HRH or RPH Concierge ?

[Dagny]

We are heading to Universal for Spring Break - yay! We have been going back and forth between the HRH and RPH. We have stayed at both hotels before and love them both for various reasons. We have not stayed at the Concierge Level except at PBH, but decided to splurge this trip for a couple of reasons:

1. my hubby is a fitness freak and the Concierge Level includes the cost of a fitness room pass

2. we have 5 people going so we think we can make good use of Concierge offers, especially getting water for the parks!

We were initally booked at the RPH - I have heard such great things about their staff plus we love the short walk to IOA.

We are undecided now because friends of ours are going and they are staying at the Hard Rock (not Concierge Level - they opted for the Deluxe room since they have 5 people going as well!!!)

I guess I am looking for the good, the bad and the ugly of each of these Concierge Levels. When we stayed at PBH - their concierge was on the Ground Level, which we found very inconvenient for the morning offerings. Also, I have not stayed at the RP since they did the refurb on the rooms. I am wondering if I will like the new bright rooms. I loved the dark colors they had before.

Ah, decisions!!!

 

[macraven]

Dagny, I have stayed 7th floor concierge at HRH quite a few times.

The breakfast is a good spread. There are some threads here that discuss and talk about the offerings.
Doughnuts, muffins, bakery pastries, cold cereal-assorted name brand ones,
toast, jellies/jams, cream cheese, sometimes meats as in bacon, assorted fruit, various teas, juices and coffee choices, and more. I do believe I am leaving out some items.

The HRH lounge is smaller than the ones at RPH and PBH.
They do not replenish the pastries. They have only a set amount of them.

There is limited table and couch space at the HRH lounge.
Get there early and take the items back to your room.
Trays are available.

The breakfast offerings close promptly at 10.

The afternoon offerings of snacks have not been too great.
Usually potato chips or pretzels in a large bowl and soda and bottled water.

The evening has 2 sections.
The dinner hour and then the sweet hour.
Beer and wine available in the evenings only.


Some times you have a couple of hot items on the offerings.

I'll try to bring up the thread of Jodie's as she has pics of the RPH lounge and discussion on it.


I have stayed at all three on site hotels. I have only stayed on 7th floor/concierge at HRH.


From what I have been told and the pictures I have seen on the threads, my opinion is the RPH has the better lounge and offerings.

 

[macraven]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1696758

The above thread mentions some food offerings at the RPH lounge.
There are various opinions on this thread of what they like or didn't like



This thread is by alexandvanesa on the food offerings and pictures.


http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1112706


some discussion:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2064273


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2046718



Are you aware Dagny that if you upgrade when checking into the hotel, you can usually get a cheaper rate for club?

If you are going at a busy time or don't want to take a chance, then I understand you wanting to book club in advance.

Out of the times I have stayed at club at HRH, I only booked in advance one time. The rest of the times I stayed club, was done once I checked into the hotel.


The fitness center at HRH is not large.
I don't know the size of the center at RPH.
I was too tired to go there after being in the park all day.

If you need more info on RPH, I have more older threads I can share.

 

[Dagny]

What is the rate when you upgrade at check in?

We have the super saver rate at RPH right now. I think we are paying $230 per night for RPH Concierge (including tax).

THANK YOU SO MUCH for the other threads! I appreciate your taking the time to do that!!!

 

[macraven]

You're welcome Dagny.

I enjoy sharing my experiences and what i am aware of at universal and the hotels.

At check in, it varies what the charge would be for upgrading to concierge.

I have seen the signs on the counters of the lobby check ins vary from $50 to 100 a night. It is different for each hotel.

If the rooms are available, a sign will be on the check in counter that states something like this: Want to upgrade to club level? Ask at check in.
Rates start at xx per night............something worded like that.....

I have seen the $75 upgrade charge at HRH the last visit there.

Check to see what the lowest rated room goes costs based on your dates.
If the upgrade of $50 to 100 is cheaper in the long run, think about doing that if you have not already booked club the next time you stay on site.
ie, standard room $130 on SS rate, then anything under $100 would be a better deal for you to try the upgrade to club.


Also, call and ask the hotel how many rooms are open on club for your dates.
If they only have 3 or 4 rooms, don't chance losing the room you have already booked for club.

You did say you already booked so do not cancel or switch that at this point.
Keep this in mind to upgrade the next time you go.

It is only a great deal if the club rooms are available when you check in.

Lastly, have a great and fun trip!

 

[Laurabearz]

I think the 230 is a great rate for club level at RPR, it's what we are paying for our summer trip...

I have been looking at the Date and Rate thread, and I am happy with our RPR Club rate

But you have the wackadoodle friend issue with them being at the Hard Rock...

Maybe you can get them to jump over to RPR and the Club too??

 

[Worfiedoodles]

This is an awesome thread, with just the questions I was going to ask!

Does anyone have photos of RPR Club Queen rooms? I found some of HRH, and I'd like to compare. The HRH rooms seemed to be pretty big. Are there 2 sinks at HRH and only one at RPR?

Also, there seems to be a definite split among whether people prefer HRH or RPR Club. I'm sure that's because people have different criteria for what's important to them. For us, it's fruit, filling dinner time fare, and the ability to easily grab something. Which Club level is most likely to meet our needs?

Oh! And a question someone asked on another thread -- do they have Coke or Pepsi products, and can you get non-alcholic beer during the "beer and wine" time?

TIA!
Maria

 

[macraven]

The hotels are coke.
They were last October when I was there.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Thanks, macraven. I think you are one of the best sources for Universal info!

 

[macraven]

Thank you.

That's so nice of you to say that.