Which Universal Hotel??

[WeHeartDisney]

Hello everyone! So we are considering doing a split stay and trying a Universal Resort. I'd love opinions from people who have stayed there!! We are a family of 4, with two kids under 8.

We are looking to stay Club level, so I'd love to know which one you feel is better. (Food quality wise)

Who has the best pool?

Anything else I should know?

You opinions mean a lot, thanks for helping!!!!

 

[JoeCamel]

Hello everyone! So we are considering doing a split stay and trying a Universal Resort. I'd love opinions from people who have stayed there!! We are a family of 4, with two kids under 8.

We are looking to stay Club level, so I'd love to know which one you feel is better. (Food quality wise)

Who has the best pool?

Anything else I should know?

You opinions mean a lot, thanks for helping!!!!

http://orlandoinformer.com/universal/on-site-hotels/

 

[tweak89]

I can only offer out impressions for Royal Pacific (we've stayed their 3 times, once on the Club Level). We initially booked RP since it was the best value at the time. We visited the other two resorts during our stay and think we made the right choice (for us). We like the atmosphere, and while it is not as close as Hard Rock we like having the option to walk or ride the water taxi to the parks.

We've eaten in the Islands Dining Room and at Jake's American Bar. Both had, IMO, food that was quite good. The year we stayed on the Club Level (which was out last visit) we enjoyed not really having to worry about food/snacks during our stay. The Club Level lounge (in our tower) appeared small on first impression, but it was never crowded. It had a separate area for smaller children with couches and a television and some toys to keep them occupied. The food options were somewhat limited but all were quite good ans served buffet style. Breakfast was your continental style with a good variety of hot/cold items to eat. Afternoon snacks were just that, snacks. My niece and nephew decimated the wrapped PBJ sandwiches! The "dinner" options were more along the lines of hot appetizer style food items. The free beer and wine was quite nice as well.

In the end I think it was worth it for that trip. We didn't spend a dime on food in the parks during that stay. If the kids are picky eaters, I don't know if I would recommend it, since the food each day is pretty much set and you may not get the max value out of it. While we aren't doing the club level this year (that extra money is going towards our HHN tickets!!) we will likely book it the next time.

 

[WeHeartDisney]

Thank you guys so much! So helpful!!
I just told our relatives and sent them some info and they're between both Portofino and Hard Rock. Is there any way to find out their daily CL menu?

 

[JoeCamel]

Portofino pictures from 2011

http://www.disboards.com/threads/portofino-bay-resort-club-level-pictures-2011.2760502/

Hard Rock pictures at bottom of page

http://orlandoinformer.com/universal/hard-rock-hotel-orlando-rooms/

 

[WeHeartDisney]

You guys are great!!! Thank you for everything! We made our decision and booked at Portofino! I appreciate all your help!!!! Xoxo

 

[monorail_mom]

I just got back from doing Universal Training last weekend, and we had the chance to tour all of the Universal Resorts. We stayed at Royal Pacific and I loved it. It's SO close to the parks, has ferry boat access, early entry to Harry Potter (which is crucial!), and unlimited Express Pass. The pool was very nice too. The Hawaiian Wantilan Luau Dinner is also on site there, and was a LOT of fun!

The new Sapphire Falls Resort was my personal favorite as far as the look and feel, and it just opened, so it's brand new, but they don't have the unlimited Express Pass there... So, I would say go with the Royal Pacific. It's the least expensive out of the ones with the Unlimited E.P. The next would be Hard Rock Hotel. It's not very kid-friendly in my opinion, but the closest to the parks as far as walking distance goes. Portofino has all the same perks as RP but it's not as close, and not as fun in my opinion. It's luxurious, but quiet, and fancy. Not my kids' #1 pick.. If you want to check out my personal pics from the tours, check out my FB and Instagram pages @summerlovesdisney!

 

[monorail_mom]

Thank you guys so much! So helpful!!
I just told our relatives and sent them some info and they're between both Portofino and Hard Rock. Is there any way to find out their daily CL menu?

The CL at Royal Pacific was pretty nice, cereals, milk, coffee, tea, bagels, croissants, pastries, once in a while they had donut holes, also yogurt, hard boiled eggs, lunch meats, fruit salad, homemade cinnamon rolls w/ cream cheese icing, and oatmeal. At night there was cheesecake, cookies, and a few other deserts.

 

[WeHeartDisney]

The CL at Royal Pacific was pretty nice, cereals, milk, coffee, tea, bagels, croissants, pastries, once in a while they had donut holes, also yogurt, hard boiled eggs, lunch meats, fruit salad, homemade cinnamon rolls w/ cream cheese icing, and oatmeal. At night there was cheesecake, cookies, and a few other deserts.

Thank you so much for your detailed review! I truly appreciate it! My husband really liked RP when we watched some videos about it yesterday and I thought the hot appetizers looked good. But we ended up going with Portofino because our family that we're traveling with said they always wanted to stay at PB, so we're going to stay where they are. Thanks again, maybe we can try RP next year!!!!

 

[monorail_mom]

Portofino is my husbands favorite. He stayed there 5 years ago, but said if we go back he wants to stay there again. Have a fun time! Go to Blue Man Group if you have time!

 

[WeHeartDisney]

Portofino is my husbands favorite. He stayed there 5 years ago, but said if we go back he wants to stay there again. Have a fun time! Go to Blue Man Group if you have time!

Thank you and thanks again for your advice!!! Your pictures are great!!! Looks like you guys had a great time!! The drinks at Margaritaville look SO good!!! Hope you had fun!!!!!!

 

[WeHeartDisney]

For those that have stayed CL, are you permitted to use the lounge after checking in while you're waiting for your room to be ready?


Thank you!!!

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I think we have stayed at the Hard Rock close to a dozen times. Weve stayed family room, the suites and Club level. Its one of my favouritehotels anywhere. I love the feel of the place. Were staying again next month.

The rooms have by and large been excellent. Though Ive had a room where the carpet was wrecked by wine stains from the previous occupant. Lowes gave us a kitchen breakfast as a make up. We hadnt complained, but they couldnt move us as they had no alternate room of that type as we arrived late in the day.7
Pools a bitshallow but fun, cant hear the music underwater though. Pool bar is great but its cheaper to drink in City Walk.
Love the back gate walk to the parks. Great to have a pool view room and pull back the curtains and see the parks.
Thr facilities and activities for kids were great. they had many events thet were similar to DVC resorts to keep the kids occupied round the pool.

Parking is a pain so I always valet. The Kitchen and Palm both offer great food all be it at a cost. The coffee and icecream place is fine but busy at breakfast.
I like the look of Portofino, but never took the jump.

 

[WeHeartDisney]

Are all the Universal hotels recently renovated? Would you guys say one stands out above the rest as far as cleanliness, and good food? We booked Portofino because our relatives really want to stay there, but I'm bothered by some of the Trip Advisor reviews. Has anyone stayed recently?

 

[squidward]

I love the Royal Pacific, but I hate the new rooms. They're ugly as sin. But the public areas are beautiful. The distance to the parks isn't bad, and it's a lovely boat ride. I don't care for the pool, as there's no water slide, it's way too shallow, and not as convenient as the Hard Rock's.

Portofino has beautiful large rooms, but the resort itself doesn't do much for me. Pools are very nice, but it's too far from the parks and it doesn't have a laundry room.

Hard Rock is our personal favorite. Love the rooms, love the pool (though it's too shallow and warm), and love the restaurants. Add to that the short distance to the park, and it's great. Sadly, it's almost always the most expensive resort and discounts are rare.

 

[WeHeartDisney]

Thanks Squidward!!! Lol love the name... My kids are obsessed with Spongebob!!!! Your review is very helpful!!!

 

[WeHeartDisney]

For those that have stayed CL, does the lounge close throughout the day between each course?

Are you allowed to use the lounge while waiting for your room to be ready?

Also... At Portofino- is it true your room can be in other buildings other than where the lounge is located?

Thanks!

 

[BubbaQuest]

Sorry I can't help about Club Level, haven't experienced that yet

I believe the Portofino was renovated 3-4 years ago. They were in the process of painting when I was there and the room I had looked brand new. For me, Portofino has the best rooms, large with a bathtub for a nice soak after a long day! However, I have to agree with the others that it is a bit isolated being so far from City Walk. They do have a great (huge) family pool with a dedicated kids play area, but I think that's the only real kids area.

Royal Pacific seemed the most kid friendly, but the smallest rooms and no more bathtubs after the recent remodel.

If you are looking for large and upscale, Portofino is definitely the place to be. If you are looking for flip-flops and poolside movies, Royal Pacific is the place.

Hope this helps. And ignore the negative reviews. There are a few issues with limited parking, refrigerator up-charge, and occasionally noisy hallways (typical of many hotels), but Portofino is most definitely a luxury hotel and will hopefully meet all your expectations.

Have a great trip.

 

[WeHeartDisney]

Sorry I can't help about Club Level, haven't experienced that yet

I believe the Portofino was renovated 3-4 years ago. They were in the process of painting when I was there and the room I had looked brand new. For me, Portofino has the best rooms, large with a bathtub for a nice soak after a long day! However, I have to agree with the others that it is a bit isolated being so far from City Walk. They do have a great (huge) family pool with a dedicated kids play area, but I think that's the only real kids area.

Royal Pacific seemed the most kid friendly, but the smallest rooms and no more bathtubs after the recent remodel.

If you are looking for large and upscale, Portofino is definitely the place to be. If you are looking for flip-flops and poolside movies, Royal Pacific is the place.

Hope this helps. And ignore the negative reviews. There are a few issues with limited parking, refrigerator up-charge, and occasionally noisy hallways (typical of many hotels), but Portofino is most definitely a luxury hotel and will hopefully meet all your expectations.

Have a great trip.

Thank you so much, you have given me many reasons to stay at Portofino and I appreciate you taking the time to write! You have put my mind at ease. It really seems like a beautiful place to stay!!!!

 

[JoeCamel]

Thank you so much, you have given me many reasons to stay at Portofino and I appreciate you taking the time to write! You have put my mind at ease. It really seems like a beautiful place to stay!!!!

Well he didn't tell you all - the piazza with the opera singer in the late afternoon drinking wine and eating pizza from Sal's come to mind