Is PBH that much nicer Royal Pacific?

[lpandorf]

I booked at room at PBH about a month ago. At the time the rate was the same as that at Royal Pacific. Right now I see the rate has gone down by $30 per night at Royal Pacific. At 4 nights that is $120 savings - which could be put to use on food or we are also thinking about a day at Sea World. I've never been to any of the Universal Hotels. Disney past 4 years. I read that Portafina Bay was the nicest of the 3, but they all look nice to me and we'd be on site either way. Anyone been to both and have an opinion? Stay where I'm at or switch for the $120 savings?

 

[wings91]

We've stayed at both. The PBH is more luxurious, the rooms are fancier. However, we are there for the park, and while I don't want to say at a Motel6, I don't need PBH either.

I felt uncomfortable at PBH. It felt snobby. It's a lot like I feel at Grand Floridian.

RPR is very nice, just not as posh looking as PBH. I also like RPR location better, a much shorter walk to IOA and City Walk.

I won't stay at PBH again. I'm giving HRH a try this time, but would go back to RPR too.

 

[Skuba2]

I love PBH. It seems quieter than the other hotels. I love the beach pool better with the slide. You have the ability to go to any of the 3 hotels' pools if you stay in one, but I like the beach pool better. My son can play as deep as he is comfortable while my older two use the slide and deeper end. I don't mind the extra ride in the boat. It gives me a little more time to wind down.

Is it snobier? I don't think so. I would call it quieter. The rooms at the RPR seemed to be darker and smaller. Hard Rock seems to be crazy when I've been over there to visit.

You just have to decide what is worth what to you. Everyone has their own wants and needs.

DG

 

[calgarygary]

I have never experienced a snobby feel or staff member at the PBH but maybe some have. Some may find the opera singers in the piazza as snobbish but my wife and I, neither of us fans of opera, found it very romantic. The difference in room size is well worth the $30/night cost as a standard at RPR is 335 sq.ft. while at PBH a standard is 450 sq.ft. If there are only 2 of you, the extra space is nice but if there are more than 2 the extra space is great! Although for those that walk, the PBH is the furthest, it is a very pleasant and short boat ride.

 

[rpbert1]

I have stayed at RPR this year will be our 3rd stay, done a split last year with PBH. Never felt it to be snobby, but no more luxurious than RPR unless you are staying in some of the suites at PBH, although the standard rooms are slightly bigger as is the bathroom, you can check them out on the Universal site The Beach pool at PBH has a slide but i much prefer RPR`s pool so much nicer and a lot more room, although the Villa Pool at PBH is lovely more relaxing especially if you do not have kids.
We love staying at RPR ,but everyone has their favourite out of the three, but they are all lovely hotel resorts and you will have a great time no matter which you choose, you can always try out the other hotel pools and see what they are like.

 

[damo]

If space isn't important, I would just stay where it is cheapest.

 

[CPanther95]

I agree with wings91, the PBH is much more luxurious.

Of course it is up to you and your family's individual tastes, but I can tell you that my DD19, DD18 and DS15 consider the PBH (room, pool, piazza, club lounge, etc.) as significant a part of the vacation that they look forward to as the parks are - and have felt that way since our first visit. For my wife and I, it is the primary reason we return each year.

It's worth well over $30/day to us - for you it may not be.