First time at Portofino Bay.....Any suggestions?

[dopeys biggest fan]

I am getting ready for my first trip to Universal and I'm staying at the Portofino Bay. I am meeting my husband their for his R&R from Active Duty with the military. I know NOTHING about the parks, resorts or anything. Does anyone have any suggustions about how to make it a memorable, romantic trip?

I applied for one of thoses Loews hotel cards last night, I have a membership number, but wont have the card in time for the trip. Can I still use it and if so how?

Any information you guys could give me would be helpful!

Thanx in advance!

 

[Motherfletcher]

Welcome to the Dis! Portofino is the most romantic hotel that I have ever stayed in and there are ways to make it more memorable.
You only need to give them the Loews First number at check in. You could get upgraded to a Bay View room which is very romantic. The Loews First will get you access to the fitness center which is next to their Spa and uses the same locker room. Through the locker rooms is a co-ed whirlpool that is very nice. If you use the hillside pool you will probably be alone most of the time.
The room keys work to get you into a separate but shorter line at the parks. When are you going? Any park questions? Restaurant questions?

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

Thank you for responding so quickly!

Our Reservation is for a bay view room! Are there best days to do certain things? Where are the best places to eat? How is Jimmy Buffets place?

I know absolutly nothing about Universal I usually go to disney. How do you get around to the different parks? do I need my car? Is there transportation from the resort? We will be there for 4 days the first week of oct. we got the stay and play for 4 thing.

Thanx for your input!

 

[Motherfletcher]

You won't need a car. The park access is like WDW's Poly. You can take a water taxi to the parks and CityWalk or a bus and it is within walking distance if you feel like a stroll in the garden.
I haven't ate at Jimmy's but have read good things about their cheeseburgers.
Oct 1 and 2 are HHN nights and the parks close at 5 for IOA and 6 for USO. If you haven't been to their Halloween Horror Nights you might want to consider it. Not romantic but scary.
USO is often compared to MGM but its head and shoulders above Disney here. IOA is often compared to MK. But IOA is a thrill rider's dream with great rollercoasters that make Big Thunder and Space Mt. look like Dumbo.
Stay tuned and we can offer you touring plans if needed or suggestions on nice romantic restaurants.
With Bay View you will want to request the west wing.

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

Why request the west wing?

 

[VW31]

The rooms in the west wing are closer to the boat dock.

We stayed in a bay view room on the second floor and was able to quickly run in and out down a short flight of steps to the boat dock.

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

The rooms in both are the same though, does one have a better view than the other?

Should I request a specific floor for a better view or anything like that? What about noise, are different areas of the hotel better than others for quiet?

 

[AlexandNessa]

Agree w/ MF. Ask for a room in the West Wing for easier access to the boat dock and lobby.

Don't forget to eat at Mama Della's!

Have a great trip!

 

[Motherfletcher]

The west wing is closer to the water taxi, the spa, and the beach and villa pools. You might want to request a balcony or a patio but there aren't too many available.
As far as views I loved the view from the far end of the east wing but it was a quarter mile away from anything. The view from the west wing is almost the same. Ask for an upper floor for the best view. For the most part PBH is the quietest resort I've stayed at. If you want quiet isolation and get a deluxe room upgrade I can provide the room number in the Villa Wing.
If you eat at IOA you have to go to Mytho's.
USO doesn't have the best restaurants but CityWalk makes up for it. Emeril's and Tchoup Chop are always popular romantic dining choices.
Thank your husband for his service to our country while you are at it. Don't get too romantic because PBH is where I would consider going AWOL!

 

[webray]

Just make sure and take your Loews number with you..they can confirm you are a member.

We love Portofino..the entire resort is romantic.

If you like to have a drink in the evening..head over to the Thirsty Fish..grab a waterside table and enjoy the evening breeze. The bar off the main lobby is also excellent for happy hour..lol..they have a martini night also..great bartenders..lots of fun.

Our favorite restaurant..Delfino...I believe is turning into something else..we haven't been over there for about six months so not sure what is going on with that..if it is still there..give it a try..very romantic..stolling singer.

Room service is very good there.

The parks are wonderful we love them. City Walk is a blast. We love to have shots/nachos on the deck at Jimmy Buffets, dinner at Latin Quarter, Emeril's, Tchoup Chop at RPR (very romantic), NBA City is great for lunch..you can also eat in the bar upstairs..great view/people watching spot.

The villa pool is very nice..and they have the hot/cold jacuzzi tubs outside which are very cool. They have the great big cozy beach towels to use at the pool so don't worry about using up your suitcase space with towels.

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

WOW! Those are some great suggestions guys thank you! If you come up with any others let me know. I will deffinately give you a trip report when I get home!

thanks again!!!

 

[nhrenee]

You will love the Portofino. It is so beautiful and romantic. Dh and I enjoyed the hot tub by the Villa Pool. We had it all to ourselves one evening. There are 2 near the beach pool also but the gate to that area is usually locked after 8pm. If you enjoy wine bring a bottle to the hotel with you. As someone else mentioned, outside of the thirsty fish is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the evening breeze.

During daylight hours take a stroll along the path that runs along the water and goes to the HRH (you can actually walk all the way to the parks but it takes about 15 min). There are beautiful plants all along the walkway. It's wonderful and usually empty.

Enjoy you time with you husband.

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Don't forget to eat at Sal's. Pizza and pasta salad are the best.

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

Where is Sal's Pizza?