Hard Rock or Portifino???

[MamaKate]

I'm trying to decide where to stay for our September trip.

I already have the HRH booked, but now I'm second guessing myself.

We've stayed at RPR & HRH before and my kids love the HRH.

But I really want to do all three hotels, so I'm trying to find out if PBH will be good for my family.

Can you walk to the parks from PBH or do you need to take the water taxi??

How does the pool compare to HRH's pool.

I know I will really love the atmosphere, but will my kids enjoy it???

Any help is appreciated!!
,
Katie

 

[Katy]

Our family has stayed at both hotels several times each (more often the Hard Rock). We prefer the Hard Rock because of it's lively vibe and proximity to the park. But, I also love the ambiance of the Portifino. It has more pool choices which is great during peak seasons and the main pool is awesome. I like their hot tub better than the ones at the Hard Rock also.

The food choices are great at both hotels - I prefer Italian fare - but like the Beach Club at the Hard Rock for quick, easy meals.

How old are your children? Mine are teenagers and apprciate the "hipness" of the Hard Rock and the music...see I still am not sure....are you staying long enough to split your stay? The first time we went we spent two nights at Portifino and three at Hard Rock...it was fun and not difficult to move over.

Good luck - you'll have fun either way!

 

[JessicaR]

WE are a family of 4, my kids are now 8 and 12 and we have been staying at the on-sites for 5 years. Portofino is our favorite but i suspect as my kids get older HRH will replace it as "their" favorite. Portofino is not as close as the other 2 and although we do walk it at times we usually take the boat. I like the boat especially in the evening pulling into the Portofino is like nothing else! It is gorgeous. They also offer 3 pools and my kids love that! The slide is terrific there. Lots of hot tubs and a cold plung pool as well. They also offer lots more options for food! The rooms are larger and the beds are amazing! They have a kids area outside and do have stuff for them to do. The grounds are sprawling and fun to explore! If you have tried the other 2 and you are able to give Portofino a try I would absolutely do that so YOU can compare for yourself.

 

[MamaKate]

Thanks for the details!!

I think I'm going to go ahead and change to the Portofino eventhough it's not the closest to the themeparks.

It looks lovely & I like the idea of the larger rooms (Is it a noticable difference in room size??)

My daughter loves everything Italian & is begging me to take her to Italy, so maybe this can be my compromise !

And if we don't love it, we will be returning in 2006 and we can go back to the HRH.

,
Katie

 

[lovetheparks]

It looks lovely & I like the idea of the larger rooms (Is it a noticable difference in room size??)

Definitely a noticable difference. In the deluxe, the bathroom is nearly as big as a room at the RPR!

 

[MamaKate]

Definitely a noticable difference. In the deluxe, the bathroom is nearly as big as a room at the RPR!

WOW! Now I may go for the deluxe room just for the large bathroom!!

Are any of the restaurants more casual & not so upscale or are they all pretty fancy???

Thanks!
,
Katie

 

[JessicaR]

The only one that I would consider upscale would be Bice...all the rest are quite casual including Mama Della's (which can be both).

The deluxe room is sooo worth the upgrade for the bathroom alone!

And if we don't love it, we will be returning in 2006 and we can go back to the HRH.

Thats exactly how I felt when we did the same!

 

[MamaKate]

Well after getting excited about staying at PBH, I called and they are booked 2 of the 3 nights during our stay.

They are sold-out of Standard, Bay View & Deluxe rooms for Sept.24th and 25th. They do have Club Level & Kids Suite's available, but I haven't heard too many good things about Portifino's Club Level.

We've stayed on Club Level and Hard Rock and enjoyed it, but from what I've read, PBH's Club Level is worse than HRH's.

Can anyone compare the 2 club levels??

After hearing about the Deluxe bathroom, I really wanted a Deluxe room, which I don't believe they have on Club Level. Is this correct?

The Kids Suites look great, but I don't know if it's worth the extra cost. Do they have the large bathroom's??

I was really quite shocked they were sold-out, because I thought September was low season??? We may just stick with HRH and book Portifino for next year. I'll make sure I book real early, because we are going during Thanksgiving week and I know it will be booked then!!!


Thanks for all the help!
,
Katie

 

[Motherfletcher]

Our club room was deluxe with separate shower and bath with the shuttered window into the bed room. The PBH Club is the nicest compared to other high end hotels I've stayed at like Hyatt, Crowne Plaza Universal or Peabody. I haven't stayed at the HRH Club though.

 

[JessicaR]

Hi MamaKate,

It did seem odd for those dates to be sold out unless they have a convention. I had a look online and those dates are available in every room category and also offer an APH and AAA discount. Not as low as I have seen it but in time based on capacity it should go down. Give it another try!

 

[MamaKate]

Hi MamaKate,

It did seem odd for those dates to be sold out unless they have a convention. I had a look online and those dates are available in every room category and also offer an APH and AAA discount. Not as low as I have seen it but in time based on capacity it should go down. Give it another try!

I just checked and they are showing availablity. I was incorrect about the dates before they are sold out in those rooms for the nights of Sept.23rd & 24th, but if I book it with the night of the 25th, it'll let me book the standard, bay view or deluxe.

I was trying to decide between a 2 or 3 night stay & if I want want to stay in a Deluxe room, I'd have to go with a 3-night stay.

Also, the reservationist told me that PBH has the best club level offerings out of all three hotels, but from what I've read, I heard it was the worst, unless something has changed.

Thanks Jessica for pointing out the availablity !

,
Katie