Concierge pref?

[steevo]

I am considering Universal in February.. I will stay Concierge, maybe a suite. Kids are 12 and 13 so will be quasi "loose"..
Potofino or Hard Rock? Many seem to prefer Hard Rock for its proximity to the parks, but other than that, which hotel has the better resort amenities when paying premium prices.
Thanks for your opinions..

 

[bjakmom]

I haven't stayed at Portofino yet (will in Oct ), but 3 or our last 5 stays have been to HRH - twice at club level - last trip in a kid's suite (not CL). My teens/young adults love the HRH - they love hanging out at the pool area - even love wandering around the hotel, checking out at all of the cool memorabilia. DS and his buddy were fine in the kid's suite (at 16) - even though they didn't 'appreciate' the kiddie theming, they liked having their own room with a door to close and their own tv. Our portion of the room/living room was huge and I liked using the walk in closet as a dressing room for privacy. I'd say for ages 12 and 13, the 'cool' factor of HRH would win out with my gang !

 

[steevo]

THanks..I booked Hard Rock Club level..Unfortunately no kids suites available..I will keep trying!

 

[Seahag]

The Portofino is an amazing hotel, but the club level lounge is on the 3rd floor & the club level rooms are on the 6th or 7th floor (sorry, I can't remember) anyway, I like the HR club level much better simply for that reason alone

 

[PatMcDuck]

We did RPR concierge in Aug 2004. I have seen the HRH club lounge, my brother stayed up there while we stayed in 2 regular rooms below. My kids prefer RPH, because it is more tropical, feels exotic to them (teens). We all liked Hard Rock, it was very cool, etc., only complaint the shallow pool. But the lounge in RPR seemed bigger? Mostly they likes the atmosphere at RPH.

We love the universal hotels, concierge, and that FOTL access. Have fun!

 

[LvsTnk]

We have stayed concierge at PBH hotel twice now and we request a room off of the 6th and 7th floor. Nice lounge selection of snacks and wonderful CM's.

 

[boomer626]

Lvs,

Can you clarify your request of "off the 6th or 7th floor"? Do you mean you can request a room on say the third floor where the lounge is? Thanks - planning to stay there in November.

 

[LvsTnk]

Sure it's like WDW a request is just that....but I don't know if you could exactly get the 3rd floor. Anything is worth a shot.

 

[SB in KY]

We have had 1 stay at each of the Loews Universal properties on the concierge floor....the rooms at PBH were the largest and nicest, but lounge access was poor and we were underwhelmed with the service, HRH definately had the cool factor and was nice but the lounge was always packed and there was never anyplace to sit in there during the hours food was available and the one poor girl working the concierge desk was always overwhelmed....so not much help unless you were willing to wait out the crowds....actually our favorite by far was the RPR....room was a little smaller than HRH, but had nicer amenities and view, pool area was far superior to HRH and the concierge service, lounge and food offerings was easliy the most outstanding of the 3 properties....I would never have planned on staying there except for this board and I have to stay it was the absolute best Universal stay we have ever had.