Great Stay at Portofino Bay (9/17-9/20)---Pics Included

[LukenDC]

I recently returned from a great three night stay at Portofino Bay. This was my second time staying at Portofino. I had booked a standard garden view with the request that I have a king bed and face the Villa Pool area. When I checked in, I was upgraded to a deluxe garden view room that did indeed have a king bed and face the Villa Pool area. My room was right above the bocce ball courts.

The room was gorgeous and spacious. I think that it might have even been bigger than my studio apartment! The towels and bed linens were high quality and comfortable. I like that the Portofino offers several TV stations to guests. The Universal parks close at 6:00 PM in the off season and at night it's nice to return to the room and watch CNN or Discovery Channel.

I ate at Mamma Della's one night and had several meals at Sal's Deli. I also enjoyed both the Villa and Beach pools. Service, from the front desk to housekeeping, was friendly.

For those of you new to Portofino, do not be intimidated by the sprawling nature of the resort. Portofino Bay is huge, but there are entrances and exists throughout the complex and you need not hike back to the main lobby every time you want to leave, eat, use the pool, etc. Take some time to explore and find the entrances/exists nearest you.

Now for some pics of the room:

 

[bubba's mom]

So, you liked the hotel....how was the rest of the trip??

 

[LukenDC]

So, you liked the hotel....how was the rest of the trip??

The rest of the trip was fine. I visited both parks and enjoyed them. Last year I enjoyed Universal more than IOA, but this year it was the exact opposite. I will write a more detailed report regarding the parks on the UO/IOA board. I hope to get that accomplished later tonight.

 

[bubba's mom]

The rest of the trip was fine. I visited both parks and enjoyed them. Last year I enjoyed Universal more than IOA, but this year it was the exact opposite. I will write a more detailed report regarding the parks on the UO/IOA board. I hope to get that accomplished later tonight.

Great...I'll be looking for it....We haven't had a new trippie in awhile over there.....

 

[liberalmouse]

Great pictures! Thanks!

We were leaning towards the Portofino Bay Hotel and your pictures are really helping to sway us.

 

[bubba's mom]

Great pictures! Thanks!

We were leaning towards the Portofino Bay Hotel and your pictures are really helping to sway us.

We're staying PBH next year when you'll be there too..does THAT help sway ya?

 

[LukenDC]

Great pictures! Thanks!

We were leaning towards the Portofino Bay Hotel and your pictures are really helping to sway us.

Portofino is a great hotel. The rooms are wonderful, pools terrific, and restaurants delicious.

 

[frdeb1999]

The pics have me leaning more towards this hotel even more also. It's nice to see those that are taken by those actually staying there. Thanks!

 

[nhrenee]

Beautiful pictures! Thanks a bunch for making me "homesick" for PBH!

 

[disneyfan67]

Portofino is a great hotel. The rooms are wonderful, pools terrific, and restaurants delicious.

It is a great hotel and I would stay there again in a heartbeat. If I go in 2008, I hope I'll be able to get a good AAA rate, like I did the last time. For $239 a night, I thought it was one of the best deals I ever got. I also hope that a free upgrade is available for my next visit because I'm a LF member. I love the fact that I earn points for just staying at a Loews hotel. A big selling feature, IMO. Can't wait to go back.

Thanks for posting the pictures.