Help us pick a resort

[LMO429]

My husband and I are in our mid 30s. with no children We are looking to spend 2 nights at a universal hotel. I keep reading reviews and for the most part it seems all three resorts on universal property get good reviews, so it is making it harder to make a decision.

We are looking to enjoy dinner at night and the parks during the day. We are disney regulars and usually stay at the beach club.

any advice on why i should pick one hotel over the other would be greatly appreciated. thank you so much in advance I really appreciate any input

 

[horseshowmom]

I have only stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort (will be staying at Hard Rock just before Christmas but only because I couldn't get the dates I wanted at RPH). IMHO, it's a very romantic resort - very South Pacific feeling. We loved it (while my husband didn't get to make that trip, my adult daughter and I thought it was great). I regret that we didn't eat at the breakfast buffet because I've heard not that it's great (we have been given access to the club level since I had booked several rooms for a group of people).

One point though, the rooms at RPH are the smallest. We were fine though. I also think it's the largest of the hotels which can make for some pretty good hikes down long hallways.

I've heard great things about the Portofino. Along with checking the rates at Lowes and Universal, also check out Priceline's rates. You are able to select the hotel and the room type, and the rate is cancelable. They have some good deals too sometimes.

 

[LMO429]

I have only stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort (will be staying at Hard Rock just before Christmas but only because I couldn't get the dates I wanted at RPH). IMHO, it's a very romantic resort - very South Pacific feeling. We loved it (while my husband didn't get to make that trip, my adult daughter and I thought it was great). I regret that we didn't eat at the breakfast buffet because I've heard not that it's great (we have been given access to the club level since I had booked several rooms for a group of people).

One point though, the rooms at RPH are the smallest. We were fine though. I also think it's the largest of the hotels which can make for some pretty good hikes down long hallways.

I've heard great things about the Portofino. Along with checking the rates at Lowes and Universal, also check out Priceline's rates. You are able to select the hotel and the room type, and the rate is cancelable. They have some good deals too sometimes.

ok thank you. i would say I keep going between the royal pacific and the portofino. I have stayed at the hard rock in las vegas so I am less inclined to stay there because i have stayed at that type of hotel before.

 

[horseshowmom]

I have only stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort (will be staying at Hard Rock just before Christmas but only because I couldn't get the dates I wanted at RPH). IMHO, it's a very romantic resort - very South Pacific feeling. We loved it (while my husband didn't get to make that trip, my adult daughter and I thought it was great). I regret that we didn't eat at the breakfast buffet because I've heard not that it's great (we have been given access to the club level since I had booked several rooms for a group of people).

One point though, the rooms at RPH are the smallest. We were fine though. I also think it's the largest of the hotels which can make for some pretty good hikes down long hallways.

I've heard great things about the Portofino. Along with checking the rates at Lowes and Universal, also check out Priceline's rates. You are able to select the hotel and the room type, and the rate is cancelable. They have some good deals too sometimes.

ok thank you. i would say I keep going between the royal pacific and the portofino. I have stayed at the hard rock in las vegas so I am less inclined to stay there because i have stayed at that type of hotel before.

I typed in too big of a hurry! I meant that we have heard NOW that the breakfast buffet is great and that we WERE given club access (I made it sound like I have it for posterity! ).

Both RPH and PBH have water taxis (which are wonderful). THe PBH is a little further than the other two hotels - not excessively so though. It does have the largest rooms.

 

[aleighjc]

We just got back today from staying at the Royal Pacific Resort. I don't think we would stay there again if given the choice. Our phone didn't work, our tv had a red line that would scroll up, then down, up again, and we had a blanket on our bed (they have a sheet,blanket, sheet, then the comforter) well the blanket while it looked okay was actually really worn out and over washed so the inside stuffing was all bunched up and hard, it felt like little hard balls of newspaper or something - best way I can describe it, sorry!

The kicker was our room was right by the lobby and elevators. I asked if it would loud and was told no.... we couldn't sleep AT ALL. All of these issues they fixed when we had them, but we go on vacations all the time and have never had so many issues before. It was just disapointing. Also the rooms were pretty small, we had standard room with two queen beds and the walking space was just very small, one person walked around at a time or we kept bumping into each other. It was only my husband, myself and a three yearold too... can't imagine with older kids or more then one. I know a big bonus to staying at these hotels are the free fast passes and I guess depending on when you go that's a big bonus, but for this past week it wasn't needed at all because we had no crowd.

Also, we ate at the Islands Dining Room and the food wasn't very good. We're not picky at all, but the food was just bland, and it was as if they used to much oil/butter. We had the beef stir fry and a curry dish. Foods we both each all the time and they just weren't very good. We were pretty bummed because this place was not a cheap place to eat at!

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Did you speak with housekeeping? I complain if things aren't the way i expect them to be. RPR is not very expensive but its your vacation. You are paying for comfort and you should have that.

I thought the dining room food was very good, especially the macadamia pancakes. The sushi was great too.

 

[aleighjc]

When we had our problems we contacted the front desk. We switched rooms on the second night so the TV issue was fixed at the same time since we went to a new room. We still told them about the TV since I figured the next people in that room wouldn't be happy with that. They sent someone to give us a new blanket, another person to fix the phone. Real nice having some guy come in your room at night when you're in pjs :| They did take 44.00 off our bill, but I would rather have not had all of the problems. They only took the money off when I asked for it. If it was just one of these problems I wouldn't even be posting, but with so many I felt I should post.

 

[LMO429]

When we had our problems we contacted the front desk. We switched rooms on the second night so the TV issue was fixed at the same time since we went to a new room. We still told them about the TV since I figured the next people in that room wouldn't be happy with that. They sent someone to give us a new blanket, another person to fix the phone. Real nice having some guy come in your room at night when you're in pjs :| They did take 44.00 off our bill, but I would rather have not had all of the problems. They only took the money off when I asked for it. If it was just one of these problems I wouldn't even be posting, but with so many I felt I should post.

I appreciate your input. I do not want to stay in rooms where they are not well maintained..we just had issues at bay lake towers which i was surprised about the wear and tear of the room considering how new the resort is.

 

[rpbert1]

With no kids, i would say PBH, we love RPR and our DD loves everything going on around the pool, and staff are excellent, have been staying 6 years now, but if we had not got DD with us we would be at PBH

 

[ThemeParkGuy]

The best of the three resorts is the HRH. Not like other hard rock's and service is in a class by its self. you have a great time at which ever you pick.

 

[LMO429]

The best of the three resorts is the HRH. Not like other hard rock's and service is in a class by its self. you have a great time at which ever you pick.

why would you say it is the best? due to location or amentities?

 

[horseshowmom]

I appreciate your input. I do not want to stay in rooms where they are not well maintained..we just had issues at bay lake towers which i was surprised about the wear and tear of the room considering how new the resort is.

That's amazing. I would have been as surprised at you were. The place is basically brand new. I guess you can have issues anywhere.

 

[ThemeParkGuy]

Having been to all three resorts- the attention to service at HRH is awesome. While only boasting one pool it is the best on site. I most enjoy the vibe you get there in energy and fun. It really feels like an extension of the parks and does not feel removed as PBH feels to me. Food is choice by pricy. Hard rock makes me feel truly on vacation and apprecited by the staff.