Can any experts locate my PBH suite?

[CPanther95]

We stayed in a Villa suite a few years back and I believe it was at the front of the West Wing - our view was overlooking the Piazza (sp?) across from the coffee shop (roughly). I remember it not being very close to the lobby.

I just called about adding Club access to our stay next week, but expressed a concern about the distance from the Villa suite to the Club room (also requested a balcony (something we didn't have last time IIRC). She said she's reserving the Villa suite in the main building directly above the Club room - so it will be just up the elevator from the club room (and the lobby) - plus it has a balcony. It overlooks the Piazza facing the bay, so I assume it is somewhere over Sal's approximately.

I'm too impatient to just wait a few days to find out, so I'm looking at pictures trying to figure out where our suite will be - primarily to determine if the "balcony" is just SRO, or if my wife and I will be able to sit out there and have a drink.

My problem is I'm having a hard time figuring out exactly where the lobby/club room is located when viewing from the bay. The building that's 3 windows wide with green shutters appears most likely, but doesn't seem wide enough for a 2br Villa suite. The section with 7 different roofs seems too far away to be considered "over the lobby" or "over the Club room".

Anybody know exactly where the Club room is in this picture, or maybe even which Villa suite she's talking about?

***One more question - What is the Internet access situation at the PBH? Have they added WiFi access for guests?

 

[goofy!]

I circled the club windows. I know this because in November, we had the Villa Suite directly to the left -first bank of windows (green shutters) in the building 90 degrees from the club windows. We could see right into the club windows. I kept telling the kids to keep the drapes closed

The club lounge is directly over Trattoria. The nightly singers were often out on those balconies or the bigger ones directly to the right in the picture under the arches (the lounge balconies).

So, for the Villa Suite, although never being in those suites, I would venture to guess that the double windows with the balconies would be the living/dining room. The room with the shutters on one side and the room with the smaller window on the other side would be the two bedrooms.

BTW - just for fun, the very top floor, with the fireplace is the presidente suite.

 

[goofy!]

Oops - there is wifi in the rooms. Last time (November) we ordered it, it was $9.99 per day and provided by wayport.

 

[Motherfletcher]

There are 2 computers in the club lounge that are free. It's kind of nice that PBH committed to a location. I requested one of the two villa suites on the top floor of the west wing above the boat dock. They told me they would keep an eye out but couldn't promise anything. I received what I requested at check in. That suite had 3 balconies each with a table and chairs. We had club access and it was a walk where you could get easily lost but the view from the room and the balconies made up for the hike. We would just fill trays at the club and take them back to the huge dining room table or out on the balcony.

 

[CPanther95]

So the balcony we get should be big enough sitting & drinking, not just standing and looking?

 

[goofy!]

So the balcony we get should be big enough sitting & drinking, not just standing and looking?

If I remember correctly from looking at it from our suite, it might be a bit tight, but you should be able to get some chairs on the balcony - especially if you turn them in a bit. In the front hall closet, there are usually those extra folding chairs to use around the dining room table. You should be able to put a couple of those out there.

I'm with Motherfletcher, though. Although quite a hike to the lounge, I would definitely see if you can get one of the two Villas in the West wing by the boat dock. We had first one - right off the elevator. The queen bedroom had a huge, delightful covered balcony with a small "soda type" table, two chairs and a lounge chair. I sat out there one afternoon during a rainstorm with a good book and watched all the sopping people get off the boat.

The living room/dining room has a HUGE double balcony that you could throw a party on. There are several lounge chairs on it and a table and chairs. We would order breakfast with room service and eat out there.

Then the King bedroom also had quite a large balcony with a lounge chair on it.

 

[CPanther95]

Do you have an exterior pic of that suite? I'm not sure we'll use the Club amenities a bunch, but I'm pretty sure it will hardly get used if it is a hike to get to.

I'd also have to juggle the benefit of being close to running down to get a quick cup of coffee or some ice cream vs. the larger balcony. Or to the closest bar - the nice bacony won't get a lot of use if I need to run a mini-marathon between rounds.

The piazza view is more important than the bay to us. I love overlooking the bay, but watching all the happenings in the piazza provides endless entertainment.

Multiple decent sized balconies would be hard to pass up though.......

 

[goofy!]

These are the balconies of the first Villa suite (right off the elevators) in the West wing. Because it is before the wing curves around, you still have a good view of the piazza across the bay. We used to love to sit on the big balcony and watch and listen to Musica Del Noche each night.

However, the view of the piazza won't be as good as the one you currently have reserved, as you are basically sitting right on top of Trattoria's outdoor dining area.

Ok, I just realized that I have stayed at this place WAY too often when I can start answering questions on what windows are what - Yikes

 

[CPanther95]

WOW! - Thanks for the detailed pics. Love those balconies - that's going to be a tough choice.

 

[dsmom]

Those pictures are beautiful! Is there a difference between bay view and piazza view? We have our first stay at PB coming up in three weeks.

 

[damo]

Here are the pictures of our villa suite. The first two pictures are portofino suite.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1378188

Our villa suites overlooked the boating dock.

 

[CPanther95]

Discussing with my wife now. Tough choice.

• Roomy, multiple, beautiful balconies.
• Close to Dock
• Close to pool

vs.

• Better piazza view
• Close to bar
• Close to Club room

I might be overestimating the amount of time on the balconies. If they would serve drinks to us while we were out there, we'd be out there a lot.

 

[CPanther95]

We ended up with the piazza view. Loved it.

We were in 2400, 2401 and 2402 which is directly above the Club Lounge you circled on the 3rd floor. At night the singers were on the club lounge balcony just below us - but we resisted the urge to go out and dance in the spotlight.

For future reference, 2400 was the 2 Queen bedroom and was on the left. The dining room window has the two green shutters. The living room and the King bedroom (2402) are joined by the balcony.

 

[goofy!]

We ended up with the piazza view. Loved it.

We were in 2400, 2401 and 2402 which is directly above the Club Lounge you circled on the 3rd floor. At night the singers were on the club lounge balcony just below us - but we resisted the urge to go out and dance in the spotlight.

For future reference, 2400 was the 2 Queen bedroom and was on the left. The dining room window has the two green shutters. The living room and the King bedroom (2402) are joined by the balcony.

Welcome back!

Was the balcony big enough to sit on?
How easy was it to get to club?

Glad you had a great time!

 

[CPanther95]

You really wouldn't sit out there. Good for standing, or you could pull up a chair, but we just used it for the view more than anything else. If we were sitting and drinking, we hung outside at the Thirsty Fish.

Suite was close to elevator, and we hit the Lounge every day for Breakfast (except the final morning we had the buffet) and for cookies at night. Then periodically to stock up on drinks or to use the computer.

On a side note: Any idea who I can write a letter to at the Portofino that will actually read and take action? There was a stand-out employee (waitress)that went well beyond the call of duty to make our stay top notch. She called our room to follow up on something, and on our final day - knowing we had tried for a Beach cabana, but settled on a Villa cabana.....came over in the morning to let us know there was a no-show and she'd help us move over to the Beach cabana. Unfortunately, she wasn't working the beach pool that day, so we couldn't leave her a monster tip as a thank you.

If anybody runs into a mother of 3 waitress named Alicia working at one of the Portofino restaurants - feel free to leave a little extra tip for us.

 

[goofy!]

On a side note: Any idea who I can write a letter to at the Portofino that will actually read and take action? There was a stand-out employee (waitress)that went well beyond the call of duty to make our stay top notch.

CPanther95 - I sent you a PM with an e-mail address.

 

[CPanther95]

Got it, thanks.

 

[Cinderella822]

If anybody runs into a mother of 3 waitress named Alicia working at one of the Portofino restaurants - feel free to leave a little extra tip for us.

I know who you're talking about. We had her as our waitress at the Villa pool last year and she was so nice. We were trying to decide on where to eat dinner and she was a big help in discussing the restaurants. We wanted to try Emeril's but figured it was too late to get a ressie there. She urged us to try anyway, and sure enough, we got in and had a great dinner. I believe her sister works at the Thristy Fish bar there and she was also extremely friendly and helpful. Sorry I can't help out with a contact person though.

 

[CPanther95]

Just thought I'd bump up this thread and thank everyone on the board for helping us plan the perfect vacation last year.

We're doing the exact same thing this year (May again), hopefully in the same suite. Only difference is we should be able to catch Blue Man Group this year.