Royal Pacific or Portofino Bay

[captainkidd]

I'm even more confused about which Universal Resort to go with than I am Disney. We originally chose Hard Rock for the proximity and public areas, but I was completely turned off by the rooms. So, we decided to try Portofino since we haven't stayed there yet. Now, the rooms look gorgeous, but the rest of the resort doesn't do a whole lot for me. And 2 major turnoffs are no laundry machines and the size of the resort. I remember going to visit there twice, and I was very confused by the layout, and know we had to take a lot of stairs to walk around.

Price isn't really an issue, as we got a great deal on the room, but given my concerns, should I go with what we know and love (Royal Pacific) or are my concerns unwarranted?

 

[Scuttle]

Go for the Portofino. Try something new. The dining is a lot better there that's for sure.

 

[wiigirl]

Go for the Portofino. Try something new. The dining is a lot better there that's for sure.

Totally agree...Portofino...

 

[SleepingMonk]

Another vote for the Portofino, one of our favorites and always our choice for HHN.

 

[luv]

They're both very nice hotels hotels. You can't go wrong. PBH has a third pool that is very small and is a true Quiet Pool. No kids! Occasionally someone will show up with a baby, which is fine, but they don't allow kids. This is a nice breather for adults taking vacations In Orlando. That's my biggest reason for preferring PBH, I think. You could be at RPH and walk or boat over to PBH, but it's easier to pool where you are, IMO.

If laundry is an issue or you just don't like the looks of PBH, go with RPH! I think I prefer the rooms in RPH, but like the grounds and pools better at PBH.

The Uni hotels are real hotels and have Servi-bars. If you're like me, you might want to BYO snacks/water/cookies. Just a word to the wise there!

 

[kcnole]

While I love Royal Pacific and its a great resort, its definitely nowhere near as nice as Portofino Bay.

 

[dave&di]

We always stay at the Portofino, more expensive but worth it!

 

[captainkidd]

Still haven't totally decided. We're currently booked at Portofino. My biggest concern with that resort is that it seems so huge with a confusing layout, and very difficult to navigate with a stroller. If it wasn't for the huge rooms, I would pick RP is a heartbeat, but the idea of staying in such luxurious rooms is very appealing. I just know my wife will kill me if we're having to carry the stroller up and down multiple sets of stairs.

 

[coachwnh]

we stayed at RP this past summer on our first Universal trip. i would stay there again. the walk was easy even for our 9 and 7 year old kids! only problem we had was at the front desk. at check in it was a long wait (over 30 minutes). but overall, the room was nice. still cant believe there wasnt a refrigerator to use in the room.

 

[captainkidd]

We decided to stay at Royal Pacific again. It was $900 cheaper for the week. I read great things about Portofino, but there were a few reasons we changed our mind:

1.No laundry facilities.
2.Huge resort with lost of stairs. Tough to get around with stroller.
3.Furthest resort from parks.
4.I've read it's very quiet, and my 3 boys aren't.

 

[dave&di]

Still haven't totally decided. We're currently booked at Portofino. My biggest concern with that resort is that it seems so huge with a confusing layout, and very difficult to navigate with a stroller. If it wasn't for the huge rooms, I would pick RP is a heartbeat, but the idea of staying in such luxurious rooms is very appealing. I just know my wife will kill me if we're having to carry the stroller up and down multiple sets of stairs.

We're at the Portofino now and love it, the layout isn't confusing at all, the only annoyance we have at the moment is they are refurbing rooms and repainting the building on the bay side, they are several cherry pickers around and it's not attractive. A bar server has said its taken over a year so far and they are only about half way through.

We couldn't get the preferred view or room we requested due to the work but we have been upgraded to a villa room overlooking the pool.