RPR or HRH?

[whois figment]

I have reservations for RPR pool view for the begining of Oct. for $109 Ent rate Pool view. I called today to change the dates and can now get a garden view room at HRH for $125. Looking for recomendation on whether to stay with RPR or switch to HRH.

[Winston112]

After staying at RPH, I think I'd chose HRH. We ate at both and HRH had better dining choices.

[PartyofSix]

PBH gardview 159.00

[mtchbx]

I just returned from a 9 day stay yesterday. We stayed at the the HRH in a queen deluxe room (two queens, 1 pull out couch) and loved it. During our stay we went over to the Royal Pacificto check it out. We rode the water taxi over and as you approach the resort it looks vert different than the HRH the walls are generic and it doesnt have the eye appeal that the HRH does. The large pool was very crowded but the pool has a large area in it with water cannons for the kids to play with and small wading pools. My choice would be the HRH and my kids (teens) love it.
Scott

[JADEMM]

HRH without a doubt. We stayed last weekend at RP and walked over to HRH and watched the outdoor movie, swam and used the slide. It is very close to Universal (the secret path) and seemed much nicer overall.

[whois figment]

Thanks for all the responses I call and changed to the Hard rock hotel. Where exactly is the secret path?

[mtchbx]

Go to the pool and walk to the left of the bar you will see a gate to exit. Follow the path to universal.
Scott

[dcookies]

mtchbx -

Can you tell me more about the deluxe room at the HRH? We have one reserved at the end of August, but I can't find many details about it, other than it has 2 queen beds and is 500 sq. ft. We're a family of 4, including one 6 ft. 14-yo boy and a 6'2" husband, so I wanted the extra room. Was it worth it?

[mtchbx]

The deluxe room is large, about 500 square feet. The beds are very comfortable (I believe pillow top mattresses). We had no complaints about the room at all, except they do not guarantee non-smoking rooms if that is what you desire.
Scott

[madcoco]

Our nephew just stayed at the RPH in concierge.We went over to visit him one day and the first thing we noticed was lack of parking couldn't find a spot and valet was swamped.Outside kind of looked generic but I think it will look much nicer when the landscaping gets a chance to mature for a few years. The concierge invited us in to the lounge(thought that was very gracious even after telling her we were not staying there). It was large and comfortable,but it was one of the first lounges I have seen with a parking lot view (actually I-4). The room was nice and about comparable to the size of the AKL concierge room.Didn't get a chance to tour the HRH but it looked great from the outside and if it is anything like ours at home here we would choose it if given the choice. On a side note, we took the boat over to Portifino and couldn't believe how quiet it was.There was hardly anyone around yet the hotel was full.Definitely booking it next year for a couple of days of relaxation.Is it always that peacful?:D

[Buschfan]

I would certainly be upset if I was paying $6 a day for parking and there are no spaces. No excuse for that! They should be waving that fee if the parking is that tight there.

[JADEMM]

$12 a day gets valet (plus tips), $6 to park yourself. I felt they should at least have told us this when we booked. Anyway I actually waited until some guy started walking to the parking lot and followed him to his car-sure enough he was on the far end.

[whois figment]

Do all the hotels charge for parking?

[kellymonaghan]

Originally posted by whois figment
Do all the hotels charge for parking?
Yes, same $12/$6 rate at all of them.

[madcoco]

Leaving to stay at the Hilton UniversalCity Ca tomorrow.They charge $11/day $16valet plus tip.Airfare is cheaper than the parking rate.LOL

[stratusmom]

Stayed at the HRH in a deluxe room with two adults and two teens, ages 16 and 18. We loved the extra room and the pullout couch was great also. Needless to say, the teenagers loved the hotel theme in general .
I did take a walk over to PBH one day and it all looked much more fake to me from the outside though the inside was quite nice. I did not go to RPH.
The other thing about the HRH was that not once did we take the water taxi as both parks and City Walk were so close. It was a good experience all around.

[clarkgriswold]

Can you get a first floorroom and walk out at ground level to the pools, etc. One family member is a smoker, but we always go with a non-smoking room. It's always more convenient if she can just walk out to a patio or balcony for a smoke.

[stratusmom]

At HRH , I don't believe there are any rooms at pool level. On that floor is the Sunset Grill, an Emack and Bolio's ice cream and a Starbuck's along with the work out room . I think there are also some conference rooms.

3rd floor is actually the lobby floor -not sure if there are rooms on this floor or not.

[nhrenee]

Madcoco: I've been to the Portofino 4 times and it's been that quiet each time! We love that after a day at the parks. All the building have a special painting technique applied to the outside(I can't remember the name), that's supposed to look like vines, railings, etc.

[madcoco]

nhrenee: thanks:D It sure was peaceful We bought some gelati and just sat on a bench and relaxed after wearing ourself out at the parks.
DD with DA:
http://www.printroom.com/_vti_bin/ViewImage.dll?userid=MDM3&album_id=87843&image_id=14&courtesy=1
Exterior of RPH Kind of plain.
http://www.printroom.com/_vti_bin/ViewImage.dll?userid=MDM3&album_id=87843&image_id=15&courtesy=1
Beautiful interior courtyard at RPH:
http://www.printroom.com/_vti_bin/ViewImage.dll?userid=MDM3&album_id=87843&image_id=16&courtesy=1

[Paris]

I did take a walk over to PBH one day and it all looked much more fake to me from the outside though the inside was quite nice.

In defense of PBH's outside fakeness, it's by design. It's a practice called Tromp L'Oeil, and it's the art of painting on protruding structures. It's how the REAL Portofino in Italy is, done there to give the illussion on the cheap of protruding sculptures coming out of the building.

So while it may appear that Uni-Loews were cheaping out at the luxury hotel, it's actually case of not selling out and doing it as authentically as possible. As you walk towards the hotel from the boat area, you might even be surprised at how what you thought was 3D is actually flat.

Rick