Hard Rock vs Portofino

[k1marie]

I need some advise in deciding between the Hard Rock and Portofino Hotels. I have 2 girls 8 and 12. I know they would probably love the Hard Rock's pool, but I am wondering what they would think of the Portofino? If it's really fancy, they may get a kick out of that too. Any suggestions?

 

[BarryHom]

Moving this to the Universal discussion board.

 

[KimCon]

Check this post out, interesting discussions about HRH & PB.

http://64.225.125.24/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=104093&pagenumber=2

Kim

 

[nhrenee]

The Portofino is defenitely an beautiful and elegant hotel but it's not stuffy at all. We like the quiet after a noisy day at the parks!

 

[johare]

It depends what you prefer, buy I like the Hard Rock Hotel. It's more lively, less expensive and has a better pool with longer hours. It's also within very easy walking distance to the parks.

PBH is a very beautiful hotel though and is definately worth visiting. PBH also has a better selection of restaurants which is why we always go over there for dinner even when staying at the HRH.

I would recommend staying at the HRH, but definately take a walk over to the PBH to look around and maybe even have dinner over there.

 

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

Hard rock blows it away and their service is much nicer. go with hard rock

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by Shamu Goofy and HCR
Hard rock blows it away and their service is much nicer. go with hard rock

Just curious what do you think blows HRH away over PBH? I've stayed at both, I think both are equally as nice but....
HRH is noisey, lacks restaurants, one pool (always crowded), lacks parking. PBH, three pools, more restaurant choices, quiet, I personally have had better service at PBH & have always gotten an upgrade. The only bad thing I can say is that it's farther from the parks. Don't get me wrong, I love them both but I certainly don't think HRH blows away PBH, JMHO!

 

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

hrh is hipper, more fun, gives you a party feeling and the cust serv is much better pbh does not care about small people they look for the conventions and the bigger companies they will bump the smaller registrations for larger parties and they do not care , their upper management does not care about the little guys and when you go to universal you go to have fun and the HRH is a fun place while the PBH is for 90 year old stuffy people that are into quiet and looking at statues while HRH is into fun excitement and having a good time, their pool rocks their people are the best and if you are under 60 it blows PBH AWAY . ROCK ON HRH

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by Shamu Goofy and HCR
hrh is hipper, more fun, gives you a party feeling and the cust serv is much better pbh does not care about small people they look for the conventions and the bigger companies they will bump the smaller registrations for larger parties and they do not care , their upper management does not care about the little guys and when you go to universal you go to have fun and the HRH is a fun place while the PBH is for 90 year old stuffy people that are into quiet and looking at statues while HRH is into fun excitement and having a good time, their pool rocks their people are the best and if you are under 60 it blows PBH AWAY . ROCK ON HRH

That is totally a bunch of crap! I just came back from a wonderful weekend at PBH, I'm well under 60! They couldn't do enough for me & my family. It's far from stuffy either, there were many families around enjoying themselves as well as younger couples. It's a romantic resort but not stuffy.In fact the Thirsty fish was hopping way more then the Velvet lounge Saturday night! The people at the front desk couldn't be more helpful.
What do you work for HRH or something? I'm not saying that HRH isn't fun to stay at but I certainly wouldn't put down PBH like you did.

 

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

I have no connection to the HRH other than they treat you well and it is a fun place for an under 60 couple to stay and they take care of the little guy not like the PBH WHO WILL BUMP YOU TO A OFF SITE HOTEL IF THEY GET A BIGGER PARTY THAT WANTS YOUR ROOM. the HRH treats you with respect and the PBH treats you like a piece of meat

 

[Beckles]

The PBH is the better hotel in my opinion, and I've stayed at each hotel three times so I do have a little experience with each. The HRH has the advantage of *usually* being less expensive (not always), being an *easy* walk to the parks, and having a slightly better pool.

The PBH has bigger rooms with better beds and better climate control systems (I can not stand the climate control system they have at the HRH, it annoys the heck out of me when I'm sleeping, this was in all three rooms I've had there, never the same problem at PBH though), three separate pools (the Beach pool being almost as nice as the HRH's one pool), ample self-parking (which the HRH is infamous for lacking), and a much better selection for on-site dining.

As for service, the service at the HRH has been consistent, the problem is it's consistently *bad*, where as the service at the PBH has been a little more hit or miss, ranging from occassionally lackidaisical to excellent.

 

[BarryHom]

As for service, PBH is a little better than HRH. At both hotels, nearly every employee said "Hello sir" to me. I was quite surprised that I was treated like that! You don't find that at the Motel 6!

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by Shamu Goofy and HCR
I have no connection to the HRH other than they treat you well and it is a fun place for an under 60 couple to stay and they take care of the little guy not like the PBH WHO WILL BUMP YOU TO A OFF SITE HOTEL IF THEY GET A BIGGER PARTY THAT WANTS YOUR ROOM. the HRH treats you with respect and the PBH treats you like a piece of meat

Well, my last word on this but after staying at PBH SIX times this past year, (twice at HRH) I have never felt like a "Piece of meat" there & have always been treated with respect. It is definately for families & people under 60. I would hate to have anyone get the wrong idea about the place.

 

[Eeyore1928]

I have never been to either of the hotels but from pictures/reviews/opinions...if I were to compare these resorts to Disney resorts I would say that the HRH is more like a Coronado Springs in atmosphere only (not price) and PBH is more like the Grand Floridian...very upscale. This is not a bad thing, it is just that different people like different atmospheres. I personally am the Grand Floridian type and like lots of luxury and being spoiled on vacation. I would prefer the PBH to the HRH only for the luxury and peacefulness. By the way I am 26. I am not into being around a bunch of 20-somethings re-inacting their teens by drinking way too much and being WAY too loud and obnoxious. So I agree that PBH is a luxury hotel that caters to an upscale crowd and HRH is for the average Joe. Some of us just do not want to be treated like the average Holiday Inn staying Joe when we pay $300.00 and up per night!

 

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

average joe no way it is for people who spend good money check the rates and go to orlando for fun and excitement not stuffy, disrespectful wanna be's the HRH is much better for people under 60 and if you want stuff non average go to HRH if you want rude people bumping people from reservations and trying to be 5 star wanna be's then the PBH if you want to have a good time and be waitied on by respectful fun YOUNG ACTIVE people go to the best spot in florida HRH

 

[Eeyore1928]

It sounds as if you were bumped once from PBH and never got over it. I am sure they refunded your money or at least the difference ....and if you are only there for fun and excitment then that should have added some excitment into your stay! I do not wish to be waited on by young active people who are chewing gum and talking way too much. I prefer a server that is quiet and reserved and has a watchful eye. I guess I will never bump into you in the conceirge lounge anywhere..right? Like I said everyone has different tastes in vacations and I used up my party days in Cancun, and am ready for some upscale pampering! I am sure you love the HRH and the people that vacation there. NO problem. I just happen to prefer the more refined resorts. That's all!

 

[Shamu Goofy and HCR]

fine pampered resorts ? Dixie landings aka hojo and wilderness lodge ya right pampered big time buddy who are you kidding? The HRH has a great staff and the reason to go to Universal, IOA or WD is for fun and excitement or else why not just to to the fine hotels in NYC if you want pampered but what do you know about that Dixie landings and Wilderness lodge.. ha ha ha ha

 

[Eeyore1928]

Oh I am sorry but obviously you have never seen the suites at the WL, have you? They are beautiful. For your info...the Dixie Landings adventure was a spur of the moment weekend trip for only 2 nights...over Christmas. if you were at all informed you would know it is usually very hard to even get on property at that time! Please tell me all about your extensive travel .....or does HRH top it off as the best place you have stayed for the 2-3 nights you could spring for?

I would agree that Dixie is no more than a plain holiday Inn room as well. As you can see I am no longer staying there.

 

[Eeyore1928]

As far as NYC goes.....I have never been and really no interest to go. I can get Macy's and Nordstroms anywhere. The plays don't interest me..and as far as food..Victoria and Alberts...suits me just fine! The Grand has a great spa and onboard the Disney Magic the spa is wonderful! So no sense in going to NYC!

 

[Eeyore1928]

I am sorry but you really are out of place on the DIS boards. I think you should take your bad back, entertainment discount book (ha ha) and complain about Disney somewhere else. I suppose if you could get a discount and FOTL access you would be staying there right? Sorry but Disney does not have to offer 50% off and FOTL access to get people like you to stay in their resorts!

I do believe that there are enough of us out there with enough $$$$ to pay for suites, conceirge rooms and dinners at V&A's to keep them in business, without having to sell out to the masses.

P.S. Do you really think the whale at the Shamu Show is Shamu?