Hard Rock vs Portofino

[k1marie]

I need some advise in deciding between the Hard Rock and Portofino Hotels. I have 2 girls 8 and 12. I know they would probably love the Hard Rock's pool, but I am wondering what they would think of the Portofino? If it's really fancy, they may get a kick out of that too. Any suggestions?

[WebmasterBarry]

Moving this to the Universal discussion board.

[KimCon]

Check this post out, interesting discussions about HRH & PB.

http://64.225.125.24/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=104093&pagenumber=2

Kim

[nhrenee]

The Portofino is defenitely an beautiful and elegant hotel but it's not stuffy at all. We like the quiet after a noisy day at the parks!

[johare]

It depends what you prefer, buy I like the Hard Rock Hotel. It's more lively, less expensive and has a better pool with longer hours. It's also within very easy walking distance to the parks.

PBH is a very beautiful hotel though and is definately worth visiting. PBH also has a better selection of restaurants which is why we always go over there for dinner even when staying at the HRH.

I would recommend staying at the HRH, but definately take a walk over to the PBH to look around and maybe even have dinner over there.

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

Hard rock blows it away and their service is much nicer. go with hard rock

[CPM]

Originally posted by Shamu Goofy and HCR
Hard rock blows it away and their service is much nicer. go with hard rock

Just curious what do you think blows HRH away over PBH? I've stayed at both, I think both are equally as nice but....
HRH is noisey, lacks restaurants, one pool (always crowded), lacks parking. PBH, three pools, more restaurant choices, quiet, I personally have had better service at PBH & have always gotten an upgrade. The only bad thing I can say is that it's farther from the parks. Don't get me wrong, I love them both but I certainly don't think HRH blows away PBH, JMHO!

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

hrh is hipper, more fun, gives you a party feeling and the cust serv is much better pbh does not care about small people they look for the conventions and the bigger companies they will bump the smaller registrations for larger parties and they do not care , their upper management does not care about the little guys and when you go to universal you go to have fun and the HRH is a fun place while the PBH is for 90 year old stuffy people that are into quiet and looking at statues while HRH is into fun excitement and having a good time, their pool rocks their people are the best and if you are under 60 it blows PBH AWAY . ROCK ON HRH

[CPM]

Originally posted by Shamu Goofy and HCR
hrh is hipper, more fun, gives you a party feeling and the cust serv is much better pbh does not care about small people they look for the conventions and the bigger companies they will bump the smaller registrations for larger parties and they do not care , their upper management does not care about the little guys and when you go to universal you go to have fun and the HRH is a fun place while the PBH is for 90 year old stuffy people that are into quiet and looking at statues while HRH is into fun excitement and having a good time, their pool rocks their people are the best and if you are under 60 it blows PBH AWAY . ROCK ON HRH

That is totally a bunch of crap! I just came back from a wonderful weekend at PBH, I'm well under 60! They couldn't do enough for me & my family. It's far from stuffy either, there were many families around enjoying themselves as well as younger couples. It's a romantic resort but not stuffy.In fact the Thirsty fish was hopping way more then the Velvet lounge Saturday night! The people at the front desk couldn't be more helpful.
What do you work for HRH or something? I'm not saying that HRH isn't fun to stay at but I certainly wouldn't put down PBH like you did.

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

I have no connection to the HRH other than they treat you well and it is a fun place for an under 60 couple to stay and they take care of the little guy not like the PBH WHO WILL BUMP YOU TO A OFF SITE HOTEL IF THEY GET A BIGGER PARTY THAT WANTS YOUR ROOM. the HRH treats you with respect and the PBH treats you like a piece of meat

[Beckles]

The PBH is the better hotel in my opinion, and I've stayed at each hotel three times so I do have a little experience with each. The HRH has the advantage of *usually* being less expensive (not always), being an *easy* walk to the parks, and having a slightly better pool.

The PBH has bigger rooms with better beds and better climate control systems (I can not stand the climate control system they have at the HRH, it annoys the heck out of me when I'm sleeping, this was in all three rooms I've had there, never the same problem at PBH though), three separate pools (the Beach pool being almost as nice as the HRH's one pool), ample self-parking (which the HRH is infamous for lacking), and a much better selection for on-site dining.

As for service, the service at the HRH has been consistent, the problem is it's consistently *bad*, where as the service at the PBH has been a little more hit or miss, ranging from occassionally lackidaisical to excellent.

[WebmasterBarry]

As for service, PBH is a little better than HRH. At both hotels, nearly every employee said "Hello sir" to me. I was quite surprised that I was treated like that! You don't find that at the Motel 6! :)

[CPM]

Originally posted by Shamu Goofy and HCR
I have no connection to the HRH other than they treat you well and it is a fun place for an under 60 couple to stay and they take care of the little guy not like the PBH WHO WILL BUMP YOU TO A OFF SITE HOTEL IF THEY GET A BIGGER PARTY THAT WANTS YOUR ROOM. the HRH treats you with respect and the PBH treats you like a piece of meat

Well, my last word on this but after staying at PBH SIX times this past year, (twice at HRH) I have never felt like a "Piece of meat" there & have always been treated with respect. It is definately for families & people under 60. I would hate to have anyone get the wrong idea about the place. :rolleyes:

[Eeyore1928]

I have never been to either of the hotels but from pictures/reviews/opinions...if I were to compare these resorts to Disney resorts I would say that the HRH is more like a Coronado Springs in atmosphere only (not price) and PBH is more like the Grand Floridian...very upscale. This is not a bad thing, it is just that different people like different atmospheres. I personally am the Grand Floridian type and like lots of luxury and being spoiled on vacation. I would prefer the PBH to the HRH only for the luxury and peacefulness. By the way I am 26. I am not into being around a bunch of 20-somethings re-inacting their teens by drinking way too much and being WAY too loud and obnoxious. So I agree that PBH is a luxury hotel that caters to an upscale crowd and HRH is for the average Joe. Some of us just do not want to be treated like the average Holiday Inn staying Joe when we pay $300.00 and up per night!

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

average joe no way it is for people who spend good money check the rates and go to orlando for fun and excitement not stuffy, disrespectful wanna be's the HRH is much better for people under 60 and if you want stuff non average go to HRH if you want rude people bumping people from reservations and trying to be 5 star wanna be's then the PBH if you want to have a good time and be waitied on by respectful fun YOUNG ACTIVE people go to the best spot in florida HRH

[Eeyore1928]

It sounds as if you were bumped once from PBH and never got over it. I am sure they refunded your money or at least the difference ....and if you are only there for fun and excitment then that should have added some excitment into your stay! I do not wish to be waited on by young active people who are chewing gum and talking way too much. I prefer a server that is quiet and reserved and has a watchful eye. I guess I will never bump into you in the conceirge lounge anywhere..right? Like I said everyone has different tastes in vacations and I used up my party days in Cancun, and am ready for some upscale pampering! I am sure you love the HRH and the people that vacation there. NO problem. I just happen to prefer the more refined resorts. That's all!;)

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

fine pampered resorts ? Dixie landings aka hojo and wilderness lodge ya right pampered big time buddy who are you kidding? The HRH has a great staff and the reason to go to Universal, IOA or WD is for fun and excitement or else why not just to to the fine hotels in NYC if you want pampered but what do you know about that Dixie landings and Wilderness lodge.. ha ha ha ha

[Eeyore1928]

Oh I am sorry but obviously you have never seen the suites at the WL, have you? They are beautiful. For your info...the Dixie Landings adventure was a spur of the moment weekend trip for only 2 nights...over Christmas. if you were at all informed you would know it is usually very hard to even get on property at that time! Please tell me all about your extensive travel .....or does HRH top it off as the best place you have stayed for the 2-3 nights you could spring for?

I would agree that Dixie is no more than a plain holiday Inn room as well. As you can see I am no longer staying there.

[Eeyore1928]

As far as NYC goes.....I have never been and really no interest to go. I can get Macy's and Nordstroms anywhere. The plays don't interest me..and as far as food..Victoria and Alberts...suits me just fine! The Grand has a great spa and onboard the Disney Magic the spa is wonderful! So no sense in going to NYC!

[Eeyore1928]

I am sorry but you really are out of place on the DIS boards. I think you should take your bad back, entertainment discount book (ha ha) and complain about Disney somewhere else. I suppose if you could get a discount and FOTL access you would be staying there right? Sorry but Disney does not have to offer 50% off and FOTL access to get people like you to stay in their resorts!

I do believe that there are enough of us out there with enough $$$$ to pay for suites, conceirge rooms and dinners at V&A's to keep them in business, without having to sell out to the masses.

P.S. Do you really think the whale at the Shamu Show is Shamu?

[CPM]

Sorry but Disney does not have to offer 50% off and FOTL access to get people like you to stay in their resorts!


They are offering 40% off a lot of their resorts right now, maybe they should offer FOTL (which is really express) and 50% off their rooms so they wouldn't have so many empty rooms right now.

[Eeyore1928]

I highly doubt that the 40% covers suites/or any other high dollar room. If they did offer FOTL access it wouldn't change my opinion to stay or not too. I am not that fickle. I know what I like and do not mind paying full price for it when it comes to Disney!

[CPM]

Originally posted by Eeyore1928
I highly doubt that the 40% covers suites/or any other high dollar room. If they did offer FOTL access it wouldn't change my opinion to stay or not too. I am not that fickle. I know what I like and do not mind paying full price for it when it comes to Disney!

Eeyore, I think you took my post the wrong way, I was just trying to tell you there are a lot of good deals for Disney. And I'm sure they have some deals on suites also. I have gotten deals on them before. I do my share of staying at Disney that is for sure! I've stayed at every resort there. Personally I don't like paying full price at any hotel anywhere, not sure I know too many people that do. As far as FOTL at Disney, I'm sure it's not possible but but it would be nice if they came up with some great perk to staying at an on site resort like PBH/HRH. It has changed my opinion to do USF/IOA this year instead of WDW. We needed a break from WDW any way. Maybe next year we'll be going back to Disney who knows. I have friends that work at both places & occupancy is way down at both so they need these discounts to entice people to come back.

[Eeyore1928]

Cheryl...I am sorry if my posts were a little off color....I am still fuming over the arrogance of the rude man from previous posts. I agree that sometimes Disney runs great specials and that everyone should take advantage of them if they can. However I have read previous posts by "shamu goofy hcr" and he only stayed at hcr because his entertainment book gave him a discount and for the fotl access. He seems to be a bit of a joke. I know that people like that should not bother me...but ignorance always does. His lack of respect for the finer things in a resort other than "young people" make him seem very immature. I wouldn't take his advice if he threw it at me!

Sorry you got in the cross fire!

Have a DISNEY Day!!!!

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

Sir I stay at HRH because it is a fun place to stay and I take advantage of FOTL because I do not like to be around trailor trash as some of the yahoos who have never been to NYC are. If you went on some of the vacations I went to and stayed in the hotels and resorts I have you would understand that if you are going to Florida for Universal , IOA, or WDW(and once you go to IOA or Universal who wants to wait on line for played out WDW anyway) you would check your self. I can tell you are one of the people who finds a WDW buffet fine cusine and wanted to get married at Disney and wear the Disney hat around the park for perks. Ha And in reference to the great Shamu that is playing along with the magic of vactions you dolt. I made a comment about a grand event to bring fun to a situation. Some people just do not understand and yes to simple people like yourself the PBH is top of the line and so is Denny's for breakfast

[Eeyore1928]

You are to funny....First of all I am a Ma'am not a Sir. Second I highly doubt that you would ever find me in a Denny's let alone a trailer. Second I got married at Disney because my family could very easily afford it and that is what I wanted. For your info we did not wear the ears. Basically I am a very spoiled 27 year old who gets whatever she wants no matter the expense. I truly do not know too many people that have been on a Disney Cruise 3 times in 1 year. Let alone 2 seven nights back to back. I am sorry for your own problems and truly wish your city the best. Maybe someday I will venture up to the Big Apple, but for now I have no desire. (sorry) I never said PBH is top of the line....I know it is not. As far as Universal goes ..it is the best they have for now for luxury suites! I am sure you have been to many places that many would consider nice. It seems we differ in opinion as far as what exactly luxury is. Keep saving and maybe someday you will know. By the way just how old are you anyway?

If you have any other questions about my likes or dislikes please feel free to ask!:p

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

please stop hitting on me you are married and yes you would only dream of being on my vacations with shamu and goofy. New York is the best place in the world for anything a person needs. So one day when you can afford it please ask and I will tell you where to go for a nice vacation

[Eeyore1928]

Wouldn't waste my time or my families money......so sorry

It's been fun..but ta ta..you bore me

[WebmasterBarry]

I'm going to remind everyone that board rules state that we must behave and be friendly in our posts. Any future unfriendly posts will cause this thread to be locked.

Thank you.

[CPM]

Originally posted by Barry Hom
Any future unfriendly posts will cause this thread to be locked.
Thank you.

I think that locking this thread sounds like a great idea!!

[DisOrBust]

Just curious shamu if you are the one that was bumped from PFB to the Peabody??

[johare]

Eeyore, it doesn't seem that you've ever stayed at the HRH or the PBH so what gives you the experience to say how they compare with the Disney hotels? Coronado Springs motel has more in common with a Mexican Motel 6 than it does with the luxurious Hard Rock Hotel.

I'm glad you don't have to worry about Entertainment book discounts and affordable rooms, but many people ARE concerned with such things, especially one these forums and I'm sure they find your snobbish arrogance to be quite annoying. Tell me, how did you come to afford such things? Did you actually earn it or did you just inherit or marry into it?

[WebmasterBarry]

You were warned.

This thread is locked.