Discouraging reviews, onsite hotel

[tony67]

I have to agree 100% with everything ElizabethB said.

I am still amazed that people will defend Disney and continue to give them their money even though they are providing less and less quality and service.
"No" seems to the first word out of everyone’s mouth.

I would choose Club Level at RPR over Club level at any Club level at any Disney Hotel any day.

My wife refuses to even go back to Disney but would go back to the RPR any time.

On example of the problems I had it the Disney club level, almost every "clean" wine glass had lipstick on it. I complained, was ignored and the next night same problem.
Oh and they are very cheap with the wine.

At RPR they are walking around topping off your glass.
The staff is amazing and can not do enough for you.

BTW: I have stayed club at 4 Disney hotels (CR, POLY, YC and AK) and all disappointed.
To be fair Poly and AK were OK, but just not worth the money IMO.

 

[keishashadow]

We had a few issues when we stayed a few years ago, got it all sorted, we returned for a week last summer, and had a fabulous time. The resort is a step above the rest and rooms are big, RPR is our fav and we stay everyyear, but considering PBH for our stay next summer.
Found all management and staff more than helpful.

we've had an issue or two not resolved during our visits over the years (typically a room issue vs service)...however, upon contacting Loews upon our return home we have always been happy with the resolution

i feel pampered by the staff onsite @ Universal hotels (especially PBH) vs being 'welcomed home' by the family @ DVC/WDW.

Something else to keep in mind.

Many of the people that think the Disney Hotels are the be all end all are very quick to bash the Universal hotels for even the smallest thing IMO.

.....

what i find odd is how even after they manage to get a rate during prime season in range of $150 or so a night (many report enjoying rates up to 1/3rd less than a disney moderate) they complain it's not luxe enough.imo the disney moderate PORFQ is really a lovely property yet dollar for dollar doesn't compare to any of the U onsite properties, especially when you factor in the FOTL perc.

imo the loews onsite properties are true 4 star deluxe resorts (in orlando speak) and the portofino compares favorably with any resort i've visited.

 

[tony67]

what i find odd is how even after they manage to get a rate during prime season in range of $150 or so a night (many report enjoying rates up to 1/3rd less than a disney moderate) they complain it's not luxe enough.imo the disney moderate PORFQ is really a lovely property yet dollar for dollar doesn't compare to any of the U onsite properties, especially when you factor in the FOTL perc.

imo the loews onsite properties are true 4 star deluxe resorts (in orlando speak) and the portofino compares favorably with any resort i've visited.

I stay at a lot of 4 and 5 star hotel for work and Loews is a great chain.

I have stayed club at the Polynesian and Club at RPR and club at the RPR is the hands down winner for me and it is half the price.

I regret all the money I spent at Disney Deluxes over the years.
Now I stay at the CSR when I am in Disney and enjoy the extra $100+ in my pocket each day.

 

[chimo2u]

Thanks for all the replies so far!! They've been quite eye-opening and very helpful!! I definitely am hoping for AT LEAST a AAA discount to come out, if not a stay more, save more discount....at least one of those will be better than what we have been quoted for now!!!
I am getting more excited for my stay at PBH...I think it will be lovely and the best choice for my son and I

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks for all the replies so far!! They've been quite eye-opening and very helpful!! I definitely am hoping for AT LEAST a AAA discount to come out, if not a stay more, save more discount....at least one of those will be better than what we have been quoted for now!!!
I am getting more excited for my stay at PBH...I think it will be lovely and the best choice for my son and I

don't wait too long to book 'something' to hold your date @ one of the hotels, they get busy over president's day

you can always book rack & then flip reservation to AAA when the rates are released & keep checking for different offers

 

[crabbie1]

Regarding reviews I think some people are just never happy and no matter what they pay for or are given "free"(as in upgrade) they never will be happy without moaning about something.We all spend a lot of time planning and saving for our holidays and we go to enjoy ourselves.I recently watched a woman on youtube videoing the taps,the overflow in the bath and a little bit of dirt around the tap itself with full description and comments.This was about a certain universal hotel and how bad she thought the housekeeping was.Now the time she took making that video she could have spent enjoying herself.If there had been a major flood or outbreak of cockroaches I could have understood. Yes complain if you need to but is there any need to take it this far!!! Most hotels will try and rectify any issues and sometimes need a few reminders which shouldnt happen but it does.
Sorry for the rant and I know things are not always to everyones taste or expectations but from a personal view I try and make the best of things and address and issues in a civilised manner without causing a fuss or letting it ruin mine and everyone elses holiday. My last issue was infact at a disney resort and was not resolved just brushed under the carpet.

 

[chimo2u]

don't wait too long to book 'something' to hold your date @ one of the hotels, they get busy over president's day

you can always book rack & then flip reservation to AAA when the rates are released & keep checking for different offers

Yes, I agree....I would rather book now and apply a discount later than lose out on the choice of staying onsite where I would like! I am not going over Presidents Day weekend....we will be at Universal Feb 10-13....however, even though we are not going a busy holiday weekend, I thought it best that I book now and hold my room....I will apply discounts later (hopefully) as they are offered! The prices are CRAZY high right now!!! but my room is secured at PBH, so all is good

 

[kirbsam]

have stayed at pbh 3 times. we have stayed at yc, bc, bwi, and poly at wdw. and consider pbh better than any of them.

 

[padams]

If you decide to switch to HRH, you won't hear music in your room unless you turn on the CD player. You can hear music under water in the pool, and in the lobby and public areas.

We stayed on the club level at HRH this past Labor Day weekend with our 12 and 14 year old sons. We all loved it. More upscale than any of the WDW hotels (we've been to AKL, Poly, Contemp, and WL). The boys rated the pool slide as good. It's long. They liked the shuffleboard, pool and ping pong tables next to the swimming pool. When a sudden rain shower hit, they found the arcade. Their arcade review is good games, not a large space, but enough to occupy them during an afternoon thundershower. They love music, and thought it was very cool to stay at HRH.

 

[chimo2u]

If you decide to switch to HRH, you won't hear music in your room unless you turn on the CD player. You can hear music under water in the pool, and in the lobby and public areas.

We stayed on the club level at HRH this past Labor Day weekend with our 12 and 14 year old sons. We all loved it. More upscale than any of the WDW hotels (we've been to AKL, Poly, Contemp, and WL). The boys rated the pool slide as good. It's long. They liked the shuffleboard, pool and ping pong tables next to the swimming pool. When a sudden rain shower hit, they found the arcade. Their arcade review is good games, not a large space, but enough to occupy them during an afternoon thundershower. They love music, and thought it was very cool to stay at HRH.

Thanks Padams I really should learn to never say never to a possible change when I am planning a Disney vacay, Tonight I made the switch from PBH to HRH Club level for our stay in FEB. I decided to surprise my son, being that he's 14, he thinks HRH would be the coolest place to stay!! I admit, I am a little sad to say good bye to my PBH ressie, but the smile on my son's face when he sees where we are checking into will be worth it in the end! Hope we love it as much as you!

 

[3darlings]

We stayed at HRH last week because DD13 and DD14 really wanted to stay there. Overall the stay was fine and it was not gaudy or loud. Rooms were nice and DDs loved the Ipod thing. However, they were not impressed with the pool. The pool area is beautiful but isn't really all that great. DDs refused to go down the slide after a couple of times saying it was a "little kid" slide. I thought is was fine, but I will admit that it isn't the best water slide. It is hard to hear the music under the water unless you are right near the speakers. And the pool is very shallow - I don't think it is ever more than 4 feet. There are ping pong tables and shuffleboard near the pool that many teens were playing, but they were always full when we were there. The arcade paled in comparsion to the Disney ones - DDs didn't even ask to go there. I think your DS will be thrilled to stay there (my DDs were but I think they now have that out of their system) but just don't expect too much.

 

[chimo2u]

We stayed at HRH last week because DD13 and DD14 really wanted to stay there. Overall the stay was fine and it was not gaudy or loud. Rooms were nice and DDs loved the Ipod thing. However, they were not impressed with the pool. The pool area is beautiful but isn't really all that great. DDs refused to go down the slide after a couple of times saying it was a "little kid" slide. I thought is was fine, but I will admit that it isn't the best water slide. It is hard to hear the music under the water unless you are right near the speakers. And the pool is very shallow - I don't think it is ever more than 4 feet. There are ping pong tables and shuffleboard near the pool that many teens were playing, but they were always full when we were there. The arcade paled in comparsion to the Disney ones - DDs didn't even ask to go there. I think your DS will be thrilled to stay there (my DDs were but I think they now have that out of their system) but just don't expect too much.

Thank you for your review I must admit that this statement has me a little saddened. HOWEVER, I am done second-guessing my decision, I am very bad at flip-flopping resorts I know even if PBH would be more up my alley, HRH will be RIGHT up my 14 yo son's alley....so we will stay put! I will enjoy his happiness and hope I enjoy the rooms/ammenities and experience of HRH. I figure I LOVE Holiday Inn Express and am often floored by the treatment/ammenities at that chain on family vacations.....so HRH has to be miles above that! I am sure all will be good!
I will be sure to come back and share my experience
I would love to hear any other reviews/thoughts so please feel free to chime in about what you love about HRH
Thanks everyone!

 

[damo]

Marie, just to put your mind at ease....

We have gone to the HRH for years but one trip we brought two families along with us. Actually, just the Moms and kids. The kids were in Grade 8 so around your son's age. Each mom and child (including siblings) said that it was the nicest hotel they had ever been in and it was the best vacation they ever had!

 

[chimo2u]

Marie, just to put your mind at ease....

We have got to the HRH for years but one trip we brought two families along with us. Actually, just the Moms and kids. The kids were in Grade 8 so around your son's age. Each mom and child (including siblings) said that it was the nicest hotel they had ever been in and it was the best vacation they ever had!

Thanks Damo Mind OFFICIALLY AT EASE! I can't wait, well....actually, I can because I love dreaming, planning and the anticipation I am sure it will be a wonderful time, now if only the weather would shine on us, that would be the icing on the cake!!!