Has anyone else had an "underwhelming experience at portifino bay???

[lorimay]

I am just wondering if I am the only one.

 

[damo]

Oh gosh, no hotel can impress everyone. That's why there are many with different themes and styles.

Personally, I was very underwhelmed with AKL and WL and many people will say that they are outstanding.

So much of a hotel preference just boils down to personal taste.

 

[IdesOmarch]

Yes you are the only one. No I don't know about that. I do know I've stayed at all kinds of resorts, 4 star hotels in DC, all over, and IMO Portifino is one of the nicest and well themed resorts in the country. The Italian riviera theme, the balconies, the pools, not sure what you didn't like about it.

 

[RMulieri]

Resort tastes are subjective ,not everyone is going to like the same things.If they did it would be a boring world

 

[lorimay]

The hotel was beautiful, our room was beautiful. It was a deluxe room with a view of the piazza.

My issues were with the operations more than the property.

It just seemed crazy to me that I would be charged $25 more a night for my 18 year old son to stay in the same room with his parents. He is a fulltime student and we still support him. I can understand this charge if there was another 40 year old couple sharing with us just to save money.

I did speak to the manager and she gave me a "one time courtesy" refund.

 

[damo]

The hotel was beautiful, our room was beautiful. It was a deluxe room with a view of the piazza.

My issues were with the operations more than the property.

It just seemed crazy to me that I would be charged $25 more a night for my 18 year old son to stay in the same room with his parents. He is a fulltime student and we still support him. I can understand this charge if there was another 40 year old couple sharing with us just to save money.

I did speak to the manager and she gave me a "one time courtesy" refund.

It works exactly the same at Disney. At the deluxe hotels, there is a $25 charge for each additional adult (18 year and older) after 2. The moderate hotels charge $15 for each additional adult (18 years and older) and the values charge $10 for each additional adult (18 years and older). Campsites are $2 extra and Wilderness cabins are $5 extra.

I totally agree that it is stupid. I have noticed that no one ever checks ID for ages though at the Universal resorts. Not sure if they check ID for ages at the Disney hotels.

 

[IdesOmarch]

Oh well, I won't argue with you about the extra charges. True they do try and nickel and dime you to death (and Disney) more than any place I've seen. They are tourist traps, just part of the territory IMO. Your going to blow a lot of $$ when you go to these places.

 

[lorimay]

Oh well, I won't argue with you about the extra charges. True they do try and nickel and dime you to death (and Disney) more than any place I've seen. They are tourist traps, just part of the territory IMO. Your going to blow a lot of $$ when you go to these places.

You are so right!!!
I guess this was the first time it happened and so I was caught off guard.
No they didnt ask for ID other than mine to verify that I am a Florida resident.

Maybe next time they ask I will say he is 17...... sorry I know this is so wrong.

 

[damo]

You are so right!!!
I guess this was the first time it happened and so I was caught off guard.
No they didnt ask for ID other than mine to verify that I am a Florida resident.

Maybe next time they ask I will say he is 17...... sorry I know this is so wrong.

Like Macraven said in a post in another thread, several of us have children that remained 17 for a very long time, lol.

 

[IdesOmarch]

Like Macraven said in a post in another thread, several of us have children that remained 17 for a very long time, lol.

The first time we stayed at RP, I looked at the final bill and there were all these extra charges on there, 1) turning bathroom sink on $5, 2) turning it off $5, 3) Adjusting TV set $4, 4) Sliding back window blind $3.

Well I'm just joking of course with the items I listed, I can't remember what all the extra charges were, but they seemed a little ridiculous. I just learned to live with it, its expensive, and that's that.

 

[macraven]

You are so right!!!
I guess this was the first time it happened and so I was caught off guard.
No they didnt ask for ID other than mine to verify that I am a Florida resident.

Maybe next time they ask I will say he is 17...... sorry I know this is so wrong.

read the thread where i mentioned one of my sons was age 17 for 3 years........
i'm sure they knew at check in as i have been going and staying on site since the boys were in grade school.........

but, they don't ask for id's on minors.

Like Macraven said in a post in another thread, several of us have children that remained 17 for a very long time, lol.

i knew you would say that.................
damo, i have never been questioned at universal hotels on the boys ages.
at disney, i stay on site there also, they actually pulled up the past records and told me ' Todd was age xx last year also.'

 

[damo]

I usually just make my ressies for two people and then when they are making the keys they generally ask and then I add on whoever else is there. I don't know if that info goes on file or not.

 

[macraven]

The hotel was beautiful, our room was beautiful. It was a deluxe room with a view of the piazza.

My issues were with the operations more than the property.

It just seemed crazy to me that I would be charged $25 more a night for my 18 year old son to stay in the same room with his parents. He is a fulltime student and we still support him. I can understand this charge if there was another 40 year old couple sharing with us just to save money.

I did speak to the manager and she gave me a "one time courtesy" refund.

that was wonderful to get the refund.
not many places do that.
i know i have had a courtesy refund at hrh and rph before.
doesn't that make your day when something good like that happens....

I usually just make my ressies for two people and then when they are making the keys they generally ask and then I add on whoever else is there. I don't know if that info goes on file or not.

when i call and book the room at universal for visits, i give some info and they can pull up somethings.

i do have my cc on file with UO. (at my request)
maybe that is why the TM's can access my file if i need help.

like back in january i could not find one of my credit cards.
i have 3 chase freedom cards and could not remember which one was the card i only use for vacations.

i called reservations and said i wanted to book a stay but can't figure out which cc i usually use.

the tm told me the number of the one i have used on the last 8 stays.
easy peasey..........

this time i wrote down that card #....

at disney, when i called to book, the cm asked who will be with me.
she said will A, B, C, D son's be included?

i asked how did she know their names.
cm told me it is in the system as past guests (children) under my name.

 

[tink20]

I booked a room the other day, and had a total, I know there will be an add on for parking and the rollaway bed, will there be something else? I would just like to know in advance, so I won't get while on my trip.

 

[lorimay]

YES! Disney keeps track of everyone in your family!

I noticed that started when we took our first disney cruise in 2002.
The next time I made hotel reservations they asked if each person that was on the cruise would be staying in the room with us.

I really wish when I call for reservations now, they would also have on file the amount of money we spent on our daughters "Disney Wedding" 3 years ago and give me a really BIG discount!!!!
But no luck they don't seem to have that written down anywhere.

 

[brenda1966]

Hmmm.... Maybe we should make up a few extra kids so we can book hotels with them not aging out!

I've booked other hotels as 2 adult 2 kids and told them my mom was 7. There's little that irritates me more than the extra adult charge on a room. If we have 4 in the room, I don't think it's their business at all how old we all are!

 

[horseshowmom]

at disney, i stay on site there also, they actually pulled up the past records and told me ' Todd was age xx last year also.'

 

[macraven]

 

[melissapealo]

Maybe it doesn't seem right, but this is standard hotel practice. Anyone 18 and older is considered an adult for room rates. Most places don't ask ages though.

 

[macraven]

Maybe it doesn't seem right, but this is standard hotel practice. Anyone 18 and older is considered an adult for room rates. Most places don't ask ages though.

i agree, it is a standard hotel practice.

some hotels due to perks for guests, do ask for age verification.