012. Is there any way to garentee a room with a balcony. DH and I like to escape the kids at bedtime

 

[captainkidd]

We are a family of five going to Uni June 2012. Is there any way to garentee a room with a balcony. DH and I like to escape the kids at bedtime

You can request one at Portofino Bay, but no guarantees. The other 2 hotel don't have balconies.