Booked at RPR, thinking about switching

[Kim1964]

We are going to Universal for the first time in August. We are currently booked for 3 nights at Royal Pacific, club level. I was just looking at pictures of Portofino Bay and it looks awesome. I'm toying with the idea of switching to Portofino. We've never stayed at either so I am just wondering what people who have stayed at both think of them. We are a family of 4 (DDs will be 15 and 9 at the time of the trip).

Thanks.

 

[GingerJay]

For our trip in March 2010 we struggled with the same thing, but decided to stay at the RPR. It's a little cheaper that PB so that had a lot to do with our decision, but we didn't feel like we were staying at the "cheapest" of the Universal resorts. The grounds, lobby, and rooms were beautiful and the pool was prettily themed. Since it was March and cold, the pool had some debris in it, though, so we didn't use it much.

Also, they serve strawberry lemonade in the lobby for free And at check in, the clerk gave my kids small toys to keep. Which was extremely nice and totally unexpected. The boat ride to the parks was nice, and pretty much necessary as it is the farthest resort from the parks. Also, I don't think that the buses go back and forth from the parks to RPR. When it was too windy to take the boat, we had to walk But, all in all, we loved the RPR!

 

[Lewisc]

You might want to post in the Universal hotels forum. 4 people in one room? I think the rooms at PBH are a little bigger. The deluxe rooms at PBH are a lot bigger then the rooms at RPH.

Both are deluxe hotels. Generally offer exceptional service. Universal allows pool hopping. The pool at PBH has a slide. PBH has the spa.

PBH is slightly nicer but I don't think I'd pay a large price premium.

 

[SnowWitch]

For our trip in March 2010 we struggled with the same thing, but decided to stay at the RPR. It's a little cheaper that PB so that had a lot to do with our decision, but we didn't feel like we were staying at the "cheapest" of the Universal resorts. The grounds, lobby, and rooms were beautiful and the pool was prettily themed. Since it was March and cold, the pool had some debris in it, though, so we didn't use it much.

Also, they serve strawberry lemonade in the lobby for free And at check in, the clerk gave my kids small toys to keep. Which was extremely nice and totally unexpected. The boat ride to the parks was nice, and pretty much necessary as it is the farthest resort from the parks. Also, I don't think that the buses go back and forth from the parks to RPR. When it was too windy to take the boat, we had to walk But, all in all, we loved the RPR!

We have stayed at all 3 of the Loews properties at Universal, club level at all 3 also. We love them all for different reasons. RPR is the closes to IOA, the walkway comes right out at Margartiville, which we also love. The pool area is great at the RPR. The dining options are wonderful from the pool bar to Emerils place. We think they have the most diverse club offerings also.

HRH, worst club level of the three. Very limited on what is offered in the lounge and the staff was not terribly attentive either. Pool was fine but seemed very crowded. The rooms here are slightly larger than the RPR. IT is a very quick walk to US.

PBR is gorgeous. The rooms are the largest of the three onsite choices. Nice pool. Service was wonderful. We really enjoyed the brick oven pizzas from Sal's. The atmosphere here cannot be beat. When we stayed here on club it was set up completely different than it is now. So I will not offer opinions on something I have not experienced. When we stayed on club level they offered varying levels and we had the butler service which was fantabulous. It is also the resort that certainly requires use of boat service to the parks if your not into a nice long walk.

For value, pool, dining, service and location our overall pick is RPR for our group.

 

[eculmone]

We are going to Universal for the first time in August. We are currently booked for 3 nights at Royal Pacific, club level. I was just looking at pictures of Portofino Bay and it looks awesome. I'm toying with the idea of switching to Portofino. We've never stayed at either so I am just wondering what people who have stayed at both think of them. We are a family of 4 (DDs will be 15 and 9 at the time of the trip).

Thanks.

Hi Kim We've stayed at both. RPH in a heartbeat. It's more geared to kids. Our dd12 loves RPH both rooms are just as big. You'll be fine with space. Don't switch. You won't be disappointed

 

[CRSTEPHE]

Stayed at the PBH in August of 2010 in a Queen Deluxe with my DH and 3 boys ages 8, 13, and 15. We had stayed at the HRH before but this time I had a terrible time choosing between the PBH and RPH. The PBH is gorgeous BUT when we went to the RPH to do our laundry (the PBH does not have a guest laundry) we all agreed that we really wished I had booked there. The hotel was gorgeous and my kids and husband loved the pool area even though there was no slide. The walk to IOA is relatively quick. If we go back, we will book at RPH.

 

[iloveokw]

Just stayed at RPR Concierge hotel in Dec for the first time....we are DVC members that don't do studios.....very very impressed w our exerience.

 

[snowbunny]

We stayed at RPR last summer soon after Harry Potter opened. It's gorgeous, we loved it.
I actually canceled a reservation at Portofino because the rate at RPR was much lower, and we were happy because the walk to Universal is much shorter. Kids also loved the pool.