Hard Rock Room Size vs. PBH

[lovelyk68]

I called today to add my Loews First # to my HRH reservation and found out that the standard HRH room (garden or poolview) is only 375 sq. feet compared to 448-476 at the Portofino. I didn't realize that it was so much smaller and am afraid it may be a problem. Has anyone stayed in the standard rooms at HRH (not the Deluxe)? If so, please let me know what you thought. Thanks!

 

[cforza]

Just how many people are you planning to put in one room? I stayed in a standard size room on the club level. There were 6 of us in 2 connecting rooms. I think that with up to 4 people the rooms are plenty big. Five might be a bit crowded. We had 3 in each room and there was plenty of room. Also, with children especially HRH is a MUCH better choice than Portofino Bay in my opinion. The pool and slide are awesome, we looked at the Portofino pool and there was no comparison, HRH is much nicer. Plus HRH is RIGHT next to Universal. It is soooo convenient. Overall I thought the decor and atmosphere at the HRH was prettier and livlier. Another poster said that the PB was like a ghost town and I couldn't agree more. We were their twice, at noon and around 6:00 p.m. and I felt like shouting "Where is everybody?" The piazza's would have been much nicer if people were sitting outside enjoying them. It was a very strange feeling, like it was closed or something!

 

[lovelyk68]

cforza--

Thank you for your information! There will be five of us: 2 adults, and 3 kids, 13, 5, and 20 months. I also have reserved two connecting rooms. Is there a sitting area in the rooms with a couch or just chairs. How did you like the club access. Did you reserve or were you upgraded?

 

[cforza]

. . Is posted.

 

[Tigger]

I was told by reservations that there aren't regular HRH rooms that connect, which is why we had to get connecting deluxe rooms. I guess that I should call the hotel directly.

 

[WebmasterBarry]

Hmm...I had a regular room at HRH with a connecting door. I did not bother to open the connecting door though.

Barry Hom
Moderator, Universal and Sea World Boards

What to know how to get to the front of the line at Universal Orlando? Click HERE!

 

[uneamie]

Staying at the Portofino in May...a ghost town?
Hmmm! Does that mean if I want an up-grade I just might get it? Maybe my DH and I can swim in the pool without feeling like we are in a community bath? (I shall never forget our Disney cruise when everyone got off the ship to hang out on Castaway Cay Island...my DH and I had the hot tub and the pool all to ourselves. We felt like the entire ship was all ours...what a feelin!)
I bet we wont' have a hard time finding a beach chair out at the Portofino pool either. No waiting for room service...yahoo! No long check-in or out lines, I can handle that! Lot's of lovely privacy and solitude after spending a whole day in a crowded park...sounds wonderful to me! Portofino here we come!

"Tootles", uneamie,creator of:"Poetry Parlor", a romantic poetry reading room...come see!

when you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, but if ya wanna discount ya better live in Florida!

 

[TJA]

uneamie: Funny, I was thinking the same thing! We're going to Portofino in September and I purposely booked a standard room hoping that I may be able to get a free upgrade. My DH and I also would love to swim, etc., without hundreds of people around. Sounds like our wishes may come true!!

 

[uneamie]

and a friendly "ditto" to you. Have a great time!

"Tootles", uneamie,creator of:"Poetry Parlor", a romantic poetry reading room...come see!

when you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, but if ya wanna discount ya better live in Florida!

 

[packy]

Regarding room size, 375 sq. ft. at Disney is pretty large, about the size at the YC/BC but not as big as the Contemporary, Poly or GF.

 

[lindai]

When I stayed at Portofino in January, it was at 97% occupancy and was still a ghost town. 9 people in the pool at 2 in the afternoon on an exceptionally nice day (78 degrees), plenty of chairs and towels. Portofino holds very large conventions so I assume a large amount of the guests are attending these. If you want very, very guiet, hit the Villa Pool.

 

[cforza]

I just wanted to clarify that while I said Portofino was like a ghost town, that is NOT to imply that HRH was crowded. While we were at the pool on a beautiful sunny afternoon, only about 25% of the lounge chairs were occupied. I too have been on the Disney cruise line as well as several others, and make no doubt about it, HRH was in no way crowded like a cruise is. It's just that you saw some other people around whereas at the PB There was ONE family at the pool and absolutely no one sitting outside at the restaurants. I am sure that many people would prefer to have the place all to themselves. I hate crowds, but I like to see a few people around just to people watch!