Is PBH $91 per night better than RPR?

[MSUBB1]

Looking to book a family vacation (DS 9 & 11) for mid July and the difference per night between PBH and RPR is $91 per night. We have only stayed at HRH before (really enjoyed) which is actually the most expensive right now. We will be staying this time for four nights and wondering if PBH is worth the upgrade. We usually go to the parks early and return to swim between 4 to 6, so which has the nicer pool?

 

[Bluer101]

For $91 per night more is too much for me. I always stay at RPR and love it. We do the same thing, get up and do the parks in the am and leave around 12-2pm for swim time. A lot of the times we pool hop to HRH for the afternoon instead of using RPR pool. RPR pool is very nice and a lot bigger, but my son sometimes want to use the water slide there and enjoy the music. RPR has a big water play area that he loves also. By staying at RPR and pool hopping you get the best of both worlds. You also have to remember PBH is the farthest from everything.

 

[bumbershoot]

RPR is really nice.

On our next (second) trip we're changing to Portofino because DH likes the looks of it and wants the big rooms (we'll be coming from Old Key West 2 and 1 bedroom villas, and the RPR rooms felt just miniscule last time we went with that same comparison, so the extra 100 sq ft or so will hopefully do something to mitigate the feelings of a tiny room).

But only your bank account can tell you if it's worth it to you!

As the previous poster alluded to, Universal encourages pool hopping, so don't let the pool dictate the choice entirely.

 

[nytimez]

They're both great resorts. I think PBH is considerably better -- but to save $91 a night, I'd stay at RPR and not think twice about it.

 

[patster734]

I suggest save the $91 nightly difference and stay at RPR.

RPR is the favorite Universal resort for my wife and I, and we've stayed there several times. We have stayed at the PBH a couple times and enjoyed both stays. Although most of our future trips will be at RPR, I suspect some will still include PBH for a change of variety, but only when the price is comparable.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Having stayed at both, I don't think PBH is worth $91 more per night. It is DH's favorite Orlando resort, but he also wouldn't pay $91 more per night (I offered to book it at $50 per night more than RPR and he said no). The rooms at PBH are much bigger, but the hotels are both gorgeous with great service.

RPR has the better location - PBH is a bit far away. That said, we switched to PBH since DH loves it and we were able to get it for $10 less per night than RPR.

 

[J'aime Paris]

I'm a pool hopper at Universal, and I think PBH has the least desireable pool of the three hotels.

HRH has the cool vibe
RPH has lovely shaded areas
PBH pool felt small and lacked shade

 

[damo]

I'd stay at the RPH for a lot less difference than that!!! Anything over ten bucks and I'm at the RPH.

 

[MSUBB1]

Thanks everyone for all of your input. I too was thinking that $91 was way too much of a difference, but I wanted to get the opinion of those who have been to both prior to making a decision. Looking forward to our first stay at RPR!

Next question - is it possible to request a room location? If so, what would you recommend? (probably will do a pool view, definitley don't want a pet room)

 

[damo]

When you make your reservation, you can tell them you don't want a pet room. Pool view will be more expensive than standard view and you would book that if that is what you want.

 

[nhrenee]

For our family it would be worth it. We like the peacefulness at PBH after a day at the parks. That said, we took a walk around the RPR last week and it looked like a fun hotel.