Portofino Bay Current Construction

[Minnie1222]

I just returned from a 5 night stay at Portofino and the construction was a shock to us.

Was the construction limited to only the bay side? I called Portofino today and was persuaded to stay. The lady said construction is only from 9 to 6, and we can get rooms far away from the action.

 

[Jen81NYC]

Was the construction limited to only the bay side? I called Portofino today and was persuaded to stay. The lady said construction is only from 9 to 6, and we can get rooms far away from the action.

The entire main harbor area of the hotel has construction on it and even if you’re in a room unaffected by it, have to go through construction tunnels to access any dining, the boat, etc. In the end we did have a good trip but the initial look of it was a shock to us. I thought it would be one section with facade work and like 75% of it unaffected and that wasn’t the case. You can definitely still have a good trip but you will see the construction and it does significantly change the atmosphere. We did get a room without windows covered up and that did help though but honestly the main thing that helped was my kids loving their minions room and the beach pool. In the end they had a blast and that’s really all that matters, thankfully.

 

[Minnie1222]

I canceled our Portofino reservation and rebooked rack rate at Hard Rock. I would prefer Royal Pacific but couldn't get the same room category for 3 consecutive nights.

 

[MamaKate]

I canceled our Portofino reservation and rebooked rack rate at Hard Rock. I would prefer Royal Pacific but couldn't get the same room category for 3 consecutive nights.

I want to change hotels, but I have a real hard time paying rack rate .

 

[Minnie1222]

I want to change hotels, but I have a real hard time paying rack rate .

If I remember correctly, you're also coming this Memorial Weekend, right? Even if you were willing to pay rack rates, they may not have the same room for multiple nights.

I booked one night a few days ago, and were only able to get the next two nights this morning.

Forget the 4th night! We'll just go to Disney early.

 

[MamaKate]

If I remember correctly, you're also coming this Memorial Weekend, right? Even if you were willing to pay rack rates, they may not have the same room for multiple nights.

I booked one night a few days ago, and were only able to get the next two nights this morning.

Forget the 4th night! We'll just go to Disney early.

Yes, we will be there 5/25-5/30. There are rooms still available at RPR that I can see, but it's over $1K more total than my rate at PBH. If it was a once in a lifetime trip, I would definitely change, but since we go a few times a year, I think we will just hope for the best...

 

[Minnie1222]

One thing I dislike about Universal is the inability to change hotels in the account. You have to cancel and rebook everything. I'm not sure if they even let me "downgrade" the room category.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I'm not sure if they even let me "downgrade" the room category.

Yes, if booked through Loews/Universal they will let you make any changes to your booking, within the same hotel. Assuming they have availability for what you're changing to. You can make the changes right online. If you change hotels you do have to cancel/rebook.

 

[Koalayum]

Wow, it's pretty unfortunate here. We decided to walk to Sal's from city walk and with the diversion to the east wing walkway, it really is quite the punishing walk. My husband and kids were very unhappy. The general ambience coming into the resort is bad. My husband said with all the tarps, walking around the harbor felt like walking into the queue for the Mummy. The walkways were very claustrophobic, quite the difference from how it usually feels. Hopefully they can get this wrapped up soon.

 

[macraven]

Total completion will be done at the end of this year.

 

[DougEMG]

Those pictures make things look horrible, not at all what the person said was taking place when I booked our stay.

Any idea what things might look like by mid October?

 

[macraven]

You will see work being done.
I have stayed there during a remodel period and tried to make the best of it.

 

[msmayor]

We just checked out today after a three-night stay. We needed connecting rooms and were assigned Deluxe rooms (two queens in each) over on the Villa side with a partial view of the harbor and gardens. We were far away from any of the noise of construction during the day. Very easy access to the pools and just a short walk to get to the boat dock.

We did a pool afternoon on Monday and the construction is now over by the Beach pool - most of the building along the pool is draped, and you could definitely hear the construction noise while at the pool.

I'm sure the atmosphere walking around where the shops and restaurants are located is not even close to the usual with all the fencing and screening - that didn't really bother us too much.

I think the exterior will be quite beautiful once it's all finished. I'm wondering if anything on the interior is planned...some areas could use a little refreshing.