Hard Rock or Portofino??

[Carrieberry]

Which one would you stay at? We are a couple traveling with no kids and are in our late twenties. We have stayed at the HRH in Vegas and it is our favorite hotel there, but the Portofino is so pretty and relaxing looking. We will be doing a few days at Disney before this and staying at one of their value resorts, so if the Portofino is really worth it we will splurge! We do plan on taking a few days off from the parks to relax at the hotel. Is the music at PBH really annoying? We do like the music played at HRH. What do you all think?

 

[gschmerl]

Have not stayed at PBH, but I'd think a couple in their twenties would LOVE HRH. Not only is it a great hotel, but it's much more convenient to get to the parks. Just a short walk--not necessary to take the water taxi or bus.

 

[Figment22]

My vote goes to the Hard Rock. We have stayed at both PBH and
HRH. In answer to your question, yes, I found the music at PBH
to be annoying. The Hard Rock is closer to the parks, just a short
walk; from PBH you'll want to take the water taxi. Even though
they're just across the street from each other, the walk from PBH
takes about 15 mins. while it's a three minute walk from the Hard
Rock to the Studios. I've said this quite a few times on this board,
but I love the underwater speaker system at the Hard Rock. The
one advantage I would give to PBH is the number of dining
choices. On the other hand, nothing precludes you from going
over to PBH to check out the food. Pick the Hard Rock, you won't
be sorry.

 

[nhrenee]

I'm sure you can't go wrong with either. Portofino is very quiet, relaxing and elegant with lots of marble and brass. I haven't been to the HRH but people are saying it's pretty lively. We're returning to the PBH for our 4th stay this October. I never really paid much attention to the music there except to notice it is very Italian (duh!). After a day of running around the parks we find the water taxis back to the Portofino a nice way to wind down.

Have fun!

 

[KimCon]

What a decision to be made, wish I was the one that had to make it!! We went last June and stayed at both places because we were unable to get 7 straight nights at one place. The first 3 nights we stayed at the Portofino, the last 4 HRH. I personally would give PB the nod, but then I am in my mid forties! It was such a beautiful resort, and I absolutely loved the pool at PB. I liked it better than the pool at HRH! However, the teenage kids liked HRH so much better. Not that they didn't like PB, but HRH was more their style. They loved that pool lots more, more kids to interact with, etc, and it was so much quicker to get to the parks. I had to laugh when we checked out of PB and into HRH my 15 yr old DS said Thank God, we're out of Italy!!!!!

Kim

 

[kellymonaghan]

If you're planning a relaxing, romantic interlude, then I'd vote for Portofino. It's really quite lovely and if you relax around the villa pool you can feel miles away from Orlando.

The music they play there is of the schmaltzy pop-Italian variety but I don't remember it as being particularly obtrusive. It's not everywhere like it is at HRH.

 

[BarryHom]

I have a hard time choosing between the two. If I had to choose, I'd go for HRH since it is closer to the parks and room rates tend to be less than PBH.

 

[webray]

We have stayed at the Portofino at least five times now, and will be staying again in November. We love it, especially if you want romance and relaxation...perfect for after your days at disney. The restaurants are great, the pool area is beautiful, and the villa pool is very nice as well. The music is not at all annoying...we love it...(keep in mind we like all types of music, rock, classical, new age etc).

We have walked through the hard rock, eaten there on a couple of occassion...the music there did drive us nuts..it is quite loud. The resort, however, is beautiful...probably similar to the one you have already stayed in.

You have better restaurant/shoppin choices at Portofino, walking is closer from the HRH...but from Portofino or HRH the boat trip is only a matter of minutes. (The boats at universal don't go as slow as the ones at disney).

Why not try something new...go to the Portofino!

 

[XAVIER]

I'd have to vote for the HRH even though I've never been to the Portofino. After spending the last 14 days there I can't see ANY hotel beating it!
It is a fantastic place! I can't wait to go back.

 

[Beckles]

The HRH has many issues, from parking to housekeeping to name the two most common. The only advantages of the HRH over the PBH are location (easy walk to the parks instead of the boat ride from the PBH) and *sometimes* price (I've been able to get a room at the PBH for less than the HRH a few times, even though the HRH prices are lower, rooms are not always available at discounted prices).

The PBH rooms are bigger and nicer than the HRH, and contrary to popular belief, the beds at the PBH are *better* than those at the HRH.

I've stayed at both hotels three times each, go for the PBH. After our last stay at the HRH, I don't think we'll be staying there again quite honestly, PBH from now on (we thought we'd save a little money, but the money we saved was not worth it).

 

[packy]

Never stayed at Portofino so I can't comment but agree with Beckle that the short walk from HRH to either park and Citywalk was real nice and definitely a plus for HRH. Disagree on the music though, I loved the music - it was everywhere. Regarding maid service, the first day we left at 8:00 a.m. and came back at 2:30 p.m. and our room was cleaned. I stopped by the desk and requested early housekeeping and our room was done the next day. If you get up and go out early then take a break in the afternoon, ask for early housekeeping. One last thing, they have a good waterslide at HRH.