Best Pool? Portofino Bay or Hard Rock?

[Minnie824]

Thinking of going to Universal next spring and trying to decide what hotel. Can anyone tell me which hotel has the best pool? Also, does anyone have any good pictures of the pools? Thanks.

 

[bumbershoot]

Do you swim at a pool or laze? Can't swim in HRH pool as it is too shallow. The one small deep part is where the slide lets out. Quiet pool at PBH is good for swimming as it's a nice big rectangle. Main pool at PBH has slide, a bit of deep water away from the slide, and a shallow part with sandy bottom.

But... Pool hopping is encouraged, so don't let the pool make the decision for you.

 

[Minnie824]

Looking more for our daughters ages 12 and 9. They like slides and more of a fun pool than just swimming. Thanks.

 

[keishashadow]

Looking more for our daughters ages 12 and 9. They like slides and more of a fun pool than just swimming. Thanks.

All three onsite resorts have nice pool areas, we're partial to Portofino. The main pool has some activities in the afternoon by hotel staff. However, the pool @ the Royal Pacific really ups the action for the kids...to the point where we don't often stay there since it's a bit too lively for us.

HRH's pool has a cool vibe but always seems to be overly crowded when we visit.

 

[sandyplayer]

When I first entered the pool area at HRH with my kids on our stay I thought I had made a mistake. It was like MTV spring break with kids aged 5-15! Total Chaos. I was looking for relaxing.

But once we grabbed a spot by the pool and threw our stuff down, and the kids started doing the slide and playing pool games with the DJ, and he started pumping tunes.....we were hooked. We are going again this year (we usually like to try new places as opposed to go to the same hotel) but the whole family is unanimous about staying here. My husband just put in a request that we don't go to the parks one day and spend the day at the pool.

That being said, if your kids are really shy and don't like to participate in big loud crazy group things, and don't like a windy water slide, then its not for your family.

 

[RMulieri]

You can POOL HOP..It is allowed there and enouraged.
That said....We are partial to PBH.It has the main theme pool ( beach pool)with the lighthouse slide .Kids love the slide and there is alot of afternoon activities.Also was easier for us to find seating.IF you want quiet, the Villa pool is quiet and great for laps.We liked the look of the Hard Rock pool and the slide is cool,and lots of kids and great energy. But it was almost too loud and chaotic and hard to find chairs.

 

[damo]

PBH has 3 pools, so you have lots of choices. I also find that the PBH pools are less busy than the other pools.

You can find lots of pictures at www.oyster.com

 

[pas130]

We left Portofino Friday, and we have done all 3 pools over the last 3 trips. Kids are 12, 8, 7, 6 and 4. Their favorite is Portofino. We never have an issue getting a chair with some shade, and it doesn't feel as crowded as Hard Rock. There was a DJ in the afternoon, and one of the lifeguards held activities in the pool. It was a nice touch. My kids loved the slide too. Hard rock's is a little longer I think...and to reiterate others...POOL HOP to check them all out! It's easy to walk betwenn Hard Rock and Portofino, we did the shuttle bus to get from Royal Pacific to Hard Rock though...little legs tire easily

 

[SmallWorld71]

When I first entered the pool area at HRH with my kids on our stay I thought I had made a mistake. It was like MTV spring break with kids aged 5-15! Total Chaos. I was looking for relaxing.

But once we grabbed a spot by the pool and threw our stuff down, and the kids started doing the slide and playing pool games with the DJ, and he started pumping tunes.....we were hooked. We are going again this year (we usually like to try new places as opposed to go to the same hotel) but the whole family is unanimous about staying here. My husband just put in a request that we don't go to the parks one day and spend the day at the pool.

That being said, if your kids are really shy and don't like to participate in big loud crazy group things, and don't like a windy water slide, then its not for your family.

LOL! Great description.

My kids LOVED the Hard Rock pool - they were 14, 11 and 7. They loved the games, the music, movies, slide... We spent more time there then we have ever spent at a resort pool.
We pool hopped to Portofino and the oldest was very bored. I think every other kid there was under the age of 7.
But, it was quiet and beautiful!

 

[wookiebeck]

I don't have the individual pictures to post, but I do have a slideshow of PBH here at Youtube. There are a good pit of pool area shots to see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2eb1EErKKA

Enjoy your trip!!